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2006 Toyota RAV4

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Posts: 72,587
    Thanks, I'm a huge AWD enthusiast and I missed several days of discussion, so I have to make up for it! :D

    -juice
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  • nowakj66nowakj66 Posts: 709
    The Element is still a possibility. And with infants, having control over when they leave the back seat is probably not a bad thing. But I can see for car pooling or when kids can let themselves out, the suicide doors would be a drag. My oldest is 17 months so I am not sure when they start to want to get out on their own!

    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)
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  • edgoredgor Posts: 31
    Thanks for the help on the highway driving. Another one for you rav owners, anyone used the cupholders in the front? It seemed like it might be hard to get cups out of there the way they were slightly tucked in in front of of the gear shift, but wasn't sure. This may sound like a minor issue, but some of us are klutzes...
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  • drohrerdrohrer Posts: 37
    Does anyone have any idea when the NHTSA will crash the new RAV4? We drove one today and it was pretty good. My wife is concerned that the 04 only got 4 stars and wonders about this one. Does the IIHS ever publish when they're going to test a vehicle?

    Thanks
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  • kernickkernick Posts: 4,072
    you: Aren't we all glad that Al Gore invented the internet so we can buy these RAV4 for lower prices and convienently?

    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.
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  • kernickkernick Posts: 4,072
    you: The spare protrudes past the end of the bumper, so I worry about backing into a pole or something.

    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. :)
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  • hit_the_roadhit_the_road Posts: 65
    Does anyone have any idea when the NHTSA will crash the new RAV4?

    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
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  • eddieleeeddielee Posts: 1
    Really great post. Thank you.
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  • driverdmdriverdm Posts: 505
    I am 6'0 even and my brother is 6'5 so I understand full well that a vehicle has to have the right dimensions. I won't buy a car my brother can't sit comfortably in. I am in the market now for a small SUV as my next purchase. I am considering the Rav4 but I think the Ford Edge may have stollen my heart. I'd say go take a look at it on Ford's website. It'll only take 5 minutes of your time, and if you don't like it, don't buy it. I am also considering the new Sante Fe and a Mazda CX-7. This segment is real exciting. I like the Rav4, but something about it doesn't rub me right. I think it is the back with the protruding spare tire and funky design at the top.
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  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Posts: 7,160
    Does anyone have any idea when the NHTSA will crash the new RAV4?

    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.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    So finally a V6 shows up on the Fritzmall list. No bargin here as it is like $2300 over invoice for a loaded limited but at least it is a start for those of us who are looking forward to a V6 test drive;Body:

    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
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  • thecatthecat Posts: 535
    With the exception of the Curtain/Side airbags, that's the exact vehicle I'm looking for. So without the airbags it will be under $30K ... hummmm
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    Hey, spend the $500 and be safer. Why risk head truma in a crash for 1.6% since you buying a loaded vehicle and can probably afford it. And you will probably never find a loaded v6 without the side curtain bags anyway.
    But it your money and your head...or your wife's head or your kids head, who knows.
    Have fun
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  • nowakj66nowakj66 Posts: 709
    I will check out the Edge as well. Has Ford posted dimensions yet as Mazda had done for the CX-7?

    I like the front on the RAV4 but the back takes a little getting used to.
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  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Posts: 7,160
    For comparison purposes it's $6000+ less than a Ltd Highlander with the 3.3L engine. Smaller? Yes. But value? Definitely.
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  • jmeitzjmeitz Posts: 15
    i wouldnt say 6K less unless you are talking MSRP. Dealer here in St. Louis was going to offer me a Limited HL 4wd for 30,500. He says toyota has huge discount on these right now since the Rav4 came out. was going to take 9K off a hybrid if interested. Told him i would wait for the V6 Rav4 first. Still waiting for the cx7 to come out.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    Yes, and the Highlander seems to drive more like a truck and have less usefull space. in the back. But if you look at the Fitzmall site you will see that they seem to be selling at less or at invoice. So if you can live with one the cost is about the same as RAV4 if I am reading the stuff right. The interior is better finished. I still think the RAV4 V6 version is a bargin but will wait till I can drive one.....and try to smoke the tires...!
    Jim D
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  • subiemansubieman Posts: 10
    Just bought an new 06 Rav4 base for invoice(19k + holdback + tda + whls finan rsrve+ dest)and whatever standards on NY cars. Total OTD around 21.7k. Haven't had a chance to drive the V6 versions yet, but 4 cyl seems fine to me.

    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.
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  • flyingnflyingn Posts: 213
    LOL.. Not gonna happen. Not with 4wd and traction control. its traction al the way:)Betcha you won't even to turn a tire in the rain either.
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  • absolutboy20absolutboy20 Posts: 24
    If the dealer offered me 9k off of the hybrid I would definately take it! They can hardly keep any hybrid's on the lot where I live and they are asking MSRP.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    Well smoking the tires was a figure of speech. Really just want to see it is an honest and useful 269 Hp or just a single point, high revving mixmaster.

    So how are you doing with your new RAV4?
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  • jmeitzjmeitz Posts: 15
    two reasons i didnt buy the hybrid HL. 1st the hybrid only gets 2mpg more on the hwy(I drive all highway), second its a minivan with doors IMO. But if you want a hybrid i think with the tax credits and all it would be a awesome deal.. the dealer had 10 hybrids and said they cant move them at all. and when they do, toyota sends them another one.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    So what area of NY are you buying in? I have not been able to get anything off MSRP on a Sport in local NY area
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  • gogiboygogiboy Posts: 732
    "Element is not kid-friendly at all.
    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
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  • flyingnflyingn Posts: 213
    I know.. I did not know if you might of really thought you may be able to.. :)

    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
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  • driverdmdriverdm Posts: 505
    You can price and see the specs on the CX-7 over on Mazda's website. It is very comparible to the Rav4 just a lot more sporty and has a better interior IMHO.

    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.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    Frank, when you say buffeting you mean lots of noise from the sun roof opening or? You say MPG but I assume you mean mph?
    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.
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  • drummerboy_200drummerboy_200 Posts: 44
    Is there a decent online parts company where I can find accessories for the 06 Rav4?? I'm looking for something similar to www.handa.com (Honda AND Acura). They sell genuine Honda Accessories at discounted prices. Hopefully I can find Toyota's tow kit for considerably less money. Thanks.
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  • jimd4jimd4 Posts: 877
    I don't know about a good parts site but I do know you can buy RAV4 06 thinkg like cargo net, mats etc from Toyota dealers on Ebay and much less than list.

    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
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  • flyingnflyingn Posts: 213
    yes and yes. sorry about the typos.

    Frank
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