To PHEV or not to PHEV...

[Flatcoat]

Toyota do not provide any insurance. It is simply a third party product with Toyotas name attached. Similar to their recovery service which is actually the AA. When I shopped around the saving was a damn sight more than £100. 

[Doubletalkjive]

49 minutes ago, P_J said:

I'll look at disklok and other options, if only to have for when I need to leave somewhere I don't trust (i.e. not work/home).
Can't see me using it daily, but that may become my downfall...

Incidentally, I installed the MyToyota app yesterday and now I'm suddenly getting notifications for my order. 
It's built and on its way apparently. Hopefully the earthquakes, tidal waves, and pirates don't interfere too much in our deliveries..

I think many thieves today are quite brazen. Driveway thefts are common. Gives them plenty of time to plan their dark deeds...

My order doesn't show up in the Toyota app... did you have your vehicle VIN number?

[P_J]

No VIN.
I went to create a MyToyota account using the same email I gave the sales rep (he must have added it to the order via the AFRL Keeper Input form I filled in), and it said I already had an account. 
I knew I hadn't created it, so I requested a password change, and followed this email to set a password, then went into the account. 
I could see from this online account (and subsequently the app, when setup) that the vehicle was ordered, built, and shipped.

[nlee]

46 minutes ago, P_J said:

I'll look at disklok and other options, if only to have for when I need to leave somewhere I don't trust (i.e. not work/home).
Can't see me using it daily, but that may become my downfall...

If you look at the reported thefts in other threads or other Facebook groups, you'll probably note the majority are taken from the home. I'd suggest it's highly likely the thefts are targeted and involve some recon prior to the actual theft, i.e. where the car is parked up regularly, at home or work.

I think it's unlikely this sort of theft involving sophisticated equipment would be opportunistically wandering around remote small carparks, lay-bys, or roads where there is only a small possibility of coming across a RAV4. Maybe with the numbers on the road, there's statistically a higher probability of coming across one in large carparks or retail parks making it a more worthwhile target for the thieves on the off chance.

Personally, I'm more diligent with the extra security on the drive at home than anywhere. I have CCTV but with the number of videos posted on the internet of thefts taking place, CCTV doesn't seem to be deterring them so much.

[Doubletalkjive]

2 minutes ago, nlee said:

If you look at the reported thefts in other threads or other Facebook groups, you'll probably note the majority are taken from the home. I'd suggest it's highly likely the thefts are targeted and involve some recon prior to the actual theft, i.e. where the car is parked up regularly, at home or work.

I think it's unlikely this sort of theft involving sophisticated equipment would be opportunistically wandering around remote small carparks, lay-bys, or roads where there is only a small possibility of coming across a RAV4. Maybe with the numbers on the road, there's statistically a higher probability of coming across one in large carparks or retail parks making it a more worthwhile target for the thieves on the off chance.

Personally, I'm more diligent with the extra security on the drive at home than anywhere. I have CCTV but with the number of videos posted on the internet of thefts taking place, CCTV doesn't seem to be deterring them so much.

Our neighbour had a scooter stolen from their driveway at about 2am one night. It was caught on our CCTV but did nothing to stop the theft. I think the ultimate (legal) deterrent vs car theft on a driveway is a heavy duty retractabe bollard. 

I saw a YouTube video of someone opening fire on someone (with a paintball gun) who was trying to steal their catalytic converter on their driveway. It was in the US. I imagine you can use a lot more than a paintball gun in some states. But I would suspect that you could be prosecuted in the UK for using just a paintball gun...

[P_J]

So I'm reading this as:
Its either not CANBUS attackable (being a TS2.5 PHEV) so worst is they don't realise and do damage finding out it doesn't work and/or protection plates in place. 
Or, I would need to apply a steering wheel lock every time I leave it parked anywhere. 

Sad times. 

[Doubletalkjive]

Just now, P_J said:

So I'm reading this as:
Its either not CANBUS attackable (being a TS2.5 PHEV) so worst is they don't realise and do damage finding out it doesn't work and/or protection plates in place. 
Or, I would need to apply a steering wheel lock every time I leave it parked anywhere. 

Sad times. 

I know. Really sad. They will cause damage either way.

Disklok is not impenetrable, but it will at least delay them and cutting tools are noisy in the middle of the night. When they see a Disklok it hopefully puts them off.

[Doubletalkjive]

18 minutes ago, P_J said:

No VIN.
I went to create a MyToyota account using the same email I gave the sales rep (he must have added it to the order via the AFRL Keeper Input form I filled in), and it said I already had an account. 
I knew I hadn't created it, so I requested a password change, and followed this email to set a password, then went into the account. 
I could see from this online account (and subsequently the app, when setup) that the vehicle was ordered, built, and shipped.

Thanks. Very helpful. I have checked with my dealer and await their response. 

[Torrox]

On 11/22/2023 at 2:19 PM, P_J said:

Hi all. Long time reader, first time poster. 
This is the most sensible and informative forum I’ve read in a very long time. Quite refreshing!

