Which Rav To Buy?

[kmoo]

Hi everybody: can I pick your collective brains?

I'm about to sell my Surf and buy a RAV4 diesel 5-door, probably about 3 to 4 years old, approx 50,000 miles.

Probably a VX, for the leather and the CD multichanger - and probably from an eBay source.

Can anybody give me advice as to what I should be looking out for when I inspect one of these vehicles - anything that wears out soon in the life of the vehicle that I should know about?

thanks in advance

Ken

[dave.m]

Ken, thats an excellent choice, have a look at Chatman and Jibbbb's photos of their VX, very nice.

Points to look out for, read recent threads about clutch / dual mass flywheel, this may or may not

apply to your age of Rav. Dont think much else to worry about, if there is other members will reply.

Good luck.

Dave. ;)

[chatman]

Ken,

What version are you after Diesel or Petrol.

Yes there has been a few with DMF & Clutch problems with the D4D.

Also ensure any cam belt issues are checked if your looking. The D4D needs replacing at 60k

I have also seen issues with the petrol models over on RAV4WORLD with the water pumps but these were easy to replace ;) ;)

There lots to choose from on eBay and also a few VX models as well.... The leather is nice and the 6 disc cd changer, air con, electric sunroof, eletric windows, abs, permanent 4 wheel drive...the list goes on... :D :D :D :D

Any way whatever you choose petrol or diesel, I'm sure your find a nice model...

[kmoo]

Ken,

What version are you after Diesel or Petrol.

Yes there has been a few with DMF & Clutch problems with the D4D.

Also ensure any cam belt issues are checked if your looking. The D4D needs replacing at 60k

I have also seen issues with the petrol models over on RAV4WORLD with the water pumps but these were easy to replace ;) ;)

There lots to choose from on EBay and also a few VX models as well.... The leather is nice and the 6 disc cd changer, air con, electric sunroof, eletric windows, abs, permanent 4 wheel drive...the list goes on... :D :D :D :D

Any way whatever you choose petrol or diesel, I'm sure your find a nice model...

I'm looking for a diesel. What does "DMF" stand for?

regards and thanks for your reply

[chatman]

I'm looking for a diesel. What does "DMF" stand for?

regards and thanks for your reply

Dual Mass Flywheel

A few members on here have had issues with these and being expensive to put right...But as long as you have a good test drive in any RAV you like, i'm sure your used to 4x4 now after having a Toyota Surf...

Also a stamped up service book is also a good sign a swell...

[kmoo]

I'm looking for a diesel. What does "DMF" stand for?

regards and thanks for your reply

Dual Mass Flywheel

A few members on here have had issues with these and being expensive to put right...But as long as you have a good test drive in any RAV you like, i'm sure your used to 4x4 now after having a Toyota Surf...

Also a stamped up service book is also a good sign a swell...

Kind of you to assume that I'd pick up problems with the flywheel on the basis of a test drive.

I might, but when I test drive a possible new vehicle it all feels so different I find it hard to sort out what is supposed to feel right and what is a fault. Especially with clutches. (My Surf is an auto.) I remember I once bought a Trooper, and made a comment to the dealer about the clutch, and he immediately said that they'd put a new one in, I hadn't even had a chance to make a criticism before the guy offered me a new one - pure dumb luck on my part.

[Uncle Bob]

This thread i added the other day...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71179

...fits nicely into this topic, spotted at an independent dealer in a place in Kent called West Wickham, very clean looking example.

[chatman]

Kind of you to assume that I'd pick up problems with the flywheel on the basis of a test drive.

I might, but when I test drive a possible new vehicle it all feels so different I find it hard to sort out what is supposed to feel right and what is a fault. Especially with clutches. (My Surf is an auto.) I remember I once bought a Trooper, and made a comment to the dealer about the clutch, and he immediately said that they'd put a new one in, I hadn't even had a chance to make a criticism before the guy offered me a new one - pure dumb luck on my part.

Ken

what I meant by this remark was...if test driving the prospective RAV, you notice notchy gears and problems when pulling away from standstill... These are the common issues related to Clutch or DMF..

I'm not saying you will expect these from all RAV's and it is common...The one Bob placed link for looks a nice example... :D :D :D :D

[dave.m]

This thread i added the other day...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71179

...fits nicely into this topic, spotted at an independent dealer in a place in Kent called West Wickham, very clean looking example.

