Consumer Reports at its Best

[Wadi]

I have a strong distaste for consumer reports and their self-righteous self-acclaimed fully objective articles, but the when I saw their recent automotive edition had a preview of many 2008 vehicles, I got suckered in.

The quarter page two paragrapch analysis includes high praise and top marks for the design, off-road worthiness, the engine and the crashworthiness. In addition expected quality in every category was above average. Average vehicles in each class rate between 55-65, so they refused to recommend it period. However the blind spots and vague handling merit the FJ a score of 36. I suppose the editors must drive in reverse or sideways most of the time.

[JasonRP]

I agree with you 100% on your assessment of consumer reports mag..

Did they ever fess up to that baby carrier scandle where they were caught red handed?

[Dragon]

Good. Maybe nobody else will buy one.

[szleeve]

I agree with Dragon. Keep new FJ's off the road! Lets start a petition.

[WVblkdymd]

hope no one else buys one either...i like being the only orange in the apple cart.... "smile and wave boys...smile and wave"

[gascolator]

Wadi previously said:

vague handling merit the FJ a score of 36.

Vague handling? What are they nuts? My other ride is an AUDI S4--- the
FJ is NOT 'vague' by any estimation. It tucks right in and is pretty well
amazing for an SUV, probably because they didn't attempt to give it a
'car like ride.'

Dorks.

[GW193]

Wadi previously said:

I have a strong distaste for consumer reports and their self-righteous self-acclaimed fully objective articles... blind spots and vague handling merit the FJ a score of 36. I suppose the editors must drive in reverse or sideways most of the time.

+1, I suppose the editors must have thier heads up thier arse!

[Faddy]

Consumer Reports is a joke. I dont even know if those people know what they are about.

But like you said they must be driving sideways all the time thats why everything is just the opposite for them.

[Prosser]

I think consumer reports base their evaluations on vehicles they deem acceptable for the average (bad) driver. They want to find the 'vanilla' for the public.
What I found most interesting about their review was a few things they listed as negative (suspension, exhaust note), were some of the most appealing features of the FJ to me.

[Yellowsubxb]

I'm new here. We're considering an FJ, primarily for "On-Road" rather than off. We have and love our three Scion xBs but will "sacrifice" one of them on a trade in.

re:CR - Been reading and taking their advice for about 30 years and only once, with a GE microwave, did they steer me wrong. The sucker sucked!

re: cars - I've never been disappointed with their car evaluations and when I bought a new car, Scion, Mazda and/or Toyota, their evaluations usually lived up to the reality of the vehicle.

For example - They said our Gen 1 Scion xBs had bad wind noise and a very tight suspension. Ya know what? They were right! Did it stop me from buying three of them. Nope!

They say visibility in the rear of the FJ is a problem. Ya know what? They're right again. Will that stop me from buying one when I road test it later this week, nope.

What I am concerned more about is the handling on the highway, in shopping mall parking lots with narrow spaces and whether or not you can use regular gas instead of premium as Toyota suggests.

Any help would be appreciated.

In the meanwhile, like all advice, read CR, and then go and have fun and do whatever the heck you want. Right?

ALan