I wanted to love the FJ. Really did. Had committed to getting a new vehicle that had room for the family and dog, putting my sporting car past (and WRX) behind me. Loved the styling on the FJ. Liked sitting in the drivers' seat. Was looking forward to the admiring looks that would come for at least a while from strangers as had been the case when I got the Subi 4+ years ago. Had picked out color (Dark Cherry). Liked the idea of again getting a car that would perhaps make me feel/look younger than my 48 years. Looked at the truck several times and had two deposits down. Could have walked away w/ sticker price purchase. And then...
Took the wife and kids back for one more test drive. Saw that wife (not a great driver to start with) would be at a huge disadvantage w/ poor visibility. And heading up a steep hill, the truck wasn't "happy". And finally, two miles in the 6 mile test drive a bad sound started to eminate from the back rear right wheel. A grinding. I was in the back. I said to salesman Mario "Do you hear that?" He sheepishly said "Yes." Neither of us could identify the sound, but it wasn't good. And the truck had 50 miles.
On the way home the light bulb went off above my head: Buy a practical truck that the wife likes and can drive (she's due for a new car in a year or so). Drive it for a year; see if I like driving a truck as a daily driver. If I do, consider giving the wife my new truck revisit the FJ in a year, when they're cheaper and all bugs have been eliminated. If I don't go back to a Subi Outback or the like.
Then shopped more and found the fully loaded Pilot w/ nav and leather for $30,050 brand spanking new (sticker $35,200). And I wimped out.
I'm going to keep my ih8mud name and continue to lurk. Hopefully I'll start posting again in 9-10 months w/ a view toward buying.
Good luck to all FJ buyers w/ your new trucks. I hope it turns out to be a smashing hit!
Took the wife and kids back for one more test drive. Saw that wife (not a great driver to start with) would be at a huge disadvantage w/ poor visibility. And heading up a steep hill, the truck wasn't "happy". And finally, two miles in the 6 mile test drive a bad sound started to eminate from the back rear right wheel. A grinding. I was in the back. I said to salesman Mario "Do you hear that?" He sheepishly said "Yes." Neither of us could identify the sound, but it wasn't good. And the truck had 50 miles.
On the way home the light bulb went off above my head: Buy a practical truck that the wife likes and can drive (she's due for a new car in a year or so). Drive it for a year; see if I like driving a truck as a daily driver. If I do, consider giving the wife my new truck revisit the FJ in a year, when they're cheaper and all bugs have been eliminated. If I don't go back to a Subi Outback or the like.
Then shopped more and found the fully loaded Pilot w/ nav and leather for $30,050 brand spanking new (sticker $35,200). And I wimped out.
I'm going to keep my ih8mud name and continue to lurk. Hopefully I'll start posting again in 9-10 months w/ a view toward buying.
Good luck to all FJ buyers w/ your new trucks. I hope it turns out to be a smashing hit!
