Has anyone tackled the installation of the electronic rear-view mirror themselves, OR have you seen the proper service manual for the 2006 Rav4 and can comment on the difficulty? Alternatively, what about getting that option installed at a dealer later versus at the port (I'm told it may be unavailable in the region of interest) - any difference in the uality of the install? Should I even risk it if it's not a port-installed option?
(And yes, it's pretty expensive for a compass in a self-dimming mirror I think, but it'd be *nice*!
I am interested in the same thing but with Homelink built in since Toyota does not offer that on the RAV4. The thing we need to find out is if the wiring is aleady up at the mirror. I think it will be on the Sport and Limited since Toyota offers the N1 mirror as an option. My salesman did not now and I have not had a chance to ask the service department. If power is there, the rest is easy and there are a whole series of aftermarket versions. If power is not there then wires have to be run up there. Not the end of the world job but more work. This site has info and install intructions: http://www.aaaremotes.com/hocoaumi50.html
Some of you have referred to being able to "order" a RAV4. Does this simply mean that the dealer can look thru what is already built and on the way in; or does it mean you can have one built just the way you want it? I'm in no hurry for a new vehicle, so I could wait 6 months.
I'd really like to pick he ext. and int. colors and the exact options I want, without having to take a couple of thousand $'s of options that I don't want.
In Toyota's system you cannot build a vehicle a la carte. Depending on your region you will have to go through the 'Build my Toyota' module on the website and use the packages and options they offer in that region.
There has been lots of discussion here about doing this and it is all decided on a regional level. Toyota has no say in what each region allows. In general though you cant break up a package and take some features from one and features from another. Also the the exterior/interior colors are fixed at the factory so there is no variation there.
What a lot of my clients do is pick the exterior color and then modify the interior here aftermarket.
How do you want to build yours? What don't you want in it? Since each region is different some may be able to suggest something that is specific to one area or another.
Well, let me ask you this.....if an accessory is listed on the Toyota Canada site, but not on the US site....can a US dealer order that accessory for a Rav4 that I picked up a few weeks ago?
good question.. I've never encountered it. What type of accessory? It might be available after market. A lot of clients buy accessories on line for example and then bring them to their local dealer for installation - or they do it themselves.
The Rav is in MD and I'll be bringing it home to IL in a couple weeks or so. I'm told I cannot get the mirror in MD currently but I could have it installed at a dealer that happens to have it (the ones around here in IL apparently do). But it looks like an extra $100 for labor ($435 is getting kinda steep for a mirror...) I'm curious if this is a simple job or if it's a royal pain (probably the latter), and whether the quality of the work would be worse at a dealer versus at the port itself.
Interesting! I might go the aftermarket route instead (I expect there's power nearby if only for the lights in the headliner and such... but if you're running wires down for the temp sensor anyway you might as well wire the whole thing). For the money it might be nice to just get my own mirror later (with more features such as this one has).
All the more reason to know what's where wiring-wise in the Rav4... I wonder if the official Toyota repair manual for this vehicle is worth the money (however much that is...)?
Well you can save money and work since the RAV already had a out side temp gauge built into the little LCD display below the gauges. My guess is the power is up there somewhere. You do need power that goes off when the key is off so the mirror etc., does not run the battery dead if you leave the car for sometime.
Eventually all this info will be available. Right now the dealers only know "we sell at MSRP" it seems or most of them.
When I "ordered" mine the dealer brought up a screen on one of Toyota's website and showed me the Ravs that are getting ready to go into production, with their production dates. They produce them in weekly cycles. One week they do 4s and maybe the next week they do 6s. He told me that he would put my "request" in for what I want and that they could change the color, etc., with all the big options-leather, remote start, moonroof and get it as close to what I want as possible and they would put the small things, mudflaps etc. on at the dealership. He told me they are trying to find one that is real close to my configuration getting ready to go into production. I told him I don't care how it gets done, but I want it the way I want it. He told me if one is going into production this week it could be as short as a month to delivery, but like you I will wait a few months as long as I get what I want. This is all from what the general manager told me. If I am paying almost $30,000 for a car I better be able to get it the way I want it.
Toyota's process is not very customer friendly. I ORDERED a Chevy S10 pickup some years ago and it was very straightforward, they told me no problems and it went real smooth.
Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. Hopefully the dealer in MD will come through on the N1, but if not I'll deal with it when I get it home. That type of mirror has been unbelievably convenient on my current car (the compass moreso... amazing how much I find I miss it when it'd not there on a rental, etc.)
I've been through a copy of the 2006 printing of the Rav4 owner's manual from cover to cover (ok, so I flipped quickly through it ) In all of that I found one peculiar option that I haven't seen referred to *anywhere* else for this vehicle: a windshield wiper de-icer feature detailed on p. 121. Truth or typo? If it's some sort of option, what's the option code?
Toyota's process is not very customer friendly. I ORDERED a Chevy S10 pickup some years ago and it was very straightforward, they told me no problems and it went real smooth.
This has been a common complaint with Toyota and with Honda. In the Honda system it's easy. There are no options - except maybe Navi - so just choose your tranny, engine and color.
Toyota may be coming around to this system but they still use 'packages' to group commonly desired options.
Here is the reason: They are both producing for the mass market and they are trying to get to a least common denominator. Neither manufacturer wants to be a niche producer like Mazda or Subaru. Their marketing surveys the market, and both do it extraordinarily well, and determine what the greatest volume of buyers want.
Two reasons why.. - it's easier to sell more vehicles this way; and - one of the tenets of both production systems, especially Toyota's, is that the more you produce of one thing in one process at one time the better your quality will be. Stopping the line to make adjustments to make this then that then this then that screws up quality. GM/F have always tried to do the customization method because the volume always was huge and likely they could find one vehicle somewhere in the country that met even the most specific buyer's desire. With shrinking volume customization is a major thorn in side of production and quality control.
On the flip side, the accessory business is huge and the manufacturers are under pressure from buyers to get factory versions of accessories and the stockholders want the manufacturer to grab some of this money.
Most everyone would love a custom built car, if the wait was only a few days to perhaps a couple of weeks to get it.
Then again, I don't know anyone who has ever used one of those Intellifit machines or myvirtualmodel.com to custom order a pair of jeans.
I just purchased my Rav4 and have about 500 miles logged. I, too, noticed that when the car has been sitting and the temp is cold (in the 30's) shifting from park to R or D is pretty harsh - sometimes a "clunk". Are many others experiencing this as well? Does this warrant a trip back to the dealer?
On the flip side, the accessory business is huge and the manufacturers are under pressure from buyers to get factory versions of accessories and the stockholders want the manufacturer to grab some of this money.
Correct. The Scion idea is make a 'basic loaded' model and then accessorize it to the max if possible. The same with the FJ Cruiser next month.
Trucks certainly have a lot of potential accessories but autos? I dont think so much other than for the 'tuners'.
"Two reasons why.. - it's easier to sell more vehicles this way; and - one of the tenets of both production systems, especially Toyota's, is that the more you produce of one thing in one process at one time the better your quality will be. Stopping the line to make adjustments to make this then that then this then that screws up quality. GM/F have always tried to do the customization method because the volume always was huge and likely they could find one vehicle somewhere in the country that met even the most specific buyer's desire. With shrinking volume customization is a major thorn in side of production and quality control."
KD--I've never had any complaint about the Toyota model, but the middle men take all the fun out of "ordering" a vehicle. When we "requisitioned" (that was the term our salesman preferred) our 04 Rav4 we waited 5 months only to find out that Gulf States Toyota couldn't/wouldn't get a car (in their allotment) even close to what we had requisitioned. The dealership was great and we had no complaints w/ the salesman, but GST is for the birds.
In my area you had better take what is available on the lot or through dealer trade (often including a bunch of expensive add-on packages) or expect to wait...and wait...and never get the car you wanted. It didn't help that we were working with a small dealership who had no "pull" in the system.
That mirror appears to be the same one that is sold for the Tacoma. I got one "port installed" on my '05 Taco. The installation and operating instructions that came with it were the one from the aftermarket manufacturer. It is the same one as the link on your original post. All the 'homelink' electronics are inside the mirror itself, so all you need is power and the temp sensor input.
Well on the V-6 Limited it looks like you have to choose an option package. You have to get the Side-airbags and tow package as a minimum, for $810. That I could live with. To get the JBL stereo you have to get the $3,540 package? That has leather and another thing or 2 I might not get.
