2006 Toyota RAV4

kdhspyder

Search TDA fee here on Edmunds. All vehicles all makes in the US have it. Toyota is the only one for some reason that breaks it out separately.. It's buried everywhere else.

jimd4

As far as I know the invoice price plus the mark-up they show as the internet price and that is the total price. Some people here have bought from them so they would know for sure.

wizzobutter

Well, nothing has been signed yet, but I did say I would pay full sticker, but not over it. I could have tried to talk him down, but the car is being special ordered and is very rare. I could have played with two other nearby dealers, but am content with full sticker. My current car, a 1999 Camry LE V6 5 speed stick is also very rare. I was pleased with myself that I had talked him down $2200 from $25,500 to $23,300 , until I found out that the invoice was $22,200.

On the positive side, I have aranged a loan through my bank at 4.74%, so that mens no "payment" scams, and will get an estimate from Carmax before I trade it in, so he cannot play games with the trade in.. The dealer said he would match Carmax but I don't believe him. I think the price I'm paying, $27,414, is worth it for a V6 Sport with a sunroof, auto dimming mirror, cargo mat, and floor mats.
If I had wanted a car from the lot, I would have tried harder to talk down the price. He said the car would take 4 to 8 weeks to get here, and that was 2 weeks ago today. This will be my first auto transmission car in 20 years. I will miss my Camry. It has full leather, real wood, sunroof, spoiler, fog lights. I want the RAV4 because I am tired of the heavy traffic around here and frequently go for bike rides. The bike should fit nicely in the RAV4.

wwest

Generally, for Toyota and Lexus, it is placed behind the front bumper in the center just in front of the A/C condensor/radiator assembly where the radiant heat from same can and does bias it upward at times.

Other marque place it in the driver's side outside mirror.

If your's is in front of the radiator then you might want to consider relocating it to the space forward of one of the front fender wells. Remember that the same sensor is used as an input to the HVAC and the radiant heating effects can cause the HVAC to "tilt", blow cool airflow in cold or coolish weather.

wwest

You can quite readily overcome the VSC activation if you REALLY want the vehicle to overstear. The activation of VSC will be very brief, it will only try to correct the overstearing condition until the "pendulum" passes the centerline of the vehicle's mass. Once the majority of the vehicle's mass, weight, is beyond the centerline of the overall "mass" of the vehicle the VSC immediately deactivates.

To do otherwise would actually result in exacerbating the overstearing condition.

Think of balancing a broom, working end up, in the palm of your hand. As long as you can keep the broom balanced, the light end directly under the "heavy" end, the broom will remain upright.

That all VSC tries to do, keep the front of the vehicle in front, in line with, the rear. You can do the same thing in a non-VSC car by simply correcting your stearing, counter-stearing, to get the mass of the vehicle back in front of the rear.

edar77

Well, after 174 km, my car has to go back to the dealership! Very disappointed. I was driving down the road and suddenly engine mulfucntion , SVC and 4WD warning lights came on. They now stay up all the time and i can not engage 4WD lock. I did not expect that from a new Toyota. Even my ford Escape took 3 months before fuel pump had to be replaced . Also, it will not up shift to 5 gear (Overdrive) at any speed. Before my rpoblems, the engine would shift to 5th at 40 mp/h and would do 1200 RPM at 45 mp/h. I hope it's simply a wire or a sensor. Maybe i just got a lemon .

srandyt

I have had four ('95 back) 4WD trucks, one 84 Cressida, one 82 Camry, one 77 Celica, and one '00 4Runner. I have never had to replace front brakes before 70,000 miles, and rear never before 100,000.

grizwald

I test drove the new RAV4 and really liked it. I currently have a Jeep Liberty and love it but the gas milege is horrible. I had a Toyota many years ago and loved it. My brother has had a Toyota truck for at least 15 years and still loves it. So I am considering going back to the Toyota line. How is the RAV's gas milege? The one I test drove said 23/30. Does it really get that? Also how are they in the snow? I have a long commute sometimes in snowy conditions and don't want any issues. Also if there are any tips on buying and getting a good price they would be appreciated. I have been reading the forums hoping I would find some good stuff. Thanks

jimd4

Wow!

kernick

Hmm that's funny. I've been thinking of a Rav4 and today started looking at the Liberty. The diesel is supposed to get 30% better mpg, has a 5 spd. auto, stability control like the RAV, and full-time AWD.

