It's not exactly a "Consumer Reports" kind of car. I feel it's a niche vehicle and it seems people either love it or hate it. I spent 6 hours last night at the Nashville Auto Show and in watching folks reactions to the FJ, my theory was proven true there.
I had folks say everything from "I love it, it's so cute" (females) and "It looks like it could climb a tree" to this one "sensible shoe" wearing gentleman that exclaimed "I just don't get this vehicle!" I thought to myself, "I'm sure you don't". I told nearly everyone that noted the blind spots that I had delivered televisions in college in a panel van and never once ran anyone off the road because of the absence of side windows. I set the mirrors properly and use them.
They are not for everybody, heck they're not even for most bodies. But for those of us that have them and love them, there's nothing else quite like the joy of looking over our shoulder at them as we enter an establishment and seeing it in the parking lot. It is an automotive expression of an exciting feeling of "possibility" that most SUVs can't quite muster.
I doubt the Consumer Reports reviewers "get it" either. It's not astoundingly useful as an appliance. There are many "better" vehicles out there (depending on your judging perspective) that serve as transportation.
I like their perspective on one of my other favorite Toyota powered vehicles as well (The Lotus Elise). It's as impractical as the day is long, but so much fun you should be arrested just for driving it. Consumer reports frowned on it too. Amazingly both these vehicles were listed among the "most collectible" vehicles available this year.
Folks that put that much credence in the magazine without using/opening their minds don't deserve this much fun either.
