Toyota Rav-4, good, bad or ugly?

[rrausch]

OK... the GF wants to get a new Rav-4.

Anybody have any experience with one?



And is there a way to get a new one wholesale?

 

[sdalton]

I test drove one. Underpowered, overpriced, too small, wannabe Jeep. But, on the flip side, like all other Toyotas, very well built.

 

[rrausch]

Sdalton... .

I'm the GF and I wondered if you know of a better small jeep as I don't want something too big and I am not a drag racer type hahaha. ---Princess Kavika

 

[illflem]

I just got a work supplied Jeep Liberty last week, seems pretty good so far. A bit smaller than the Jimmy it replaced. My only complaint is it looks too cute. Might be more than a Rav though, it was $20k.

 

[rrausch]

Bill, Thanks for the info, I would like cute as I am cute.



I will give it a look. ---Princess Kavika

 

[PRout]

I have a neighbor that has the "electric" powered Rav4.



Im thinking it would be kinda cool to have one. I think it is the hybrid type, so if you run the batts down it'll run a generator off of gas to keep it running/charging.

 

[sdalton]

The RAV4 is cute, but I use to have a Jeep Wrangler with a straight 6 engine, and the jeep looked better to me. But then again, I'm not a girl. The Jeep was tough beyond belief and go almost anywhere. The jeep is a little expensive, initially, but hold their values much much better than the competition. Another thing about the Toyota, if I remember correctly, they are built on a Corrolla chassis, and have a bad tendance to roll over.

If you want it for anything other than looking cute at stoplights and parking lots, you need to rethink your choice, especially if you decide to go offroad. The RAV4 is not an offroad machine.

I personnally think the Jeeps are cuter than the RAV4, and lately, I have been seeing most Jeep Wranglers being driven by girls.

If you test drive a Jeep, Test drive the one with the 6 cylinder in it, the 4 cylinder is underpowered.



BTW, I had mine for 2 1/2 years and traded it in for my truck that I have now. Some day I will get another Jeep. They are too much fun.

 

[rrausch]

sdalton, the most off-road she is gonna go is up the ramp...

into the Mall.



If we go into the boonies, we take the Dodge/Cummins!



thanks, ss, the electric one was twice the price of the gas model: 46 thou versus 23 thou.

 

[BRobertson]

My wife and I rented one last winter when we were in the big city. We both thought it was junk!!!!

Bob

 

[PRout]

Originally posted by rrausch





thanks, ss, the electric one was twice the price of the gas model: 46 thou versus 23 thou.

Yikes! Somehow, electric doesnt sound so practical after all. Thx.



I have a neighbor thats a full-time mechanic that has his own shop and is the only mechanic there. He specializes in small foreign car repair.



He says that he prefers the Honda's version of the Rav. . Cant think of the name right now, but he says they are very easy to work on, easier than the toyota.



He ended up getting the Honda for his wife.

 

[sdalton]

CRV- Honda

 

[Shrimpy]

When we were looking at houses's, my real estate agent had to have one for a day. We went to the office to go look at homes and she says "I loaned my Tahoe to my neighbor so we will be in her CRV... ... " Since I am about 6' 4" and 285 I knew the day would be long in the back seat.



To my surprise, it was quite roomy!!!!! My wife rode in front and said that she was comfortable with the seat placement and not crowded (she is about 5'10"). If it were me and the prices were comprable I would go with the Honda because of the room.



P. S. Not sure if it had a 4 or 6 cyl

 

[PRout]

Originally posted by sdalton

CRV- Honda

Boom! Thank you.



Yea, I guess the toyota corolla is one of the easiest small cars to work on & get parts for, but for the SUV style, the honda is easier. Thats just what my mechanic neighbor says, so its one person's opinion. Im sure theyre both good vehicles.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

I think the new ford escapes look nice, although haven't really looked at them real close, drove one etc. I don't like the trav or the honda crv