What Rav4 To Go For...

[Nightstalker]

Hello everybody....

Im on the brink of becoming a Rav 4 owner....only problem I have is which Rav4 to go for...Both are the same price....

here it is

Option 1

Silver 05 reg D4D Rav4 XT5 full XT5 spec 21K on the clock and tinted windows.......

Option 2

Red 06 reg 2.0ltr VVTi XT4 normal XT4 spec with 12K on the clock.

Both have their pros n cons, option 1 has all the gizmos and heated leather seats but the boot is smaller

option 2 is from what I have read bigger all round and the cabin is more refined....

just cant decide...

So I'm shouting out for some help here....

[Best-Gear]

I think RED would put most people off if its a bright "boy racer shade".... (as he stands back to be shot....)

[Nightstalker]

Not really bothered about the colour. More the practicallity of the car itself...

Need to fit wife (and her luggage) and 2 kids and golf clubs in car....

[chatman]

I would go for the newer shape RED RAV

Anchorman has one and it looks Gorgeous..... B) B) B)

Bigger all round and the benefit of the newer model....

[Fujisan]

Tough one this! Pity the 4.3 is not diesel than it would be a no-brainer but in the end I would still go for the newer, bigger car.

4.3 all the way!

Best-Gear, I would duck and cover if I were you when Anchorman reads that about Boy-racer's.

[chatman]

Best-Gear, I would duck and cover if I were you when Anchorman reads that about Boy-racer's.

He has got his fog lights on in his aviator picture.... :clown: Boy racer stylie.....

[dave.m]

Hmmmm, tricky one this, but based purely on residual values I would go for the 4.3.

As you have not said what mileage you do I'm assuming petrol wont be a problem. As for the colour,

well Anchormans was the first red one Rav I've seen on here and I think its well smart. Now having said that

I think some of you better stay away from level crossings. You know what he does for a living and as much

as I admire the strengths of a Rav, when it comes up against a couple of hundred tons of train theres only

gonna be one outcome.

Good luck.

Dave.

[Fujisan]

The runaway train came down the track and she blew, she blew

The runaway train came down the track and she blew, she blew

The runaway train came down the track, her whistle wide and

her throttle back

And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew

[BigBaz]

Head says...... the 06

Heart says........the 05 as its identical to mine except the colour

[chatman]

The runaway train came down the track and she blew, she blew

The runaway train came down the track and she blew, she blew

The runaway train came down the track, her whistle wide and

her throttle back

And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew

Is it me or is this RAV forum turning into a site for Hornby enthusiasts and Bogey fanciers.... :jockey:

Me I just use then every now and then, but as they are unreliable, old, cramped, always delayed, break down and never work when you want them too :ffs: :ffs: .... I prefer to use my Air conditioned, leather seated, reliable, fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and always on time RAV4...

Now that should stir them up ha ha ha :bye: :bye:

[Uncle Bob]

I say the Red 06 petrol VVT-i ....but then I'm bias toward petrol as i have an 04 example :)

[Fujisan]

Is it me or is this RAV forum turning into a site for Hornby enthusiasts and Bogey fanciers.... :jockey:

Me I just use then every now and then, but as they are unreliable, old, cramped, always delayed, break down and never work when you want them too :ffs: :ffs: .... I prefer to use my Air conditioned, leather seated, reliable, fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and always on time RAV4...

Now that should stir them up ha ha ha :bye: :bye:

Sorry Chatman ;)

Be honest can't remember the last time I used a train in this country. Like you, much prefer using my lovely car when I can.

Back on topic any news of the test drive Nightstalker?

[Nightstalker]

Must admit....I did nt like it......

I LOVED IT!!!!!

I didnt get to drive the 2ltr one Im looking at, instead I drove the t180 NICE!!!!

However .... there is still one obstacle to sort out.....THE WIFE! :

She cant see that the boot space is actually a bit bigger than the one on the avensis...you must admit its very decieving as the boot does look quite small in comparison...but the thing she did not take into considderation is that you can use the old cargo net and fill the back right up...

Also the payments are more expensive than the ones we are paying now and if we do go for it the HP starts over again...(we are now about 1.5 years into repaying the vensis....)

However I have tried to explain the practiallity of the car but it seems like she is having nowt of it... The fact that you cant get 3 child seets in the back is a major downer for her as being a childminder she would like to take the kids on days out...(well when I'm not working that is as she currently doesnt drive - but is working on it...) I did explain though that the front passenger airbag can be disabled and if she were to sort out her license she could take the littlens out.

On another note since I got to drive the T180...I want the gizmos which come with it...loved the stereo and the keyless stuff! :) Paul (the sales rep at my local Mr T) is top knotch and knew I'd want one of those...but sadly there's no chance of it happening... it would have to be the XT4 (If the other half agrees to it in the end...)

SO.... Its back to the battle filed in the morning (currently on night shift) to battle it out with her indoors and see what happens....I've only got tomorrow(Sunday) to sort it out as I need to let Paul know what the deal is on Monday...Whish me luck..... :help2: :help2:

Regards

Rob

B)

[Fujisan]

Pity you could not test the car you going to buy.

