Hi There! Just Bought A New Rav 4

[Pretani]

Hi folks,

I currently drive a Volvo S40 for work. It is my own car and I drive 25-28k miles per year. I needed something with a bigger boot and with some off-road ability as I have to occassionally drive on to fields or rough tracks.

I had five cars in my shortlist - the Volvo XC70 (too expensive), the Honda C-RV (good reliability and dealerships but questionable off-road ability), Land Rover Free Lander 2 (couldn't help but feel it was trying too hard to look like the Executive choice), the Nissan X-trail (had been my favourite until I saw all the problems with reliability and dealerships who didn't care).

So, I test drove the Rav 4 XT-R diesel and have bought one. What a machine! I am very impressed and can't wait to get my hands on it! I've ordered it in black so will probably spend all of my time keeping it clean lol!

What made me decide to go for the Toyota when initially I hadn't considered it? Firstly, I read on a Honda Forum of a guy who had changed to the Rav 4 and never looked back saying it was a far better 4 x 4 SUV. Secondly, the comments about it (and the dealers) on this forum seem pretty positive, next because I like the fact that is not a boring box shape - someone has put a bit of thought and heart into the external and internal look to the machine. Finally, it was the first SUV I drove and it felt secure, car-like, comfortable and practical. I ordered it with leather seats so hope they are alright.

Thanks for helping me make the right choice (even though you were unaware of it!). Let's hope I will be trading it in for another one in a couple of years time.

Heath

[sywy]

Hey, Pretani. Good choice

Out that lot, I'd only consider the Volvo, apart from the RAV of course!!

Oh, and welcome to TOC :)

[Hoggydo]

Hi there

And a warm welcome to the club. I have a 2007 (07) XTR and I have to say that I cannot fault it. I have long been a fan of the Toyota approach to cars, 'do exactly as they say on the tin', and I have never had any problems with my local dealer either. I have had yaris's before and we had an Aygo too before moving up to the Rav and never had any cause for complaint with any of these cars. Essentially I just think it's a brand you can rely on and trust so you should hopefully have made to correct choice. Oh! by the way, I do not work for Toyota either before anyone asks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you really enjoy your new car.

Cheers

Paul.

[StormGrey]

Sounds like a Good Move

Some time ago I bought a Honda CRV Automatic (2002) and the interior space was great but the 'Intelligent' four wheel drive was terrible (Front wheel drive until system detects 1/32 of a wheel rotation spin), the front wheels would scrabble when pulling away at junctions (no I haven't got a lead foot!) wheras my RAV4.1 (1996) never scrabbled for grip with its permanent 4WD. Also the air con in a RAV4.1 cannot be approached by any other car it is twice as cold as the Honda CRV and come to think of it any other car I've tried including a RAV4.2 Diesel :)

[Uncle Bob]

Welcome to the RAV4 section :)

[dave.m]

Hi Heath and welcome to TOC. Great choice Have you voted in the poll yet ? See link -

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...40&start=40

[Pretani]

Thanks Paul, it's nice to know. Can't wait to take delivery of it!

Hi there

And a warm welcome to the club. I have a 2007 (07) XTR and I have to say that I cannot fault it. I have long been a fan of the Toyota approach to cars, 'do exactly as they say on the tin', and I have never had any problems with my local dealer either. I have had yaris's before and we had an Aygo too before moving up to the Rav and never had any cause for complaint with any of these cars. Essentially I just think it's a brand you can rely on and trust so you should hopefully have made to correct choice. Oh! by the way, I do not work for Toyota either before anyone asks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you really enjoy your new car.

Cheers

Paul.

[Pretani]

Hi StormGrey,

I'd heard similar tales about the Honda and was initially worried about the Rav 4 having a similar system - although it can be locked in 4 x 4 mode when under 25mph. To be honest though, when I test drove it I liked it so much it seemed to do everything I need in a car so there was no contest really.

