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Tell me something; will the manufacturer of a good wax repaint your vehicle if bug splatters etch into your paint after using their product?
Will these same wax companies repaint your car if bird droppings etch into your paint?
Xzilon does this for their customers. Period.
For more, please take it to the Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts) discussion since we're getting off-topic here.
Steve, Host
* chrome trimmed grill
* hard/ locking spare tire shell
* Pollen filter in the ac system
* 6 disk in dash cd player. (optional on the sport)
* leather wrapped wheel and shifter
* interior footwel lighting
* engine immobilizer and alarm wiring prewiring
* optional in limited not available on sport is the rear seat DVD entertainment system and 3rd row seating
We probably do aftermarket leather 10 times a week on everything from Corollas to Siennas to Sequoias.
Clear-Coat is nothing but a coat of paint without pigment. It does next to nothing in protecting your paint from the elements.
Well, I beg to differ. Clear-coat does in fact protect the paint, albeit from the elements, not rocks and scratches etc. If it was just paint without the pigment it would oxidize and get dull. It doesn't. To prove that, try rubbing some car polish or cleaner over a spot and look at the cloth. It'll be clean. Clear coat is some kind of plastic (I don't remember the product name) and can peel
off if it gets damaged by deep scratching etc. Paint won't do that.
Of course this may all be a regional thing. Maybe cars going to different parts of the country get different coatings. I know it protects my finish...sorry about yours. :sick:
Larry
Clear coat is just paint w/o pigment as was stated. It is not some kind of plastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It can get dull and lose brilliance!!
http://www.meguiars.com/faq/index.cfm?faqCat=Paint Questions&faqQuestionID=42&- section=_42#_42
I think the point of most of it is to provide a sacrificial layer to protect the base coat(s).
The best thing to do with a new SUV is to key it yourself and get the first scratch over with. Then you can cruise the narrow little forest service roads, and enjoy it more. :P
Steve, Host
All I can offer is that 4-bangers can be noisy, and can wear out faster that 6's or 8's because they have to work harder.
Anyway, consider power(cubic inches)-to-weight. The vehicle being the same, the 6 will get close to the same mileage because it isn't working as hard. And, It's much quieter and smoother. And if you read deeper in the specs, the gearing is different. The 6 will be geared higher for better mileage and the 4 lower to compensate for less horse-power. Hence, it runs at higher RPM's...shorter life-span.
As for mileage difference: I doubt there would be $100.00 difference in a year of driving. That to me is not worth buying a particular car just to save a few bucks.
Don't forget the fun of driving it too. Cars are too expensive to make a bad decision on. Even if you have to rent one for a week or so to get a feel for it. It's money well spent.
Cheers,
Larry
So you pay your money and take your choice.
In theory correct, but.... Toyota 4c's can expect to go 200K mi plus. That's 15 yrs of 15000 mi per year. That's far in excess of what most drivers will put on a vehicle. Possibly the 4th owner might hit the 250K mark. I'm the exception, I'll hit it in 5 years.
The Hwy mpg ratings between the new 3.5L and the 2.4L are inconsequential so it comes down to initial cost really.
Both are chain driven and really need little or nothing other than oil and air filters for the first 100K mi. If you like the feel of power and the $2000 or $2500 is not an issue go with the V6.
Both engines will serve their purpose very well.
Frank
The IIHS will do their tests when they feel like it. Theirs is the real criteria to consider. The NHTSA test should be out shortly but these tests are a joke and not worth considering.
I my opinion unless you plan to haul heavy loads or have real hills to climb at highway speeds, there is no way to justify the cost of the V6 except in the enjoyment factors: Less noise, smoother and you can rip it once in a while to have fun!
I am waiting to try it.
Enjoy
Frank
If you choose to do so let us know how you like it. I think you'll be impressed.
A lot of SUV owners would kill for that reading.
How long will the break-in period be? Do you think the RAV will run smoother over time - a little jerky and a lot of engine noise right now.
Our first tank was 21 and im sure it will go up too:)
Frank
The reason I may be forced to purchase the 6cyl is because, in Canada, leather and extra air bags are only available with the 6cyl LTD. The increased towing capacity may also be beneficial if I buy a larger fishing boat.
Either motor would be an excellent choice. However, the decision should be based on needs/requirements and personal preferences. With proper maintenance, both should be equally reliable.