The T180 is a very nice car, did your nice salesman have a good reason why you could not drive your intended purchase, or was he throwing a worm in front of you with the top of the range model?

You don't have answer this, but have you checked the insurance cost for your wife if she is a new driver and if she is taking other people's children in the car, would your insurance company classify that as business use?

Don't rush, don't make hasty decisions, it's a buyers market, there are plenty of 4.3's out there.

Anyway, very happy that you like the 4.3. It's a great car. The boot is massive, believe me it wont be a problem.

Hope you and your wife come to an agreement, best wishes and good luck

[Nightstalker]

I knew I was'nt going test drive the one Im after....as the person who currently has it is on holiday....

However...if all goes ok and the other half gives the go-a-head then I will be wanting to test drive it before I purchase it...

The testdrive yesterday was really only about seeing the boot space and showing a rav to the wife...and as I had it for about2 hours I had to take advantage and take it for a spin through town and on the motorway just to see what the driving possition would be like...

Fujisan, you say the boot wont be a problem...have you filled the boot to the roof of the car yet? If you have could you let us know what the cargo net is like....her indoors is a bit panicked about it as she reckons that in an accident all the luggage will come flying forward ...I would have thought that the cargo net would hold things back.... Kinda wonder if they check these things when it comes to the Ncap tests...

anywho...Im preparing for battle now...6 hrs and counting....(Damn I want that Rav4!)

Do you know if it is possible to get a dimming mirror fitted if one wanted one?? I know I'd love one of them and also the full screen satnav touch screen display....

Perhaps I should concentrate in getting the Rav first huh....

[Best-Gear]

Tough one this! Pity the 4.3 is not diesel than it would be a no-brainer but in the end I would still go for the newer, bigger car.

4.3 all the way!

Best-Gear, I would duck and cover if I were you when Anchorman reads that about Boy-racer's.

He, He...yip, ducking as I type...

And...would have voted differently if I realised that the other one was later revision... no brainer then..

DJ

[Sussex_Paul]

I knew I was'nt going test drive the one Im after....as the person who currently has it is on holiday....

However...if all goes ok and the other half gives the go-a-head then I will be wanting to test drive it before I purchase it...

The testdrive yesterday was really only about seeing the boot space and showing a rav to the wife...and as I had it for about2 hours I had to take advantage and take it for a spin through town and on the motorway just to see what the driving possition would be like...

Fujisan, you say the boot wont be a problem...have you filled the boot to the roof of the car yet? If you have could you let us know what the cargo net is like....her indoors is a bit panicked about it as she reckons that in an accident all the luggage will come flying forward ...I would have thought that the cargo net would hold things back.... Kinda wonder if they check these things when it comes to the Ncap tests...

anywho...Im preparing for battle now...6 hrs and counting....(Damn I want that Rav4!)

Do you know if it is possible to get a dimming mirror fitted if one wanted one?? I know I'd love one of them and also the full screen satnav touch screen display....

Perhaps I should concentrate in getting the Rav first huh....

Hi Nightstalker,

I can honestly say that the boot in the 4.3 is plenty big enough for everything my family does.

We went camping back in June and I had space left over compared with the same amount I packed into my previous 4.2 (we even had a dog in a travel case in the middle of the back seat between the kids).

Don't forget that the seats in the Rav slide forward as well (I'm sure you know this anyhow).

Just a thought on your dilemma re extra kit - have you considered the 4.3 XT5 - as apart from the engine, the spec is identical to the T180?

Cheers and good luck.

Paul.

[Fujisan]

Fujisan, you say the boot wont be a problem...have you filled the boot to the roof of the car yet? If you have could you let us know what the cargo net is like....her indoors is a bit panicked about it as she reckons that in an accident all the luggage will come flying forward ...I would have thought that the cargo net would hold things back.... Kinda wonder if they check these things when it comes to the Ncap tests...

anywho...Im preparing for battle now...6 hrs and counting....(Damn I want that Rav4!)

I guess by now you are a proud RAV owner, if so, well done

To answer your question, I have no idea what the strength of the cargo net is like because even when we went on holiday we never got close to filling the boot above the level of the rear seat backs!

Good luck!

[dave.m]

I knew I was'nt going test drive the one Im after....as the person who currently has it is on holiday....

However...if all goes ok and the other half gives the go-a-head then I will be wanting to test drive it before I purchase it...

The testdrive yesterday was really only about seeing the boot space and showing a rav to the wife...and as I had it for about2 hours I had to take advantage and take it for a spin through town and on the motorway just to see what the driving possition would be like...

Fujisan, you say the boot wont be a problem...have you filled the boot to the roof of the car yet? If you have could you let us know what the cargo net is like....her indoors is a bit panicked about it as she reckons that in an accident all the luggage will come flying forward ...I would have thought that the cargo net would hold things back.... Kinda wonder if they check these things when it comes to the Ncap tests...

anywho...Im preparing for battle now...6 hrs and counting....(Damn I want that Rav4!)