I would choose the dark-blue or red with the tan interior. I'm just thinking that to get that color combo with that option package and at the dealer with the best price could be difficult. Sure the dealer could trade, but there is a charge for that, if for no other reason then someone has to drive the vehicle or it has to be put back on a truck.
When I bought my wife's '00 Silverado we went to the dealer, paid $500 over invoice, ordered every option we wanted and got the vehicle 8 weeks later. I'd guess we saved over $1,500 by not buying options we didn't want, that were on the vehicles in the lot.
This is true in all regions. GST, SET, CAT all spec out the vehicles the way they see the majority wanting them for their region. The local dealers have to toe the line so to speak and only 'try' to bend the rules or do a special order which frankly is not very beneficial to the client, as in yur case. Usually this special order never gets made. As a result in fairness to the clients we decline all special orders. To us they just create ill will.
Forever and a day Canadian cars have had windshield wiper de-icers. Usually coolant tubes glued to the underside of the windshield just under the wiper parked position.
I am in the SE region (Jim Moran country), and I special ordered my 04 4Runner( V8 Sport 4wd, only other option - side current air bags), over the phone, and 6 weeks later it showed up, just as ordered. Granted; I ordered thru the gen mgr, who I've known for 25 years. :P
So my dealer finally go his 1st two V6 RAVS in yesterday, pretty close to the date he told me two months ago. I was able to drive both of them, one Sport and one Limited. Nether car was prepped so there was plastic and paper stuff all over including outside on the spare.
This was my 2nd drive of V6 Sport and first drive of the V6 Limited. I drove them without a dealer chaperon. Again the V6 is very smooth and quiet at idle and cruise at any speed (touched 90 in the Sport). The V6 is very powerful and actualy takes some getting use to start of smoothly as it just goes. Acceration at any speed is terrific. Transmission is very smooth with nice shifts. It has a "mini-tipronic" mode that lets you drop to 4th for accel by just pushing the lever to the right slightly and I found this handy. There is some noise from the engine exahust I think it is when you make large throttle applications. Handling of the Sport is very good, and the steering is very quick. This is good but you have to keep track of it. The Sport ride is firm and has some tire noise on cement pavement. I made a few very hard quick turns with large throttle applied . Things were good but my guess the tires are no match for the chassis or the V6. The sport had Bridgestone Duelers and the Limited had Yokohama G91 Geolanders. I think the G91s were quieter and better handling but hard to tell in a 20 min ride.
The Limited was a little quieter and slower steering with a little more body lean in quick turns.
Both cars are lots of fun and very respectible with loads of power. 70 is just under 2000 rpm. 40 MPH in traffic was about 1200 to 1500 RPM and very quiet.
One thing I liked about the Limited vs. the Sport was the power driver seat. Much more easy to adjust and it seemed that the vertical range was bigger( I am 5'7" and like to sit high.)If only one person will drive the car then the manual seats are fine I think since once you get them set it is ok. But they take some fooling with and getting the seat back angle where you want it is a little tedious for me.
I connected my Scangauge to both cars to try to get MPG readings. This is simple as it plugs into the test connector on the left side under the dash.I am not sure of the accuracy but the average for about 20 miles was 16.4 MPG much like the C&D number. This included lots of 30 to 70 and 50-70 full throttle accels and some 0-60 full throttle accels. At a steady 65-70 it seemed like 26-31 mpg. GPH readings were around 2.2 GPH at 70. This is better than my Audi A6 2.7T. Full throttle flow was 22+GPH! The Audi is like 19. So that extra liter of engine size on the RAV4 will eat up fuel if you drive like a mad man. This was on semi level ground with slow rises and decents. But it was hard to hold the speed constant , watch the Scangauge display and the traffic. One problem with buying the RAV4 is you cannot get what you want. In NY you cannot get a Sport with Side Curtain bags for example. Also one thing the dealer brought up is if you buy out of state like Fizmall you do not get the benifit if the NY Lemon law if you have bad luck with the car. Not a big deal but something to know. By the way, the salesman offered the thought that he thinks that very few people with buy the V6 and I was one of only 3 people who had called for a test drive of v6.
