New Rav, Anything To Look Out For

[heysidays]

after many months of consideration i have taken the plunge and bought a rav4. Its a xtr diesel on a 07 plate with 6500 on the clock. This is a great forum and I have been doing much reading but I was wondering if there was anything I need to look out for when I collect my rav a week tomorrow??

Any help appreciated

chris

[duncerduncs]

after many months of consideration i have taken the plunge and bought a rav4. Its a xtr diesel on a 07 plate with 6500 on the clock. This is a great forum and I have been doing much reading but I was wondering if there was anything I need to look out for when I collect my rav a week tomorrow??

Any help appreciated

chris

Hi Chris

Welcome to the forum, don't let Bothy tell you otherwise, you've brought a great 5 door diesel Rav!

I take it you've driven it (?) so you'll know how the gearbox feels (1st to 2nd can be a little stiff). There's little to go wrong with the current Rav, just make sure you've got everything you asked for from the dealer and have a good look round to make sure there's no damage to the paintwork ;)

We all like to have a virtual kick of your tyres, so make sure you post some pictures

[heysidays]

thanks for the advice, i have no end of trouble with the new shape civic and we are getting a dog so need a larger car. I don't want to keep visiting the stealer for little niggling problems and can honestly say i have done plenty of reading on the car and it seems a very well made motor. There is only one way of finding these things out though and that is to buy one. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cars and little rattles niggles and sounds is something I don't like. I am not prepared to overlook things like this. My deposit is fully refundable and some honest answers regarding its build quality would abait my fears of buying another possible brand with little flaws. Is it really as well built as some say or is it just positive spin from owners. There appears to be little negative comments about the model on this site, but when you visit something like the civic site its full of complaints and problems. I was hoping to get an impartial view from some of you rav owners about its build quality and ride handling in particular. The civic has independent suspension on all four wheels and feels every single hole in the road, it really is a terrible ride. I don't want to find myself in this situation again as I pay cash for my cars and keep them for 10-15years so this is why the build quality has to be a high priority for me, and I won't be able to afford to change cars again after the terrible mistake that is the civic.

Any impartial views and help would be appreciated.

ta

I just wanted to ask as well does the XTR come with run flats or is it gunk and pump. Its the slightly older model without cruise control.

[Uncle Bob]

after many months of consideration i have taken the plunge and bought a rav4. Its a xtr diesel on a 07 plate with 6500 on the clock. This is a great forum and I have been doing much reading but I was wondering if there was anything I need to look out for when I collect my rav a week tomorrow??

Any help appreciated

chris

Sorry no advice ...just a welcome to the RAV4 section

[anchorman]

thanks for the advice, i have no end of trouble with the new shape civic and we are getting a dog so need a larger car. I don't want to keep visiting the stealer for little niggling problems and can honestly say i have done plenty of reading on the car and it seems a very well made motor. There is only one way of finding these things out though and that is to buy one. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cars and little rattles niggles and sounds is something I don't like. I am not prepared to overlook things like this. My deposit is fully refundable and some honest answers regarding its build quality would abait my fears of buying another possible brand with little flaws. Is it really as well built as some say or is it just positive spin from owners. There appears to be little negative comments about the model on this site, but when you visit something like the civic site its full of complaints and problems. I was hoping to get an impartial view from some of you rav owners about its build quality and ride handling in particular. The civic has independent suspension on all four wheels and feels every single hole in the road, it really is a terrible ride. I don't want to find myself in this situation again as I pay cash for my cars and keep them for 10-15years so this is why the build quality has to be a high priority for me, and I won't be able to afford to change cars again after the terrible mistake that is the civic.

Any impartial views and help would be appreciated.

ta

I just wanted to ask as well does the XTR come with run flats or is it gunk and pump. Its the slightly older model without cruise control.

Hi mate, welcome to the club.

I'm afraid its gunk but I don't know about the pump. After hearing various comments though you'll be glad you don't have run flats.

I don't think you'll have any major concerns with the RAV. However, you will have to accept quite a firm ride. It is considered the GTI of SUV's but the suspension is very stiff. I'm sure you will have driven it though and in time you will find that the handling is astonishing for this type of vehicle. The rest of the car is solid. The only thing I can think of that is a bit iffy is the parcel shelf but it is functional. The only rattles I have with mine are the mirrors (now fixed - see maintenance tips) and the in dash CD autochanger on mine rattles when it is full of discs and not switched on.

The engine is a jewel and for me the best part of the car. Keep am eye on the oil as it may use some but should eventually settle down to nearly nothing. As duncs says the gearbox may seem dissapointing at first but you will get used to it - they are all the same. There have been a few adverse comments about the clutch but they are generally heavy and at first you will find it keen.