Heath

Sounds like a Good Move

Some time ago I bought a Honda CRV Automatic (2002) and the interior space was great but the 'Intelligent' four wheel drive was terrible (Front wheel drive until system detects 1/32 of a wheel rotation spin), the front wheels would scrabble when pulling away at junctions (no I haven't got a lead foot!) wheras my RAV4.1 (1996) never scrabbled for grip with its permanent 4WD. Also the air con in a RAV4.1 cannot be approached by any other car it is twice as cold as the Honda CRV and come to think of it any other car I've tried including a RAV4.2 Diesel :)

[Pretani]

Cheers Bob, nice gallery. Is the red celica yours? Looks lovely if it is.

Heath

Welcome to the RAV4 section :)

[Pretani]

Hi Dave,

I have now...so I'm part of the school run brigade although I haven't got any kids! Gee, not sure I like the sound of that lol!

Nice avatar of the Floyd by the way.

Heath

Hi Heath and welcome to TOC. Great choice Have you voted in the poll yet ? See link -

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...40&start=40

[D Winter]

We considered a few other cars as well as the Rav4 that we now have. We felt the CRV was too expensive for what it offered and also didn't look as nice. We didn't like the Nissan X-Trail at all, far too boxy looking for our liking. The only other car that came close was the Hyundai Tuscon. We test drove the Limeted edition model which was effectively top of the range. It had leather seats, loads of gadgets and extra features that the Rav4 XT3 didn't have. It looked great from the outside (in black and the lower half is properly colour coded unlike the normal Tuscon). The main sticking point was the cheap look and feel to the main switches on the dashboard. We just couldn't get past that really. It drove really well, but the interior just let it down too much. The one we were looking at was a 57 plate with 1700 miles and cost 15,500. So an almost brand new car with similar spec to a top of the range Rav4. We still chose the Rav4 though as it's a class act in comparison.

[Pretani]

Yes, the Hyundai and Kia for that matter seem to be throwing everything they've got into their cars at the moment. I almost went for a nearly new Rav 4 but the interest free credit forced my hand! I think when you consider the lifetime costs of ownership, you can't go far wrong with the Rav 4.

Let's hope I don't end up eating my words!

We considered a few other cars as well as the Rav4 that we now have. We felt the CRV was too expensive for what it offered and also didn't look as nice. We didn't like the Nissan X-Trail at all, far too boxy looking for our liking. The only other car that came close was the Hyundai Tuscon. We test drove the Limeted edition model which was effectively top of the range. It had leather seats, loads of gadgets and extra features that the Rav4 XT3 didn't have. It looked great from the outside (in black and the lower half is properly colour coded unlike the normal Tuscon). The main sticking point was the cheap look and feel to the main switches on the dashboard. We just couldn't get past that really. It drove really well, but the interior just let it down too much. The one we were looking at was a 57 plate with 1700 miles and cost 15,500. So an almost brand new car with similar spec to a top of the range Rav4. We still chose the Rav4 though as it's a class act in comparison.

[Uncle Bob]

Cheers Bob, nice gallery. Is the red celica yours? Looks lovely if it is.

Heath

Welcome to the RAV4 section :)

The Red 2.8 Supra is my project and the Blue RAV4 is my daily transport :)

[druand]

Patiently waiting for Rav diesel automatic which i'm told will be out later this year. As i said on earlier thread a T180 auto with a spare wheel = all boxes ticked. I will compromise a little as only vehicle ticking boxes at moment is !!!!lander. This is without going into the heavy brigade X5,Discovery etc.

Auto is going to be an essential in near future so am going down that road when i change next unless someone can fit power assist to left leg!!!

[Pretani]

Yes, I would have gone for an auto if it was available (and if any good). Guess they'll get around to it soon!

Heath

Patiently waiting for Rav diesel automatic which i'm told will be out later this year. As i said on earlier thread a T180 auto with a spare wheel = all boxes ticked. I will compromise a little as only vehicle ticking boxes at moment is !!!!lander. This is without going into the heavy brigade X5,Discovery etc.

Auto is going to be an essential in near future so am going down that road when i change next unless someone can fit power assist to left leg!!!