Hmmmm, Bob think you could be onto something there, how about a Rav spotted for sale thread ?

Dave. ;)

[kmoo]

This thread i added the other day...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71179

...fits nicely into this topic, spotted at an independent dealer in a place in Kent called West Wickham, very clean looking example.

Hmmmm, Bob think you could be onto something there, how about a Rav spotted for sale thread ?

Dave. ;)

Hi you guys: I'm kind of relying on your collective integrities not to rush out and buy this example, but I'm assuming you all are owners already. This has just come up on eBay, and I'd value an opinion.

UK eBay # 300154676328

Chatmen has pointed out that I should test drive and look for a notchy gearchange, and apparently another symptom of DMF problems is the vehicle idling at too high a speed.

best regards to you all

Kenneth

[chatman]

This thread i added the other day...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71179

...fits nicely into this topic, spotted at an independent dealer in a place in Kent called West Wickham, very clean looking example.

Hmmmm, Bob think you could be onto something there, how about a Rav spotted for sale thread ?

Dave. ;)

Hi you guys: I'm kind of relying on your collective integrities not to rush out and buy this example, but I'm assuming you all are owners already. This has just come up on eBay, and I'd value an opinion.

UK eBay # 300154676328

Chatmen has pointed out that I should test drive and look for a notchy gearchange, and apparently another symptom of DMF problems is the vehicle idling at too high a speed.

best regards to you all

Kenneth

kenneth

Looks a nice example and good mileage too. Price about right as well.

The adds a bit misleading though it says "boasting every possible extra" as most of what it list is standard on the VX model anyway. The only other option was the TNS 200 sat nav????...not my cup of tea as I have a tom tom and is much better... B)

The sat nav can be added to your radio unit and can be picked up on eBay as well if you wanted one. You need the DVD box + GPS Ariel and wiring loom (it may have it when you go and see as mentioned above boasting every possible extra) ;) ;)

If you do do and see it, check the tyres out see what there like. Also noticed that the D4D Badge is not on the mack door (drivers side) as this is standard place for the Badge... can't make out if the last owner placed them by the side indicators on the wings..where as mine has the VX Badge...some owners like to de-badge there RAV's sometimes...just an observation...

No doubt you will love it and buy this one....they are a nice and comfortable vehicle to drive....my daughter says it smooth to travel in.... :thumbsup: .

[kmoo]

This thread i added the other day...

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71179

...fits nicely into this topic, spotted at an independent dealer in a place in Kent called West Wickham, very clean looking example.

Hmmmm, Bob think you could be onto something there, how about a Rav spotted for sale thread ?

Dave. ;)

Hi you guys: I'm kind of relying on your collective integrities not to rush out and buy this example, but I'm assuming you all are owners already. This has just come up on eBay, and I'd value an opinion.

UK eBay # 300154676328

Chatmen has pointed out that I should test drive and look for a notchy gearchange, and apparently another symptom of DMF problems is the vehicle idling at too high a speed.

best regards to you all

Kenneth

kenneth

Looks a nice example and good mileage too. Price about right as well.

The adds a bit misleading though it says "boasting every possible extra" as most of what it list is standard on the VX model anyway. The only other option was the TNS 200 sat nav????...not my cup of tea as I have a tom tom and is much better... B)

The sat nav can be added to your radio unit and can be picked up on eBay as well if you wanted one. You need the DVD box + GPS Ariel and wiring loom (it may have it when you go and see as mentioned above boasting every possible extra) ;) ;)

If you do do and see it, check the tyres out see what there like. Also noticed that the D4D Badge is not on the mack door (drivers side) as this is standard place for the Badge... can't make out if the last owner placed them by the side indicators on the wings..where as mine has the VX Badge...some owners like to de-badge there RAV's sometimes...just an observation...

No doubt you will love it and buy this one....they are a nice and comfortable vehicle to drive....my daughter says it smooth to travel in.... :thumbsup: .

Chatman: you have the eyes of a hawk.

I would never have spotted the missing badge, even in the metal.

Thanks for your observations.

Kenneth

[dave.m]

ken,

Re the DMF read through some old threads as well, to familiarise yourself with the symptoms. I'm

sure they make rattling / squealing noises when ready to fail.

Dave. ;)