Buying A Rav4 Mk1 In... Kazakhstan

October 12, 2006

Hello to you all members of TOC, :group-cuddles:

I wanted to ask for your help :help2: , in finding the right RAV4 here in Kazakhstan. As I will spend a year here (or maybe more) I wanted to buy a used vehicle that will last the conditions here, and thought that a TOYOTA RAV4 will go through the task. :toast:

A popular option here is to buy used cars from Japan :chinese: Used cars in KZ

(with right wheel) which they can get from auctions, etc for around 3.500$ and sell them here around 6.000-6.500$ for the model I'm interested in 3door Automatic RAV4 '94-'95. :wheelchair:

As I can get no info from places (like HPI check) whether the car is a lemon or not, is there a list of things to to be particularly watchful before buying the above mentioned model? :doctor:

Any advice will be more appreciated, before going to the dealers to make my choice! :giljotiini:

Keep in mind also, that here (N.part of country-capital Astana) conditions in the winter can get pretty extreme with temps like -40/-50C :canadian: , so any general insight of taking care my RAV4 will be helpful as well! :clap:

Cheers, Fotis. :thumbsup:

P.S. Haven't met Mr. BORAT (http://www.borat.tv/#) yet but still looking... :blow:

October 14, 2006

Welcome to the club Fotis :thumbsup: , i'm sure the RAV4 was tested to -40/-50C when it was designed, but that would be a strain for most car, but RAV4's being so reliable i'm sure it would be a good choice.

The only problem that comes to mine is on the early RAV4 , front coil springs can snap, breaking off a coil or two, other than that you are looking at any common problem found on any used vehicle,

Good luck with finding a suitable vehicle :) .

October 21, 2006

Welcome to the club Fotis , i'm sure the RAV4 was tested to -40/-50C when it was designed, but that would be a strain for most car, but RAV4's being so reliable i'm sure it would be a good choice.
The only problem that comes to mine is on the early RAV4 , front coil springs can snap, breaking off a coil or two, other than that you are looking at any common problem found on any used vehicle,
Good luck with finding a suitable vehicle :) .

Thanks for the tips Bob King, :clap:

soon enough will make my choice for an early RAV4 :wheelchair: in the local market here, and will let you know whether I met any problems; :driving: