Toyota FJ Cruiser

[Beefmeister]

So, in January we're off to Mexico for a year. Living in Mexico City thanks to the O/H's company, and cannot wait.

I've been looking at cars for us to lease while we're there, and initially we were going to get a VW Tiguan. But they are ridiculously expensive out there, so for the price of a boggo one, i've ordered one of these:



Tonka-toy-tastic!

4.0 V6 with 240bhp should make it move a little bit, but i just love the looks.

Have any of our US members driven/owned one? What are they like?

I may track down one for sale in the UK (there are a few) to have a drive, see if it isn't going to be absolutely awful.

[Beefmeister]

[Beefmeister]

Really? No-one?

Not even 300bhp/tonne or Jimbeaux?

Bah humbug...

[jammiedodger26]

Can I be the first to say I really like it?

[GravelBen]

From the title I thought the thread was about these:



Which are great old things! But I don't know anything about the new one.

[Bill]

I love them, and would have one if they did RHD.

There's a cuople of London based importers who sometimes have them in.

[sawman]

I have seen loads of these about in canada, but unfortunately I havent driven one, nor do I know anyone who has. from what I hear they are typically reliable, and rugged, similar to a jeep on the road and not so good as it off the road

[Beefmeister]

Yep, a mate of mine has just said they's one at a dealer near Romford so i'm going to have a look tomorrow.

So excited about the prospect of driving a big tonka toy for a year!

[Beefmeister]

Found it. Test drive arranged tomorrow morning.

**grins like a big kid**

"Yes dear, its very practical. Does great mpg. for it's size"



edit: Grrrrrr....

Edited by Beefmeister on Friday 6th August 14:53

[Bill]

Post a write up please, the LHDness and rear seat (I need 3 sprog seats) put me off but it's still tempting.

[Bluebarge]

You'll want the extra dark window tints to thwart kidnappers.

[Mattt]

I've driven one, there's loads in the UAE.

Very competent off road, engine sounds fantastic, and shifts fairly well for a tank.

Comedy body roll round corners, and an interior which is designed for 5 year olds.

Letter box visibility out of the glass.

The main choice in this sector seems to be FJ, Land Cruiser Prado, or Fortuner. I'd go for the Prado if it were my choice.

[Bill]

GRRRR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5KyVaeeW54

[Bluebarge]

Bill said:

GRRRR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5KyVaeeW54

And as if that didn't look hard enough, there's a crowd watching

[Bill]

Mattt said:

The main choice in this sector seems to be FJ, Land Cruiser Prado, or Fortuner. I'd go for the Prado if it were my choice.

AFAIK the FJ has Prado underpinnings, but I can see that the comedy Tonka looks might not suit everyone.

I'm hoping that LR does something similar with the new Defender...

[230TE]

GravelBen said:

From the title I thought the thread was about these:



Which are great old things! But I don't know anything about the new one.

First vehicle I ever drove, out in Oman when I was 14. My father borrowed it from the air force motor pool, we headed out to a flat bit of desert and he let me drive round and round in circles until I got the hang of clutch, gears etc. I'd love one now, but I guess they have all rusted away.

[anonymous-user]

Sooo much better in yellow.....

[Beefmeister]

I did consider yellow as my 1st choice, but had to settle on 2nd choice of blue to appease the O/H. She hates yellow cars...

Just watched some videos of them from that link - Jesus these things are really quite good off road!

Edited by Beefmeister on Friday 6th August 15:51

[GravelBen]

230TE said:

I'd love one now, but I guess they have all rusted away.

Still a fair few of them serving as off-road toys down here in NZ, often with V8 conversions

[Kentish]

5 USA said:

Sooo much better in yellow.....

I saw a few of these in the US recently and had to have a good gawp at one up close in Boston whilst having a walk about.

What a machine it is in the flesh!

Good choice

Even in baby blue