There is no shortage of info so give us a shout if you need anything.

Cheers

[chatman]

thanks for the advice, i have no end of trouble with the new shape civic and we are getting a dog so need a larger car. I don't want to keep visiting the stealer for little niggling problems and can honestly say i have done plenty of reading on the car and it seems a very well made motor. There is only one way of finding these things out though and that is to buy one. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my cars and little rattles niggles and sounds is something I don't like. I am not prepared to overlook things like this. My deposit is fully refundable and some honest answers regarding its build quality would abait my fears of buying another possible brand with little flaws. Is it really as well built as some say or is it just positive spin from owners. There appears to be little negative comments about the model on this site, but when you visit something like the civic site its full of complaints and problems. I was hoping to get an impartial view from some of you rav owners about its build quality and ride handling in particular. The civic has independent suspension on all four wheels and feels every single hole in the road, it really is a terrible ride. I don't want to find myself in this situation again as I pay cash for my cars and keep them for 10-15years so this is why the build quality has to be a high priority for me, and I won't be able to afford to change cars again after the terrible mistake that is the civic.

Any impartial views and help would be appreciated.

ta

I just wanted to ask as well does the XTR come with run flats or is it gunk and pump. Its the slightly older model without cruise control.

...Only the T180 has the troublesome run flats..........

The Toyota will be a different drive from the civic and I find it very comfortable on long journeys, and as my daughter tells me...very smooth ride :D :D

[heysidays]

sounds good guys and positive responses which puts my mind at rest. I still don't know the full kit level on the xtr so will be picking an xtr brochure up tomorrow so i can read up on my gadgets. really wanted a t180 but the budget can't quite stretch to that.

The firm ride doesn't bother me that much, its when you feel every pothole bump and noise on the road that twigs me off. The civic is rubbish for this but why on earth they didn't use wishbone suspension ***** only knows. Glad to hear its of good quality build, i just hope I haven't bought a lemon (of which every brand suffers a few) and that mine turns out to be built soundly. I only hope that it being a 4x4 it soaks up the road much better than the rubbish civic, we have quite a few speedbumps as well in Manchester. Do you know where the ravs are manufactured?? The civic is manufactured in swindon and as we all know the brits cannot build cars. This is what put me off the crv as well as I would have assumed the build quality in these is kak as well.

I have seen the mod for the wing mirrors (thanks) and I ain't afraid to do some myself, although I think I would draw a line at removing trim in the interior.

Finally what do you think of these, will they stay stuck on or will they drop off after a small amount of time, PS has anyone else tried them. I still can't decide whether they look cool or just plain naff.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=011

[chatman]

This is what put me off the crv as well as I would have assumed the build quality in these is kak as well.

I have seen the mod for the wing mirrors (thanks) and I ain't afraid to do some myself, although I think I would draw a line at removing trim in the interior.

Finally what do you think of these, will they stay stuck on or will they drop off after a small amount of time, PS has anyone else tried them. I still can't decide whether they look cool or just plain naff.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=011

That comment will make you loads of friends on her :lol: Also send other members in a tizz (we've banned the letters only refereeing to it as the Child Refuse Vehicle or the Ugly one :sick: ) too many uses of it and we send the boys round :ph34r: :ph34r: :blowup:

Finally what do you think of these, will they stay stuck on or will they drop off after a small amount of time, PS has anyone else tried them. I still can't decide whether they look cool or just plain naff.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=011

If they use the 3M tape then your likely to see the side panel fall of before these do...Just don't put the RAV through a car wash as this process may be reversed... :wacko:

I also believe these are made of chromed plastic and not as the Toyota approved ones which are made of metal and chromed...But then again they will be 3x as expensive but 20 times better...

Mine soaked up all the floods around here brilliantly this morning and tonight...watching all the other cars just wince when they came to the flooding and gingerly tip toe through the water...Me just big grin :D :D nice bow wave and went through...........LOVE IT...........

[heysidays]

hi chatman

thanks for the quick response. Love this forum, and theres plenty of into, however, is there any other forums which are just for rav's rather than all types of Toyota, just wondering like, I know about the US one but wondering if there are anymore in the UK, want to do as much reading as poss.

ta muchly.

[chatman]

hi chatman

thanks for the quick response. Love this forum, and theres plenty of into, however, is there any other forums which are just for rav's rather than all types of Toyota, just wondering like, I know about the US one but wondering if there are anymore in the UK, want to do as much reading as poss.

ta muchly.