After the rides I had a price discussion with the salesman and then then the manager. The salesman's offer was $500 of MSRP. To make a long story short, after a polite 10 min. discussion the manager settled for $500 over invoice but only on the two v6s that had in stock. So you can get a deal if you work at it and are not fast to take the first offer.
I forgot to mention that I checked the 2nd seat back angle adjustment that some people questioned here. They seem easy and fully adjustable. There is a lever on the top rear of the seatback that does this.
I spoke with the service and parts manager today about installing a dimming with Homelink mirror on the RAV4. They said on those models where a dimming mirror is listed as an accessory by Toyota, a power pigtail is there in the overhead to connnect to the mirror. But the overhead has to be lowered to get at it.
I think this type mirror is avaiable on the Sport and Limited but not the Base.
When I ordered my RAV4 Sport V6 AWD Flint Mica last week, the salesman went over all the options with me and then presented it to, I assume, the manager. I was quoted a price of $27,414 which he said was full MSRP. I agreed to the price. The only option he said I had no choice on was the "tow package", which gives you a heavy duty alternator and better radiator which sounds worth while to me. I turned down the side airbags, and added the auto dimming mirror, cargo mat, and floor mats. I put down $500 on it. I don't know if they won't try to charge more when it arrives. I hope not. I got approved yesterday for a 36 month car loan at 4.74% from my credit union. Anyone should check with thier bank or credit union before financing through Toyota.
Bought a V6 Limited - Barcelona Red - Option B (leather,JBL,SAB) today. The V6 has tons of power and drives smoothly. I pulled into a vacant lot with 6-8 inches of fresh snow to see how it handled the white stuff. In a word - Great - this system will work perfectly for 99% of the driving this SUV will ever see. The gray leather looks good and the seat/steering wheel etc. adjustments worked fine. The heated seats came in handy as it is about -300 C in Calgary today. We were told we have the first V6 in the city. BTW - I didn't get a dime off of MSRP - every V6 in town has been sold or is on a waiting list.
"BTW - I didn't get a dime off of MSRP - every V6 in town has been sold or is on a waiting list."
Or so your dealer tells you. Of course, it wouldn't be difficult for "every V6 in town" to be sold or "on a waiting list" when they probably just got a couple of the scant few sent in the initial shipments and he already told you that you had the first V6 in the city. You paid the price to be first.
Well maybe too late but you should think about it. No reason to pay MSRP especially when your ordering and waiting weeks for it. I was offered $500 off MSRP and then 5 Min later 1000 of MSRP and 5 Min later $500 over invoice today on Sport or Limited sitting in the lot for only 1 day. They try you on for size. Walk out, tell them what you will pay and tell them to call you. They will if they know your a serious buyer. You can get a V6 at $500 over invoice at Fitzmall today. They have Sport I4s sitting there for a month at $500 over invoice. Six weeks ago 4Cyls were "MSRP only".
yes I had missed that on previous rides. Saw the thing but did not catch on to it even though my Audi has a similar thing for all gears. Today I could not figure out how to get the cruise to work. It was covered with plastic so not so easy to read it with bi-focals. Oh well, all around it is a really nice truck. And I can tell you that 80-90 Mph comes up real fast and smooth with the 6. I don't drive like that normally but it was a "test drive." But like all machines the V6 will have to be driven with care or it has a enough power to reach back and bite you.
Well I do not know about deliver for sure but I did talk to them since I am 3.5 hr drive away and can fly there on a Saturday for $29.+tax. You sign up, send the money, they register in in PA or in my case in NY for you . If you fly down, they bring it to the airport for you and you drive it home. Several people here have bought from them. One guy was flying yesterday to there from a Gulf state. One thing to watch is if you buy from out of state, your state's "lemon laws" will not apply. Not that you need them with a Toyota but you never know. Unless your in a big rushl, wait a month, prices are coming down. And go to the dealer prepaired to buy, with all the price info etc. The cars are scarce in NY too but it is possible to get $1000 or more off MSRP. And yes soem salesmen are wise guys who dismiss you when you say "I am not paying MSRP". If you buy a stripped model you will not get much off. Most of the cars I see have seen in NY are 80% loaded except for leather which I have not see at all.
