Toyota has re-issued the FJ Land Cruiser and I just saw one today

Cafe Society
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One of my favorite vehicles from yesteryear, the Toyota FJ Land Cruiser, has been remade. The old Land Cruiser was a rugged alternative to the Jeep, with a distinctive white roof and and a really badass front end. Beginning as the FJ-40, it went through various incarnations, the 45, 55, and 70 (not all of which were available in the U.S., if I’m not mistaken,) each one a slightly different but still very rugged vehicle. Then, in the 90s, it turned into a glorified minivan with luxurious interiors and cupholders and TV screens and all that other crap, and the exterior took on a curvy and feminine shape.

Well, Toyota has created a new Land Cruiser FJ, and this is what it looks like. I just saw one in person today in a parking lot and I have to say I actually love how it looks. I’m normally very critical of contoured body shapes on SUVs (being very partial to older 4X4s,) but Toyota did it right and made their DAMN LINES STRAIGHT instead of being all bouncy and asymmentrical like the fugly Honda Element. There may be some curves on the new Land Cruiser but the overall lines of the body are nice, straight, and create an imposing figure. It buries the ridiculous looking H3, with its insanely flared fenders and its damn curvy body shape.

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Not bad. But I prefer the original FJ-40.

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It looks like the bastard child that is the result of a tawdry one-night-stand involving a Jeep and an H3.

In other words, it’s butt-ugly. And not in a good way.

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That is absolutely horrendous. It looks like a child’s toy.

I’ll take a Geländewagen, thank you. Or a Hummer H1.

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Bastard daughter of a Hummer and a very drunk Land Rover, who will deny it forever.

Don’t like it. Maybe it will grow on me, though- it’s happened before.

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I’m crazy about 'em. I’ve driven FJ-40, FJ-60, currently drive an FJ-80 (formerly belonging to VeryCoolSpouse who now drives a 4Runner) and wish I had an FJ-100, even if it is a “glorified minivan with luxurious interiors.” I’m getting old enough to appreciate a comfy seat once in a while. But I’m up for that new FJ the next time we need a vehicle. Best thing short of a fully restored FJ-40 (which would run about $30,000).