have a car question Toyota Rav4

Hello everyone,
does by any chance anyone here drive a Toyota Rav4 suv?

my FIL and BIL had a fire and lost the cars and lots more.
Now we look for 2 used cars.
BIL will take our old car and FIL and us will get an new used car (suv)

we are looking for any information on this car, I did do a lot of reading but it would be nice to read from someone that actualy drives one.

hope that someone can answer. the model we are looking is a 1997 Toyota Rav4

thanks
Carmen

Let me check but I want to make sure who makes the engine before I really say something. I wanted to get one to a while back and hubby said no and told me why and I agreed(I worked in auto repair too). I dont drive one myself and dont know anyone who owns one so I dont have anyone to ask. You want to make sure your getting something safe that wont break down on you alot.

My sister had a RAV-4 for about a year. She bought it used and had no problems with it, loved it. Then her son totaled it. He's fine, she bought a used Buick. Told him to buy his own car.

Thanks Dravencat and Frankay.

I thought that Toyota makes that engine.
I really like the car because of the size, we don't want something big, and we looked at the Suzuki grand vitara,vitara and the KIA sportage.
the Suzuki I find it way to small for the back passenger, our daughter is 10 years old and a tall girl, she would start complaining.
the KIA just has to much bad reviews and that scares us a little.

we did not drive a Toyota yet but will try one tomorrow morning, I just sat in one and for my size (I'm short) LOL it is perfect.
but comfort is not everything.
so I'm glad I posted this question and look forward on some more answers.
thanks a bunch
Carmen

I got great input about a van I posted about last year. I"m hoping others will come forth and help you out, zame! (I'm more of a Nissan person, but my wife loves her Saturn!)

Hoping this thread does good for you! (I think I posted mine in HandyMan Forum so you may want to copy and paste it over there, too...just to see if others see it.)

thanks shoe :)

you know before we got this car here eagle summit 91 (a good car) never ever let us down for almost 9 years now.

I wated a suzuki samurai, dh was always against these cars (don't know way)

now that we need to buy 2 cars one for his dad and one for us. he looks in to these small suv's only because his dad is a short guy to *LOL* like me. so I kinda flipped and told him that I like these cars to.

our car is still running good, but his brother needs a work car. we are farmers and he needs a older car to drive do do the chores.
so the farm decidet that he should get our car and we can get another.

I can't wait to get a car that I really like, and this will be my first that I can help choose :)

the one we look tomorrow we look for my FIL the other one will be on saturday and we have to drive 3 hr to go and see it.

Carmen

wow! 3 hrs to see a car. Ya'll must be way out in the boondocks. (That's where I'd LOVE to be!)

As an aside, the Samurai is one with a short wheelbase and easily flips so if that was something in question I can see why your DH was hesitant. (Either that or he is long-legged!)

Hope you can get what you want and like! (yes, there is a difference between "want" and "like".)

Are you looking for a car that has good gas mileage, small, comfy? Ya know, many small trucks fit those qualifications! Ah yess....I can see it now....The ZameluzzaCruisa!

Shoe,
that was exactly what he said about the samurai.

We have a truck but I just drive it to get to the farm and back. it's a standard and just not much my thing.

and yes, small reliable, good on gas and safe. that are the main things.
I myself like the small gadgets they add like tilt, pw looks pw windows and that stuff, DH hates these gadgets. he wants just basic. so lets see what we find.

Carmen

Best of all to you in your search. There are so many "new" things in older cars too! Heck, one of my old cars even had side-view mirrors on each side! AND a push button radio. (I luved that radio!) (I flew red flags on both sides of the hood, to make me look important, ya know)

I don't know about your situation in ON. but hope you can get a car that will also have parts readily available. Heck, I'm tempted to drive up there with an "American" car, just so I don't have to worry about ya.

Are you buying from a dealership? If so, ask them to give you a printout of all the manufacturer recalls on that model vehicle. Sometimes that can give you a real eyeopener. We saw one that had a repeat history of recalls, primarily pertaining to the electronics. Right away, you know that possible repairs are going to be pricey.

Second, stay away from any vehicle manufacturer that is going or gone out of business. Oldest daughter is finance manager at a major dealership here in Denver and she tells me that they get very irate people all the time because they won't give any trade in on things like Plymouth, Oldsmobile, KIAs, etc. because many of the companies that finance used cars will not finance those vehicles. If the dealership cannot get it financed, it can't sell, because most people don't walk in with cash.

Good luck

I know someone that has a RAV4!!! She's a cutie....a great Mom....works hard....has a great hubby....and unfortunately right now has a broken foot. **giggle** ME!!! LOL

I have a 2001 RAV4 and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!! I had a 97 or 98 Chevy Tracker and hated it. Which is very similar to the Suzuki Samari and absolutely hated that thing. It would stall or die for no reason, lots of rattles, and no power at all. The RAV4 has alot of little "perks" that really come in handy. They also have a larger trade in value. Great gas mileage too! It is a 5-speed which helps in that catagory. I get around 27 around town and about 37 on a trip. Not bad for a 4-door!

All of the vehicles (small SUV's) that you have mentioned are easy to flip over...and I mean EASY. They will get out of control and the back end will come around and over you will go. Been there done that and still have the painful hip nearly 2 years later.

They just weigh too much on top and the wheels are set too close together. Bad design...

We've been in the car business for nearly 30 years and I've driven hundreds of different models. This particular body style is the most unstable of anything I've ever sat in.

If you want a small SUV go for one of the longer ones..a Blazer or Explorer...Nissan Pathfinder. That type. They handle better.