So this morning Fitzmall has a pretty much loaded (no leather) Limited V6 for $300 over invoice and several V6s at $500 over. That one limited was at MSRP last week.
I live in Madison, Wi and am willing to drive to the Chicagoland area for good deals, can you tell me which dealership in the Chicago area is selling v6s for a little bit above invoice?
Unlikely as it is I'd get a lemon, if I got one would the local MD laws at least apply? Just curious (also wonder how likely that is with Fitzmall... they happen to be where I'm getting my Rav4 as well and from what I've read they have a good reputation and all).
Jim thanks for the overview. I don't exactly know what a Scangauge is, but are you saying your avg. MPG was 16.4? That is WELL below Toyota's representation of 22 city MPG (for 2WD) and 21 MPG (for AWD). That's not even close. Can you provide more details about Sanguage's accuracy? My wife likely will be driving the RAV4 V6 2wd in a mild manner, but, if we were to think that the RAV is not going to give us at least 19 MPG in the city, we would seriously consider other SUVs. For us, one of the primary reason we looked at the RAV was because of its good MPG estimates when compared with others. (Yes, we like a lot of other aspects about it as well, but MPG is a concern for us). When we factored in Toyotas reliabilty and their MPG estimates, it was/is worth it to us to pay a fair amount more for it. However, if their MPG estimates are that far off, we'd consider other SUVs that have MPGs in the 17-18 MPG range that, frankly, are much less expensive (especially given the demand on the RAVs right now) and much more roomy in the interior. Anyway, any insights into whether you believe your MPG readings were a fair estimate of normal city driving would be nice.
Well I finally got to take a base V6, and a 4 Cyl. Sport for a short test drive. Both seemed powerful enough for everyday driving, but I did like the V6 better. It seemed to have less engine noise and ride better than the Sport with less road noise. It just might have been the tires on the Sport but I noticed the road noise more in it than the base V6. The gas pedal was more sensitive on both than I am use to, but not hard to adjust to. The dark gray interior in the Sport is nice, and the fender flares add a little protection from stone chips, but I still think I will try for a Limited V6, if they every come in. If I have to order, I think I’ll wait to order a 2007.
Thanks everybody for all your great input, it has really been a big help reading all your comments, please keep them coming.
Well I was reporting information but probably have misled people here. The ScanGauge is a digital device that connects to the cars diagnostic connector and reads what the car computer is "saying". For example it displays rpm, speed, water temp, fuel rate (gph) and mpg, timing, throttle opening and other data. It also uses that data to provide a trip mpg, miles to empty etc so it can be used as a trip computer. I just got this thing so I have not had time to check it against several tanks of fuel etc. I had connected it to my Audi A6 for a day and it seemed to read about the same as the Audi trip computer mpg .
The car I drove had been delivered the day before and had not been prepped. I drove the Sport for only about 20 miles. The car was not fuly warmed up when I left the dealer.During this 20miles I made many full throttle accelrations from 0-60,30-50,50-70mph etc. One run was from 50-90.I did not try to get good mpg at anytime except when I was driving a short way at 65-70 at a steady speed to try to get mpg and fuel flow readings.
So the 16.4 mpg was for the overall 20 miles. Unless you are 16 years old driving your dad's V6 RAV, that is probaby the worst mpg the RAV4 will ever get! During the steady drivng at 65-70 the car seemed to be getting between 27 and 31 Mpg. As I said earlier it was hard to hold speed, read the scan gauge and speedometer and watch the traffic at the same time. At 65-70 the gallons per hour were around 2.2 which is about 31 mpg at 65. From the short time I had, I think the v6 will provide awesome performance when you need it and good mileage when you drive it reasonably to get good mpg. With the 5 speed it turns very slowly (1980 rpm) at 70 so the mpg should be very reasonable with a lite foot.
I am buying one with the V6.
If your really concerened about $ and mpg and do not haul heavy loads or are in the moutains consider the i4. I have driven it and it is very nice with good power. People here have reported 30 mpg here at 60 or so on trips.
I don't know what SUV your buy that is alot roomier than the RAV4 for a lot less money and a lot better MPG. I have looked. The Honda Pilot is bigger but MPG is much worse in real life as it is near 5000 so in stop and go that cost you mpg for sure.
