Newbee - Should We Buy?

[Puiumeu]

Hello, and sorry for such a long first post.

We have the option of a 2001 5 door petrol Rav 4.2 Auto.

Its a Jersey Car and is classified as a GX on the V5 equivalent but has Leather etc like a VX? Toyota cannot confirm the model from the VIN and we need to reregister as something and we want it to be correct for the insurance.

The car only has 35k on the clock due to the nowhere to go in Jersey and is in Very good condition and well priced for the year etc.

However I have driven the car and;

1. The engine warning light (engine shaped icon) is on (should I be worried?).

2. There is significant judder at 70mph through the steering.

3. It does not feel as tight in the corners as manual VX's I have driven (is this just the Auto?).

All the above is being checked by the dealer who says it will all be corrected before we collect the car, and a full years MOT and service will be done (no MOT in Jersey).

Should I be worried about the warning light as I know there have been issues with the ECU's and replacement was the only true fix?

I expect the judder to be wheel balance but could it be something more serious?

Is there any difference in the suspension set-up's on GX-VX or is it possibly just worn? Is the performance of an Auto much less than the manual?

Thanks in advance.

Al

Looking forward to becoming a RAV 4 owner.

[NMaria]

Hello and welcome!

It seems strange that a main dealer (I assume it is a Toyota main dealer you are thinking of buying from) should offer for sale a car with such flaws. I would steer well clear of it. I had a 4.2 GX and recall that leather seats were an option - perhaps other members can confirm. However, if the car was first sold in the UK surely Toyota should be able to trace it on their records so that makes me a little suspicious.

Engine warning light on, judder through the steering, slack steering on bends - all those things ring serious warning bells! At the very least the dealer should fix all those things before you even think about parting with cash. Steering and suspension should be no different on an Auto, and the fact that it feels less tight than it should it makes you wonder if there is a connection with the front end judder, perhaps worn steering/suspension?

Low mileage is no guarantee of little wear or good condition: I bought a good car one with 31k miles on the clock, only to find that it had only ever been driven around town by a heavy-handed, heavy-footed brute who had managed to inflict so much wear and damage that even at that low mileage it needed a new clutch and gearbox. Soon afterwards the front hub assemblies gave out. The aftermarket warranty covered only £750 of a £2500 repair bill, and on the day of my claim the warranty provider went bankrupt.

As for performance, I only had a manual 4.2 GX but I did drive an Avensis auto with the same engine for a while, and found that it was an unhappy set-up because they are such high-revving engines. It made the car feel a bit reluctant to go. However, in view of the other concerns with the car I would be suspicious about this too!

There is a good choice of secondhand RAVs out there, and if you are going to spend your cash on one of those excellent cars, then make sure you buy a good 'un without problems or worries.

I'll be interested to hear what other members make of it.

[pmb]

Welcome to the club. There was 2k price difference between the GX and VX. Leather was a 1k option on the GX. The engine warning light most likely is an oxygen sensor. Have a search on the forum , I've had 2 go. Shouldn't obviously be any judder , it does sound like wheel balance though. No differences in suspension but should have 215 tyres not 235 if a GX as standard. Performance figures for 2.0 petrol GX are Man/Auto - Top speed 112/109 0-62 11.0/11.2 Fuel economy urban 24.8/22.8 extra urban 38.7/37.2 combined 32.1/30.4 emissions 211/224. I thought mine didn't have many miles on 44k! All figures for 2002 model but 2001 should be the same I think.

edit:just a thought. If it doesn't say GX/VX above the indicators on the wings but VVTi (or D4-D for a diesel) then I don't think it's a UK supplied model unless anyone knows different? I vaguely remember imported models having that difference at the time and probably others.(although that may not be true about later models)

[Puiumeu]

Its not a Toyota Dealer, its a Honda Dealer and the car was traded in agaist a new CRV and was priced at 6k but we dropped them to 5 with the condition that we were happy with the car after the repairs, it had a years MOT and 30 day warrenty.

