Can you believe it's been a year already? A year and over 28,000 miles.

I was lucky enough to get the final weekend in the FJ. I had friends come to visit and I needed something that could cart around five adults. It was a bit of a squeeze in the back seat and the front seats had to be adjusted way forward. But it worked. And the clam shell doors really helped.

We'll be posting the final wrap-up soon and we'll tell you all about replacing that darned cracked windshield.

Managing Editor Donna DeRosa @ 28,285

Step on the FJ's brake pedal and there's a quarter inch of nothing (which is about normal) and then there's nonlinear, overly abrupt response. Try and back out a hair and the braking goes away just as abruptly. Then you get back on the pedal, and... you get the point. The brakes are difficult to modulate during routine braking events.

I can only imagine what it looks like from another driver's perspective--the FJ's bouncing up and down probably makes me look like I'm driving on a learner's permit.

Compounding this is that the pedal effort during all of this remains the same--if the response is going to be nonlinear, I'd like the effort to follow suit. At least then the braking force will be proportional to how hard I'm pressing the pedal.

The FJ's brakes have always been this way, too, at least to me. I did a quick scan of previous FJ blogs and if anyone's commented on it, it's been a while. Time to close the loop on this.

On the plus side, the FJ has been holding up over its 27k mile life very well--it still drives and sounds like new.

Engineering Editor Jason Kavanagh

When I was driving out of town this weekend, the "Maintenance Required" light flicked on on the dash and suddenly I panicked. "That sounds serious!" Miles from home and in unfamiliar territory I wondered if and when the FJ would break down. Fortunately it didn't and I got to my destination safely. After I wiped the sweat from my brow and sighed with relief I cracked open the owner's manual to see what that warning light meant.

Nothing to worry about at all. Apparently the engine oil just needs to be changed as the FJ is due for service. But I checked the oil anyway to make sure there was enough. The hood was easy to pop open and even props itself up. Not being a car guy, I didn't really know what I was looking at in there except it sure was dirty. All that off-roading, I guess. And the coolant seems to be oozing out leaving a pink crust around the cap. I wonder if the dealership cleans under the hood when they do the service.

In any case, I told Vehicle Testing Assistant Mike Schmidt about the service light and he scheduled an appointment. Using the Maintenance Schedule Guide on our site, it says the FJ is due for its 30,000-mile service which entails a cabin air filter, air filter, oil filter, engine oil and spark plug replacement as well as tire rotation. Estimated total cost for parts and labor is $301.23. Yikes.

Production Editor Caroline Pardilla at 27,459 miles

Any motorist who regularly travels between NorCal and SoCal knows the city of Coalinga.  A small town in Fresno County with a slightly disproportional cows-to-humans ratio, its name derives from an ancient Greek word whose etymological meaning roughly translates to "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CLOSE YOUR VENTS!"

Having learned my lesson years ago, my mind has long been programmed to hit the Recirculate button in advance.  Unfortunately, this FJ Cruiser wasn't programmed to fully follow orders.  After a few moments of easy breathing, I soon caught a whiff of the outside world.  After 30 seconds, it was a distinct stench, and after a minute my lunch was ready to go back the way it came.

I realize these things happen; the Recirculate mode started fading away at 95K miles on my former 89 Mazda.  But at 27K on a year-old Toyota?

Brian Sy, Automotive Editor, 27,300 miles

I have probably logged more miles in our long-term Toyota FJ Cruiser, including a four-day ski trip a few months back, than in any other car in the fleet. While I've found it hard to assess a car in a few scant miles (one night), I've spent enough nights in the FJ that I've come to terms with it. First, I know I would never own it. It's impractical for my city life. That being said, however, I am really enjoying it. The engine is too torquey for my needs, and loud, but I love its looks (particularly the blue color) and the fact that the upright seating position and more-or-less-vertical windshield direct your eyes far forward. It turns pretty well for its size and weight also. (Still hate that rear visibility, though).

And for hauling my musical gear? Predictably, it's great, although the high deck makes it a little difficult to lift the keyboard high enough.

But bass player Rick agrees. That wide-opening door sure helps with loading and unloading.

Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor, @ 26,478 miles

When I get the keys to the FJ, I try to think of places to go for a little outdoor adventure. On short notice I was able to gather a few friends and headed up to Joshua Tree National Park for a weekend of camping under the stars and hiking into the backcountry. The parks stark beauty was marred by the screaming kids on one side of our campsite and the group of middle-aged fathers celebrating their weekend furlough with Jagermeister and Van Halen on the other.

The FJ, however, was a welcome respite between activities and bouts of ill-tempered tykes. The ample cargo room swallowed up all of our hiking gear and the AC was a welcome relief from the blazing mid-day sun. Whenever I have the keys to the FJ, the possibilities for adventure are nearly limitless.

Scott Jacobs, Senior Photographer @ 27,225 miles

As some of you may know, I took a long ski trip a few months back in our long-term FJ Cruiser. My assessment at the time was that it was absolutely perfect for that very specific task. Big, strong, torquey engine, huge front window, enormous tires, great ground clearance, surefootedness over anything Ma Nature had for it.

So when I took the keys once again last night, I wanted to revisit my feelings. I've always absolutely loved the looks of the FJ: It's relatively unique-looking in the SUV world, with even the Hummer H3 trying to copy it. But that's just not enough. I am a city-dweller, where small size is important, where a lot of time is spent on the freeway. And I just can't love the FJ. All of those things that make it so spectacular in the big country are absolutely confounding in the city. Its ride is too bumpy, and every time you hit the gas pedal, that big, torquey engine sounds as if it's burning another gallon. It's loud and uncivilized. The brakes aren't particularly assuring. The sight lines are terrible. The huge doors need to be handled gingerly in a garage or a parking lot.

Just make sure you need what it offers, because what it does, it does great. But if you live in an apartment, get a cat or a dog, not a horse.

Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor, at 25,804 miles

I've had the FJ when I went to a Dodgers game, participated in a fun run around the Santa Anita Racetrack and parked in a crowded mall parking lot and each time I was able to find my way back to it just by spotting its white top and Voodoo Blue coloring. I love that! Usually crowded lots stress me out as I've always had a difficult time finding my own black Corolla if I'm unfamiliar with the lot and don't have any real landmarks around my car.

But with the FJ, I take comfort in the fact that as long as I'm in the general vicinity of it all I have to do is hit the key fob and listen for that high-pitch call and look for that helpful flash of the lights. And then I can scan the area for that distinctive roof.  I'm telling you, this came in really handy in the crazy Dodger Stadium parking lot where it's nothing but a sea of cars.

Production Editor Caroline Pardilla at 25,656 miles

I've always regarded the FJ as an oversized Mini, in terms of its cuteness. Love the Voodoo Blue! But yesterday when Erin asked me if I'd ever buy one for myself, I paused. "Would you get one if gas wasn't an issue...if money wasn't an issue...if you got married...." she asked. Well, um, even in that alternate universe, I'd have to say no.

Yes, the FJ is probably one of my favorite big cars, if not my only fave big car, but living in L.A. and for getting around town, its size is impractical for me. My social life "requires" that I drive to Hollywood and Downtown L.A. on a fairly regular basis and it's already such a pain hunting down street parking but to complicate matters with size...ugh! And even parking in the carport at my apartment would be unthinkable since my neighbors already park so close to me. Now if Erin had added, "If you lived out of the city" THAT would be another story.

Production Editor Caroline Pardilla at 25,384 miles

At a towering five-foot-five, I'm one of the shorter staffers, so I appreciate it when a car maker has grab handles for the driver in their taller trucks and SUVs.  As you can see in the first photo, it's a rather big step up into the FJ.  A large, simple handle on the A pillar makes hopping into the cabin a swift and easy maneuver for me.  Why some other manufacturers put grab handles everywhere but next to the driver's seat baffles me.  I guess they figure the driver can grab the steering wheel to hoist him/herself up and in, but that's awkward compared to this simple and effective solution.

Also, I should tell you FJ fans that the sand in the long-term hourglass has just about run out for our beloved Cruiser, so we will be writing its wrap-up, sometime in the near future.

John DiPietro,  Automotive Editor @ 25,375 miles.