That makes small engines pointless since you will spend more money on gas and the frequent engine replacements from all the extra wear they have to withstand.
Lots of info here.
I read an article somewhere and can't find where I bookmarked it, that says the 4 cyl run less rpms due to higher compression etc. Not necessarily just 2006s or Toyotas but 4 cylinders in general for the last few years.
Ken
Given the same level of optimization of fuel burn the 4 cylinder must turn faster to generate that same 25HP.
An average of 3mpg difference between the two (which I think is reasonable and likely) equates to about $220 a year in additional gas expenses (assuming 15k miles and $2.25/gallon), and this is on top of the roughly $2k up-front difference in cost.
No doubt more power is, all things being equal, more fun. But don't try to justify it to yourself (or spread urban legends) by lumping in theories about better reliability and equal fuel economy.
As I need the 3rd row seat, I'd be looking at the V6 Ltd here in Canada (The ONLY version to get a third row, unfortunately) and the only visual difference between the V6 Ltd and the 4cyl Ltd is the discreet V6 badge...I must say that, at least outwardly, the Ltd doesn't look anywhere near like a $36-37,000 vehicle (or almost $39,000 if you want leather & the works, while dropping the 3rd row). Looks more like it should be worth the $32-33K max of the current Rav4, especially with the "low-rent" spare hanging off the back door. The Sienna LE is actually a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the V6 Ltd and, while not exactly a screaming bargain, looks far more substantial and expensive. So the jury is still out. Will have to check out the interior plus 3rd row room (which we need only occasionaly but apparently is less, I read, than the Suzuki XL-7, which is just barely acceptable in my experience). Could go with a Sienna LE for virtually the same price and virtually the same fuel economy, though don't really need the bulk of that vehicle) or may still decide to save over 10 grand and go with a Mazda5 (if they'd give it traction control, a passenger armrest, and ipod jack and a 5 or 6 speed automatic, I'd be sold). Of course, there's always the new Mitsubishi Outlander and Hyundai Sante Fe just around the corner. And I wonder what Honda has in store for us with the next CRV.?
The V6 needs premium to get the fuel economy estimate listed.
Premium costs more per gallon than regular.
The gap may be wider than 3 MPG even with premium if you do lots of city driving.
Avalon drivers often get around 17 mpg in the city and there is no reason to expect an SUV to do better. May not even be able to match the Avalon mileage in the real world.
jerr
Caveat: I am not a car dealer nor salesman. But I really like the 2006 RAV4. It will be my next "rig".
I've owned a Jeep, buick, VW Foxand Passat, LandCruiser, Honda Pilot and Accord, Chrysler Town & Country, Chevy z-71 suburb and Porsche Boxster (and a couple other cars & trucks). I've had big & small, slow & fast, etc. This Toyota Rav4 is awesome.
I drove the 4cyl other day. Seats are tight, handles well, and i like ergonomics.
PROS: It's not too big, not too small, has so many features or options, price point is great, and interior size REALLY IS comparable to mid size suvs and mid size sedans. plus, option for 3rd row for kids.
CONS: Can't get 3rd row w/leather or leather w/3rd row, no option for nav system (guess I'll use Garmin or TOM TOM).
Truly, this RAV4 oughta be one pocket rocket with the six on the road. 268hp with weight under 3500lbs? heck, this might duke it with the BMWx5 and base Porsche Cayenne!
With the RAV4 I can have an suv, sporty ride, awd, safety features, carry others, carry kids to soccer, and haul booty down the highway. Plus, I can get very good gas mileage.
The Acura RDX coming out is smaller and loaded will be 10K more. This is the auto to buy this year if you need a one does it all vehicle..... :shades:
Next ?
Cars optimized for premium generally get lower mpg if you use regular, so at least part of the savings will be lost by additional fuel useage.
I couldn't agree more. The Canadian prices are way way bloated as well. To get side and curtain airbags, Canadians have to drop the 3rd row (the B package). Yes, that's the only way to get the extra airbags: paying for the highest model with the option and deleting the 3rd row. 2007 Rav4, I hope, will add the extra airbags as standard on all models just like Honda CR-V or even Civic.
Still waiting to drive the v6. One dealer in Queens Ny shows that he has them on his website but does not. Just faking it to get calls and orders for April delivery he claims.
Still waiting to drive the v6. One dealer in Queens Ny shows that he has them on his website but does not. Just faking it to get calls and orders for April delivery he claims.