I'm potentially in the market for a new vehicle, and the FJ has been in my top 3 for some time now. I took a test drive today of a 2010 4x4 auto, and, frankly, I wasn't impressed.
First, let me explain that I come from a single cab full-size pickup with a V6 and auto, so I'm
well versed in slow acceleration and minuscule torque. The few times I romped on the pedal during the test drive, the FJ felt no different than my current truck with some 202HP at the flywheel (the 2010 V6 FJ is rated at 260HP). I realize the FJ is fairly boxy/large mid-size SUV and the one I was testing had 4x4, but does it get any better when driving one with a manual transmission? Would I basically HAVE to get the TRD supercharger option to make the FJ peppy enough to make me giggle like a school girl?
Second, for the price ($31K sticker), the interior offerings seemed pretty weak. The dash is nice and all, and I think this model had the upgraded stereo, but it seemed like there was an absence of storage compartments (only found the glovebox and the little pop-up piece in front of the driver). Additionally, the test drive vehicle only had cloth seats (I repeat myself, sticker price $31K) and the driver seat had NO lumbar support. By the end of the drive, my lower back was aching to get out, so I can't even imagine how this would work for long highway drives. The dealership told me that they have a dealer add-on lumbar support for around $400, but shouldn't something so simple be standard? Even my lowly F150 has a lumbar wheel that you can use to adjust the lower back padding.
The test drive was fairly standard, going on the highway and returning via neighborhood streets. The FJ does offer a very quiet ride at low RPM (and a nice groan w/ gas) and handles bumps well, but some aspect of the vehicle just felt soul-less. This could be my negative bias toward Toyota in general, as I think their testicles got cut off in the late 90s when they quit offering exciting vehicles (MR2, Supra, etc). How much of an aftermarket investment am I looking at to make the FJ something that I enjoy wasting gas on?
So, to return to the topic of the thread. If you own an FJ –– based on my thoughts and feelings from the test drive –– would I find happiness in one? I do enjoy 4-wheeling, but I'm a working stiff so 85% of the time in the FJ would be commuting to/from work. My initial attraction to the FJ was based on the exterior look, stock ground clearance, and Toyota reliability. These are still valid points, but I think after today's test-drive, the negatives are weighing down the entire decision.
I understand that the 2010+ FJs have a different engine that can't be supercharged using 09 and prior kits. Would I be better off looking for a used FJ?
I'm also leaning toward getting one with a manual trans and full-time 4WD since I enjoy wrenching on my own vehicles. There currently are NONE in this region of the US that any dealership can acquire for me. No used ones, and a new one would have to be ordered custom from the factory. What is your opinion in terms of going with the auto transmission with part-time 4wd (and the slightly better gas mileage) vs keeping it more involved with the manual trans? I've read up on the funkiness of the manual trans FJs, so I could live with that, but how about maintenance since it'll be a full-time 4wd system?