Part one - Three Part Series: The 3 Coolest Consumer Vehicles Made In 2013

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser- Trail Teams Edition

fjcruiserforums.com

I have always been a huge fan of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Ever since they were released in 2007, I have been counting down the days for when I would be financially stable enough to buy one. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to buy a new one, because the 2013 model year will be the last FJ Cruiser Toyota makes. Toyota feels that the new 4runner is going to take over the FJ Cruiser market, so they have decided to discontinue the FJ Cruiser all together; this will surely be a big disappointment for all Toyota enthusiasts!

         Out of all the different variations of the FJ cruiser, my favorite is the FJ Cruiser “Trail Teams Special Edition”. This edition was first introduced in 2008, and offered all the same features the “Toyota Racing Edition” offered, but they also added an upgraded “Bilstein” suspension, rock rails, awesome black wheels. In 2013, Toyota included the CRAWL control feature; when activated, the CRAWL control feature allows you to completely remove both feet from the gas and brake pedals. The “CRAWL control” system will operate the power and braking for each wheel individually, that way you can concentrate on steering through the rugged terrain. Also with FJ’s elevated air intake and waterproof electrical system, it is capable of driving through water as deep as 28 inches.

Toyota introduced multiple color schemes for the 2013 FJ Cruiser, and 2 of the colors reserved for the “Trail Teams Special Edition” are by far some of my favorite. The army green color is the most common, but they also offer “Cement Gray”, which reminds me of the gray the US Navy uses on ships, and other Navy vehicles. If I didn’t get the “Trail Teams Edition”, I would definitely go with the black, but instead of getting one with the classic white roof that most FJ’s come with, I would get one with a black roof, matching the body color.

 

mercedtoyotascion.blogspot.com

            One of the other things I like about the FJ Cruisers is that there are so many companies that make aftermarket parts, and off-roading accessories for it. With tons of top of the line upgrades ranging from bumpers, wenches, and roof tents, you can customize any FJ cruiser and make it the ultimate off-road survival vehicle. When the zombie apocalypse comes I will want to be cruising around in one of these decked out bad boys!

I like to picture myself “CRAWLING” my cement gray “Trail Teams Edition” FJ Cruiser (with a roof tent of course) through the Swiss Alps, living the life any person with a passion for the outdoors would want to live. The FJ cruiser “Trail Team Edition” is definitely the coolest off-road capable vehicle made in 2013. Be sure to tune in next week, when I review the second coolest vehicle made in 2013.

3 Of The Ugliest Cars Made In 2013

The “2013 vehicle model year” has been a year filled with many ugly vehicles, here is my two cents on a few of them: 

[motortrend.com]

Ford Flex, ranked by consumer reports as the third most affordable SUV on the market. Consumer reports also show that the Ford Flex has the highest percentage of current owners that say if they had the opportunity, they would buy that same vehicle again. Averaging at 28,610/sold per year, the owner list for the Ford Flex is very small. Ford has sold less than half of what they projected to sell, and the Flex’s closest rival, the Buick Enclave, has averaged at 47,943/sold per year. Ford doesn’t seem to get the hint; they put some chrome on a size 14 shoebox and market it as a “classy car”, and they are surprised that the car is unsuccessful? Maybe since PT Cruiser owners are no longer able to buy a new PT Cruiser, Ford is giving them something equally unattractive to buy. Ford has made a huge mistake by making and continuing to make the Ford Flex, it is my least favorite vehicle made in 2013.

 

[thecarconnection.com]

            I am a huge supporter/enthusiast of Toyota, however, I have been embarrassed by some of the vehicles Toyota has made. I am the most embarrassed by number two on my list, the Scion XB. The XB resembles a toaster, not a shoebox like most of the other ugly vehicles created in 2013. Surprisingly, most Scion XB owners have embraced this style by placing stickers of actual toasters on their bumpers. Toyota has been selling the XB in America for over 10 years now, and sales have been dropping year over year since the sales peak in 2006. Young adults have been the main consumer to support Toyota’s mistake in making the XB, I don’t understand what young people see in this toaster on wheels. As I have highlighted in this post, sales have dropped every year, and this is because every new generation of the XB continues to get more and more ugly. I wonder if they offer the Scion toaster in brushed aluminum…

 

[thecarconnection.com]

The “shoebox” style has become very popular in the Car Industry. In 2008, Nissan introduced America to a miniature shoebox; this tiny shoebox is called the Cube. Earlier generations of the Cube were being sold in Europe and Japan, but in 2011 the Cube was withdrawn from Europe due to the disappointing number of cars sold. Instead of discontinuing this abomination, they continued to sell it to those who love to drive shoeboxes (AKA Americans). Not only does the Nissan Cube look like someone forced an undersized lid onto a shoebox, it also looks like they took that same shoebox and kicked it around. Nissan put a “futuristic” panoramic rear windshield that only pans around the passenger side of the car, which gives other drivers a great view of the inside of the box. I don’t like the view of the inside of the shoebox, which makes this car number three on my list of the ugliest cars made in 2013.

Most ugly cars that are made, inspire a whole new line of vehicles from competing manufacturers. It seems like car manufacturers are competing for the “Ugliest Car Award”. Here’s a taste of what the next generation of “ugly” looks like:

2014 Jeep Cherokee:

the-car-addict.com 

Ready, set, go!