Who's looking at FJ Cruisers?

[NorCal Cruiser]

"The FJ Cruiser was developed as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed to explore new possibilities for a next-generation SUV aimed specifically at young buyers with active outdoor lifestyles." (from ToyotaOffRoad.com)

I've been wondering who's considering buying an FJ Cruiser? Is the media right, are most of the buyers going to be outdoorsy males in their 20s; die hard Cruiser fanatics who want an updated FJ40; or soccer moms who think they look cute and won't even know what 4-low is?

If I can figure out how to get a poll set up post who do you think will be buying one or if you are considering getting one what catagory do you fit into?

 

[uzj100]

Guys,

I saw this rig in Aspen sitting on a street corner and everyone was checking it out and talking about it. Mostly normal folks amazed at the low sticker price. I could over hear them. I looked at twice for 30 minutes at a time. No real hardcore folks at all.

I will check it out again when the convertible version comes out in two or three years.

uzj100

 

[enutter]

All the "outdoorsy males in their 20s" would laugh at paying that much for a vehicle unless mom and dad bought it.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

All the "outdoorsy males in their 20s" would laugh at paying that much for a vehicle unless mom and dad bought it.

I'm not sure... I'm a 25 year old, outdoorsy male and I'm considering the possibility of selling my '83 FJ60 and my '97 Jetta to get one. I was going to do a v8 swap but I started weighting the cost and effort vs a factory warranty. I'm looking forward to checking them out, but if they're trying to get over MSRP it's not going to happen.

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

I saw this rig in Aspen sitting on a street corner and everyone was checking it out and talking about it.

If these things are sitting around on street corners and being spotted driving down the road, then why aren't they showing up at dealerships yet?

Anyone's local dealer have one?? Any recent (and definitive) release date??

 

[stanley]

All the "outdoorsy males in their 20s" would laugh at paying that much for a vehicle unless mom and dad bought it.

you got that right. 15 years ago when I was an "outdoorsy male in their 20s" I was just happy to have gas money to put in 85 Honda civic. that civic was my first offroad truck, tough little basterd. rest in pieces little buddy. i swore back than that the second honda came out with a 4x4 i would buy it.... i'm still waiting honda

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

Well, I voted for the nifty looking folks. My wife didn't want anything to do with the FJ when it was in blue and yellow...................then she saw the black cherry one in a newspaper spread. Calls me up to say............"did you see the new FJ Cruiser? I think we should get one to replace the Cruiser (100)."

 

[aamiggia]

I think "outdoorsy" is a relative term. The true "hardcore" outdoor enthusiasts put most of their disposable money into equipment. They buy top of the line stuff so they can beat the s*** out of it. They know that their vehicle only needs a roof rack and wheels. These guys drive old civic's (as mentioned above), wagons, and beaters. Everything these guys own is either scratched, dented, ripped, or tore. They don't care about image, usually.

The more mature (read: more $$$) / less adventurous people are looking for more comfort and image. They may be outdoorsy, but want to do it in comfort. They have the same equipment as the "hardcore" guys above, but you can always spot they because everything they own is bright and shinny. Some might say that they are "poseurs". These are the same people that buy into the X-Terra marketing image and the "adventureous" lifestyle that a Jeep represents.

I agree with Enutter, most true outdoorsy people in their 20's won't be buying this truck with their own money. It will be the regular outdoorsy types.

BTW, Honda does sell a very good 4x4 in the Ridgeline / Pilot (MDX). it's no Cruiser, but it's very true to Honda heritage. If you're waiting for Honda to make a SA 4x4 with low range... you don't know much about Honda.

 

[John Smith]

I know the background of three very different buyers local to me. One is a co-worker who just turned 30 who is very active with outdoor activities who is retiring a honda accord he has run into the ground. He wants the room for snowboards, soccer, golf, and camping equipment, and he has liked my 40 for years now.

The second is the owner of a paint and body shop who is a Land Cruiser enthusiast, he is buying two. I believe the plan is to store one and drive one.

The third buyer is the wife of a FJ40 owner on this list. She has wanted a nice stock 40 for years but the FJ Cruiser is going to fit that bill until she can find one.

Very different backgrounds but they all know what the FJ40 is and what the FJ Cruiser styling is based on. At the DC Auto show they had a FJ Cruiser concept on display and it was interesting to see people's reactions. Most who saw it liked it and when they saw the price they really liked it.

 

[nickw]

I am a outdoorsy hardcore 23 year old male. (Enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and most everything outdoors)
I bought a HDJ81 instead. Just got it to replace my stolen BJ60.
For me it was a much better fit.
I wanted a regular 4 door diesel, which was built tough.
I also like the more modest looks of the 80 and 100.

Had I not been able to buy a HDJ81, I would of gotten a 98-2000 gas 100 series. (I wish the 100 came in diesel here) I would rather by a used 5 year old 100 series, than a new FJC. If the FJC came in a regular 4 door version and diesel I would seriously look at it. I don't want to say Toyota did not do a good job - I think they did. But for me a 80 or 100 is a better fit. Sorry Toyota. Close, but no cigar.