I'm sure the Rav rides better and has more room, but the Liberty has better towing and ground clearance.

hit_the_road

How is the RAV's gas milege? The one I test drove said 23/30. Does it really get that? Also how are they in the snow? I have a long commute sometimes in snowy conditions and don't want any issues.

I've had mine in 7-8" of snow with no problems (or issues as
they're now called). You can get 30 mpg on the highway
if you set the cruise control around 60 mph.

--------------------------

little3

Where is your neck of the woods? Thanks.

little3

The invoice of Fitzmall's RAV4s list "owner portfolio". What is that? Also, why is the 50 state emissions listed on an invoice along with optional equipment?

jimd4

No idea on portfolio. I do know thats some makes charge diffent amounts for different emission areas. Some sites with RAV4 pirces show $40 as the emission charge.

jimd4

I think I remember that Consumer's Reports had some bad stuff to say about Liberty diesel MPG. The MSN car site reviews has some good and bad things to say about it.

raydahs

I'm in Tucson, here's what happened yesterday. Drove the V6 and it is very quick! It sounds just like my 04' Sienna did (growl). The one I drove was a 4x4 V6 in Everglade Metallic (light Green w/tan interior) curtain airbags w/upgraded wheels. It would have worked for me, but the base seat simply can't be adjusted to my desired comfort level.

So I need a Limited in order to get that feature, so now I have to go back to the 4 cyl. 4x4, which is fine with me, I really don't need the V6. So we do a search in the region and find (2 Everglade Metallic) that I would consider taking, but one is in Utah the other in Wyoming and would have to be shipped for a price of $600, so now I'm back to a couple of hundred below MSRP! :mad:

I can't even go to Longo, they have a depleted stock as well! These things are coming in waves, back about a month ago a 4x4 Limited could be had in both dealers here in town......not anymore, might have to wait for the next wave!

jimd4

Well they seem to come roughly every two weeks. Be patient unless you need one right away. Also you can talk to the dealer and place an order for 8-10 weeks. The order will have to be what the region takes, not always exactly what you want. My local dealer (NY) has a Limited 4, grey green, no leather sitting there for over a month.

Alternative is to fly to MD and get one from www.fitzmall.com at $500 over invoice. Several people here have done it. On guy drobe back to Little Rock last week. Use the $1500 savings to take a vacation on the way!

schneiderrider

The Toyota web site offers "Brushed Aluminum Running Boards" as an option ($499). Has anyone seen these on a vehicle?

I'm thinking about ordering a V6 Limited and can't decide if I should request this option.

I saw a 05 model with running boards and they looked very nice. I wonder if the new ones are the same style. Unfortunately, I can not find any photos of an 06 with this option.

pocono35

No vehicle gets EPA mpg. You can expect a 20-30% decrease in mileage. If it says 23/30, you can expect about 18/24. Even the govt. now admits the figures are misleading and require changes to provide more accurate figures. Recent Consumer Reports test on many cars and hybrids showed dramatic decreases in MPG. Hybrids, which are selling on great mpg figures are very misleading. Consumers found a differention of 14mpg on some of the hybrids. That is serious.

thecat

No vehicle gets EPA mpg

That's a pretty strong statement. Actually, I have to say that I have never done as badly as the EPA with my last 3 cars. My WRX is supposed to get 23mpg on the highway. I have consistantly gotten 25-26 running 70-75 with the cruise on. Now if you want to put your foot into it then all bets are off.

