Underwhelming

[Spuhns]

Drove nicer than I thought it would ... can't understand the people who are complaining about wind noise or wind pull. They have not driven any 'lifted vehicles' apparently, or even a stock 80 series for that matter!!!

Overall, the vehicle is underwhelming and will be a flash in the pan, IMO. I really wanted to like it, guess I had high hopes.

I would have much rather seen the Prado released in the US, than the underwhelming FJCruiser ... Maybe not as 'cool' looking, but definately one of the best all around offroaders/DD's made!

 

[MudBludd]

Drove nicer than I thought it would ... can't understand the people who are complaining about wind noise or wind pull. They have not driven any 'lifted vehicles' apparently, or even a stock 80 series for that matter!!!

Overall, the vehicle is underwhelming and will be a flash in the pan, IMO. I really wanted to like it, guess I had high hopes.

I would have much rather seen the Prado released in the US, than the underwhelming FJCruiser ... Maybe not as 'cool' looking, but definately one of the best all around offroaders/DD's made!

wait..it was nicer than you thought...can't see why people complain...yaddah yaddah...but it is'underwhelming' and will be a flash in the pan....nicer than you thought YET didn't reach expectations...doesn't make sense

 

[Spuhns]

I didn't go through all the characteristics of what was poor about it, they have been beaten to death. I was disagreeing with the wind noise and wind pull, as that is the case with any roof rack and any large surface area vehicle.

I gave it props for the one great thing it did ... it drove well (meaning the road comfort was good in city and highway driving - as opposed to say a Jeep). This was a surprising aspect to me, however did not outweigh the 'overall underwhelming' impression it left me.

Have you ever driven a LandCruiser? The 'feel' of this FJC does not compare. It separates you from your environment too much. This is a great feature when sitting in an airplane, but not when I am driving in the mountains!

The post was more intended to drive demand for a TRUE LandCruiser-lite vehicle ... such as the Prado.

 

[MudBludd]

I didn't go through all the characteristics of what was poor about it, they have been beaten to death. I was disagreeing with the wind noise and wind pull, as that is the case with any roof rack and any large surface area vehicle.

I gave it props for the one great thing it did ... it drove well (meaning the road comfort was good in city and highway driving - as opposed to say a Jeep). This was a surprising aspect to me, however did not outweigh the 'overall underwhelming' impression it left me.

Have you ever driven a LandCruiser? The 'feel' of this FJC does not compare. It separates you from your environment too much. This is a great feature when sitting in an airplane, but not when I am driving in the mountains!

The post was more intended to drive demand for a TRUE LandCruiser-lite vehicle ... such as the Prado.

Gotcha...I would love to see a Prado as well in the states..but Gawd only knows how much they'd change it for the American Market

 

[SurfPonto]

I would have much rather seen the Prado released in the US, than the underwhelming FJCruiser ... Maybe not as 'cool' looking, but definately one of the best all around offroaders/DD's made!

A Prado is much closer to a 4-Runner and or a Lexus GX-470 than a true LandCruiser. IMO.

True they are available with turbo-diesel engines overseas but I believe the drivetrain is similar to the 4-Runner and the gX470 as well as the FJ Cruiser.

Bob
1977 FJ40 "MuMu"
1992 FJ80 "Tubbs"

 

[Spuhns]

I know the GX is a Prado ... pimped out, air suspension, and throw in the V8. All you have to do is look at side by side pics of the two, exact same.

I am really curious to know more about the relationship of the 4Runner to the Prado platform. Is it the exact frame, same center, SAME suspension? I believe the Prado has a coil over front independent, not torsion bar. Is this true with the Runner?

 

[uhoh7]

Drove nicer than I thought it would ... can't understand the people who are complaining about wind noise or wind pull. They have not driven any 'lifted vehicles' apparently, or even a stock 80 series for that matter!!!

Overall, the vehicle is underwhelming and will be a flash in the pan, IMO. I really wanted to like it, guess I had high hopes.

I would have much rather seen the Prado released in the US, than the underwhelming FJCruiser ... Maybe not as 'cool' looking, but definately one of the best all around offroaders/DD's made!

well I can tell you that you are an exception. I don't know what you expect.....I think it's just another "I wouldn't have one (cause I don't have it together to get one anyway)"

Flash in the pan? Right. Call us back in ten years and tell us it was just a flash. I have guys with every kind of 4WD, many LCs of all descriptions pulling me over, catching me parked, they all love the thing.

Oh yeah the PRADO--that's what we need.

The FJC is a great rig---what other 06/07 would you take?

 

[MudBludd]

"The FJC is a great rig---what other 06/07 would you take?[/quote]



kia sportage of course duh ;p

 

[BJ-44]

the 90 series prados can use the same supension lift as a 1996 and up 4 runner

 

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

The post was more intended to drive demand for a TRUE LandCruiser-lite vehicle ... such as the Prado.

Personally, I feel that the FJC is a great rig. It's got legs, and will probably be around for quite awhile.

 

[SunFuCru]

Coming frm a 2000 Tundra V8 auto, I drove a FJ 4x4 auto. I was VERY impressed with the ride and the power. (wait til TRD releases a supercharger for it) Way nicer than the Tundra. The looks are second to none IMHO, the quality is a given, the interior is very sensibly configured. PLENTY of headroom and very customizable seating arrangement with all of the adjustments.