Maybe I am the only 23 year old male thinking towards the future, but when I get married and have kids I want to be able to keep my cruiser, and still use it. I want a awesome truck, but still something practical too. For me the FJC is a little to un practical.

Maybe it's just me, but I would like to see the North American market have access to what the rest of the world gets. I went so far as to have one imported and payed a lot to do so. There enough people like me doing this. I really hope toyota takes notice. We want diesel, and we want the other models. Hilux, 70 series 90 series, etc...

Cheers,
Nick

 

[92FJ]

I am 18 and already sick of my 3 yr old toyota highlander. I cant wait till the FJC gets in the Showroom. I am definetly going to get one. Im not too sick of my LC though becuase i hardly drive it.

 

[et3surge]

I guess I don't fit any of the criteria above, but yes I am considering it as well. I am 36 y/o male, not a "hardcore" anything, own a 87 FJ 60 but won't get rid of it to get the FJ, wife has a Volvo wagon and we may trade it for the FJ because the Volvo is out of warranty and we need a new car. I would take it offroad probably 4-6 times a year for extended weekends in the Carolinas, but if she's not using it I would use it for my Kayak trips...not too hardcore. I find this type of vehicle to be Utilitarian not just hardcore offroad. Spacious, rugged, fun to drive, not horrible like my 60 on gas, with a warranty etc... Plus it is another cruiser..so why the hell not! I am a hardcore Toyo fan I must say.

 

[hammer1]

i went to the dealer and asked the sales manager about the new fj, and he looked at me like i had two heads. said it was a concept , and not likely to every make it to the sales floor.
another dealer is advertising pre-orders.
the usa web site makes no mention of , or if, they are going to be available,
and NO ONE seems to have a clue on what the cost is going to be
i actually thing they are ugly, but never the less, i'd like to at least see one or test drive one.

 

[et3surge]

I got the same response and then they proceeded to tell me that I would probably rather buy the new Yaris for my needs...LOL I literally broke out in laughter in his face... I kept repeating that there is a new FJ Cruiser like the Landcruiser but different, he kept repeating that it was impossible. As I was walking out laughing a young guy from the shop laughed out the door with me and mentioned that he expected to see them in early Spring and that I should go to a dealer that actually knows what they sell...LOL. Toyota does everything impressively except obviously train their sales staff. By the way he even asked his sales manager.

 

[nickw]

I got the same response and then they proceeded to tell me that I would probably rather buy the new Yaris for my needs...LOL I literally broke out in laughter in his face... I kept repeating that there is a new FJ Cruiser like the Landcruiser but different, he kept repeating that it was impossible. As I was walking out laughing a young guy from the shop laughed out the door with me and mentioned that he expected to see them in early Spring and that I should go to a dealer that actually knows what they sell...LOL. Toyota does everything impressively except obviously train their sales staff. By the way he even asked his sales manager.

Maybe it's a US thing, but I have always found the Toyota dealers in Canada to be knowledgeable and helpful. Sometimes they can't always help, but they always give it a shot, and are very nice to speak to.

At least the guy in the shop told you to go to another Toyota dealer. Someone less knowledgeable then yourself might of believed the sales manager. A sales manager like that does not really inspire confidence in the brand.

Persoanlly, I would have no problems spending the money on a new truck if they had what I want.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[nickw]

I am 18 and already sick of my 3 yr old toyota highlander. I cant wait till the FJC gets in the Showroom. I am definetly going to get one. Im not too sick of my LC though becuase i hardly drive it.

Isn't a highlander just a 4wd Camry?
I am sure you will love a FJC by comparison.

 

[fj80toyman]

the usa web site makes no mention of , or if, they are going to be available,
and NO ONE seems to have a clue on what the cost is going to be
i actually thing they are ugly, but never the less, i'd like to at least see one or test drive one.

You're kidding, right? Have you not seen the area on the toyota.com site? It has pics of some of the 'press' activities it's held, including pics AND video of the Rubicon (which was a lot of fun I might add!). There's even a header over the Forum to get you there. Check it all out my friend.

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/fj_cruiser/index.html?s_van=GM_FUTURE_FJ_LANDING_BULLETIN

Dan.

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

he looked at me like i had two heads. said it was a concept , and not likely to every make it to the sales floor.

I got the same thing from two different dealers. I guess there's gonna be a lot of head-scratching when the delivery truck rolls in.

 

[firetruck41]

The sales drones want to make a sale (and commission) today, as far as they are concerned, if it is not on their lot, it does not exist.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

The salesman at my local dealer had the same info that I did. He said to check the website and the Car and Driver article on it- which I already had. He said that they hadn't received any brochures or other sales info on the FJ and probably wouldn't until they received their first shipment of FJs. At least he tried to help.