There are several people reporting 30mpg on the highway with the 4 cyl RAV. Everything depends on your driving habits. Hybrids are an entirely different issue. The EPA's numbers here seem to have missed the mark.

joecarnut

No vehicle gets EPA mpg

That's a pretty strong statement. Actually, I have to say that I have never done as badly as the EPA with my last 3 cars. My WRX is supposed to get 23mpg on the highway. I have consistantly gotten 25-26 running 70-75 with the cruise on. Now if you want to put your foot into it then all bets are off.

There are several people reporting 30mpg on the highway with the 4 cyl RAV. Everything depends on your driving habits. Hybrids are an entirely different issue. The EPA's numbers here seem to have missed the mark.

I agree as I've always been able to get the EPA mileage claims or better.

Maybe the EPA rating claims should say that you can get up to what ever the EPA claims happen to be, that way people may understand the ratings better. Maybe?

If you drive at 75+ mph you wont ever get it.
I am quoting this loosely, but I think when driving 70 mph versus 50 mph you are driving against twice the wind drag. Fast stops and starts won't help either.
You just have to drive easier and feather the pedal more and reduce your speed. Don't be in such a hurry.

Like thecat mentioned, I too have been able exceeded it. Its not that hard to do.

tidester

I think when driving 70 mph versus 50 mph you are driving against twice the wind drag.

That's about right.

tidester, host

wizzobutter

I disagree with your assessment of getting 70 to 80% of the EPA MPG rates. My 1999 Camry V6 5 speed was rated at 21 City and 29 Highway. Through 76,000 miles, about 90% of the fillups showed I got between 21 and 22 MPG. Most of my driving is going to work and back. It's 11 miles each way and there are about 20 stoplights to go through. My worse fillup was 19 MPG, in sever cold weather. My best was 25.5 MPG with about 50% of the miles on open highway at 60 MPH. I think if I did 300 miles only at highway speed, I'd probably get close to the 29 MPG.
I once heard long ago that a constant 45 MPH was the ideal speed for good gas milage. The current Consumer reports magazine tested the 1995 Camry 4 cylinder at 55, 65, and 75 MPH. It got 40, 35, and 30 MPG respectively. A similar Mercury Mountainair got 24, 21, and 18.
On the RAV4, even the roof rack will lower MPG slightly. They should have made it an option on the Sport and Limited. I can't see ever using it for anything. Looks nice though.

thecat

On the RAV4, even the roof rack will lower MPG slightly. They should have made it an option on the Sport and Limited. I can't see ever using it for anything.

Actually I used the one on my Forester quite a bit. Plywood fits quite nicely up there as does a kayak. I think the cross bars are removable which would certainly reduce wind resistance. I'm not sure how involved the removal is .. hopefully not very. Also, if you remember the National Lampoon Vacation movie .. it's a great place to put Aunt Edna after she dies. :surprise:

jimd4

Yes and she would get a much safer ride up there with VSC etc., etc.!

ateixeira

Yeah, but that raises your center of gravity.

-juice

tidester

Yeah, but just getting into the driver's seat also raises the center of gravity!

tidester, host

saqsalm

I've been offered "Invoice + $750" for a 4x4 V6 Limited. However, this 'Invoice' quoted by the dealer includes TDA (which Edmunds does not show in its calculation of Invoice price). Since TDA is $499, it seems I actually got offered (Edmund.com's Invoice price + $499 TDA) + $750. Since some of you have stated in this forum that you were offered Invoice + $500, I'm wondering if those quotes were Edmund.com's quoted Invoice + $499 (TDA) + $500. I'm told TDA is (Total?) Dealer Advertising costs which are always passed onto the customers. Please advise.
thank you

jimd4

Well when I talked about $500 over invoice here that was the bottom line price plus tax and registration.

