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Comments
-juice
I am partial to Hondas having owned 3.
As for the Subaru - they are great. My problem is unique in that given my height, the car worked well when it was just my wife and I and the back seat was not in use. With 1 car seats and soon to be two, it is too small. My wife drives it now. It's an awful expensive car to be basically a 1 person commuter. Hence the change.
If you are not tall like me, Subies work well. I considered the Tribeca but at that price point would prefer something else, The RAV4 fits and is cheaper (though not as lux)
Thanks
me: But it was Clinton who put all the hot pictures on it! I could think of a lot better things to put in a Rav4 than all those boxes, in that stupid commercial.
me: if you can afford to buy a Rav4, I'd guess you've considered you could take the spare off. I don't think that would void the warranty. I believe the metal behind it is painted.
I'm not going to sit around and wait for NHTSA.
As soon as I pick mine up, I'm going to see for myself! :P
Do yourself and your family/passengers a favor, do not make your decision based on the NHTSA test and itsresults. For a good comparison, and a more 'real world' testing criteria go to the Insurance testing site... www.iihs.org
The best that can be said for the gov't ratings is that any vehicle that does poorly, and there are a few, are truly deathtraps.
The NHTSA is a generation or two behind the IIHS in its testing, and it admits as much on its site.
Body: 4WD 5DR SUV V6
Color: Blizzard White
Interior: Ivory Leather
Order#: 65000129*O
Model#: 4453
VIN#:
Delivered Internet Price: $30,297
Delivered Value Price: $30,666
Factory Invoice: $27,976
MSRP: $30,666
They Toyota site still does not show the V6 in the build list
Freight, MD. Inspection Included.
Tax, Tags, Title, Optional Dealer Processing Charge $99 Excluded
Features
- C4
FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS
C4 - CARPETED FLOOR MATS
DK - OWNERS PORTFOLIO
EEJ - JBL AM/FM/CD CHANGER
EF - REAR BUMPER PROTECTOR
FE - 50 STATE EMISSION REQUIREMENT
GN - CARGO NET
GY - DR/PASS CURTAIN/SIDE AIRBAGS
HD - HEATED DRIVER/PASS FRT SEATS
LA - LEATHER INTERIOR
MG - MUDGUARDS
PC - SPECIAL PAINT
RL - DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
SR - PWR TILT/SLIDE MOONROOF
TO - TOW PREP PACKAGE
WL - WHEEL LOCKS
But it your money and your head...or your wife's head or your kids head, who knows.
Have fun
I like the front on the RAV4 but the back takes a little getting used to.
Jim D
I'm less than enthusiastic about the Edge or CX7. Long term reliabilty remains the biggest concern...especially with first year models.
The new Rav4 will be the family car. Ironically, I'll probably be driving an Edge as a company car around the summer time. The thing is, even with Ford A-plan employee discounts, I still bought a Toyota.
Only other car in this price segment worth considering is the Acura RDX or perhaps Volvo XC50 for the 07 model year.
So how are you doing with your new RAV4?
It is a big hassle to let people in and out of the backseat (which you would do often with kids) and only 2 people can sit in back since it's a 4-seater.
Element is for those who only have passengers in the back seat rarely."
I agree w/jaxs1 on this. I've been able to make some side-by- side comparisons between my brother's 04 Element and our 02 Rav4. The main advantage of the Element over the 2nd gen. Rav is cargo space (which is mitigated in the new model). The back seats in the Element are thinly padded and not very comfortable; seating position is also an acquired taste. The rubberized surfaces in the Element are great if you are hauling gear or kids or dogs, but feel cheap in comparison w/ the Rav's materials. The Element is heavier and more ponderous (less responsive in my opinion) and doesn't feel any quicker despite the roughly 20 extra HP and ft/lbs of torque. Since both my brother and I are under 6' tall I can't fairly assess headroom. I would say that the 02 Rav is really a four-seater as well even though Toyota claims five. Three will fit in the back if they are skinny or children.
Both vehicles are reliable, reasonably priced and have lower than average depreciation, but they are designed to serve different market segments.
Gogiboy
Was out all day in the Rav. Still love it.. Tho today with the sunroof open we got a lot of wind beffettng at 25-30 mpg. bad.. weird. Other then that its a jewel of a truck. I still can't get over how fast it turns in and good the brakes are..
