Buying this week!!

Had a 1980 2 wheel drive blue manual
Had a 1989 Access cab 4 cyl 4x4
Had a black 1996 V6 4x4
nothing but RAV4s since

Looking at a Limited 4x2 live down south never snow, don't drive on the sand on beach yada yada yada, yea I should get the 4x4 but..... yea I know that ONE time I will need it I will curse myself!!

Also looking at the TRD off road 4X4 which is about same price, but most of my driving is highway and suburban city driving . I will use box for kayaks and hauling landscape.

I could also do SR5 with technology package which gives me the blindside and pedestrian cross

Thoughts?? I don't want to break the bank my trade is worth 18 or so 2017 RAV4.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Limited is just more luxury toys, my opinion.

OR has manual locker, but if off-road abilities matter less than price you can make that decision more easily. Crawl Mode and better suspension immediately may no be enough to choose it.

None of the models is good for heavy towing ... just be warned. The first part of the calculation is that about 13% of the trailer weight will be on the tow-hitch. From there you subract weight of what is in the bed, people on board, sliders and skid plates, etc to reach "truck maxed out".

I like 4x4 because you will not ALWAYS be away from roads that require it (camping roads, visiting friends who live in the boonies ...).

Most important is to NOT spend yourself into a downgrade in quality of life. Do not listen to those who say "NO MORE 3RD GENS NEW ... BUY NOW!!!". Do what makes the most sense for you.

 

Oh I get it, I will be honest I'm not gonna tow much, I'm a Kayak Carry in the bed. Move pine straw and mulch. A mower trips to IKEA. Wife likes the comfort . Live in the south , Snow? I ain't driving even with 4X4 bad drivers out there. Plus semi retired so I don't have to be on bad roads. If a 4x4 is available I might spend the extra. Not a money issue. Do I wait for the new model? I am comfortable with this generation and I like the way the truck drives. Spent a week in New Mexico with an SR rental that was beat up at 62,000 and iffy tires and 2 wheel drive. Got me to Santa Fe from Albuquerque many days easily. Even on dusty dirt roads I was fine.

 

As to buying the new gen immediately ... while the debate rages about the 30 in TV screen in the cab or the "obvious" need for read disk brakes or other new features ... many just avoid the newest gen for at least 2 years to let the bugs be worked out. And the new powerplant, even if you wish to trust the reliability, is NOT the same as what you drove in NM because it is 4-cylinder turbo with few if any TRUSTABLE field reports, especially from those who make internet videos under close Toyota supervision.

 

You use case is similar to mine. Which my 13 5 lug fills just fine.

I'll likely never buy a 3rd gen, but if I did it would be an SR or SR 5. Air and a jukebox are all I need.

 

Welcome!