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Opinions on the RAV4?

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by Outbound, Oct 6, 2017.

  1. Oct 6, 2017 at 9:29 AM
    #1
    Outbound

    Outbound [OP] SSEM #2.5, Token AmeriCanadian

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    Aaron
    Northern Alberta
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    2022 CrewMax TRD Off Road, MGM of course.
    We're a year, two tops away from my girl needing her own vehicle so we're starting our research now. It's gotta be all wheel drive for sure. We're eyeballing the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Outback. I'm wondering if there's anything I should know about them. Any years to avoid? New vs used?

    Our main uses will primarily be a daily in town driver, possible kid hauling, dog transport, road trips when we don't need to haul stuff, shorter fishing trips which will involve gravel roads, very light offroad, and possibly but unlikely pulling a small trailer with a 12ft boat.
     
  2. Oct 6, 2017 at 9:42 AM
    #2
    Bob

    Bob Member Staff Member

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    Bob
    SoCal
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    I have a relative with a 2012 RAV4 which he uses as a daily driver. Drives great, zero issues so far.

    It's also pretty roomy... I'm tall and don't feel cramped at all driving it.
     
  3. Oct 6, 2017 at 11:47 AM
    #3
    Outbound

    Outbound [OP] SSEM #2.5, Token AmeriCanadian

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    Aaron
    Northern Alberta
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    That's good to know. My girl and I are both about 5'6" so most vehicles have lots of room. LOL. Our biggest concerns with a new vehicle are comfort on long road trips (8+ hours in a day), fuel economy and reliability. I have never had very good luck with used vehicles so I'm hesitant buying another used one. But if a 4 year old RAV4 is pretty well certain to last me 5 - 10 more years I'd consider it.
     
  4. Mar 6, 2018 at 2:34 PM
    #4
    BHarry

    BHarry New Member

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    Northern Nevada
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    2014 BRM CM TRD
    Bump...looking at one for my wife. Considering a certified used 2017 XLE. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated :cheers:
     
    Eclipsed & Floating likes this.
  5. Mar 6, 2018 at 2:54 PM
    #5
    dandailey

    dandailey King Tundra

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    Dan D
    Newport News Va.
    Vehicle:
    2015 TRD 4x4 DC Tundra 5.7 Blue Ribbon
    Bakflip Revolver X2 ,Nestahedition Firestalk antenna, TRD dual exhaust, WeatherTech liners, in channel deflectors, 20% tint front, Tundra bed mat.AFE pro dry s filter,SA XDM 3.8 compact 9mm., Wheel to wheel N-Fab 3 steps.Lamin-X yellow on fogs, Bilstein 6112's top setting, BFG KO2's 275/70-18.Pioneer HU, JL RD amp, Focal speakers everywhere.
    Forget the subaru. Wife has a '17 Rav4 SE. Excellent vehicle and fun to drive .
    2016-12-11 12.46.32.jpg
     
    Outbound[OP], BHarry and Y0TA PR0 like this.
  6. Mar 6, 2018 at 3:18 PM
    #6
    Borgs

    Borgs New Member

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    Pro Grill and Bulge TRD sway BAK MX4 Tonneau
    My wife had a 2007 RAV4. We had our fair share of issues and got rid of it a soon as we could. Hopefully the quality of the newer Generation improved. She now has had a Subaru Forester (we liked the Outback but the dog crate wouldn’t fit in the back) for 4 years (bought it new in 2013) and it has been the best car we’ve ever had. No issues (60k miles now on the clock) great gas mileage, feels a lot more solid than the Rav, and is a dream in the rain and snow.
     
    NewImprovedRon and Outbound[OP] like this.
  7. Mar 6, 2018 at 3:21 PM
    #7
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Andrew
    Virginia Beach, VA
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    17' Tundra SR5, 12' Tacoma TRD offroad
    My father just bought a 2018 SE a couple months ago, so far he really likes it. Doesn't have enough miles yet to really report any reliability/longevity concerns.
     
  8. Mar 6, 2018 at 3:26 PM
    #8
    Spitfire

    Spitfire New Member

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    Long Island
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    Wife just leased an '18 se... so far so good... looked at the rogue too which they were the cheapest and the most loaded.. didn't trust that cvt engine though... we got them way down on the rav as well.. one thing that bothers me is the seats are narrow.. I have a wide back from training and it's almost like the seats push your shoulders into a bad postural position... Wife is thin so non issues with her
     
    driverdog and Outbound[OP] like this.
  9. Mar 6, 2018 at 4:24 PM
    #9
    nowayout

    nowayout New Member

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    Jason
    NY
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    Why not 4runner? Just bought one for the wife and its awesome. Great visibility, great seats, and got it for $4500 off sticker. There was a dealer a little further for $5000 off sticker. They hold their resale better than anything else too.
     
    boostedtrdpro likes this.
  10. Mar 6, 2018 at 4:40 PM
    #10
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    Texas
    424FCB50-32E0-41A3-B20F-147F31DBC3E4.jpg
     
