Is Automatic A Good Thing Or A Bad Thing?

[cruella]

Afternoon! :)

A 55 plate XT4 has caught my eye - only thing is it's an automatic. Is this a good thing or a bad thing in respect of reliability, maintenance and servicing costs?

Are they smooth or a bit erm; jerky? I've never really thought of an automatic 4 wheel drive before, does it detract from the 4 wheel driveness?

All answers gratefully digested!

[dave.m]

If Toyota done an automatic diesel I would have had one instead of a manual. Its a personal preference, I like them.

Down side, heavy fuel consumption. If you are a low mileage driver, not such a big problem. As for reliability, dont

think I've heard many bad comments on here about them. I'm sure some some of the auto Rav owners will advise.

[Hoovie]

Hi cruella - don't jinx it this time!!!

There is a member here who has a pair of auto RAVs and I think he loves them. the economy he gets from both beats my best fuel economy (dunno how he does it!!) so that is not a big issue.

If you are planning to drive the RAV mostly in London and built-up areas, then I would say an auto would be a very good plan actually. I know a lot of the diesel owners have moaned about the fact that you cannot have a Auto diesel.

[Plutus]

Depends whether or not you like driving autos. Some people love them, some hate them.

I used to be a manual only man but a foot injury caused me to drive autos. Would not drive

anything else now (even though my foot's better).

Generally autos have slightly poorer fuel consumption and slightly less power than their manual equivalent,

but they are easy and stress-free to drive.

The Rav auto is currently only available in the petrol version. It is a decent auto box with 4 forward gears.

I like mine (I've had many autos over the years) and it is as good as any I've driven. It is not "jerky."

I am not aware of any "issues" with the Rav autobox (more experienced members can confirm this). Like all autos

the autobox oil should be changed as per service schedule to forgo future problems.

I should also say that I've never driven a manual RAV (oh dear) so I can't compare.

Does not seem to affect the 4wd.

Finally, in today's market you should get a very good deal on an auto 4wd.

[cruella]

Oooh, ok, very interesting, I have to get a friend to go look first as it's 350-odd miles away!

Will keep you posted :)

[Remoh1]

I have a 54 plate xt3 petrol Auto. I love it. Average fuel consumption is 29.6mpg that does drop to 22 around town but its nearer 40 on the motorway hence the average of around 30. touch wood no reliability issues so far, I've had it 8 months roughly and not one single issue. I have done 12,000 miles and it starts first time everytime. I would heartily recomend it.

[bitman]

i got 2 of those boxes since i can't see the reason to have manually change gears.

i know very well how to drive manuals like double clutch lorries including my old land rover from 1967.

[Uncle Bob]

I have a 2004 XT3 3 door Auto, excellent all round car, always return 30+ mpg (35mpg if you can trust the fuel computer, which none of us do ! ), very good pull away from the lights , when auto's are w this good, why buy a manual.

[Dippy]

I've never really thought of an automatic 4 wheel drive before, does it detract from the 4 wheel driveness?

Most of the bigger 4x4s are almost impossible to get with a manual now - the 3.0 X3, X5, the Q7, the 3.0 Q5, etc...