Frank
The long-term reliability on the more recent Ford products (Fusion, 500, Freestyle, F-150, Mustang) have been pretty good so I am not too worried about the long term reliability. I wish I did have the A-Plan though so it would make negotiating a price easier.
I like the Rav4, I just wonder if I'll end up in one. The Mazda seems to be the Cayenne of the reasonable price world and I do love to drive. The Rav4 has a lot of standard features, is good size, and the pricing is pretty good. I don't know it may be a little too cute, if you can understand that.
One thing that is stange on the audi is with the sun roof open, the A/C air system seems to have a problem with noise. I am guessing that with the roof open the pressure in the cabin is different and this affects the flow from the vent/fan system.
Also, you can buy a first quality class two hitch for almost any care online. Just Google "Class II hitch" and many sites will come up. You can even see the install instructions online. Most require no drilling. This site:http://www.hidden-hitch.com/products.asp?category=hitch&year=2006&t1=&make=- Toyota&model=RAV4
Shows hitch for $139 that it says fits 06 RAV. The install instructions are there too and it says it picks up existing welded nuts in the frame.
I am sure once the car is out for a bit more places will show them. There are many on the web.
So have fun
Frank
On a side note, I checked out the RAV-4 at the dealership. They had a ton of RAVs in stock (nearly 20). They are piling up. Another dealership claimed to have 24 2006 units in stock based on their ad. I would not pay MSRP for the vehicle. Glad to see some of the other posters got a bit of a discount.
I am hoping your right on stock stuff. I have been watching a few local dealers, all have 5 or more cars and the ones that are semi-loaded up have been there for a week or two. Base model seems to sell pretty fast here in NY. Fritmall has at least one Sport well equipped I4 onsite for at least two weeks now at $680 over invoice.
The market will settle it over the next 3-6 months for sure
Body: 4WD 5DR SUV V6
Color: Blizzard White
Interior: Ivory Leather
Order#: 65000129*O
Model#: 4453
VIN#:
Delivered Internet Price: $28,646
Delivered Value Price: $29,015
Factory Invoice: $27,976
MSRP: $30,666
Freight, MD. Inspection Included.
Tax, Tags, Title, Optional Dealer Processing Charge $99 Excluded
Features
- C4
FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS
C4 - CARPETED FLOOR MATS
DK - OWNERS PORTFOLIO
EEJ - JBL AM/FM/CD CHANGER
EF - REAR BUMPER PROTECTOR
FE - 50 STATE EMISSION REQUIREMENT
GN - CARGO NET
GY - DR/PASS CURTAIN/SIDE AIRBAGS
HD - HEATED DRIVER/PASS FRT SEATS
LA - LEATHER INTERIOR
MG - MUDGUARDS
PC - SPECIAL PAINT
RL - DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
SR - PWR TILT/SLIDE MOONROOF
TO - TOW PREP PACKAGE
WL - WHEEL LOCKS
Good luck with your RAV!
I think the problem with the above statement is that all we can evaluate is short-term reliability on those vehicles. Even if the short term is good it doesn't necessarily mean the mid-term and long-term will be equivalent. Ford's past record is, in all fairness, spotty and previous generations of Mustangs have not been stellar. Ford may indeed have turned a corner (I hope so), but we need to wait a few more years to be certain.
Gogiboy
My point is that the RAV may be a nice vehicle; however, the V-6 at or near $30k is no bargain, especially when you can get a bigger vehicle and/or a luxury brand for not much more money. Your right though, you are sacrificing gas mileage, space, etc. The market appears to be settling down.
Best of luck with your purchase. Toyota is making a future vehicle decision very difficult. Lots of great models are coming out.
Thanks
Steve, Host
I'll be interested to see what a Sport V6 with no extra options is selling for come spring.
And if you have to go up a steep hill in 7" of snow, how far do you think you will get in Hemi Charger? I think the Hemi line is fantastic but not for the RAV4 uses.
Also, has anyone had experience with the Toyota-brand $139 cargo liner or the $109 cargo tray, and can they comment on the difference between the two?
How about the Toyota all-weather floor mats. Do they hold water well?