Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
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
Problems regularly showing up in '01s, according to what I read (which is a lot), are: -rattles, especially in the dash/windshield area (over 30% in one poll of 190-some people); and -brake noise (although no loss of braking reported). There are Tech Service Bulletins on both of these issues, but the results seem to be hit-or-miss.
I should also tell you that I've had neither of the above problems, and am very happy with my '01 RAV at 14,000 miles.
As to dealers, if you are still looking, find one with more than just a couple of RAVs on the lot and you are more likely to get a better deal, I think. If you are close enough, check out Classic Toyota in Turnersville (Gloucester County) and ask for salesman Larry Giordano. Classic is part of United Auto Group, whose head guy is, ta-da, Roger Penske.
-rene
Vechile Base Model (Retail) - $ 17,5757
Dealer-Invoice
Vechicle Base Model....................$ 15,729
Roof Rack w/ Center Rails (DR).........$ 220
16" Aluminum Alloy Wheels-Split 5 (AW).$ 346
Quick Order Package (QO)...............$ 1,181
Privacy Glass - rear (PG)..............$ 248
Cargo Mat (C1).........................$ 43
Destination Charge.....................$ 510
TDA..(Toyota Dealer Advertising Fee)...$ 197
Gasoline...............................$ 6
Dealer Holdback......(%2 of Retail)....$ 351
Whsl.Finacial Reserve(%1 of Retail)....$ 175
Total..................................$ 19,962
$400 dealer profit, my total was $ 20,062
Used fighting chance information. Costs $29. Well worth it. "Fax attack" is where it's at.
Sent 58 faxes, got 13 responses from 300 to 1,200 over invoice. Picked the 400 one due to being closer.
Could have factory ordered. My wife didn't want to wait 3 to 4 months.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
Thanks in advance.
Ignore the 44 on the sidewall, except NEVER go above it. It is there for insurance purposes only.
RAVs are typically over-inflated for the boat ride over, then are SUPPOSED to be adjusted as part of the dealer prep. Mine came in at 50+psi! Many other RAVers have had this same problem.
At least you have an NHL team again.
As to tires and very cold temperatures, I don't know if that makes any difference inflation-wise. I'm guessing it doesn't. Sudden changes in temp would necessitate checking inflation more often.
When I purchased, I opted for a Mazda Tribute instead. Great SUV.
I bought an '01 RAV. Call me biased if you want, but I don't think it is noisy or rough. It is one fun ride.
Watch how that little 4-cylinder loosens up with a few thousand miles on it. All in all, an impressive package. Not as quick as a Mach 1 'Stang, mind you, but still pretty good.
A lot of dealerships forget to take the almost-invisible protective clear tape off the clock and audio display faces. I wonder if they took care of it on yours. They still didn't get the tire pressure right, though. I wonder how many sales are lost due to "rough ride"?
By the way, I just learned that the rear seat backs will tilt down rearward to a full (I think) reclining position.
So you bought a new vehicle, then went to AC to see Mr Trump. Nice work if you can get it.
Good luck.
You posters are amazing!! Yes there was clear protective tape over the clock display but not on the audio display. The rear seats go to about a 3/4 tilt, the wheel well intrusions prevent them from a full tilt. In the future I may install a CD changer [interface] with the existing CD/cassette/radio [not an RF modulator]. Audiovox and I believe Eclipse makes one; where is the preferred location for a changer? Has anyone dealt with any of the on line vendors, Toyotaguys.com etc. etc.?
I just now read, on another site, a number of posters who said very good things about toyotaguys.com as far as service, including returns with no questions asked.
If you order something from them, doing it by accessing thru rav4world.com will save you 15%.
You were on the mark again; there was clear tape on the flasher switch. Anything else?
Found the dash change bin yet? I was poking around and said to myself, there ought to be a change bin, let's see, right about -HERE. And voila.
Love the cupholders, especially in front.
Very nicely thought-out rigs, these RAVs.
2099: Mileage should keep going up over about the first 10k miles. But now at 15k, I find it dropping a bit! Don't know if I am driving it significantly more agressively, but that is possible. I got up to a thousand-mile average of about 25.5, last 1k avg more like 24. Auto trans, AWD.
I have a bare spare, and like it, so no help here.
Glad you like your RAV too. Thanks for the kind words.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
RAV on.
legroom!
I'm in immediate need to purchase a fully loaded SUV - tried out the Toyota RAV4 and Highlander. Even in the Highlander, my head was slightly bumping the moonroof. (Same in an Avalon - the new Camry was the best of all of them I sat in!)
Are there any decent decked out ($30-35K) small/medium SUVs that have decent headroom (and legroom)?
Side note: I had to special order a Nissan Maxima and waited 5 months to get it WITHOUT a moonroof - I would rather NOT go through that again. And I need to get my hands on a new SUV by the end of the year.