By the way you can answer the mpg question yourself for about $40. Tell your dealer you are a serious buyer and want a V6 test drive and you want to drive at least 25 miles. Carefuly warm up and fill the truck up and drive like you would normally drive for 25 miles. Then go back to the same station/pump and fill it up the same way. Calculate the mpg and you will know pretty close what your going to get in real life. It costs $40 cause the dealer usually gives you a car the is like 1/8 tank so you will have to buy 14 gallons at $2.50 each or so and then a gallon or so more to top it off and measure the fuel used. A cheap way to make sure you get something you can live with. I have found my local dealer to be very reasonable as far as driving, questions etc. As the salesman said yesteray to the manager.."the guy has been here 7 times and 3 test drives so I guess he wants one if the price is good." Remember when all is said and done, they want to sell cars!
Thanks "jimd4"---that helps me understand your conditions. Just out of curiosity, though, why can Toyota report "22 MPG" if the reality is it will get a lot less? What's up with that? My most recent new car purchase a year and a half ago (a Honda Civic) stated on the "Sticker" (if that's what you call it) "31 MPG City and 37 MPG Highway." I do probably 80-85% city driving (much in rush hour traffic)and the remainder on the highway. Over the 1 1/2 years, I have average about 37.5 MPG---in other words, Honda's estimate was a little bit low (to the consumers advantage). Doesn't Toyota (or all manufacturers) have to make reasonably likely estimates?
Where I drive its hot, dry, and flat--so no concerns about cold weather or hilly areas that may negatively affect the MPGs.
As for a different SUV--I was only referring to other SUV's that are more "roomy" and "less expensive"--I wasn't referring to MPGs. My point was simply that if the RAV4 were to be getting 16.4 MPGs, then, in my opinion, there are several other SUVs that we may consider that get similar gas mileage (i.e., in the 16 MPG range) but which are more roomy on the interior and are less expensive than the RAV--that's all.
Comments
(And yes, it's pretty expensive for a compass in a self-dimming mirror I think, but it'd be *nice*!
Regards,
M
I'd really like to pick he ext. and int. colors and the exact options I want, without having to take a couple of thousand $'s of options that I don't want.
There has been lots of discussion here about doing this and it is all decided on a regional level. Toyota has no say in what each region allows. In general though you cant break up a package and take some features from one and features from another. Also the the exterior/interior colors are fixed at the factory so there is no variation there.
What a lot of my clients do is pick the exterior color and then modify the interior here aftermarket.
How do you want to build yours? What don't you want in it? Since each region is different some may be able to suggest something that is specific to one area or another.
the Toyota Canada site, but not on the US site....can a US
dealer order that accessory for a Rav4 that I picked up
a few weeks ago?
All the more reason to know what's where wiring-wise in the Rav4... I wonder if the official Toyota repair manual for this vehicle is worth the money (however much that is...)?
after market moldings would be an exact color match.
Eventually all this info will be available. Right now the dealers only know "we sell at MSRP" it seems or most of them.
Toyota's process is not very customer friendly. I ORDERED a Chevy S10 pickup some years ago and it was very straightforward, they told me no problems and it went real smooth.
This has been a common complaint with Toyota and with Honda. In the Honda system it's easy. There are no options - except maybe Navi - so just choose your tranny, engine and color.
Toyota may be coming around to this system but they still use 'packages' to group commonly desired options.
Here is the reason: They are both producing for the mass market and they are trying to get to a least common denominator. Neither manufacturer wants to be a niche producer like Mazda or Subaru. Their marketing surveys the market, and both do it extraordinarily well, and determine what the greatest volume of buyers want.
Two reasons why..
- it's easier to sell more vehicles this way; and
- one of the tenets of both production systems, especially Toyota's, is that the more you produce of one thing in one process at one time the better your quality will be. Stopping the line to make adjustments to make this then that then this then that screws up quality. GM/F have always tried to do the customization method because the volume always was huge and likely they could find one vehicle somewhere in the country that met even the most specific buyer's desire. With shrinking volume customization is a major thorn in side of production and quality control.
Most everyone would love a custom built car, if the wait was only a few days to perhaps a couple of weeks to get it.
Then again, I don't know anyone who has ever used one of those Intellifit machines or myvirtualmodel.com to custom order a pair of jeans.
