The last vehicle I bought new was in 1982, when my wife and I were about to embark on a long driving/camping vacation in Alaska, Yukon and the NWT. We didn't want to trust ourselves to an older or used vehicle and bought a new VW Vanagon camper for the ride. It wasn't fast, but it was extremely easy to live in. Everything mostly worked out fine on that trip, except for when the camshaft broke and the engine beat itself to death near Whitehorse. Following that event, pain and frustration ensued. But I can't complain too much because it did lead to our spending an unexpected week in Vancouver, which is a beautiful place to be marooned while your engine is being rebuilt.

After that new-car experience, we/I focused on well-maintained used vehicles when it became necessary to get into a new ride.

Until Friday. Under the influence of my son-in-law and a bunch of other Orange County Firefighters for whom the Toyota FJ Cruiser is about The Best Truck Ever, I committed to this 2014 model. It's basic on the outside but well equipped where it counts: 4WD, locking differential, upgrade shocks, pushbutton traction and CRAWL controls, decent around-town driving comfort assists like AC, the back-up camera, blackout rear windows, cruise control and rear window washer. The audio package is basic but not bad -- certainly better than my aging ears can fully appreciate. I'm in love.



There is some remote camping potential in this car, just as there is in the 4x4 Ford F150 behind it. But the Ford is mostly a utility take-trash-to-the-dump/bring-home-building-materials vehicle. The FJ is my new daily errand and transport vehicle. Ultimately it will see some serious recreational use.

In time it may get a Gobi roof rack, tow hitch and some rock rails. I tried to buy what Toyota calls the Trail Teams edition of the FJ, which basically has everything on it in the first place, but the 2013s were all gone and local dealers still hadn't seen any 2014s. So I got as close as I could out of all the units on nearby lots. This one, which I had to go to San Diego to get, had the best mix of desired features while remaining free of stuff that I didn't consider crucial but just ran up the cost.

Gotta build some CA-compliant gun transport cabinets for the cargo area. Or maybe just buy some CA-compliant steel boxes and chain them to the cargo area tiedowns.

Mileage sucks, which you might expect from something that has the aerodynamic qualities of a concrete block. The ride is not bad for what is basically a truck with stiff suspension. There is enough power in the 4L engine to get you in trouble if you don't pay attention to engine revs and speed. The brakes stop you right now. Visibility is a little sketchy, but this is the kind of car where you mostly worry about what is going on in front of and beside you, not back behind. When you do have to look back, it is easy enough to deduce what you can't directly see.

I have had Toyotas before and have not had a single experience that would lead me to say a bad thing about them. I am looking forward to a lot of years enjoying this one.

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David Wilson

Good looking truck, enjoy it.

We have a 2005 4Runner that has been great. At 160K a head gasket let go, which cost $2500 to fix, but now the truck has a new top end 210K miles and no signs of slowing down.

Toyota makes a great truck and that FJ will last a long time.

On my 2nd one great vehicle

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Len

Congratulations, I really like those trucks, and yours looks great!

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NRA Life Member

I've had my '10 FJ since last November. The more I drive it the more I like it. Just got new tires and am contemplating a winch bumper. If only they'd put the Tundra V8 in it!

Very nice vehicle. White roof is a great idea.

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SOS USA

I thhink it's time for another trip.

Nice truck I prefer the F150 we have the 4X4 keep us out of trouble, haven't had any problems with any of our vehicles and when you buy new, anything goes wrong is on you as you don't know how the other owner took care of it plus you get the new vehicle warrantee. You only live once and you can't take it with you.

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Psalm 23:4

You're going to love the FJ. I bought mine in 2009 and it is my everyday driver. It will go pretty much where ever you want to go.

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Bill Bates

We've had an FJ since 2010, (I say "we" because it's the wife's DD) We just got back from a trip to CO trailering a Jeep both ways (1947 CJ2A) and it worked great. Set the cruise and go. The mileage varied between 13 and 17 depending on the terrain. The only things I don't like about it are 1. the rear door windows are fixed so my dog can't stick her nose out. and 2. the rear 1/4's are big blind zones so move your head around looking in the mirror, cars get lost in that zone.

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Minimize the variables

Those do look interesting and I was thinking about them too. The only complaint I heard was do to the design there is a blind spot to the side (s?) behind you. I have a toyota avalon I bought new in 2007 and I havent had one thing go wrong with it yet. I bought the extended warranty for $1,800s that you are suppose to get your money back if you dont use in the six years. Right now, the six years was up a little over a month ago and they are playing games with me. You have to jump through many hoops which I have, and my last call they said oh, you will get your check in 6 weeks or so! I am thinking of sueing.