    BHarry likes this.
  11. Mar 6, 2018 at 4:50 PM
    #11
    757TUNDRA

    757TUNDRA Not a New Member

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    Tim
    Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2018 Barcelona Red Metallic Platinum 4x4
    OEM Bed Cover, OEM Bed Rail System, OEM Bedmat, OEM Doorsill Protectors, OEM TRD Rear Sway Bar, OEM Color Matched Door Handles, OEM Color Matched Mirror Caps, OEM Bed Net, OEM Driver Side Grab Handle, BFG K02 LT275/60/20, WeatherTech Digifit FloorLiners, Salex OCD Console Organizer, Salex Console Tray
    My wife has a '17 Rav4 Limited and we love it ... she won't drive anything else. We only have one kid (11 year old son) so there's tons of room for the three of us. It's spacious enough to haul luggage and other junk yet small enough to get around tight spaces in the city. We've had it 10 months and have had zero issues. We've averaged 26.5 mpg overall since we bought it (90% driving in town) but have gotten 33 mpg's a number of times on road trips. She had a '14 Limited before that and loved it as well ... zero issues in the three years we had it. We've never tried towing anything (don't have a hitch on it) so I can't speak to how it may tow your 12' boat, but I would think it would handle it fine.
     
    Outbound[OP] and BHarry like this.
  12. Mar 6, 2018 at 5:20 PM
    #12
    BHarry

    BHarry New Member

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    We are looking for something fairly economical because she puts on a lot of miles for her job. I wanted the 4-runner, but I think the RAV4 will be better for the amount of driving she does (mostly in town). Plus, I won’t be as tempted to spend my Tundra funds on her mods...:spending:
     
  13. Mar 6, 2018 at 6:37 PM
    #13
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    You probably can't go wrong with either. I know some of the older 2.5L boxer engines had issues with head gaskets, but otherwise they're really solid. My parents have a 2011 Forester and haven't had a single issue with it.
     
    Borgs and BHarry like this.
  14. Mar 7, 2018 at 5:33 AM
    #14
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Sean
    SoCal
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    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    My MIL has a 2000 Rav4 manual trans AWD with about 60k on it. White! I absolutely love that car. Its not the best on mpg but not horrible. A blast to drive though. I use it whenever im in Vegas to hit the town. Tundra stays safe parked in her gated community.
    I always look forward to driving it.
     
  15. Mar 7, 2018 at 6:42 AM
    #15
    LlamaResistance

    LlamaResistance Member

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    Brian
    Concord, CA
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    2017 White Crewmax SR5 TRD Offroad
    MLED Retrofitted Platinum Headlights, Ranch Hand bumper, Firestone airsprings, Leer 100XR Shell, Amp Research Steps
    Only grip we have with my wife's '14 XLE is a lack of rear vents. Took it over Donner pass in the middle of a decent storm and it did just fine through the snow. 24.7 mpg combined for us. Fits my 6'4" frame with a rear facing car seat behind it just fine. Little small in the back for our dogs but one is a 145 lb Malamute.
     
  16. Mar 7, 2018 at 6:53 AM
    #16
    Randy Morton

    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    Randy
    Deepinahearta, Texas
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    2012 Tundra Double Cab, Beta Variant (I call it my Land Yacht)
    A friend had a RAV4, but I'm not sure of the year. He did almost no maintenance, drove it low on oil for quite a while (it was making odd sounds and I checked it for him, three quarts later it was full), and usually drove it until he had to put it in the shop. It ran fine when he gave it to one of his assistants (who maintains it properly) and it's still going as far as I know. Like all Toyotas, they're hard to kill.
     
  17. Mar 7, 2018 at 8:30 AM
    #17
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    JR
    Houston, TX (Suburban South)
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tundra 5.7 L Double Cab TRD 2WD
    TSS 20's with Cooper ATP ll's, N Fab 3 Step Nerf Bars,, Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX, Masters Tailgate Replacement Latch with Camera, 1" Maxtrac Shackles, LED Interiors/Brake/Reverse/Cargo/Fog Bulbs, Fumoto Drain Valve, Toyota Aluminium Oil Filter Housing, TRD Shift Knob, Courtesy Door Projector LEDs with Toyota Emblem, Console Tray and Lower Divider.
    Coworker bought his son a 2013 Rav4 recently, first car, he is very pleased.
     
  18. Mar 8, 2018 at 7:45 AM
    #18
    BayRunner

    BayRunner I’m here, except when I’m not

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    Took the truck in for scheduled maintenance and saw this while walking the floor. This is one sharp RAV4 blacked out like this.

    rav4.jpg
     
    drhntr, driverdog, TheBeast and 3 others like this.
  19. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:01 AM
    #19
    JC303

    JC303 Same same but different

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    Justin
    Aurora, Colorado
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    I have a friend with a 2014 and it is surprisingly spacious inside. All she has done is tires and oil changes. No problems at all. It drives well and I would like to get that or a 4runner for the wife. She just loves her Subaru Forester. Good luck with the search.
     
