4.4 Feedback.

[daiashthomas]

Sounds good. Is that the 2.2?

Drive the deal were tempting me today.

A 2.2 Icon with metallic paint for £22k instead of £27k!

yes 2.2 invincible

we were very close to the drive the deal price with the dealer.

[paulmel]

Got my Invincible with Nav and Style at end of March for just over £4 k off list price from a broker.

Nearest dealer tried his best to match price and came in at £800-ish more.

Was tempted to buy and keep my money local, would have done if it was a little bit closer on price, but at getting on for nearly a grand more, couldn't justify it to my bank balance !

Anyway, covered just over 2 thousand miles now and have to say, the Rav is a dream to drive.

[vivianM]

Done about 2500 miles with my Invincible Auto and back from 850 miles round Devon, averaged 37.6 mpg on Ultimate type fuel which I think in quite good as had very fast motorway trips in both directions from Derbyshire and there are some steep and long hills down there - bit like Derbyshire in places !!

It is a bit heavier than the standard Invincible but Anchorman will reveal all in due course, when he has recovered from jet lag!!

One surprise with it - I thought it would have a tyre pressure warning system shown on the SatNav screen not just an icon on the speedo screen not that I have any low pressure on a tyre, as yet.

Guy

[glorydad]

Having a great experience with my new RAV 4 Auto...it is the first auto i have regularly driven and I now wonder why I didn't buy one before! I am getting around 35mpg, using the brim to brim method, they are mostly high speed journeys on the motorway. The car has only done just over a 1000miles so, definitely not fair on the car yet. I am sure it will loosen up and will get better consumption in the future but I had to be nosy and test it at this stage.

I have two questions that I am searching for you're opinions on.

• I have noticed that,in other markets, there is an upgraded audio option. This implies to me that we can get a better sound in this car. I am thinking of changing the Speakers as, years ago, that was the cheapest way to upgrade an audio system. Any thoughts, is it worth the hassle?
• Easier question this time... does fitting mud flaps hurt fuel consumption?

Looking forward to your opinions guys (and Gals?)

GD

[daiashthomas]

The stereo in The new rav is a pioneer unit, I Don't find it too bad, but to get a better sound amped speaker Set up would be the way forward but it can be expensive, depends on your budget, if you spend all day in the rav, then its worth spending it, as you can always remove it to fit in your next vehicle.

[Big Kev]

Andy.......actually almost know what I am talking about for a change.......

No....do not change Speakers.....not as easy as you think anyway.......normal hierarchy is to change to a better source, such as Sony, Kenwood, Panasonic, and not cheap to do so. Beware ye some of the Chinese junk which promise lotsa sources, and the unit self destructs first time you pass wind !!! As for mudflaps......no effect on mpg and are a must to protect your investment, and can be augmented greatly by the fitting of side steps.

Now try your auto box in Sport mode all the time......more pleasant drive with little effect on mpg.

Big Kev

[glorydad]

Andy.......actually almost know what I am talking about for a change.......

No....do not change speakers.....not as easy as you think anyway.......normal hierarchy is to change to a better source, such as Sony, Kenwood, Panasonic, and not cheap to do so. Beware ye some of the Chinese junk which promise lotsa sources, and the unit self destructs first time you pass wind !!! As for mudflaps......no effect on mpg and are a must to protect your investment, and can be augmented greatly by the fitting of side steps.

Now try your auto box in Sport mode all the time......more pleasant drive with little effect on mpg.

Big Kev

Thanks Big Kev, I will forget about changing audio and I will fit mudflaps. I think I have read somewhere you can't fit mudflaps and steps together on a 4.4? :bookworm: I wasn't going to fit steps anyway, so no problem.

I am "playing" with the modes, one thing I find with "sport" is that it is reluctant to use 6th and have had to go to "M" and instruct the change using the stick or paddles. This happens on the motorway, generally. It is certainly a more driver's drive, if you see what I mean. There is a discussion on the "Chips" thread which I have joined in about this.

GD

[Big Kev]

Judicial use of a Dremel is required to make the front mudflaps fit (Hoovie carved mine) so don't be put off fitting them, Andy, more so if no sidesteps will be there as crud catchers.

