Buying A Rav4

[mad 4 rav]

HI, as i'm new to the site i and looking to buy a rav4. Been looking at a an 04 53 plate xt3 5dr in lagoon blue,there is 63k on the clock with good service history ie serviced every 20k 3 services and the dealer has just carried out the last and fitted a new cam belt,The car is in good order a few light scracthes around the rear door handle and would require the d/side wheel arch painted mark in the paintwork 4 x new tyres fitted and the spare never been used,front bumper been repainted due to stone chips but no accident damage elsewhere on the car.My only concern was when it was started from cold ( not started in a few days)there was blue smoke from the exhaust when revved not loads but enough,when on test drive you could see it in the mirror under rev,when stopped to change driver after a few miles revved again and the smoke was gone just the normal black smoke.Would there be a problem with the turbo,a breather or could it be cus it 's just been sitting about for a while. Help on this delimea much apprecited as you would not buy a rav4 for this price WIndow price 12995 buying price 12500. Cheers

[peterart]

I got a 1999 T Reg 5 door Rav with 30k on the clock for £6k in better condition than you've been describing. If it doesn't feel dead right - don't buy it! I kissed a lot of dogs before I found my baby!

[Uncle Bob]

First off welcome to the RAV4 section of the TOC , my own thoughts are, if its blowing out blue smoke ...just walk away :( .

The only other advice i can offer is, are you dead sure its blue smoke and not the usual grey/black smoke given out by most diesel motors when under load?.

Hopefully some of the other guys on here with the diesel RAV4 can advise before you make your decision :) .

[mad 4 rav]

I don't tink it's a serious problem as the smoke cleared after a bit of a drive,phoned two local toyota dealers they wouldn't comit themselves in telling me anything but said they didn't think it would be rings or anything termial maybe cus not been used for a while going back for a 2nd look nxt week as closed for the hoildays but a clean car and in the money for an o4 xt3 hence the miles was as good as on 05 xt3 with 22k on it was £2500 more. Have to do a bit more research before i go back thanks for your help.

[mad 4 rav]

Well guy's went and seen the rav4 on mon and when started(been parked not run for a wk) there was no blue smoke cause not had a proper drive stop and started too many times,went for another test drive on some b roads and was very pleased with the drive better than an o2 GX with 40k.Collect my new baby on sat can't wait.

(so don't be put off with cars that have slightly higher miles as long as there's good history) :D

[Uncle Bob]

Well done on your potential new purchase, keep us updated with how you get on with her .

[ivan taylor]

HI, as i'm new to the site i and looking to buy a rav4. Been looking at a an 04 53 plate xt3 5dr in lagoon blue,there is 63k on the clock with good service history ie serviced every 20k 3 services and the dealer has just carried out the last and fitted a new cam belt,The car is in good order a few light scracthes around the rear door handle and would require the d/side wheel arch painted mark in the paintwork 4 x new tyres fitted and the spare never been used,front bumper been repainted due to stone chips but no accident damage elsewhere on the car.My only concern was when it was started from cold ( not started in a few days)there was blue smoke from the exhaust when revved not loads but enough,when on test drive you could see it in the mirror under rev,when stopped to change driver after a few miles revved again and the smoke was gone just the normal black smoke.Would there be a problem with the turbo,a breather or could it be cus it 's just been sitting about for a while. Help on this delimea much apprecited as you would not buy a rav4 for this price WIndow price 12995 buying price 12500. Cheers

Dont buy it at all -I am now taking Toyoya to court they appear to have huge problems with the flywheels on Rav 4's a lot of them are breaking after only a few thousand miles and Toyota are claiming this is down to wear and tear judging by the sites visited thisis more common problem than Ithough and many customers are having to pay huge repairsbills from as little use as 36,000 miles I will never buy anothr Toyota