Petrol Or Diesel?

[ajstars]

We are looking at buying a 2002 (or newer) Rav 4, but can't decide on a petrol or diesel. We only cover about 10,000 miles per year, normal trip to work and back is only about 8 miles each direction. Any views on what is best in terms of driving/servicing/reliability?

Also what are the spec codes - ie GX etc?

Anything else I should be loking for when buying?

Thanks,

ajstars

[redlew]

Generally you will pay more for the diesel than the petrol ie imagine a diesel and a petrol both registered on the same day with the same spec that now have the same mileage.

But you will get more mpg so you won't be visiting the pumps so often.

So in terms of overall cost I'd say there wasn't much in it.

Diesels have better pulling power.

The 2004 model year included re-naming of trim levels from NV, NRG, GX and VX to XT2, XT3 and XT4. The further to the right you go , the more toys you get.

Happy hunting

[bjw]

A lot depends on how long your are going to keep it . As fuel prices go up a dealer will offer you more on trade in for a diesel when you go to sell

Edit

I purchased the diesel 2-2 D4D Verso and the engine is very good

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Personally, I'd go for diesel every time (with modern diesels, that is). Dearer to buy but far better pulling, more relaxed driving, more reliable, fewer stops at the pumps... I've not bought a petrol car for over 20 years; my wife insists on a diesel as well; last year, it was her insistence on a diesel that got me looking at Toyota - she wanted a smaller car and the Yaris D-4D was just what she wanted. I'd been favouring the CR-V but tried the Rav4 since we were at the dealers and found I preferred it - so with a discount for buying two cars at the same time, we ended up with a Rav4 and a Yaris.

I do ~20,000 miles/year so it easily makes economic sense for me. My wife does 10,000 miles/year - we'll need to see how the resale values compare in a few years time to see if the diesel premium will be recouped; notwithstanding, it's a cracker of a car and worth the extra.

[chatman]

We are looking at buying a 2002 (or newer) Rav 4, but can't decide on a petrol or diesel. We only cover about 10,000 miles per year, normal trip to work and back is only about 8 miles each direction. Any views on what is best in terms of driving/servicing/reliability?

Also what are the spec codes - ie GX etc?

Anything else I should be loking for when buying?

Thanks,

ajstars

There used to be a big difference in the pump price between diesel and petrol...now that's down to 1p and even the same price at some pumps...

It's really up to you, if you do long millage then diesel is better, but with the price being the same that really counteracts that argument...The diesel RAV has bags of torque but is also noisier than the petrol..I will properly buy another diesel as when I drive the wife's car I miss the oomph I get when pulling away...and the easy motorway cruising on longer journeys.

The spec goes, NRG is the lower spec, GX middle spec and VX top end, but saying that some owners have kitted out there RAV's with all sorts of toys... I did not go for the satnav in my VX as I have a TomTom and it's portable...(now on 02 Orbit phone) I had choice when buying it....All have Air Con and only VX has electric sunroof and leather.....

There are loads out there so plenty to choose from, model range is 4.1, 4.2 & 4.3 which is the latest model and slightly bigger....

Whatever you do choose your bound to enjoy it and members on here will help out and advise when needed.....

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[dave.m]

AJ,

My 2p's worth, go for the diesel, on average about £1k more expensive than the petrol but worth it and you will

get better residuals when you come to sell it.

As for which model, If your going for a MK2 and can up your budget a bit an XT-R is definitely worth it. If I remember

right you get whats on the XT-3 plus climate control, cruise control, vehicle stability control, privacy glass, leather

steering wheel and some colour keyed parts of bodywork. This is the model I have and love it. Regardless of which

model you choose you should have no regrets as the Rav is best of the bunch. As for things to look out for, the earlier

diesel MK2's had a problem with the flywheel. There are a lot of threads on here about this you can check out, otherwise

not much to worry about. Have a look at the thread with the photos it will really wet your appetite and get you dreaming

of a T180 like the rest of us.

Good luck,

Dave.

[ajstars]

Thanks for all your help - I test drove both and have to say I prefered the diesel, however, I am now reading about flywheel problems - is this something I should be worried about at about the average of 55000miles?

[anchorman]

Thanks for all your help - I test drove both and have to say I prefered the diesel, however, I am now reading about flywheel problems - is this something I should be worried about at about the average of 55000miles?

You have to put it into context. The forum tends to show up the owners who have problems as you would expect but there must be 1000's of them out there that are running perfectly.

You can find hereditary faults on most marques but I believe the flywheel issue is the exception rather than the rule.

Give it a good test run and then don't worry about it.

Keep your chin up mate.