I don't want to add to the recent Domestic vs Import debate here, but I've had this vehicle for about a week and would like to give my impressions. I normally drive a
1984 Lincoln Mark VII with 142K miles on the clock. There was obviously an adjustment period. It's a well used 2001 Toyota RAV-4 L with 85K miles, maintenance has been a bit lax but pretty normal for much of the US driving public (at least that I'm familiar with). The motor runs like a swiss watch. It was 8K overdue for an oil change and the upper end was really noisy. The noise went away after service. You now can't hear it idle from 10' away. The gearing in 1-2 seems to max the motor out quickly, but after that it pulls pretty good for a 4 cyl. At 55, the motor sounds like it's screaming (~2500rpm), after that, the noise goes away. Harmonics? The 5-speed tranny 1-2 synchro is getting weak. Likely from being crammed into 1st while down shifting. The clutch has (what I've always called) that Toyota feel. It's just different than the domestics and most other imports IMHO. It takes a little getting used to. Upshifting is like slicing butter. There is a lot of road noise in the rear (tires are nice condition and decent quality Coopers). This observation was made before removing the carpet, etc. It didn't get much worse with the rear interior stripped. The ass end is just really noisy in this Rav 4.. It rides like a buckboard wagon! I switched from my Lincoln with air suspension to the RAV 4 with NO suspension, so obviously there is a big adjustment. I also drive a 79 F-150, just for reference. After a week, on lightly bumpy roads, this thing is all over the place!. (air is at spec in the tires). Rumble strips drive it crazy, but it stays in the lane. The sound system has all the fidelity of a Campbells soup can. As a matter of fact, it makes the whole vehicle sound like a huge soup can. It's rally bad. The brakes are really aggressive at 70 mph, for a few seconds, then they fade down to "normal" for an Escort. Below 70, the braking system reminds me of most small Ford products. The interior just screams "cheap" but it's durable. It "feels" ungodly cheap, but seems to wear like iron (it's likely all nylon). After 85K miles, it ain't pretty, but it's not tattered or worn much. The light tan color may add to my negative impression. Yech. Many of the controls are sticks on the column. Too many! The wiper switch is in the way no matter what I do. I can't dim the headlights without turning on the turn signal. There's just too much going on there. The auto-down, auto-up drivers window just makes me want to kill myself! There are detents for manual control, but just try to feel them while driving. Yaaarrrggghhh. With the windows up, this thing is a blast to drive. For a FWD kinda-truck wannabe, it scoots. It's a really fun car to cruise in. I hate to admit it, but, I like it. Put the windows down and it's conversation hell. The airflow across the interior negates conversation at any speed above 20 mph. The factory stereo is worthless with windows open. You can 'crank it up' to overcome the wind, but it sounds like loud S*it in a big tin can. The CEL is on and it's tossing "catalyst efficiency" codes. Only happens on a long highway run.(Between me and the owner, ~35 miles) In town, nary a flcker. Uh-oh! Sounds kinda like valve guide seals. In all, the RAV 4 is a well made, fun little vehicle. The attention to 'quality' is in different places than in it's domestic counterparts, in my observation. If this is indicative of Toyota, it's certainly not the 'absolute quality vehicle' that many Toy owners claim.Just my inpressions, Tom