I'm in the market for a new car. Coming from a history of Corollas and Celicas, Toyota is always first on the pick list.
I've test driven the MY24 RAV4 HEV and liked it a lot, test drove some other non-Toyotas, and then tried the PHEV. Wife said I came back from the PHEV test with a grin on my face! I think you know why.
So... before I start negotiating with dealers on the PHEV etc., I want to see how feasible/easy I can make charging it up every day, as I may otherwise revert to the HEV as this seems like a great compromise.
To clarify, I’m pretty lazy. To put that in perspective, my current car locks itself when I walk away, and the fact that I have to touch the door handle on the RAV4 to do the same has made it onto the ‘Cons’ list.
That said, there really aren’t many ‘Cons’ that I can foresee, and all the ‘Pros’ far outweigh the other vehicles on my shortlist.

I have a 25-35 mile daily commute on mixed urban/highway so I will need daily charging to stay only on battery.
Or should I maybe consider a charge every 2 days so the ICE gets a bit of attention and keeps fluids circulating? Anyone do/recommend that? 

I currently have no external socket or EV charger installed.
My initial thoughts were to utilise an existing spare socket in the garage, and run the cable under the garage door, then just coil the cable on the drive when not in use, or maybe hang it over the side gate so looks a bit tidier and won’t trip the postie.
But maybe that’s not best for long term use (possible garage door damage to cable. Socket maybe not be fit for regular lengthy 10A draw. Looks a little unsightly maybe).
So will probably look to get either a proper EV charger installed (a little costly, even with the 350 grant now offered for PHEVs), or perhaps just an external RCBO protected socket and just use the granny cable, e.g.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-ip66-13a-1-gang-weatherproof-outdoor-unswitched-active-plug-socket-with-rcbo/889rg
I’m really torn between these two options, and I’ve read a number of posts here about different peoples choices (of particular interest is Ernie’s long-term use of a simple external socket) and I’m still none the wiser which to choose.

As it’ll be plugged in overnight either way, its seems that 7.5 hours or 2.5 hours makes little difference to me as I’ll be asleep (kids permitting!).
But the EV charger wallbox does seem perhaps a safer long term solution for daily charging.

Also, whichever external option I go for, it’ll be behind a gate which the wife likes to keep locked (rear access only), so I’m foreseeing quite an ordeal just to plug the thing in every day.
I’m wondering whether its safe/feasible to have the plug end of the cable hanging on some kind of hook, attached to wall just behind the gate, so I can just reach over and grab it and pull the cable up over the gate.
And the reverse when leaving for work in the morning. Does that make sense?
Do you need to do anything at the charger end of the cable/wallbox to allow power to flow?

Also, simple question, which side of the car does the charger go on the UK RAV4? I see a lot of images that could easily be US specs, but I’m assuming its drivers side, so RHS?

Sorry - a lot of questions hidden in that braindump.
Appreciate the time any of you can take to (hopefully) alleviate my concerns over the ‘hassle’ of charging daily, so I can commit to joining the PHEVvies!

I don't think the government grant of £350 is available anymore. I have been searching everywhere including asking on Reddit but the grant of £350 is only available to tenants and landlords.

[ColinB]

19 hours ago, Flatcoat said:

Toyota do not provide any insurance. It is simply a third party product with Toyotas name attached. Similar to their recovery service which is actually the AA. When I shopped around the saving was a damn sight more than £100. 

I've bought GAP insurance from both third party and Toyota, one major difference is the Toyota is return to invoice, i. e. what I paid for it rather than just the difference between what an insurance payout is and the outstanding finance. 

[Flatcoat]

39 minutes ago, ColinB said:

I've bought GAP insurance from both third party and Toyota, one major difference is the Toyota is return to invoice, i. e. what I paid for it rather than just the difference between what an insurance payout is and the outstanding finance. 

And you can buy return to invoice GAP insurance from a third party. I can assure you Toyota are NOT an insurance company. It is simply a product you can otherwise buy elsewhere but with the Toyota label on it. 

[philip42h]

1 hour ago, Flatcoat said:

you can buy return to invoice GAP insurance from a third party

Toyota insurance products are typically underwritten by Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance UK Limited. They are sometimes good value; sometimes less so.

Take a look at ALA for third-party GAP insurance - they are underwritten by Newline Insurance Company Limited. They offer pretty much all the different types of GAP insurance available so you can get reference prices for each type for comparison purposes. This is a source of information rather than a recommendation - though they are highly regarded.

We went with ALA rather than Toyota for the wife's C-HR because the cost difference was quite enormous for what we actually required.

It's worth remembering that it is an insurance that you really don't want to be claiming on - you are hoping that it is a waste of money from the outset. Though it may well be advisable for a car that is on PCP or any other form of finance ... 😉 

[Flatcoat]

There is also a time limit on purchase of GAP from the car being new. I unfortunately missed it…… 

[P_J]

I see that ALA offer cover for 4 years which I can't get with Toyotas offerings. Might be worth a punt... 🤔
Thanks for the heads up Philip. 

Yes, I intend to get the GAP in place before pickup when I know the car is delivered, hopefully.