Consumer Reports... FJ scores too low to recommend - Page 2

Sharkbait · 04-11-2007, 08:04 PM

sorry, but i think i had enuff negative ratings by some of thse people. as far as we're concern, the FJ has proven itself to us. and if anyone wants to know about it more, i suggest they ask any of us who has one, like many haved done in the past. so, lets enjoy our FJ's and let em write everything they want, i have mine...

picaman · 04-12-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

RoverGGM previously said:

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.

AMEN

FJYankeeFan · 04-12-2007, 08:34 PM

There are no FJ's around here and it seems like every time I go somewhere someone stops me to ask about it.

I never miss an opportunity to brag.

ramsee1 · 04-12-2007, 09:12 PM

I agree with everything everyone has said. ConsumerReports has good intentions, but I think they're headed down a dangerous path when they "out" a particular product. Case in point: they had to write a MAJOR retraction because they blundered crash results on car seats for babies. The companies/seats that were rated poorly by CR's flawed testing most likely lost them a great deal of revenue.

Sean K. · 04-12-2007, 09:14 PM

CR has been caught taking money in the past and botching their evaluations. They are neither credible nor believeable. Don't waste your time or money reading their drivel.

JMO,
Sean

Blue Cayouse · 04-12-2007, 09:52 PM

Before the day of the "SUV" or the Subaru Forrester I owned one of the best vehicles I had ever driven. It was a compact all wheel drive number known as the Nissan Access. It passed Ford and Dodge 4 wheelers stuck in the road and had plenty of cargo room and was very reliable. And CR just trashed it. Said that they could not make up their mind to call it a station wagon,car or cargo van so the whole article made fun of it. Funny, but if they saw it now they would call it a small size suv. Anyway they just killed the rep of that vehicle. Ever since I have not listened to anything they have to say.
Okay now for a dumb question...what the heck is a crossover suv? I can't get a straight answer but it can't be a hybrid can it? Some are way too small to be both electric and gas powered. Or is this some sort of marketing ploy?

ramsee1 · 04-13-2007, 02:04 AM

hehe. Yeah it's just a marketing thing. It's exactly as you stated, not quite a car, not quite an SUV. I think Ford now has a whole line of crossovers. The Ford Freestyle comes to mind.

FJMike89 · 04-13-2007, 08:47 AM

It got excellent marks in everything, but like you said too low to reccomend, did not say why but im sure its the blind spots, whos gives... I still love the FJ

fivestar13 · 04-13-2007, 08:56 AM

I think Rover's post summed it all up nicely.

Especially, the over the shoulder look part. True. That emotion is usually reserved for the muscle, exotic, and classic cars. Nary an SUV usually will ever rate that. SUVs are generally expendable pieces of utility and transportation. Yet, with the FJ, we get both utility and transportation, with much emotion! I love it!

Anyway, no matter what you read, hear, or see, your own opinion based on critical reasoning/critical thinking or just downright emotional appeal is what truly matters! All the blab, print, and blogs are just information. It becomes intelligence after you interpret it and decide things for yourself

SASS41766 · 04-13-2007, 12:08 PM

When I first got married I read CR and bought a washer/dryer and other items they recommended. They were the worst things I ever owned. For my money, if CR recommends it I stay away. They usually put too much emphasis on price and rate cheaper products better, I want to know what is the best, not the cheapest. They can have their mag. I haven't read it in 20 years.