If the dealer adds on TDA and then with the holdback of 2% that he gets eventually+$500 he is getting a pretty good deal. But it depends on the market I guess.

martin15

I agree. I've never gotten EPA MPG either, and I've tried and I check each fill up. Your 20-30% reflects my experience ok, but mine can be even larger, like a 35-45% drop. Note, I don't own a Rav4. My subscription to Consumer Reports ran out, but I believe they report 20-30% below EPA too on most of the Rav4 type vehicles I looked at.

thecat

Read the fine print. "your mileage may vary"

thecat

Hey Juice ! It was good to see you at the auto show.

So what you're saying is remove Aunt Edna before going to the autocross.

rr5_55

HI,

I ve been looking to buy a Black 4wd 4 cyl Sport model rav4 and due to lack of availability i decided to buy a base model 4wd and 4cyl. when i compared models the only thing significant i saw was "heated side mirror". do i need to know anything abt suspension transmission etc., whcih differ from base model and sport. i am getting a 6-disc for base as an upgrade. pls let me know your thoughts.. thxx.

kdhspyder

It's a freebie little vinyl packet to organize your manuals and documents. It's in a lot, not all, Toyota's. No coast to the buyer.

50 State emissions is a holdover I believe. There used to be a difference between CA cars and all others. Now all of them are made to CA standards.

kdhspyder

Actually the hybrids also get very close to the EPA highway mpg ratings. The Prius runs right near 49-50 and the HH runs right around 25-27 but as you said driver input is very very important.

It's the city mpg ratings that are hard to replicate because the EPA test is so outdated... avg 28 mph at 70-75 deg with no A/C and using a completely warmed up motor. It is possible to do this but your city driving type might be different than my city driving type. Thus we could end up reporting very different results.

kdhspyder

Actually the TDA is charged to the customers, through the dealer, by the regional office of Toyota. It's similar to the infamous SET Admin fee. It goes to the regional office of Toyota or SET and does nothing for the dealer one way or another. But he has to pay them.

Broadly speaking:
1) There's Toyota the manufacturer ( each of the plants )
2) Toyota national sales / marketing ( they buy the product of the plants )

3) Regional distribution ( SET, CAT, Gulf States, etc some of which are independent )

4) Transport and processing ( independent but contracted by Toyota )

5) Retail sales ( completely independent of Toyota )

For those who have been in big business as you know it's always a question of where title of a product passes. It is most convenient, legally smart, to insulate each function from another by having separate companies each do the separate functions. E.g. a trucker close to delivering a load to a retail dealer runs off the road and hurts someone or damages some property.

The retail dealer has not taken title yet ( not crossed his boundaries ) and Toyota the manufacturer has no liability since it has nothing to do with deliveries.

This is a long explanation of, the wholesale price you see here and else where is the Toyota national sales price to it's distribution network FOB the plant or port of entry. But no one can buy it at that price. The dealer invoice price is the one which includes Frt, holdback, financial reserve and TDA or Admin Fee. This is the price the dealer actually pays to the regional distribution office. But he gets 'back' the 2% holdback as his income for opening the store every day.

Any money above this invoice price is how the people in the store get paid. No profit above invoice and no one gets paid ( in actuality the store goes out of business ).

ateixeira

And if you autocross with Hutch, get a good hold of the grab bars and consider wearing Depends undergarments! The man is scary fast! :surprise:

-juice

thecat

Ahhhh, I seem to remember it the other way around.

jimd4

Hey the RAV4 buy buy buy, tech, tech, tech fever must be fading here. We are down to dead Aunt and underwear jokes!

Where are the MPG reports and drving experiences? Any V6 owners stoplight drag a Bimmer 3 series SUV yet?

jimd4

So one dealer has four RAV4s including a limited on EBay. Allegheny Toyota. I guess that is western Pa.

petl

It will happen every time. There is a lot of hype before a new vehicle's actual release date (everyone wants info). At introduction or release, many want to know what others think. Others want to inform individuals about their buying and driving experiences. Then it starts to fade (unless they encounter problems). You'll always have owners that absolutely love their vehicles or those that wish to try and convince you that another product will be a better choice. Occasionally, there will be serious comments or questions from new posters. There is the odd exception, but that's pretty much the cycle.