[Big Kev]

The stereo in The new rav is a pioneer unit, I Don't find it too bad, but to get a better sound amped speaker Set up would be the way forward but it can be expensive, depends on your budget, if you spend all day in the rav, then its worth spending it, as you can always remove it to fit in your next vehicle.

Wasn't aware they were fitting Pioneer units, Ashley, and forgot to list the marque in my original post. Can't really get much better, and as far as amping any inferior car audio, that old adage of rubbish in / rubbish out really can raise its head.......been there, and result was total harmonic distortion of bleeding ears....lol !!!

[daiashthomas]

Obviously if your fitting amps always replace Speakers. But your looking at 2-4k for something thats gonna be decent enough to warrant an Upgrade.

[Big Kev]

Obviously if your fitting amps always replace speakers. But your looking at 2-4k for something thats gonna be decent enough to warrant an Upgrade.

Think how good a home system one could buy for that kinda cashley, Ashley.........could even include a Scottish turntable as a source!

Much more condusive to listening too........

[namead]

Something to bear in mind - all very well upgrading stereos etc - but with my shot hearing, not gong to make the blindest bit of difference.

A car is a crap environment anyway for "hi fi quality" listening, with all the variables of road noise, vibrations etc. - everything has to be a compromise. Spend 2 to 4K? I'd be having some nice holidays for that.

[glorydad]

Obviously if your fitting amps always replace speakers. But your looking at 2-4k for something thats gonna be decent enough to warrant an Upgrade.

Think how good a home system one could buy for that kinda cashley, Ashley.........could even include a Scottish turntable as a source!

Much more condusive to listening too........

I have a Scottish turntable made by L£££ and there is no better in my book (Sorry Mr Moderator, gone slightly off topic)

[Big Kev]

Obviously if your fitting amps always replace speakers. But your looking at 2-4k for something thats gonna be decent enough to warrant an Upgrade.

Think how good a home system one could buy for that kinda cashley, Ashley.........could even include a Scottish turntable as a source!

Much more condusive to listening too........

I have a Scottish turntable made by L£££ and there is no better in my book (Sorry Mr Moderator, gone slightly off topic)

Obviously if your fitting amps always replace speakers. But your looking at 2-4k for something thats gonna be decent enough to warrant an Upgrade.

Think how good a home system one could buy for that kinda cashley, Ashley.........could even include a Scottish turntable as a source!

Much more condusive to listening too........

I have a Scottish turntable made by L£££ and there is no better in my book (Sorry Mr Moderator, gone slightly off topic)

Aye........concur fully........have ye tried Snickers instead....?

[anchorman]

Its a shame that Akai stopped making hifi thanoo.

[daiashthomas]

http://www.sonicfrontiers.co.uk

that's my mate Lee, when people have got disposable income they go to lee, superb craftsmanship, only the best materials, but don't expect you vehicle back in a hurry, very meticulous.

[Big Kev]

Its a shame that Akai stopped making hifi thanoo.

They specialised in Scottish Country Dancing too.........Reel to Reel........

[vivianM]

Andy.......actually almost know what I am talking about for a change.......

No....do not change speakers.....not as easy as you think anyway.......normal hierarchy is to change to a better source, such as Sony, Kenwood, Panasonic, and not cheap to do so. Beware ye some of the Chinese junk which promise lotsa sources, and the unit self destructs first time you pass wind !!! As for mudflaps......no effect on mpg and are a must to protect your investment, and can be augmented greatly by the fitting of side steps.

Now try your auto box in Sport mode all the time......more pleasant drive with little effect on mpg.

Big Kev

Thanks Big Kev, I will forget about changing audio and I will fit mudflaps. I think I have read somewhere you can't fit mudflaps and steps together on a 4.4? :bookworm: I wasn't going to fit steps anyway, so no problem.

I am "playing" with the modes, one thing I find with "sport" is that it is reluctant to use 6th and have had to go to "M" and instruct the change using the stick or paddles. This happens on the motorway, generally. It is certainly a more driver's drive, if you see what I mean. There is a discussion on the "Chips" thread which I have joined in about this.

GD

Yes I agree with the "sport" gear position I do find the same - my only slight complaint about the gear change it that itsometimes holds on to the revs too long before changing up - over 4000+ rpm at times so there must be a drop off in torque as max torque is in the range 2000 to 2800 rpm and max power at 3600 rpm.

Guy