Anyone have/had a RAV4?

mavrick1903

mavrick1903

New member
Looking for input for new unit for wife. Want something that she does not need to turn off the AC to get up to highway speed (current car has this "feature"). Looking for 4WD or AWD for her. Would prefer Japan brand, Toyota or Suburau.

Looking currently at a 2010 RAV4 limited (I think it's a ltd) v6.

Any input would be helpful.
 
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mavrick1903 said:
Looking for input for new unit for wife. Want something that she does not need to turn off the AC to get up to highway speed (current car has this "feature"). Looking for 4WD or AWD for her. Would prefer Japan brand, Toyota or Suburau.

Looking currently at a 2010 RAV4 limited (I think it's a ltd) v6.

Any input would be helpful.
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Jesus, what car is she driving now that she can't have the A/C on at high speeds? I've never personally owned either, but I know several people who have. Toyota and Subaru are both popular companies. Subaru you'll always have that sweet sweet AWD so if you need that, that's a good one. Toyota always lasts forever, and I've seen Rav4s hold up great offroad. (Although if you really love your wife you'd get her a WRX STI :lol: )
 
Yeah, if she wants the extra oomf she kills the AC while she gets up to speed. 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe with the larger engine (2.7 v6) for that year.
 
Okay here we go...

The RAV4 is a great vehicle to have they are reliable that 4spd trans is durable and with that V6 that Rav is a rocket! The leather will be nice to help bring it up in comfort and quiet level. Smaller SUV with good visibility and class leading Cargo space. NOW since you are looking at used have you looked at a Highlander? Reason being for 7 years the 3rd gen rav really didnt change so your getting older technology. The Highlander from 2007-2012 is once of the nicest vehicles out there. It was based off of the Camry Chassis which means it is a very smooth ride and does not handle like a large SUV. Even with a base model highlander it is more comfortable and quieter than the top trim Rav4. When I did sell Toyotas for a year I cant tell you how many people I bumped up from a Rav4 to the Highlander. Every person who drove the Rav4 liked it very much, when they stepped into the Highlander they loved it so much more that they didnt look back and spent the extra money. I would definitely give it a look if you are still in the shopping phase.
 
We are looking at Highlander as well.

We tend to be 10 year people when it comes to ownership. Are we ok buying a car (Toyotas) with 100k already in the clock?
 
We have a 2007 RAV4 Sport with a V6. It has plenty of power; almost too much at certain times. With the front wheel drive, it can get a little twitchy from the torque steer when really get your foot in it at low speed.

Unlike a 4Runner, the computer wants complete control over the 4 wheel drive and you only have limited manual control. You can turn it on manually if you want, but the computer will turn it off once you reach 25 miles per hour, and you will have to push the bottom again once your speed drops below 25 miles per hour if you want to turn it on again. The manual mode is good if you know you need to outdrag someone at a stop light and you want to avoid the torque steer or any wheel spinning.

But despite these minor issues, it is a great car and a blast to drive. It's kind of like a sports coupe with a lot of carge room.
 
No more V6 Rav4s.

Even AWD is getting hard to find but should get it if you can find one in the model/color you want.

My wife just got a '15, AWD. Barcelona Red, same color as the Warthog. So far she loves it. Has bigger 4 banger in it than when they offered the 4/6 option. Extremely peppy! But it IS a 4 cyl, so it does rev high and sound like it :D

The space in the back is amazing!! The car is noticeably smaller than her previous two cars but has more rear storage. Can stand a tri bike up vertical in it no problem.

The best part though... 28 mpg. Would kill to get that with the Warthog :D

Does have a bright silver finish on part of the dash that is F'ing stupid, shines sunlight into the passengers eyes like 100% of the time (Not bad for driver though) :/ Going to try removing it and painting or wrapping it in dark grey. Cheaper vehicle is lacking a bit on the amenities over say a highlander. But the highlander is much larger and gets crap MPG by comparison. Better engine and much higher price. We looked at both, decided we didn't need two large gas suckers in the family and went with the Rav4.
 
