'Left field' attraction

jphanna · 07-06-2011, 12:10 PM

The other day I was in the Adelaide Hills, getting ready for a hike. While I was in the car park, locking the car, something caught my eye, and I couldn’t stop looking. I wondered what the hell it was. It was a weird looking vehicle. I approached the driver as he got out. He was probably alarmed as I approached him, but I just asked him what it was. He was a dealer principal of a Toyota dealer. The vehicle was the FJ CRUISER.

There is no reason for me to need a new vehicle at the moment. There is no reason for me to have any need for a vehicle like that. Yet I have not stopped thinking about that car, since Sunday. I have told my boss and my closest friends that that will be my next car. I cant explain it.

Have you ever been smitten by a ‘left field’ vehicle, and couldn’t understand why?

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 12:12 PM

There was a thread bagging this car, but to me its the same theory as the mini, beetle etc. I saw one go past on the highway and it made me look too. I wouldnt buy one but it was kind of cool.

If its as functional as any other SUV then why not.

aussie muscle · 07-06-2011, 12:47 PM

ok, but can we bag you out for owning a toyota?

Yellow_Festiva · 07-06-2011, 01:00 PM

Saw a Fiat Coupe on the streets of Turin in 2003 and fell in love. Looked for one ever since and finally got one half way through last year. There are only a handful here and they are very hard to come by.

I know the feeling you describe very well ;)

irish2 · 07-06-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

If its as functional as any other SUV then why not.

Bar for the no diesel option.

Cougar1999 · 07-06-2011, 04:05 PM

This is going to sound really, really sad, but when my wife and I went looking for a Fairlane in 1999, we had to walk past a Ford Cougar to get to the Fairlane. Well, I made it past the Cougar, but when I looked back, my wife was just settling into the drivers seat of the Cougar. You know what's coming - we still have that Cougar and it is still a great looking car and we both still love it.
So yes, I DO know how you're feeling and I say that you should "live the dream" irrespective of brand or what anyone else says or thinks - Go for it!

EFFalcon · 07-06-2011, 04:17 PM

Its basically how i ended up hunting down my Thunderbird, 4 months ago i didnt even know they made Thunderbirds in the 80's
A friend posted a photo of one in a Workshop on the other side of Melbourne, couldn't take my eyes off it.
did a bit of research and hunting, and ended up buying one.

not everyones cup of tea, but that was all it took for me to be bitten.

csv8 · 07-06-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish2

Bar for the no diesel option.

and no auto...

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 04:48 PM

I should add though that everytime I go down the street I see the local jewelers car, a Citroen C6. Its about the only one I see but damn, its nice. I like the styling, the interior is beautiful and its full of gizmo's.

They still hover around the 40-60k mark though...and no warranty would have me nervous. Id probably stick to a G6ET for that price.

EFFALCON...got any pics of your T bird?

Trevor 57 · 07-06-2011, 04:51 PM

IMHO they are as ugly as a hat full of ****-holes

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

IMHO they are as ugly as a hat full of ****-holes

Good thing we all have ****-holes and opinions.

In person its pretty amazing, but yes its completely different to most cars on the road, which I like.

Dont you race a XD..hehe..would be the most conservative car ever made. I like XD's too

EFFalcon · 07-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

EFFALCON...got any pics of your T bird?

Looks a bit average on the current wheels and ride height, but they'll change soon enough.
based on the fox body chassis like the 80's Mustangs.

Trevor 57 · 07-06-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Good thing we all have ****-holes and opinions.

In person its pretty amazing, but yes its completely different to most cars on the road, which I like.

Dont you race a XD..hehe..would be the most conservative car ever made. I like XD's too

I have seen the FJ up close and it didn't change my opinion, but I am a Ford/Nissan man.

And it is an XE thanks

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

I have seen the FJ up close and it didn't change my opinion, but I am a Ford/Nissan man.

And it is an XE thanks

Ah your talking about the FJ...qoute so people know who you are talking to.

XD/XE..tomato/tomatoe

EFFALCON - its certainly unique...something other than the norm is good though.