What should I watch for that the dealer claims they have done?

We did also drive a 2002 VX manual with 90k on the clock that looked like it had been used on a farm, but it drove very nice, it was 1k cheaper but the cosmetics let it down.

There are not so many available in Scotland, and my wife who the car is for likes the Auto etc.

I could get our neighbour who is a mechanic to look over it or would value any other ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Al

[Puiumeu]

Oh and it does not have ANY identification over the indicators at all.

I just spoke with Toyota who checked the VIN but this does not show the model.

They did say Jersey possibly has a different spec range as it is a limited market...

It has a solid spoiler on the rear door top and the 5 spoke VX wheels but again for a non uk car I don't know how improtant this is.

Thx

Al.

[Puiumeu]

Also worth note, when I drove the vehicle it had only just been traded in and had not been prepared for sale.

I doubt the dealer would have normally presented the vehicle in this state.

I am more concerned with if its possible to ensure the faults have been root cause repaired and not just covered up....

ANY additional assistance would be appreciated..

Thanks in advance....

[Hoovie]

Hi, welcome to TOC.

Firstly, I would expect a Honda Main Dealer would only want to sell reasonable cars, so chances are it is ok and not dodgy - although a 2001 vehicle seems quite old for a main dealer to be selling - they would usually punt those off to auction just due to age. maybe it is the low mileage that has made them display it.

If you do buy it, I would be asking for a 12 month warranty from them as part of the deal as a reasurance the problems fixed properly.

I am surprised that you have not seen many RAV4s 4,2's (that is the model you are looking at - years 2000 - 2005) for sale. they are a pretty popular car and I see a lot around in the Borders, and quite a few for sale in the Dealers (though they are up for silly money IMO).

TBH, I am not sure £5K is a great price for a 2001 GX? I was thinking of trading in my 2005 XT3 (w/ Leather) and was offered less then £6k!! (which was daft admittedly)

Good Hunting!

[bitman]

i have one with 107k miles. and that amber light on the dash, 99% it's a sensor what is easy to swap by that dealer. but it will cost you by mr. t over £270 so if you go for it make sure it's sorted.

personally i don't care about the mileage but more who and how it's been driven... 30k miles in london with all that start / stop traffic will do more damage then 100k miles motorway with a good service record!

@hoovie, what about your mpg mate? ;)

[Hoovie]

@hovie, what about your mpg mate? ;)

Got a Whole stack of receipts to put in, but probably averaging 300 miles a tank, so not good!  

[Puiumeu]

Ok I now have no idea what to do....

I cannot find another Rav in our price range close to us.

I am going to call the dealer tomorrow to see what his story is, as hopefully the car has been into the service dept or even MOT'ed.

I think I will wait to see what they claim the root cause issues of the judder and warning light were before passing judgement and will post on here for perhaps some more advice.

Thank you all for all your comments so far.

Al

[mabozar]

Ok I now have no idea what to do....

I cannot find another Rav in our price range close to us.

I am going to call the dealer tomorrow to see what his story is, as hopefully the car has been into the service dept or even MOT'ed.

I think I will wait to see what they claim the root cause issues of the judder and warning light were before passing judgement and will post on here for perhaps some more advice.

Thank you all for all your comments so far.

Al

welcome to the club you will get great advice in here my friend I have a RAV 4 the same age as yours 2001 but its diesel D-4D GX great car had it 4 years,I live on the outskirts of Edinburgh btw

[Oilkid]

Try putting the VIN number in to the link below. It may/may not tell you the info you require?

TOYODIY

[Puiumeu]

Try putting the VIN number in to the link below. It may/may not tell you the info you require?

TOYODIY

Thx Oilkid, I had already found this through some deep Googling. Does not really tell me much.

I have phoned the Dealer and they are going to call me back.

I will ask what the diagnostics showed for the warning light, what was done etc

Also what showed up with the judder and what was done....

I will post on here once I have the feedback.