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mavrick1903 said:
We are looking at Highlander as well.

We tend to be 10 year people when it comes to ownership. Are we ok buying a car (Toyotas) with 100k already in the clock?
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Our 2007 RAV4 has over 180,000 and is still running strong.

My 2003 4Runner had 230,00 and was still running strong before a deer totaled it last year, although the A/C compressor was shot and it had a small oil leak (needed a front crank seal). I replaced it with a 2007 with 133,000 miles.

I think it comes down to how many miles you plan to put on it in a year and are you willing to spend a little in minor repairs later in order to save some money now.
 
Wife has an '08 with the 3.5L V6. It is pretty peppy, I would say more so than my 4Runner.

It has been a great car. Only issue we have had was a bad battery. Its a little too small for my tastes, but my wife loves it.
 
Thought about including the CRV? I've bought 2 new ones for the wife, and 2 used for my daughter. Never had a single problem. Very good cars.
 
Our 2008 RAV4 Limited v6, the best small family vehicle we have ever owned, in almost 40 years...recently bought from Doctor, with 55,000 miles.
- like a VW, with a 305/5.0L v8...almost rocket ship with smooth 5 speed auto. / 100 hp more than adequately needed...269 HP
- leather, PDS, heated buckets, heated wipers & mirrors, 4x4 when wheel slip occurs, moonroof / 3,500 lb. tow capacity (Canadian made Limited models, have tow package included)

Not as quite as our previous 2002 Volvo v70 wagon & feel the road bumps, a little / but can't have it all
Perfect for our needs - mom, dad & doberman in back (with split seat folded down).
- easy to park, high ground clearance for Canadian winters

Our next Toyota SUV will not have a 4 cylinder - that eliminates the 2013 & newer RAV4
Next purchase in 4 years, will be a v6 4Runner or Lexus RX350.

2013 4Runner 17x7.5" 4Runner rims, going on our v6 RAV4 (for summer time)...perfect test fit
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Best of both worlds:

Wife's commute vehicle.
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Kelly approved.
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Dad's new purchase - little 2000 SR5 eye candy / purchased this week:
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I traded a 2012 RAV to buy my 15 4Runner - it used to be my wife's car but she disliked it so much we traded. It was a 4 cylinder fwd, and I didn't like it any more than she did. To me, it felt underpowered and the interior was cheap - all the plastic rattled and creaked constantly. Reliability, fuel economy, and capacity were all great. Three of us took it to Montana for a week of camping, bird hunting, and fly fishing (including dog) and it got the job done, though it was a bit of a struggle at times.

If it was me and I was looking for a small crossover, I personally think there are better options out there right now.
 
My girlfriend has a 2010 AWD Rav4 with the V6. That thing is insanely fast. 0-60 mph 6.3 | Quarter mile 14.6
She can easily reach highway speeds with the AC on.
 
I will add on for an extra 2 cents.

I traded in a 2008 Limited fwd for my 4Runner.

The V6 is almost overpowered for the small SUV but it makes it fun to drive. Drive it hard or easy, it always seems to get around 25mpg. The only thing I didn’t like were the leather seats were too stiff.

I had to change the water pump at 68k. It was a PITA with no room but I’m too cheap to have a dealer do it for me.

My wife has a 2014 Limited fwd. I have to say for a 4banger it’s impressive how peppy it is. Of course all the bells and whistles are improved along with the comfort of the seats.

My personal preference would be the v6 though, it’s too much fun, damn the stiff seats.
 
tigger said:
My girlfriend has a 2010 AWD Rav4 with the V6. That thing is insanely fast. 0-60 mph 6.3 | Quarter mile 14.6
She can easily reach highway speeds with the AC on.
Click to expand...

LOL.....I snuck my wifes 2010 V6 to the track last summer and had a best run of 14.4 @ 94.2 mph, Wish my 2000 Runner had that zip....:naughty:
 
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