Road_Warrior · 07-06-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

They still hover around the 40-60k mark though...and no warranty would have me nervous. Id probably stick to a G6ET for that price.

No warranty, are you serious??

As for the FJ Cruiser, my automotive tastes are fairly conservative and henceforth I think the FJ Cruiser looks bloody stupid. However being a Toyota and a 4x4 I have no doubt it would be a good off road performer.

Trevor 57 · 07-06-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Ah your talking about the FJ...qoute so people know who you are talking to.

sorry, my mistake, I thought this thread was about the new Toyota FJ Cruiser

[/sarcasm]

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

No warranty, are you serious??

Yeah Im sure they dont have an unlimited warranty....there is one on carsales at the moment thats 2010 plate...the rest are 2006-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

sorry, my mistake, I thought this thread was about the new Toyota FJ Cruiser

[/sarcasm]

No/yes, the OP's "left field" car is the FJ, the topic is odd cars. I took it has your post being directed at my post because it was close...anyway..

Trevor 57 · 07-06-2011, 05:14 PM

sorry

XD 351 Ute · 07-06-2011, 05:46 PM

I saw a VW Amorak ute this arvo for the first time in the flesh, and was extremely impressed with how clean & tough it looked.

Ed

geckoGT · 07-06-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

IMHO they are as ugly as a hat full of ****-holes

I am with you on this one, god awful.

I rate it right up there in the awful ranking with the Hummer (well the wannabe hummer).

Ben73 · 07-06-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

I am with you on this one, god awful.

I rate it right up there in the awful ranking with the Hummer (well the wannabe hummer).

I like H1 and H2 Hummer's.

2011G6E · 07-06-2011, 08:34 PM

That Citroen looms the goods!

I'm sorry to say that I still hold an unnatural lust for an old Citroen...a big DS...paint it black and call it "The Cockroach"...

**SSD-85** · 07-06-2011, 08:35 PM

Ive always wanted a '97 T-bird. These can be had for pittance in the US. But due to compliancing costs to get them on-road here, you sure would want to keep it...

Stupid compliancing stopping me from getting awesome car for ******* all...

**Polyal** · 07-06-2011, 08:38 PM

Yes I love DS's too...good ones are worth a bit now though :(

Kryton · 07-06-2011, 08:54 PM

I test drove the new FJ Cruiser and thought it was great personally.
If it came in Diesel it would be pretty much the perfect car for my needs.

I suggest that you go and test drive one yourself, even if your not looking to buy.
You WILL be impressed with the beast.

Ben73 · 07-06-2011, 08:57 PM

Lowriders. Particularly Chevy Impalas

As they see that lowrider go by they like oh my.

Ridiculously big American trucks are cool

SteveJH · 07-06-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

I like H1 and H2 Hummer's.

The only Hummer i'd ever want would be the real thing.

The Humvee (HMMWV) or possibly a very late production H1.

The H2 is a rebodied Chevy Tahoe and as far as I can tell the only available engine was an LS series V8.

If I had to pick a 4wd purely for ability though, maybe a LR Defender, don't think there is much in them that could possibly get broken.

TheInterceptor · 08-06-2011, 12:23 AM

Came accross the Subaru L series on youtube by chance many years ago.
I was impressed by what they can do with some mods. Theyre a simple boxcar (which i love) are practical, and have a true 4x4 system, not AWD.

Then when i went to the snow time and time again there were many many L series wagons around.

I remember me saying to dad "Im so getting me one of those!"

And so i got one, but the series previous to the L (MY series) which is electronic free and somewhat stronger

When i was lookin to buy a car the Ford Courier really stood out but i couldnt afford it at that time. I could afford an old subie though!...

EFFalcon · 09-06-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty85

Ive always wanted a '97 T-bird. These can be had for pittance in the US. But due to compliancing costs to get them on-road here, you sure would want to keep it...

Stupid compliancing stopping me from getting awesome car for ******* all...

Yep, i have bad thoughts about what i'd do if i could get cars like that :P

Poetic Justice · 09-06-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

and no auto...

No manual, that is.

FJ Cruiser is automatic only.