There are some on Yahoo forums and other smaller one's...The best one is here of course...www.rav4world.com is off line at the moment...Good source for the TSB doc's and other info... other big one is www.toyotanation.com, again an American one B)

[heysidays]

cool cheers

speaking of spare parts I have been reading many praises for kingo but can't seem to download his pdf brochure to browse the document. I have read somewhere on here you have to register to use the site but can't find the link. Could you point me in the right direction with some kindly placed URL's

ta

chris

[chatman]

cool cheers

speaking of spare parts I have been reading many praises for kingo but can't seem to download his pdf brochure to browse the document. I have read somewhere on here you have to register to use the site but can't find the link. Could you point me in the right direction with some kindly placed URL's

ta

chris

No problem....

Give this a try CLICK HERE he works for Lindop Toyota and also try here as well CLICK HERE

Looks like the shrine for Kingo is well under way now.. :D :D :D

[bothwell_buyer]

Gawd no. Anither 5 door diesel freak. Is there no enuf oan here awready??

Stiff ride???? :lol: :lol: Wait til ye try mine!!

Wi a diesel, ye dinna change gear - jist leave it in 3rd and ye'll dae fine!

Ye'll need tae watch the spedbumps in Manchester if yer gain too fast, yer back doors will fa aff - then ye'll have a 3 door RAV :lol: Widnae worry aboot the rear light protectors cos the fawk frae Wythenshawe'll hae them aff in a jiffy!!

Like anchorman says - "the engine is like a jewel" - aye richt - best kept indoors then!!! hehehehe

Enjoy yer new motor in the fu knowledge that if it lasts as long as my 3 door ye'll be well pleased!!

[heysidays]

i can see what you mean about bothwell

you guys said the ride is quite firm, I didn't really take a great deal of notice on the firmnes of the ride when I was test driving the model but from what I recall it actually felt quite soft. Is the comparison of a firm ride between SUV's or do you mean in direct comparison with all cars, in particular family cars with alloy wheels?? I am unsure what type of car you are comparing a firm ride with.

My understanding is that 4x4's and the smaller cousins (rav's FL etc) all have relatively soft and comfortable rides due to the suspensions employed by this type of car. This was part of the reason for picking this type of car. If you are comparing the firm ride with others in its class then I understand, but does that mean the ride will still be as firm as a family car (such as the civic) which I currently own.

If however I have misunderstood the ride qulaity and do have a firm ride is there any way of softening this to make journeys more comfortable??

[bothwell_buyer]

i can see what you mean about bothwell

you guys said the ride is quite firm, I didn't really take a great deal of notice on the firmnes of the ride when I was test driving the model but from what I recall it actually felt quite soft. Is the comparison of a firm ride between SUV's or do you mean in direct comparison with all cars, in particular family cars with alloy wheels?? I am unsure what type of car you are comparing a firm ride with.

My understanding is that 4x4's and the smaller cousins (rav's FL etc) all have relatively soft and comfortable rides due to the suspensions employed by this type of car. This was part of the reason for picking this type of car. If you are comparing the firm ride with others in its class then I understand, but does that mean the ride will still be as firm as a family car (such as the civic) which I currently own.

If however I have misunderstood the ride qulaity and do have a firm ride is there any way of softening this to make journeys more comfortable??

Haha - wind up!! They are comparing it wi a train journey wots been driven by anchorman! The 'stiff' ride is compared to normal diesel cars that wallow aroon like fish in mud.

The original concept ahent the RAV wis tae mak a aff-roader whit cuid cope wi some aff-road, but also tae be a sporty on-road car twa. Hence the suspension set up wis done tae suit both. It should be comfortable and un-noticeable. Normally, the tyres will no be as low profile either. anchormans RAV is fitted wi wheels aff a diesel train so thats why he's got a stiff ride (nae puns intended) An wi the diesel kept in 3rd gear ye'll hae a smooth experience tae enjoy.

Oan anither forum in this website, ah foond that ma engine can get tweaked up tae oer 600bhp - bring it oan!!!

1st gear = 40mph

2nd gear = 70+

3rd gear = 90

4th gear = 115mph

5th gear = havnae goat that far!!!

Reverse = frichtened tae try - ah need wan o they seats frae anchormans train!

[heysidays]

hi bothwell

thanks for the encrypted reply, must admit its a bit strange at first but you get used to it.

To put my mind at rest I dropped into the stealer today to look at my new car and take it for a spin.

The ride is perfect, lovely and soft and not an ounce of firmness. Everything is well laid out and seems smartly designed.

Feels well built and robust as well.

I will post some piccys once I have it and have had time to do so.

Where do you post these in the gallery?? or can I start my own thread.

Thanks

[duncerduncs]

You can post your photo's HERE

On the subject of the ride, I came from a mkII SEAT Leon which had a ride that would knock your fillings out!

The Rav is like magic carpet in comparison :D