Steve, Host
Correct. The Scion idea is make a 'basic loaded' model and then accessorize it to the max if possible. The same with the FJ Cruiser next month.
Trucks certainly have a lot of potential accessories but autos? I dont think so much other than for the 'tuners'.
- it's easier to sell more vehicles this way; and
- one of the tenets of both production systems, especially Toyota's, is that the more you produce of one thing in one process at one time the better your quality will be. Stopping the line to make adjustments to make this then that then this then that screws up quality. GM/F have always tried to do the customization method because the volume always was huge and likely they could find one vehicle somewhere in the country that met even the most specific buyer's desire. With shrinking volume customization is a major thorn in side of production and quality control."
KD--I've never had any complaint about the Toyota model, but the middle men take all the fun out of "ordering" a vehicle. When we "requisitioned" (that was the term our salesman preferred) our 04 Rav4 we waited 5 months only to find out that Gulf States Toyota couldn't/wouldn't get a car (in their allotment) even close to what we had requisitioned. The dealership was great and we had no complaints w/ the salesman, but GST is for the birds.
In my area you had better take what is available on the lot or through dealer trade (often including a bunch of expensive add-on packages) or expect to wait...and wait...and never get the car you wanted. It didn't help that we were working with a small dealership who had no "pull" in the system.
Gogiboy
I would choose the dark-blue or red with the tan interior. I'm just thinking that to get that color combo with that option package and at the dealer with the best price could be difficult. Sure the dealer could trade, but there is a charge for that, if for no other reason then someone has to drive the vehicle or it has to be put back on a truck.
When I bought my wife's '00 Silverado we went to the dealer, paid $500 over invoice, ordered every option we wanted and got the vehicle 8 weeks later. I'd guess we saved over $1,500 by not buying options we didn't want, that were on the vehicles in the lot.
This was my 2nd drive of V6 Sport and first drive of the V6 Limited. I drove them without a dealer chaperon.
Again the V6 is very smooth and quiet at idle and cruise at any speed (touched 90 in the Sport). The V6 is very powerful and actualy takes some getting use to start of smoothly as it just goes. Acceration at any speed is terrific. Transmission is very smooth with nice shifts. It has a "mini-tipronic" mode that lets you drop to 4th for accel by just pushing the lever to the right slightly and I found this handy. There is some noise from the engine exahust I think it is when you make large throttle applications. Handling of the Sport is very good, and the steering is very quick. This is good but you have to keep track of it. The Sport ride is firm and has some tire noise on cement pavement. I made a few very hard quick turns with large throttle applied . Things were good but my guess the tires are no match for the chassis or the V6. The sport had Bridgestone Duelers and the Limited had Yokohama G91 Geolanders. I think the G91s were quieter and better handling but hard to tell in a 20 min ride.
The Limited was a little quieter and slower steering with a little more body lean in quick turns.
Both cars are lots of fun and very respectible with loads of power. 70 is just under 2000 rpm. 40 MPH in traffic was about 1200 to 1500 RPM and very quiet.
One thing I liked about the Limited vs. the Sport was the power driver seat. Much more easy to adjust and it seemed that the vertical range was bigger( I am 5'7" and like to sit high.)If only one person will drive the car then the manual seats are fine I think since once you get them set it is ok. But they take some fooling with and getting the seat back angle where you want it is a little tedious for me.
I connected my Scangauge to both cars to try to get MPG readings. This is simple as it plugs into the test connector on the left side under the dash.I am not sure of the accuracy but the average for about 20 miles was 16.4 MPG much like the C&D number. This included lots of 30 to 70 and 50-70 full throttle accels and some 0-60 full throttle accels. At a steady 65-70 it seemed like 26-31 mpg. GPH readings were around 2.2 GPH at 70. This is better than my Audi A6 2.7T. Full throttle flow was 22+GPH! The Audi is like 19. So that extra liter of engine size on the RAV4 will eat up fuel if you drive like a mad man. This was on semi level ground with slow rises and decents. But it was hard to hold the speed constant , watch the Scangauge display and the traffic.
