Advice On Rav 4

[aven_man]

Hi all,

I usually spend my time in the Avensis section but now my wife wants to change her Yaris and due to expanding family the Rav 4 looks like a good option. Will be looking at 2002/2003 5 door models and would appreciate any advice on what to look out for.

I haven't actually driven one yet but engine choices here in Ireland are poor. I suspect that the 1.8 VVT-i for that size body would be very sluggish and can't see much of an improvement in the 2.0.

How does the 2.0 D4D drive. We put a lot of milage up at weekends so if I purchase a D4D it will be doing most of them and I will only use the Avensis for work.

What is the ride like, reading through some of the posts here it sounds good.

[Uncle Bob]

Hi all,

I usually spend my time in the Avensis section but now my wife wants to change her Yaris and due to expanding family the Rav 4 looks like a good option. Will be looking at 2002/2003 5 door models and would appreciate any advice on what to look out for.

I haven't actually driven one yet but engine choices here in Ireland are poor. I suspect that the 1.8 VVT-i for that size body would be very sluggish and can't see much of an improvement in the 2.0.

How does the 2.0 D4D drive. We put a lot of milage up at weekends so if I purchase a D4D it will be doing most of them and I will only use the Avensis for work.

What is the ride like, reading through some of the posts here it sounds good.

Don't like to see posts unanswered .....there seems to be a few problems with the D4D at the moment ,see this thread as one example......

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47973

and another...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42688

[Ramdeom]

Own a Rav4 D4D since Jan 2002.

A bit noisy, but it is a diesel so expect a bit of clatter.

It took toyota dealer over 3 years to fix noise from accessory belt.

(check that the mod is fitted to the power steering pump mounting-4 washers-).

Warranty expired in Jan 2006, but bought extention for two years more.

There is still an unresolved problem after all this time--- Gear lever rattle in 5th gear.

Dealer said that mod was done in the gear box, gear stick and gate assembly replaced but the problem is still there---CONSIDERING my next move!!!!!!!!

In other words buy a suzuki.[/i]

[aven_man]

Thanks for your responses.

D4D on Rav is now not looking a good option.

Cheers

[jonbr]

Hi all,

I usually spend my time in the Avensis section but now my wife wants to change her Yaris and due to expanding family the Rav 4 looks like a good option. Will be looking at 2002/2003 5 door models and would appreciate any advice on what to look out for.

I haven't actually driven one yet but engine choices here in Ireland are poor. I suspect that the 1.8 VVT-i for that size body would be very sluggish and can't see much of an improvement in the 2.0.

How does the 2.0 D4D drive. We put a lot of milage up at weekends so if I purchase a D4D it will be doing most of them and I will only use the Avensis for work.

What is the ride like, reading through some of the posts here it sounds good.

aven_man, don't worry about the petrol version being low on power, I have an XT4 2L and it has 147bhp (manufacturers spec). It goes like stink if I put my foot down and the RAV4 has been called the GTI of 4x4's by some parts of the press :)

As for the ride, it's excellent for a car of it's hight/size. Once I got used to it I started to drive it like it was just another family saloon car with added benifit if excellent traction due to the 4 wheel drive

[ahmurray]

Hi there,

I've got the 5 door 2 litre petrol VX as my wife's car - it's great - not the most refined of engines (I drive a beemer so maybe I have high expectations!) but a great all round family car, and ultra reliable so far in a year of ownership.

I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Cheers,

Ali

[aven_man]

Thanks johnbr and ahmurray

I am thinking of importing one from the UK. On a 2003 RAV4 2L VVT-i could save up to 8k euros compared to Irish prices. Also UK models are have a higger accessory list compared to Irish models.

I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.