Hi

[Knighty]

Hi, thought i would pop in and say hello.

On the look out for a nice diesel or maybe petrol Rav4 as wife has an ongoing back issue and is having problems getting in and out of our beloved RX-8 and they are not the easiest car around town as all the action happens at high revs.

Read quite a bit on this forum about pitfalls etc but you do tend to hear more about things going wrong rather than good things on forums so know the score on that front....anyway.

Coming from a flying machine will be a bit tough so maybe might look at T180's but don't fancy run flat tyres or a nice spec XT5 or similar and do actually prefer the look of them with wheel on the back even if it does limit the door opening.

Test driving a brand new one over weekend but won't be buying new but will give us an idea about comfort and drive etc. Have also test driven a couple of new model X-Trails which she likes (something about the rear view camera ) but think it will too large for her so talked her out of that one but we both love the look of the Rav4, especially in black with front bar and side steps even though i swore after my second black car never again but i am a sucker for nice cars.

Currently got my 2007 special edition RX up for sale but have actually been offered more than what i have it up for sale at the Nissan garage against a Quashqe or whatever it's called but drove the 1.5 diesel and think i could cycle faster, quite a nice drive but not too sure on it's looks.

So keep on looking, looking around the 10-15000 price so hopefully should get something pretty decent :)

Rich

[anchorman]

Hi Rich and welcome to the club.

I was a bit concerned over my recent post in that it could give the wrong message but rest assured we are all generally very satisfied and I am sure you will enjoy your test drive. Let us know how you get on and if we can be of any help you know where we are. You can address the door opening issue so don't worry about that. You might find the new RAV diesel OK on performance but it may seem sluggish compared to your Mazda. The 2.2 should prove much better than the Nissan 1.5.

Let us know what you think.

Regards

[local hero]

Hi Rich and welcome to the club.

I was a bit concerned over my recent post in that it could give the wrong message but rest assured we are all generally very satisfied and I am sure you will enjoy your test drive. Let us know how you get on and if we can be of any help you know where we are. You can address the door opening issue so don't worry about that. You might find the new RAV diesel OK on performance but it may seem sluggish compared to your Mazda. The 2.2 should prove much better than the Nissan 1.5.

Let us know what you think.

Regards

Hi Rich+ welcome, most people, my self included look for a forum like this when they have a problem so as you rightly say you seem to see a lot of negative posts, in fact I worry more about the reliability of my car since joining than i ever did before :( However on a good note I have owned 3 ravs spanning 14yrs + can honestly say i have never ever had any faults, not even a light bulb.. Good luck Stew

[Knighty]

Well had a nearly 2 hour test drive and was a bit dissapointed really.

Car was an XTR with style pack, don't think it looks as nice as the model with the spare on the door, gear box was very clunky going into and out of second. Commented this on returning the car and salesman said it's normal as they are a heavy duty box because it's a 4X4 !! Reason for changing the car is a higher diving position and easier car to drive than the RX but wife said she couldn't live with a gearbox like that, felt like you could feel the springs in the clutch through the gearstick.

Did ask about options like sunroof etc and he said Toyota has streamlined it's models to cater for the UK market...strange, so no sunroofs, no 180bhp model, limited colours, sounds like they are going backwards. And why on a 23+ grand car does it have stereo, trip and temperature readout lcd's all a mismash of different colours.

Don't think salesman was too bothered as he would not give us a price for our RX8 as he said he would have to phone around to get a price to move it on elsewhere (usually means dire px price)

Think will look for used spare wheel model T180 and hopefully a better test drive.

[rav man]

No T180s had a spare, Runflats, to be avaided like the plague ( is i believe the common train of thought)

The gearbox is a bit notchy when you first try it but its like any new / different car you get used to it after a few miles. I drove a mondeo diesel in work an that had a severe cluts , on/ off, but after a while it wasnt an issue.

Toyota do see to be streamlining the range, i do like a sunroof even with having air con. Toyota were one of the few who gave both (obviously not anymore).

I prefer a real spare (personal choice) and the rear door can be sorted quite easily with a new check strap.

RM

[Knighty]

Anyone got a 2.0 automatic ? still looking but all decent cars seem to be private buyers but got the RX-8 to move on (hopefully this weekend, 2 viewings)

Are the auto box's ok, any issues to be aware of ?

Found a beaut thats on a 56 plate 20,000 miles auto, grey XT5 leather/satnav etc with side steps and front bar, advertised as immaculate inside and out that ticks all the boxes at a good price.. i think (just under 11000) shame it's over 100 miles away though.

I will put the new car test drive down to a tight box due to the mileage (900 miles) but it was horrid for a new car.

[anchorman]

Manuals can feel notchy when you first drive them but you do get used to it. The auto box on the VVTi is a cracking combination. No known issues to my knowledge. The RAV auto's I have driven feel a bit fierce on the take up until you get used to them but I would have one tomorrow. Be prepared for the fuel consumption being in the low 30's ball park.

[Plutus]

Autobox will help your wife's bad back - had lots of trouble with mine and changing gears on a manual box was not good.

Auto at that age is 4 speed petrol.

Will drive very differently from an RX8 - not a lot of power but the box is fine - I've had lots of autos over the years.

No issues as far as I am aware (change box oil every 20k).

I'm getting 28mpg but do lots of short runs.

Had mine nearly 2 years and it hasn't missed abeat.

[Knighty]

Thanks for replies, don't do a great mileage so anything over the 23 or so mpg of the RX will be a bonus.

Well the one we were going to look at turns out it may have been a ringer as he was asking 10995 with 20,000 miles on the clock living in Lancashire, and on searching similar cars found the exact car right down to the reg number for sale on Autotrader by a garage in Dundee with 32,000 miles for 14950. Phoned the Dundee garage and they confirmed the car was sat on their forecourt !!

There are some scumbags out there.

Oh well keep looking