Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Seems like it'd be safer for a young girl or anyone else to have T/S Control than not. The Toy offers that, if I understand it correctly.
I currently drive a '01 Mazda Protege ES and as much as I like that car (I plan on keeping it!)I decided on a mini ute for the sole reason of ease of entrance and egress as I slide towards geezerdom at age 56. )
I have an unused factory strut tower brace complete kit to install.
Like, Zoom zoom man.
Yooper 53
Yooper 53
Yooper 53
Some people are frightened that if someone is sleeping and leaning against the door when the car gets broadsided, the airbag might injure them whereas if they were leaning against the door sleeping while the car was broadsided and there was no airbag, they would be safe.
(A) If you are more frightened that if someone is sleeping and leaning against the door when the car gets broadsided and they are injured by THE AIR BAG, please vote A.
(B) If you are more frightned that a drunk or stupid person broadsides your vehicle while you are driving along minding your own business and paying attention to all traffic laws and in the process smashes to you smithereens because your vehicle was not equipped with side air bags by a manufacturer who knew they could save your life but for whatever reasons neglected to install them, please vote B.
I thank you for your time.
"children who are seated near a front or rear side air bag can be at risk for serious injury." link
Steve, Host
(C) We ask for clarification rather than baiting with provocative polls?
:-)
tidester, host
Plus they save some money by skipping the side airbags that they can apply towards other options, and dealer-installed accessories etc..
So far we have: Choice A (afraid of being killed by air bag) 1
Choice B (afraid of being killed by another driver) 2
Even at this early stage, I would think a 2 to 1 margin would warrant Toyota equipping at least some portion (how about 1/3?) of its RAV-4s all across the country with the side air bag option.
your proposal makes sense , but i thought toyota made side air bags an option,especially for buyers who picked [A] or [C} . thats what nice about toyota , you have about at least 15 options to select from . So if you want save $650 and not have side air bag option , you have that choice . I just bought 04 RAV4 with side air bags ,guess that gives you a vote for [B ] .
To those who decline side air bags ,i have a question : they can always replace your vehicle , but can they replace you ?
Ride Safe and Smile
when you mentioned that you noticed that every RAV4 was driven by a woman , i myself have noticed that also . but when i shopped for new SUV , the RAV4 was hottest looking [in my eyes] small size SUV out there . So when i bought my 04 RAV4 , it was white L . i forgot all about 'gender' and focused on what I WANTED . let me know when you get your RAV4 .
cheers
If my Toyota dealer told me i had to 'wait' for airbag option for my 04' RAV , i would had 04' CRV EX [side airbags standard] parked in my driveway now .
your suggestion about Toyota Corp. stepping in and correct this wrongful practice is good one .
PS Maryland and WVA are the only 2 states to which I have not been, so picking up a new Toyota and seeing Annapolis, Baltimore, Cumberland and whatever there is to see in WVA and then winding my way back to New Orleans doesn't sound too bad to me. Kind of like those who take delivery of a new BMW in Germany, tool around and then ship it home.
thanks,
Steve, Host
you are welcome,i am glad to help you and other Toyota owners in this chat format. I myself , certainly learned a few things in here . Based on my experience , you would be satified with Carmax with their 'no haggle' prices [ my homework shows their prices match Edmunds' TMV prices]. That would give you more time to visit all the Maryland cities you mentioned . West Virginia is only 2 hour commute from here . Your idea is not bad at all , better than paying the local Toyota dealer a king's ransom and make you wait as they want you to endure [honestly ,who really knows how the delivery would take? ]
Ride Safe and Happy
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040725/crash_tests_1.html
the link you provided about RAV airbags tests was informative . i even printed a copy to save with my RAV 'files' . my father had advised me to save brochures, factory stickers,EPA gas milegages ,etc, everytime i purchased a vehicle . his point was : if you ever decide sell to private party, those documents might come in handy .
We tried--and failed--to requisition (Toyota's term for "ordering") a 2004 Rav4 w/ side airbags among some other options. We live in OK and went through our local small city dealer, who in turn had to go through Gulf States Toyota. We waited 5 months (mid-March to mid-August), before it became painfully evident that Gulf States Toyota couldn't or wouldn't get a vehicle for us. The salesman felt that it was the side airbags that made the requisition fail ultimately.
We think that a lack of side airbag equipped vehicles being ordered/sent by/to Gulf States for their dealer network played some part as did are small local dealership's lack of clout. Other areas where folks can work directly through US Toyota probably have better luck with options and shorter turn around.
In the end we bought a 2002 RAV4 AWD (AWD also hard to get in Gulf States) with 21,000 miles from a Lexus dealership. It doesn't have side airbags, but does have every other option except moonroof and spoiler. Plus we saved almost $6500 over a comparably equipped 04. My only complaint is that I wish the 02s had the 160 hp 2.4 engine for a little extra zip.
Also, can anyone recommend a good Toyota dealer in the New Orleans area? A few years ago I purchased a car from Lakeside and their service dept. treated me badly.
The '04 & '05 RAV-4 hasn't been rated; the '03 4x2 got 3 stars.
Steve, Host
$100 or 0.5 percent on the base price.... I won't complain. Would anyone please post what their experience was in the past as far as what incentives were available at the very beginning of the model year? (I'm trying to make a decision if i should have a dealer locate an '04 with side air bags (potentially with options i don't want) OR order an '05 to specs AND still get a "hot deal/price".)
Does anyone think side airbags will become standard on '05's? Toyota customer service tells me that headquarters continually pushes back the date for release of information.
"The RAV4 remains unchanged for 2005 after appearance enhancements in 2004."
I guess that answers your questions about side airbags becoming standard.
That same press release says:
"The RAV4 remains unchanged for 2005 after appearance enhancements in 2004."
I guess that answers your questions about side airbags becoming standard.
-
I don't think that speaks about saftey features, only styling and the look of the vehicle. Then again wouldn't they want to boast such a great option which would be standard? I guess time will tell.
(http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?i- d=2005Rav4_r)
...dated today states:
"Front seat-mounted side airbags and first and second row side curtain airbags are available for RAV4, much like the level of passive safety features available in the brand's larger SUV models."
Obviously the words "...are available..." mean that side air bags will be an option. So, no standard side air bags on the RAV4 for '05.
There were several other press releases dated today for the RAV4 including feateures, specs and options. See this page:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display.html?kw=2004+RA- V4