Hi Zameluzza, I have had a Toyota Rav4 since 2001. this is a very dependable vehicle---I travel 100 mile round trip to work @ day as a N.J. State Paramedic. I had to wait for this vehicle as I had a Tracker LSI for 9 years before I was able to obtain the funds to obtain a Rav4.

I now have over 46,000 miles on my vehicle, only go to dealers for oil changes @ 3,000 miles and do follow the maintence manual for upkeep. Lots of room, rear seats fold down for transporting large objects,etc. Gas mileage is great, no complaints with this vehicle. Since my vehicle is my source of making revenue through the years--I needed a dependable, low repair vehicle. Also--please view--Rav4.com for more information and forums from owners on this vehicle. I hope this has helped you in giving solid information.

to Zameluzza----PS on Rav 4--also check out rav4world.com for info and input from owners.---Bobbi ( Marlene)

Hello again,
You guys are great :)
thanks so much for all these great pros and cons.
I do like that car and today we where supposed to go and see one in Ottawa for my FIL,
but sadly it was pouring rain like mad.
so we canceled the appointment for tomorrow at noon.
If my FIL likes that car we will be heading down past Kingston on Saturday to look at another one for us (me) :)

FIL looked at another car today also, so he is not 100% sure of what he wants. the other car is the Hyundai accent 2002,
I will know more tomorrow night.

Marlene,
I did find the 2nd link you gave me a few days ago, but since I'm no owner yet I did not sign up.. not yet *LOL*
but that is a fantastic site and I have been reading there.

thanks again to all of you, and I will be back with more news soon
Carmen

Carmen! I was so suprised to see this thread. I too am looking at a Rav4. My '92 Taurus has transmission problems and it is just time for her to go. She's been an excellent car though, the only one I've ever owned. I test drove a '97 Rav4 at Carmax after doing research on the web. I loved it. It's a smaller SUV, but what I liked the most was that the center of gravity is low and I don't have to climb up into it. The seat is right at my butt level! lol I'm actually getting a '98 with 44k miles transfered down to Atlanta from Memphis. The '97 and '98 both have excellent JD Power & Associates ratings, but the '98 is a little better and mine will have 20k less miles on it than the '97 I test drove. And only $1,000 more! :) The ratings on the Kia's, Suzukis and the Tracker were only 2 stars (awful!), but the Rav4's have 4-5 stars in reliability even into their 5th year of ownership. :)

You can't go wrong with a Toyota... we have 4 of them. A Camry, a Sienna, a Celica and a pick up truck. My sister has had 3 Rav 4's, and likes the newest one better than the previous one each time. Toyota's just about run forever as long as you stick to their scheduled maintenance. The company stands behind their product if you would happen to have a problem.

The difference in the feel of the RAV is that it is built on a car chassis, not a truck chassis, so it will drive like a car, not like a truck.

And, yes, Toyota makes their own engines and transmissions. Everything is built in the plant that makes the particular model.

I can't remember where the Rav 4's are made, but the Camry, Avalon and Sienna are built in Georgetown, Kentucky. It's interesting to watch them being built. A Camry will roll down the line, then a Sienna, they alternate back and forth, same chassis, same engine, except the seats and body. My Sienna has an embarrassing amount of miles on it, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country.

where's Alfred? I'm from just west of Lindsay. guess I could go to mapquest, eh? duh!!

Yuuuuuuhuuuuu everyone,
we have bought 2 rav4's *LOL*

my FIL liked the car so much and he wanted one. so we drove to Kingston yesterday and went to see the other one for us...
and we bought it for us to.

since it was Saturday we where worried that we could not go and do all the work to get the car home,
but the Seller put on the Garage plates and we where able to drive it home.
now it sits in our garage and on Monday we will go and get our plates.

the one for FIL will take a few more day because it was a private sale, but in a week we bought should be driving our new cars. well not new they are bought 1997 and bought green, our has a few more of the power options then his, but again he is 75 and does not like all these gadgets.

I test drove the one from my FIL and I love it, can't wait to drive mine. I did not wanted to drive the 3hr and more yesterday, I was to tired and it was the first time for me to driving over 3 hr in one shot.

I was in bed by 9pm that is extremely rare for me *LOL*

I want to thank all of you for all the suggestions and tips.
THANK YOU :)

BTW Alfred is in eastern Ontario, just about between Ottawa and Montreal.
HUGS
Carmen
PS: will post a picture soon OK (of the car) *LOL*

I have a Toyota RAV4 and I love it....

Zameluzza, I am glad you obtained your Toyota--you will be pleased on quality and low repair--good luck--Marlene

Update on the cars ;)

I love mine it's a charm to drive it.
I got used to it so fast.
yesterday we wnet to get my FIL's car, the same as mine :)

he loves his to.

I had no time to take pictures of them but will soon.

Carmen

I got mine today! :) She's so cute! So now to vote on a name, she's silver. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow...

way to go ecobioangie,

I never thought about a name for mine, but will think about it to ;)
mine is green and today it got new front seat covers faux black sheepskin covers *LOL*

If I tell DH I need a name for it he will think that I'm loosing it.

There is one thing I did not like about mine, I'm a smoker and the ashtray is way down and no light, so at night when driving I did not find the ashtray. fixed this problem today, bought a little neon light that fits in to the 12v lighter thing, and it can be switched on and off. works perfect and was on sale to.

Carmen

Here's my baby. Now I need a name. Any ideas?

Cool ecobioangie,
no idea on a name sorry.

thanks for showing your rav4 ;)
here is a picture of mine

Carmen