[Also, I am trading in a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser - about $36K trade-in value.]
Bud Hinckley
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
This came after dealing with more than a dozen other dealers in person and online and no one else gave me an honest price--no one. Other Toyota dealers claimed to be cutting me a deal by reducing their prices to MSRP and they insisted that I could not trust the internet. In fact, I was ready to give up and wait out the winter, but one of the internet queries came through with Queensboro. Now I am driving a new car and feel much better.
By the way, I like the car. It seems quiet at highway speeds, has okay oomph to reach 60--in fact, I have to watch it on back roads--and handles wonderfully. I do wish it had a little more passing ability, but otherwise am pretty satisfied. I am a stick-shift driver, so I can't judge the automatic. The stereo is pretty good as is climate control. I can't quite get the folding down and up of the rear seats, but that will come with time. I feel very safe in it.
Good luck with your new ride.
Does this surprise you? I had a similar experience shopping for a Hyundai Elantra GT. I was constantly told it was a hot model and no one could even get them for MSRP--at least they were honest about cheating me, if you know what I mean.
A little. First I've heard of it.
The reason I asked is, I heard (about 6 weeks ago) that the RAV inventory was decreasing (for whatever reason), which would lead to less discounting by dealers. But I don't ~know~ that the inventory is (still) decreasing, so I wanted to know about any marking-up that is going on.
So, what was in the binder marked "Confidential"? Invoice prices? Did the armed security guard then escort you out of the office?
Thanks for the info.
Oh, and it's true - you can't trust the internet.
Trust me on this.
The Confidential Binder only contained the MSRP for the base models plus all the options, but it confirmed that column on the Edmunds TMV print-out and when we did the math together, the saleswoman had to concede that she was charging MSRP+$500.00. No guards came by, but the manager told me he would love to have my business--as I was walking out!
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
Frequently takes nose dive and hesitates when trying to make turn in front of traffic. Very dangerous since you never know if you will have that extra zip you some times need. Dealer said no problem found. Never had this issue with Honda CRV. If Honda only had the RAV 4 styling it would be a non brainer for me to buy Honda. Oh well to each his own enjoy your RAV 4 I like everything else but Accura MDX may be next for me. I push the shift button to turn over drive off and also put it in gear 2 automatic but no help when it takes this nose dive you just suddenly seem to have no acceleration or power. A really strange feeling you have to have it happen to you to understand it. I have floored it when this happens, given it a little more gas but nothing happens. This can happen in warm weather, cold weather, not related to how long car has warmed up. Have seen this posted as know issue here before.
RAV-4 2001 with 13000 miles had this front brake noise and dealer (turned rotors/machined) and replaced pads. Seemed to fix problem but never had to have rotors repaired with this low of miles usually more like 40,000 miles. Just a heads up that there is a brake problem with Rav 4--saw this posted here a number of times and in RAV 4 forum. The real problem is when you need brakes the next time you have to buy new rotors since they say they can only be machined once. They are very expensive--Toyota should replace them with new ones--rotors since they are defective. I drive like a little old school teacher no riding brakes or sudden stops all the time-- so know I did not cause it. A first for me after about 25 different cars. Back to Honda next year or so--my CRV after 26,000 miles had never been to the dealer once. Love the style of 2001 RAV 4 traded in 2000 CRV but do not need the maintenance issues. Wonder if Highlander has any of these problems because I sure like the Toyota styling. The sudden loss of power concerns me the most wonder if anyone has heard of a fix for this issue as it seems to be an ongoing issue with RAV 4. If you take this to dealer 3 times for the same problem is it then a lemon law thing????
The dealer you went to obviously isn't good. My Rav had squeaky brakes (not a safety issue, just annoying), and all the dealer had to do is put on the new redesigned PADS, NOT ROTORS, per the TSB. Cost me nothing, and the brakes are silent. No need to turn rotors, so actually I got 10,000 free miles on the brake pads.
My Toyotas always go 70k miles on brakes before needing anything, and I drive about 60% city, 40% highway.
Now that I have had a couple of minor squeaks and rattles fixed per the TSB's, the Rav is perfect. My other Toyotas have never been back to the dealer for anything other than routine maintenance and a starter motor at 110,000 miles. Currently 145k on that Corolla, still perfect. Honda is not perfect either. They have their share of problems, as you can read for yourself. Honda and Toyota are tied in reliability.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
I really hated that the Rav-4 went to this new body change, it looks like a lot of other utes. I lost interest when I saw the new ones, others may think the same thing, and that may be the reason the new Rav-4s are not selling well.
Thanks for the input from others that have had this and hopefully my dealer will respond and fix this. There obviously is a fix if they care to do it.
Hope your new ride is working out well.
Others: kevin called his problem RAV4 the 'Charlie Brown Edition' on another site. ;->
-ss4 (aka ejpede)