    BHarry likes this.
  20. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:06 AM
    #20
    Spitfire

    Spitfire New Member

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    That has the heating steering wheel I think.. be nice to have right about now in ny
     
  21. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:36 AM
    #21
    mtTundra

    mtTundra New Member

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    Matt
    Bozeman MT
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    Longer list than the wife needs to know about....
    I had a 2011 Legacy (Same thing as an outback minus the suspension). The car was great except for the CVVT transmission. In stop and go traffic I hated it. On long road trips it was an awesome vehicle. Great gas mileage, fast enough, and comfortable.
    Sold it with 100K on it and never had an issue other than a bent rim. (turns out they can't take a pothole like the Tundra).
     
  22. Mar 8, 2018 at 10:44 AM
    #22
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    JR
    Houston, TX (Suburban South)
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    TSS 20's with Cooper ATP ll's, N Fab 3 Step Nerf Bars,, Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX, Masters Tailgate Replacement Latch with Camera, 1" Maxtrac Shackles, LED Interiors/Brake/Reverse/Cargo/Fog Bulbs, Fumoto Drain Valve, Toyota Aluminium Oil Filter Housing, TRD Shift Knob, Courtesy Door Projector LEDs with Toyota Emblem, Console Tray and Lower Divider.
    It seems with some of your needs / uses I would lean 4Runner - as mentioned. You could get a Gen4 2003-2009 4x4 or a possibly Latest gen. The gas mileage will be less but a much more rugged SUV. I bet resale would be better too.
     
  23. Mar 8, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    #23
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Houston, TX (Suburban South)
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    TSS 20's with Cooper ATP ll's, N Fab 3 Step Nerf Bars,, Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX, Masters Tailgate Replacement Latch with Camera, 1" Maxtrac Shackles, LED Interiors/Brake/Reverse/Cargo/Fog Bulbs, Fumoto Drain Valve, Toyota Aluminium Oil Filter Housing, TRD Shift Knob, Courtesy Door Projector LEDs with Toyota Emblem, Console Tray and Lower Divider.
    Nevermind. I just saw your reply to this suggestion earlier.
     
  24. Mar 8, 2018 at 10:55 AM
    #24
    RudyTheCuban

    RudyTheCuban Rudy

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    North Florida
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    TRD Exhaust TRD Rear Sway bar. TRD Cold Air Intake TRD Pro engine guard. TRD Sport front and rear red anti-sway bars. Front bumper guard/step. Auxiliary step under rear left side bumper. OEM smooth color matched fender flares. Bed extender. Puddle with courtesy lights. Bluetooth phone charger. Bed led lighting.
    My older of two daughters purchased a 2017 RAV4 last year in July.
    She loves her vehicle and suits her well with two large dogs and daily commuting.
     
    BHarry likes this.
  25. Mar 8, 2018 at 11:06 AM
    #25
    Darth Tundra

    Darth Tundra I AM....YOUR FATHER

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    Revtek 2.5 level kit, 295/70/18 on stock rims..no rear mods
    I drove a 17 for a month....liked everything about it ...EXCEPT ROAD NOISE...Especially when its raining :oops:
     
    RudyTheCuban likes this.
  26. Mar 8, 2018 at 11:19 AM
    #26
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT New Member

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    Kyle
    Alaska
    Not a fan of Subarus after 2 of the ones I've had in my family have had catastrophic engine issues.

    2011 Forester (fun to drive, stick) had oil consumption issues and Subaru put a new block in it at 20k miles?

    2008 Impreza Outback Sport (stick) had MAJOR oil consumption issues and ended up in a bad wreck that totaled it out. That car would take 1 quart of oil every gas tank.
     
  27. Mar 8, 2018 at 12:02 PM
    #27
    BHarry

    BHarry New Member

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    I know this isn't my thread, but I really appreciate everyone's input. We are still leaning toward the RAV4, but weighing a couple other options as well. Part of the problem is I have a good friend who works at a dealership and can get great deals, but it is a Buick/GMC dealership. They obviously don't have new Toyotas and have a limited number of low mileage trade ins. I just happened to get lucky when he called me about a very nice blue Tundra they took in on trade! :yes:
     
  28. Mar 8, 2018 at 12:37 PM
    #28
    benrichardson87

    benrichardson87 New Member

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    My wife had a 2013 XLE, put about 19k on it, used it mainly for long trips, took it from WV to Boston one year and got 37mpg, tons of room I'm 6'1 she's 5'2 and 1/4, traded it on a 2016 Tacoma, had a baby traded the Tacoma back in on a 2018 RAV4 Limited, a lot more room for the baby seat. Gets about 26mpg around town, but it only has 650 miles on it.
     
  29. Mar 8, 2018 at 1:13 PM
    #29
    CHESSIEMAN

    CHESSIEMAN New Member

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    STEVE
    PA
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    2023 ICE CAP SR5 CREWMAX
    Wife has a 14 RAV4, not a single problem yet, other than hitting deer. It is also her 3rd RAV4 and we have never had a problem with any them. Just oil changes and tires.
     
  30. Mar 8, 2018 at 4:17 PM
    #30
    ej63090

    ej63090 New Member

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    Eric
    McHenry, Illinois
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    Too small for my liking. My rental car when I got my leather seats in it. Felt smaller than my corolla.
     

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