Yes, the windows are 'gun slits' but they suit the truck. Rear visibility is challenging but not impossible. Everything feels solid and reliable. Little touches like triple windshield wipers, rear lift glass, rear gas strut to hold open and damp the large rear door, rubber flooring (with available rubber OR carpet mats), 110 Volt outlets (yes, 3-prong like you find at home), large manageable controls that make sense, and on and on. I looked for defects and about the only disappointing element was the plastic front bumper cover. Looks good but metal would have been better.

With this truck, the more you look, the more you are impressed. It has a presence all its own and can back it all up. I dont think ANY other vehicle in this class can say the same. This truck is a grand slam home run and will be a popular vehicle for years to come.

 

[warpedone]

Coming frm a 2000 Tundra V8 auto, I drove a FJ 4x4 auto. I was VERY impressed with the ride and the power. (wait til TRD releases a supercharger for it) Way nicer than the Tundra. The looks are second to none IMHO, the quality is a given, the interior is very sensibly configured. PLENTY of headroom and very customizable seating arrangement with all of the adjustments.

Yes, the windows are 'gun slits' but they suit the truck. Rear visibility is challenging but not impossible. Everything feels solid and reliable. Little touches like triple windshield wipers, rear lift glass, rear gas strut to hold open and damp the large rear door, rubber flooring (with available rubber OR carpet mats), 110 Volt outlets (yes, 3-prong like you find at home), large manageable controls that make sense, and on and on. I looked for defects and about the only disappointing element was the plastic front bumper cover. Looks good but metal would have been better.

With this truck, the more you look, the more you are impressed. It has a presence all its own and can back it all up. I dont think ANY other vehicle in this class can say the same. This truck is a grand slam home run and will be a popular vehicle for years to come.

I agree, That is why I will be trading my Rubicon for a 2008 FJC.

 

[TisilverFJ]

I agree with you BEN1272.

MY wife got her 2006 4runner first. I loved driving it so much that I wanted one too. I knew the FJ was due out soon. I lucked out and got one of the first one's coming into our dealership in Denver. If you drove both blindfolded you wouldn't know wich one was wich. Traded in my '01 tacoma D-cab and couldn't be happier.

 

[Cali_FJC]

whatever gets you off - get whatever rig suits you. i dig the fj for the modern convenience and it's offroad abilities. im looking forward to all the mods that will be slapped on this thing and learning from others ingenuity. who the hell cares prado - 4runner - fj40 - gremlin. i tell you, it's kind of annoying to read through thread after thread on multiple forums about dudes getting all grumpy that the fjc isnt this or that (of course i cant help but read them cuz im stewpit). i can accept the criticism - i dont really care if you like it or not - i do. im smart, im attractive and gosh darnit, people like me.

 

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

whatever gets you off - get whatever rig suits you. i dig the fj for the modern convenience and it's offroad abilities. im looking forward to all the mods that will be slapped on this thing and learning from others ingenuity. who the hell cares prado - 4runner - fj40 - gremlin. i tell you, it's kind of annoying to read through thread after thread on multiple forums about dudes getting all grumpy that the fjc isnt this or that (of course i cant help but read them cuz im stewpit). i can accept the criticism - i dont really care if you like it or not - i do. im smart, im attractive and gosh darnit, people like me.

As I've said before, Toyota isn't marketing to the tirekickers and naysayers (that's what the concept car is for), they made the FJC for buyers...and, judging by the short time the FJCs are on the lots after they're dropped, Toyota nailed it.

 

[Corey]

As I've said before, Toyota isn't marketing to the tirekickers and naysayers (that's what the concept car is for), they made the FJC for buyers...and, judging by the short time the FJCs are on the lots after they're dropped, Toyota nailed it.

Very well said.
It does get immature here with the repeated threads by the tire kickers.

 

[MudBludd]

I agree, That is why I will be trading my Rubicon for a 2008 FJC.

if you drove both blindfolded you'd prolly have to buy both since you'd probably wreck the dern things

 

[TEPUI]

I believe the Prado has a coil over front independent, not torsion bar. Is this true with the Runner?

Yes it is true. The 90 series shares the 3rd gen 96-02 4runner platfrom and the 120 series the 4th gen (current) runner platform.

the 90 series prados can use the same supension lift as a 1996 and up 4 runner

In fact the Old Man Emu suspension was designed FOR the Prado and brought to the US for 4Runners and Tacos (front). I just installed the OME setup this week on my SWB 90 series 1997 Prado and it feels great so far.

 

[Romer]

Well, I could start a post that said

I wouldn't get one . . . . right now because I want to replace the bumper on my 77FJ40 to something more stout, and I need to install a dual battery setup in my 97 80 series (LX450) and looking at rear bumpers for my (daughterofromers) lifted 99 4runner. After that, I am going to see if I can get my wife to trade her GMC in on an FJ. Only problem with that is she has a problem with blind spots. She once hit a pole in an empty parking lot at 15MPH in the daytime straight in the middle of the hood, and said it was in a blind spot.

So essentially, I am going to wait a year and see if they do anything about the blind spot. If not, by then they should have lots of armor available.

I like the Fj's and have wheeled with the FJ Cruiser team and am impressed!

 

[Spuhns]

Honestly, I was fully prepared to sell my FZJ80 to buy the FJC. I was very excited a new 'cruizer' was coming out and loved the 'look'. I drove my wife nutz for the last month before the release, my jeep friends were sick of me talking this thing up! I drove the first silver FJC that reached my delearship and put the first 12 miles on it.

After test driving, I got back into my FZJ80 and instantly realized how much more I liked the 'feel' of the 80 than the FJ. As I was driving off, another guy test driving a FJC at the dealership stopped me and asked me if I would consider selling the 80. Said he didn't like overall 'feel' of the FJC either. He was underwhelmed by it.