On the MPG, tried the 4 and the 6 on the weekend. I'm a pretty conservative driver. However, I can see where even I would have a difficult time getting good numbers with the 6. What a nice, smooth, quiet, POWERFUL engine. It's just too tempting and easy. It doesn't take much from the right foot to achieve "quick" results. Still undecided. In Canada, leather and extra air bags can only be had as an option with the LTD 6 (option . Incidentally, the 4 was no slouch either. Maybe I'm just too old (please convince me otherwise).

jimd4

Let us all hope the slow down here means sales will ease off and prices will be less silly here.

Hey, I am old also, but getting the V6 when the region decides to bring Sport V6 to NY with curtain bag option.

Buy the V6 if you feel the urge!

bcbob8

I've been following this discussion for several weeks now. Thank you to the hosts and to Edmonds for providing this forum. It's been extremely helpful and I appreciate the high-calibre, relatively troll-free content. Kudos, guys!

kernick

you: ... the 6. What a nice, smooth, quiet, POWERFUL engine. It's just too tempting and easy.

me: No such thing! Porsche can figure out what to do with 520 ponies in their Cayenne, I think a mid-size AWD (power sapping) vehicle can be adequate with 269hp. "Powerful" is relative to what you currently drive (or are used to).

Has anyone seen any Base V-6 AWD's yet? I've been looking at Boch Toyota website (Boston) which is supposed to be the 2nd largest in the country and I haven't seen any V-6's yet.

Two other people I work with have interest in the Rav4 also. I wonder what sort of deal we could get if we went together to a dealer, and told them they can have 3 sales or 0. We'd go near the end of the month of course.

jimd4

Well go to www.fizmall.com site and you will see base v6 in stock or comming. Go to toyota site and build and price and enter zip 34423 and you will see SE region RAV4 list. Lots of v6s coming. Locally in NY I have seen a half dozen but no base V6s.

saqsalm

kernick: "We'd go near the end of the month of course".

Me: You seem confident going later in the month would be of some advantage negotiation-wise. Do dealers have to meet goals by month-ends and push more deals through in the last few days? I work in the mortgage industry and am just wondering if these parameters apply to the automobile industry as well.

I'm hoping to pick up pointers since I'm going in for negotiation this Saturday March 11. Please do let me know if going later in the month is a better option, and if so, how.

thank you

jimd4

Well the best price I got on a RAV4 at $500 over invoice was on an stock Sport about 5 days before the end of the month. My salesman mentioned that he was very busy since he wanted to get his "bonus." It was based on cars deliverd each month, not on orders taken.

This was good because he let me go off on two 30 minute test drives by myself on V6 Sport and limited while he worked with other customers.

But since there are so few cars in stock, I do not know if the end of the month trick really works unless you find what you want on the lot.

Actualy, I have found that the best rule of negotiating is to never be in a rush!

petl

I sort of agree with you. However, for this type of vehicle, it is quick. According to C&D the 6cyl RAV is the quickest (powerful) Toyota on the market today (they thought the Avalon and Tacoma might be a little quicker, but have not tested them yet). It's about 2 seconds ahead of its competitors (and only .4 second behind a Hemi V-8–powered Dodge Magnum AWD). My comment was taken out of context. I was referring to acheiving good MPG numbers and how difficult it will be. Still debating.

jimd4

Do not know what kind of driving you do but at 40MPH the V6 was turning about 1200rpm in traffic and 1980 rpm at 70 MPH.
This should produce reasonable MPG if you drive most of the time with a light foot.

Then you still have 269HP to enjoy once in awhile.
Life is short!

petl

For the most part I'm a very conservative driver. As stated in my original post, that 6 is so nice I might be tempted to, well you know, a little too often. My biggest fear is that I might be enjoying that extra power a little too much and consequently using frequently. Incidentally, here a few more, "you only go around once", "there is no second around" and "there is no pratice run, this is it". I have to take it for another spin.