RAV4 Test Drive

Today, I reserved a vacation day from work to visit my local Toyota Dealer to test drive the 2007 Toyota RAV4 Limited trim for an extended test drive on the turnpike.

The reliable vehicle I have been happily driving for the past 10½ years is the Saturn SL2.

My good old Saturn can easily pass traffic on the turnpike, so with this experience, it was my first time driving an SUV.

Driving around the sharp turns illustrated much body lean that I was not accustomed to.

Once in the merging lane, passing acceleration from the powerful V6 is what really made this test drive fun.

Visibility was drastically different.

In my Saturn, I merely turn my head to see over my shoulder.

In the RAV4, proper (electronic) adjustment of the side mirror made it seem as if there was absolutely no blind spots.

The heated leather seats felt like a novelty.

For short trips, the heated leather seats were fine, but on the highway, it was uncomfortable.

The salesman wants to sell the RAV4 to me this coming weekend, but I feel that would be rushed.

I want to feel ready. A part of me wants to take a look at another vehicle, just for the sake of comparison.

I feel that the RAV4 is most certainly a very good vehicle.

I spoke to a service tech to inquire about service.

I was simply advised that routine maintenance is for 5 months/5,000 miles.

Since my mileage is low (My Saturn is 10½ years old and I only have 74,000 miles on it), I was advised to bring it every 6 months for service.

I want a 2007 model, but one with very low mileage on the odometer.

The model I test drove had just over 100 miles on it.

Suggestions? Advice? Thanks! _________ ===fish=== ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Reply to
fish
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Before someone can provide you with useful and pertinent advice, it would be helpful if you provided some of the factors that are important to you, like:

Seating comfort - how long do you expect to sit on most trips? head room leg room hip room typical # passengers Ingress/egress- cargo space towing capacity - how much? handling

4WD off-road capability acceleration fuel economy goodies like audio system, navigation, heated or cooled seats, backup camera, backup sensors, etc

If you do not need the cargo space, off-road capability, towing ability, etc. of an SUV, then a sedan or station wagon like the Matrix or Vibe may suit your needs better.

Reply to
Ray O

*snip*

Reading your posts on here and on the Honda ng re: the CRV I can tell you are very particular and analytical about buying this new vehicle. Not necessarily a bad thing but if you analyze these things to death, you'll never find a car good enough. My 06 RAV4 is a great ride (Base model 4WD). As was my 02 CRV. I personally did not care for the new CRV styling and the ridiculousness of the dealerships who "market adjust" the price for the new body styles when they come out. Good luck with everything...

Reply to
tanukiki

Ray O respectfully adds...

Most trips are less than 10 minutes (work, nearby shopping, etc.)

Some trips (weekend drives to New York (less than 1½ hr. drive) - this is where the comfort level really matters most and this is important since I enjoy my drives to the city.

Quite comfortable actually.

The electronic 8-way seat is a novelty, but it comes in handy when I am driving and wish to simply adjust one of many features (I actually did a few adjustments while driving on the turnpike and was able to do so without taking my attention from the road).

Usually myself, sometimes an extra passenger; however, the additional storage space for extra cargo is the main reason for an SUV.

See above.

Not needed, so that's an option I will not need to pay extra for.

My recent test drive on the turnpike revealed it handles very well and is able to pass with much ease.

I asked specifically about that and was told two different things.

  1. The salesman told me that the 4WD is always engaged.
  2. The sales manager told me it is always 2WD and when the extra traction is needed (i.e. snow), then the computer automatically engages the 4WD - so two different answers.

I will need to ask at another dealership this coming weekend for a 3rd answer - since two different answers tells me that someone is either lying or simply doesn't know.

Oh and I caught the salesman in a lie. He told me that the spare tire cover can be locked with a small padlock. Today I specifically asked in the presence of the sales manager and was given a different answer by a different salesman - I said, "show me!" - because I wasn't about to accept any further lies.

I was shown that the cover cannot be removed with the door closed - but there is no way to physically attach a padlock - I am feeling a bit distressed about that salesman at this point. He seems like a nice guy, but come on!

I further asked about roadside assistance. I was told by both the salesman and the manager that roadside assistance is not part of the package.

Today I saw a huge banner saying, "Roadside assistance: 7 years/100,000 miles" for all used cars.

Well, if Roadside assistance is available for used cars, what about new cars?

Not needed. :)

The V6 performance on the turnpike was exceptional.

For this particular vehicle, it is the best in its class.

This makes me wonder if test driving any other Toyota is even worth my time, since no other SUV can match the fuel economy of the RAV4.

The audio system was great.

I picked up NY radio very clear (this is subjective depending on location, since I live 90 miles from Midtown Manhattan).

The cargo space would certainly be a major benefit, since having it means I can shop for things I currently do not.

Perfect example, I would love to buy antiques and have the storage to drive it home - or shop for large items like a flat screen TV (in the future) - the possibilities are endless.

Another feature of having an SUV with 4WD is driving through the snow as well as driving through flooded streets without getting flooded out (it only happened to me once in the 10½ years of driving my Saturn) - but still something I would rather have.

I would like to add that the cruise control was awesome - I can actually see myself driving in the slower lane when driving home from the city and being able to simply relax to music in the (standard) 6 CD stereo player. The volume controls on the steering wheel was lots of fun to play with. _________ ===fish=== ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Reply to
fish

The Rav4's 4WD system is described as "electronic on-demand four wheel drive with manual lock. I think both people were telling you the same thing in a slightly different manner.

If there is no button, lever, or knob to select 4WD, then the system is an all wheel drive system with a center differential between the front and rear axles. Most AWD systems have what is known as "bias," where most of the power is sent to either the front or rear axles. If the 2WD version of the vehicle is front wheel drive, then bias on the AWD version is usually towards the front axle, and if the 2WD version of the vehicle is RWD, then bias on the AWD version is usually towards the rear axle. In the case of the Rav4, I believe the bias is towards the front.

In simpler terms, the 4WD Rav4 will send most of the power to the front axle under most conditions so it is in effect front wheel drive, and if the rear wheels start to slip, it will transfer up to 50% of the power to the rear. The 4WD lock button locks the system in the 50/50 split mode.

I suspect that roadside assistance is something offered by the dealership, not by Toyota.

It sounds like the Rav4 suits your needs and/or desires pretty closely!

Reply to
Ray O

Ron respectfully suggested...

Wow, so to summarize this package, I am to include the tow prep package without the hitch package.

Next time I go through every available option, I will click that and see how different the price will be affected.

Yes, I feel that there are features of the RAV 4 that I like wherein I must ask myself if it is worth spending a few extra thousand bucks for a slightly larger (only 3 inches) Highlander.

Interesting thing is that although the Highlander is only 3 inches longer, the weight difference is much more (which would most likely explain why the EPA gas mileage is not as good as the RAV 4).

Highlander weight = 4,035 lbs. RAV 4 weight = 3,750 lbs.

Anyhow, thanks for all the advice so far!!

In one respect, I want to take my time to be sure I purchase the vehicle with all the options I need (Ron really helped big time), yet I don't want to wait too long because I obviously want to purchase it this month.

I will give myself a goal if either next week or the week after.

Any further ideas or suggestions will be helpful!

Thanks again!! _________ ===fish=== ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Reply to
fish

I am pretty sure that the tow prep package includes a larger alternator, larger cooling system, wiring for a trailer, and a receiver hitch, all in one package.

Reply to
Ray O

Ray O respectfully pointed out that...

Wow, thanks Ray O - I knew I could count on you!

Do I really need this tow prep package?

Is the air conditioning really THAT much better?

Will this affect the EPA gas mileage rating?

Is it worth it? _________ ===fish=== ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Reply to
fish

If you do not plan on towing a trailer, you probably don't NEED the tow package. The advantage of the tow package is the additional cooling capacity, which might come in handy if you live in a hot climate, routinely drive in the mountains, or often drive with the vehicle laden close to its payload capacity, although the standard capacity is probably adequate.

One other advantage of having the hitch receiver (the square box under the bumper that the draw bar) is the ability to use a receiver-mounted bike rack, cargo platform, or cargo box. By mounting those accessories behind the vehicle instead of the roof rack, there is less aerodynamic drag, your bike doesn't get full of bugs, and bikes are a lot easier to mount behind the vehicle than up on the roof.

There is no additional air conditioning capacity with the tow prep package, so the air conditioning is not at all better.

Yes, but probably not measurably. The tow prep package probably adds about

40 ~ 50 pounds to the weight of the vehicle - {larger radiator - 1~2 lbs; additional coolant ~ 8 lbs; wiring ~ 1 lb; and receiver ~ 30 lbs}. The engine has to work to haul that additional weight around all of the time.

If you are getting a loaded vehicle with all the goodies, then the price of the tow prep package is probably a small percentage of the price, it will add some to the resale value, you may get some future use out of it, and you get the additional cooling capacity. If you are getting a vehicle with little or not options, then it may be harder to sell later to someone looking for a bare bones ride.

Reply to
Ray O

Do you think you might ever want or need to tow anything?

Reply to
tanukiki

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