Do you know if it is possible to get a dimming mirror fitted if one wanted one?? I know I'd love one of them and also the full screen satnav touch screen display....

Perhaps I should concentrate in getting the Rav first huh....

Hi Nightstalker, the b8s*ards allways do that, sorry sir the model you want is not here right now. Tell you

what take a test drive in this one instead (top of the range) and thats it HOOK, LINE and SINKER.

Anyway, re your question about the mirror, had a look at mine, you get one on the 4.2 XT-R. I dont think

this could be done (I could be wrong) but is there not some kind of light sensor built onto windscreen?

Dave. ;)

[chatman]

Hi Nightstalker, the b8s*ards allways do that, sorry sir the model you want is not here right now. Tell you

what take a test drive in this one instead (top of the range) and thats it HOOK, LINE and SINKER.

Anyway, re your question about the mirror, had a look at mine, you get one on the 4.2 XT-R. I dont think

this could be done (I could be wrong) but is there not some kind of light sensor built onto windscreen?

Dave. ;)

You can retro fit these...kits available on the net. Take a looksy over on www.rav4world.com and search for rear view mirror (or something similar) as a member has fitted one to his car...(also get ones with compass fitted as well)

The sensor is in the mirror it's self I believe ;) ...as the dimwit with the bright lights behind you, tries to burn your eye balls out B) the light sensor dims the mirror...you will need a live feed for this though....(this is how my Megane one worked any how)

[Nightstalker]

Well the battle is over.....and one has survived the battle field!!!! :crutchy:

Things were not as bad as I thought they were going to be....

got home after my shift had a bit of kip and a chat with her indoors... .

I think I must have had some help from our friends in the culdesack we live in as the ones who saw the rav I test drove have been asking my wife when we are getting it. :group-cuddles: ..

She is also starting to see that in some cases size does matter. ..as she feels she can get in and out of the rav better than the vensis we currently have....SOOO she has said do what you think is right. B) ...NOW I hope I do get it right this time as I have promissed her we would get all the bits n bobbs we usually take with us plus more (for when the our next arrives (March next year)). IF we should find that the Rav is no good then a Previa will be sourced....by then the price of these should have dropped should we need one...(I hope not as I dont think they are as fun to drive as the Rav....No disrespect meant towards the previa drivers.. .)

So the short of it is YES a Rav is comming our way - I say "a"Rav is coming our way as I might look for a xt5 - I dont know yet...I've got 12 hrs to decide....Also depends on what the damage will be...the xt4 is going for just short of 16k with 12k on the clock...all the xt5s Ive seen seem to be in the 17.5 - 19 k which would mean the battle field at home would turn out to be world war 3 4 and 5 in one go....

As I have a PDA with TomTom on it I'm not to bothered about the sat nav (also as the sat nav seems to be a birdseye view one kinda puts me off it....) however I did like the touchscreen interface, dimming rear view, cruise control heated seats etc etc

I'm sure though that the xt4 would suffice nicely....

So Im off to MR T tomorrow to get to drive the rav I want and sign the dotted line...only thing I need to check (instructions from her indoors)is that we can place a child seat in the middle of the rear seat and one next to it...I tried this on the vensis and it works, although the middle seat tilts slightly due to the middle bit on the vensis rear seat being slightly raised - which I believe is not the case on the rav, all pics show the rear seat to be kinda bench like nice and flat....

Think thats about the end of it...

I will post or at least try an post pics of me rav once I've got it...will get the windows tinted first tho..going to limo the back and rear side windows, use midnight tint on the rear passenger windows and (I know I shouldnt but I havent been pulled by the cops yet with my vensis) put a light smoke on the front windows....should look nice and keep the bright sun out the eyes.

Thats it...It's going to be and a for her indoors and me to assume the possition get home and her indoors and have a .

The End!

[BigBaz]

WOT no pictures yet !!

[Nightstalker]

I havent got it yet....giz a chance....I had to go to work on her indoors first....

[Nightstalker]

Well here it is....on friday 21st I will be getting the ....Vermilion Red XT4

Took it for a good test drive and although it has'nt got the pull of the diesel I prefer the quietness of it.

Also as mentioned before I dont need it for towing, just cruising around town and back and forward to work and maybe twice a year for the haul up to Glasgow and back...

The boot space seems just right for the job (although when compared to the vensis it initially looks smaller...it aint) I got a deal on the cargo barrier net so that kept the other half happy.

As we've got 2 jokers in our neighbourhood who think its great fun to spray cars I am getting a Viper 500xv alarm fitted, this thing pages you when things are happening to your car...If this !Removed! turns up again we might get the git...and give him a good couldesack seeingtoo... ;)

Other than that I'm getting the windows tinted...the back will be limmoed out and a smoke tint on the front (I know you're not meant to do the front...but if the police pull me over and request it to be removed the tint place dont charge for removal :D )...

So now there are 2 of us with Red Ravs.....ehy anchorman!

[Fujisan]

Well done Nightstalker

Sure you will be very happy together, enjoy! :D

And don't forget plenty of piccy's in the RAV photo thread ;)

Good luck