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Toyota RAV4 2008
Does anyone know when the 2008 will be out? Any word on changes?
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There are no specific cues from Toyota at this time, but I am expecting cosmetic changes to front and rear lamp designs, some cosmetic additions to the Limited model and probably a refreshened interior design. I am also expecting either a 5-speed auto on the base 2.4 engine or more power from the engine - or both.
Just take a look at changes made to the current Sienna and 4Runner in their 3rd year and we should expect a similar treat for Rav4. I dont expect a carry over in the 3rd year.
These are just my speculations or wish list.
Yassy, can you share any more info on possible changes? Thanks
The RAV4 maintains all interior and safety enhancements for 2008. All models now feature driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and first- and second-row side-curtain airbags with roll-over sensor as standard equipment. RAV4 models carry a base MSRP that ranges from $21,100 for the base model 2WD four-cylinder to $26,670 for the 4WD Limited V6. Total RAV4 average MSRP increases $150 or 0.6 percent.
Link to Source
http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/rav4/gallery.aspx
http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@- @1689242668.1186254556@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddljemflficfngcfkmdfkidfgf.0&navRoot- =toyota_1024_root&portal=null&nodiv=TRUE&edname=RV4_gal&catname=%2ftoyota_1024_r- oot%2fmain_nav%2fpageTopNav%2fZone+RAV4&menuid=45829&zone=Zone+RAV4&skin=-1undef- ined&id=RV4_gal
If Honda offer a V6, I'm headed there. :P
Good-o, blessed are you.
Projector beam headlamps have been brought into the market not to benefit YOU, but to benefit the oncoming driver.
Ever since HID healamps entered the marketplace there have been complaints, justifiable complaints, by oncoming drivers.
We all already know, or certainly should know, that HID headlamps are brighter, offer a wider spectrum of light, closer to actual sunlight, and provide more lumins/watt than their halogen counterpart.
So the "race" was on. First, "shading" appertures to provide SHARP high level (elevation) lighting cutoff. Then "auto-leveling" to compensate for vehicle loads and help keep the HID lighting out of the eyes of oncoming drivers. Then Bi-xenon.
Now we have projector headlamps since they provide a more tightly focussed, focussing, HID forward low beam lighting. Also with internal apperture upward "shading", auto-leveling, swiveling in tight low speed turns, etc.
I'm not sure that last, swiveling, would have been practical absent projector lenses.
I just retrofitted my '01 Mustang convertible with HID projection headlamps purchased on Ebay. Not as good, not as "broad" light coverage overall as my '01 RX300 factory HIDs, but a definite improvement.
Now I have to add a relay and maybe a diode or two so the low beam HID projectors remain on in high beam mode.
If they don't, I can't believe Toyota offers a really tricked out RAV4 in Europe (Rav4 XTR) which has nav and push button start and no spare on the rear door, but not in the US
Honda CR-V has Nav
NOT!
In the "beginning" a hard disk was used and then that evolved into the use of a DVD player. Not something that could easily be made portable. But nowadays with solid memories coming into the market the current trend is most definitely AWAY from captive nav systems and toward portable, hand held nav systems.
Just think of the many advantages.
Like being distracted via cell phone use, now you can kill yourself and your passengers as you drive along while "setting-up" your portable nav system.
That is not to say that portable units are not also becoming more common. They are in many cases, such as in the case of the Garmin Nuvi 660, the equal of the integrated units although not so aesthetically pleasing and a bit more cumbersome in setting them up and removing them from the dashes.
Just think of all those past generations of drivers who had no idea where they were or how to get to where they were going! :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Just think of the many advantages."
You are not making sense. What is the source for your statement?.
The market for portible nav is to address vehicles without nav.
If all cars came with built in nav, then portible would be less in demand (for motorcycle, bikes, jogger etc).
I have a garmin portible and I like it. But it's not voice activated. The big plus for me is the text to speech in the garmin. I can also get software updates over the web, simply by plugging in a USB cable to my PC
The downside is setting the unit up on the dash each time I drive.
Having a nav system built in that can be voice activated will reduce the need to "set up" while driving.
Then there is the convenience factor of not having to plug it in the power socket, set it on the dash and have wires dangling all over the place
Others have asked about GPS. This site claims to have one that is Rav compatible - http://www.oemvalue.com/toyota.htm, but it replaces the entire stereo system.
I like the mpg of the Rav4 but I am not sure about the rear door that opens to the left. Can anybody tell me how it works for you? Is it really as bad as some people say it is?
Toyota's are good reliable cars. I am not sure about the reliability of Hyundai but they have come a long way. The Rogue is nice but is the first year of the car and I am hesitant about buying the first year those cars always have bugs. Any information would be helpful. thanks.
Santa Fe is huge and relatively luxurious. Rav4 feels a bit smaller (compact) but it is a Toyota like you say, however, in Canada, it is tremendously overpriced. Finally the Rogue is TINY, similar to a Tucson, fells like a large car, no more and has a smaller engine. Have you ckecked the Outlander?
He didn't like the overall look.
What do you know about the reliability of the Hyundai Santa Fe? We keep our cars for at least ten years.
It is looking more and more like the Santa Fe is our car. My husband is 6'1" so we have to get something that is spacious and comfortable.
Thanks for the info.
How bad is the rear door? How inconvenient is it? Can anybody tell me.
If I do buy the RAV4 I would like the 2008 model.
While the door wasn't a deal breaker, it was inconvenient (why couldn't it as least swing the other way to allow easy & safe curbside loading?) and one of a few reasons why we opted for a Santa Fe. If we lived in the suburbs, the rear door would be a non-issue.
Try renting a RAV4 and see if it works for you.
If you do not do much parallel parking, you will be fine with the rear door opening to the side. My wife actually loves it. It opens just like any side door. She does not have to pull down a heavy gate as she does in our Buick Rendezvous.
For what it's worth, I love it! Drives great, is quiet, and I had a very tall person sit in both the front and back and said there was plenty of head room. I was also able to sell my 97 Camry for above Blue Book in less than 12 hours on Craigslist...going to keep buying Toyotas!
The stereo rocks too!
I ordered a 2008 Limited RAV4 $WD 6cyl earlier this week. It is due in by the end of next week. Also I'm driving a 97 Camry but was thinking about trying to see what the dealer will give me for it. Do you mind sharing what you paid for your RAV 4 and and what you got for the Camry? I assume your Camry was in pretty good shape which mind is not -- it needs struts, back brakes and it's now at the age where it is burning oil at an alarming rate.