One problem with buying the RAV4 is you cannot get what you want. In NY you cannot get a Sport with Side Curtain bags for example. Also one thing the dealer brought up is if you buy out of state like Fizmall you do not get the benifit if the NY Lemon law if you have bad luck with the car. Not a big deal but something to know. By the way, the salesman offered the thought that he thinks that very few people with buy the V6 and I was one of only 3 people who had called for a test drive of v6.
After the rides I had a price discussion with the salesman and then then the manager. The salesman's offer was $500 of MSRP. To make a long story short, after a polite 10 min. discussion the manager settled for $500 over invoice but only on the two v6s that had in stock. So you can get a deal if you work at it and are not fast to take the first offer.
(Anxiously awaiting my Rav4!)
Marty
I think this type mirror is avaiable on the Sport and Limited but not the Base.
I got approved yesterday for a 36 month car loan at 4.74% from my credit union. Anyone should check with thier bank or credit union before financing through Toyota.
BTW - I didn't get a dime off of MSRP - every V6 in town has been sold or is on a waiting list.
the thrill is over. Why did you pay MSRP.?
Or so your dealer tells you. Of course, it wouldn't be difficult for "every V6 in town" to be sold or "on a waiting list" when they probably just got a couple of the scant few sent in the initial shipments and he already told you that you had the first V6 in the city.
You paid the price to be first.
We're in Washington state, and the best price we've found (through a broker) isn't close to that.
One thing to watch is if you buy from out of state, your state's "lemon laws" will not apply. Not that you need them with a Toyota but you never know. Unless your in a big rushl, wait a month, prices are coming down. And go to the dealer prepaired to buy, with all the price info etc. The cars are scarce in NY too but it is possible to get $1000 or more off MSRP. And yes soem salesmen are wise guys who dismiss you when you say "I am not paying MSRP". If you buy a stripped model you will not get much off. Most of the cars I see have seen in NY are 80% loaded except for leather which I have not see at all.
Good luck
thanks.
- Marty
Well I finally got to take a base V6, and a 4 Cyl. Sport for a short test drive. Both seemed powerful enough for everyday driving, but I did like the V6 better. It seemed to have less engine noise and ride better than the Sport with less road noise. It just might have been the tires on the Sport but I noticed the road noise more in it than the base V6. The gas pedal was more sensitive on both than I am use to, but not hard to adjust to. The dark gray interior in the Sport is nice, and the fender flares add a little protection from stone chips, but I still think I will try for a Limited V6, if they every come in. If I have to order, I think I’ll wait to order a 2007.
Thanks everybody for all your great input, it has really been a big help reading all your comments, please keep them coming.
Jim C.
The car I drove had been delivered the day before and had not been prepped. I drove the Sport for only about 20 miles. The car was not fuly warmed up when I left the dealer.During this 20miles I made many full throttle accelrations from 0-60,30-50,50-70mph etc. One run was from 50-90.I did not try to get good mpg at anytime except when I was driving a short way at 65-70 at a steady speed to try to get mpg and fuel flow readings.
So the 16.4 mpg was for the overall 20 miles. Unless you are 16 years old driving your dad's V6 RAV, that is probaby the worst mpg the RAV4 will ever get! During the steady drivng at 65-70 the car seemed to be getting between 27 and 31 Mpg. As I said earlier it was hard to hold speed, read the scan gauge and speedometer and watch the traffic at the same time. At 65-70 the gallons per hour were around 2.2 which is about 31 mpg at 65. From the short time I had, I think the v6 will provide awesome performance when you need it and good mileage when you drive it reasonably to get good mpg. With the 5 speed it turns very slowly (1980 rpm) at 70 so the mpg should be very reasonable with a lite foot.
I am buying one with the V6.
If your really concerened about $ and mpg and do not haul heavy loads or are in the moutains consider the i4. I have driven it and it is very nice with good power. People here have reported 30 mpg here at 60 or so on trips.
Where I drive its hot, dry, and flat--so no concerns about cold weather or hilly areas that may negatively affect the MPGs.
As for a different SUV--I was only referring to other SUV's that are more "roomy" and "less expensive"--I wasn't referring to MPGs. My point was simply that if the RAV4 were to be getting 16.4 MPGs, then, in my opinion, there are several other SUVs that we may consider that get similar gas mileage (i.e., in the 16 MPG range) but which are more roomy on the interior and are less expensive than the RAV--that's all.