Rav4 Forum?

I just paid off my 04 Tacoma yesterday and I have a baby on the way...I'm looking to buy a Rav4 within the next year or so and I was wondering if there is a forum for that or if anyone here had any input.

 

My mom drives one, I drove it for a while. It's pretty good for a family, good room and everything, but as far as safety, personally I felt like I was driving a tin can around. She feels the same way. Her lease is up in a few months and she'll be moving to a Subaru outback. Gas mileage was also not that great for what it was, that said she had the v6 4wd. But still, 19 mpg on an SUV? That leaves plenty to be desired for. Whatever you decide, good luck

 

Wow. See? THAT'S the kind of info I'm looking for. Thanks.

 

No problem. I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I'd suggest maybe a 4runner or highlander? Both great family cars, plenty of room, good safety, etc etc. We had a highlander before the rav4, my brother absolutely totaled it but he was safe, I was impressed with it. As far as I'm concerned safety should be your number one concern in a family car, and driving the rav4 felt like I was wrapped in aluminum foil just my 2 cents

 

Rav4world.com.

Also are you looking at a brand new one. The new design should be hitting lots in a few months I'd imagine. If you're looking at the current generation, my grandmother picked up a 2012 last spring. I've driven it quite a few times. Nothing wrong with it. A little outdated but it's a solid package. I personally don't feel it's an unsafe vehicle, although I never looked at any crash ratings. They have good space in them and drive nice. I wouldn't bother with the 4cyl. It only gets 1mpg better than the V6 model does, due most in part to the ancient 4spd auto in them. The V6 which is what she has hauls some ass for what it is. Her average overall mpg since she's gotten it is around 22mpg. And she got IIRC around 25-26 on a couple hour highway drive. I don't think that gas mileage is bad at all for something with AWD and 269hp. They've dropped the V6 for the new generation coming out.

 

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/

Edit: ^^ Too slow...

 

I would recommend at least looking into the new ones, in a year or two I plan on seriously looking at them for the wife. They did away with the v6 for 2013 and its a whole new body style

 

Thanks for the forum info. I'll be buying used from CarMax. That's where I got my Tacoma and that's where I'll be buying any other future vehicle.

As for the Highlander, are there any particular editions or years that people prefer? My mother-in-law has a 2010 and while I like the safety, it feels a bit too large.

 

I looked at highlanders aswell but they seem to be more of a van (minus sliding door) type vehicle for people who don't want to admit they have a van

 

Oh, I'm fine with the van thing. As a 28yr old, married, SoCal man who works in a train yard and collects comic books...I have no pride. I do happen to like the "oh look, there goes a Dad" type vehicles. This stems from two things:

1. I like the warm fuzzy feeling of the whole family thing.

2. I have had the opportunity to drive two types of Lamborghini, a Lotus (non-street edition), a $100k Porsche, and an older model Aston Martin and have come to the conclusion that they are all built by the same 4 foot tall, angry at regular sized men asshole.

 

The Rav4 new body style just came out and they look very nice. My wife drives a Highlander and that works for us.

 

Toyota Nation has a Rav4 forum. Do a Google search for crossover SUV or just CUV and read the reviews. Not saying anything bad about Toyota, but there a plenty of options in the market that you're looking in. Here's some links from Auto Gide to get you going on your research:

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/jeep/compass/limited/4wd-4dr/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/dodge/journey/r-t/awd-4dr/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/mazda/cx-5/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/ford/escape/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/nissan/rogue/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/honda/cr-v/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/buick/encore/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/ford/edge/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/nissan/murano/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/toyota/venza/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2013/nissan/pathfinder/index.html

 

Wow. That is very helpful for making a sound, well thought out choice. Thank you very much.

 

No problem...my wife has the bug and I've been researching. I personally like the Ford....please don't kill me

 

I've driven the Escape and while I honestly do like the handling and the safety, I really want to buy Toyota. I love my Tacoma and it has never let me down...

...call me a softy, but I have a pretty strong loyalty to the company. So I guess the issue is just finding the right one.

 

My wife has a 2005 Rav4..got it in 08 after her 96 Tacoma was bought back due to the frame rot.

She drove trucks for many years and said she honestly likes this one just fine. Shortly after buying it we went to a concert..5 adults, a grill, 4 coolers all fit just fine, nothing on the roof.

Hers is the 4 cylinder 4wd. Gets about 23 in the city, 26 hwy. The rear seats can be removed without tools in about a minute if you need more room.

If I wanted an SUV I'd go that way in a second. For something this small it's very roomy and easy to park.

We got hers with 60K, now has 110K. Did rear brakes and calipers last year along with 4 new tires. Only other thing was the windshield wiper arms broke a year after we got it..they froze to the windshield and instead of pulling them off she just kept hitting the switch, no way that's the vehicle's fault.

 

Whoa. I just looked this 05 Rav4 up on CarMax and looked at some reviews...Summary: 05 Rav4 4cl 2wd, 34k miles...$14k +$800 to get it to my CarMax location...I think my choice has been made!

 

We paid $15k for hers in May 08 with 60k..4wd but either way the traction control would be enough for you. She never thought she'd like it as much as her truck (she wanted another Tacoma) but she loves it and will never part with it till it's junk. In California the 4wd wouldn't matter for you.

Come to think of it my boss has a 99..180k and still going strong.

 

Here's the crash ratings on the 2005..4 or 5 stars across the board. Looks good by me. Wifey's has never been hit so I can't speak to it personally.