Rav 4 Owner Opinions Please

[Klayfish]

If you're happy with it, then that's all that matters. My antenna went up when I heard $6000 off sticker price. As I said, I don't know the specifics of your vehicle, but in all of my experience when I hear something like $xxxx.xx off the MSRP or "sticker price" it isn't what the dealer wants you to think it really is. Car prices are a game that dealers like to play, and they're pretty good at it. But again, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is if you're happy. I'm a bargain hunter, especially with cars, so just my nature.

 

[cvjw]

We purchased our sons rav 4 right after Labor Day. It was a great time to purchase, the dealer was very motivated to sell. The sticker price for his rav 4 was about $35,000. We drove out for $31,000 after paying over $2000 in taxes alone.

 

[Eureka]

I have a 2012 and love it. I like being higher up on the road to see better and it gives me that without feeling like I am driving something huge.

 

[erin1715]

We had one years ago and I thought it rode a little rough and then we just got another one last year thinking it may have improved but I have to say I still think you feel all the bumps in the road with it. I don't think it rides smooth. But we'll keep it forever because that's what we do with cars.

 

[Distinkt]

We had two at once, a sport model and a 2011 V6 Limited with AWD, etc. We LOVE THEM, and would buy another. We did sell the sport for a Sienna van because we now have too many grandchildren to transport in the Rav. We did use the middle back seat and seat belts, but it is small for three large people. I hate we traded the one Rave 4 bc I miss it, but my husband thought it made sense not to keep it since there are only two of us. He took my Rav for his work car and I got the van. I miss my Rav and have threatened to buy another making us a 3 car family. I would not hesitate to get another. Love, love, love them.

 

[jeepnjudy]

I have a 2010 and love it. Most reliable vehicle I have owned. No major mechanical issues, just maintenance and I'm almost at 200K miles!!

 

[savannahcat]

We had one years ago and I thought it rode a little rough and then we just got another one last year thinking it may have improved but I have to say I still think you feel all the bumps in the road with it. I don't think it rides smooth. But we'll keep it forever because that's what we do with cars.

Same here. We have a 2013 and that's really my only complaint about it. It bothers me enough that I would not buy another one. We do have rough winters here, though, and our roads don't necessarily get the repairs that they need over the summer months.

 

[erin1715]

Same here. We have a 2013 and that's really my only complaint about it. It bothers me enough that I would not buy another one. We do have rough winters here, though, and our roads don't necessarily get the repairs that they need over the summer months.

I could have written this, haha. Rough winters, poorly patched roads, etc. And I also won't buy another after this one.

 

[kristenrice]

I could have written this, haha. Rough winters, poorly patched roads, etc. And I also won't buy another after this one.

Uh...do you happen to live in Michigan??

We will be in the market for a replacement for my 2004 Suburban within the next year. I'm looking for a slightly smaller vehicle, but AWD/4WD is a must for the winter in West Michigan. I told DH that whatever we decide, it has to last at least another 15 years so I want to make sure I am happy with it. While I would prefer a 3rd row seat, I know that I will only "need" that feature for another 5 years, while the kids are still in school sports. After that, I would prefer to have options like heated leather seats, a sunroof and a remote starter. So, I have now been swayed into the "small" SUV category. I really like the Subaru Outback. I've also checked out the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Rav-4 but since we are not seriously looking yet and not in a position to buy (at least for another 6 months), I haven't even taken a test drive. I think that will help me narrow my field down a lot more. This thread has been very helpful.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Uh...do you happen to live in Michigan??

We will be in the market for a replacement for my 2004 Suburban within the next year. I'm looking for a slightly smaller vehicle, but AWD/4WD is a must for the winter in West Michigan. I told DH that whatever we decide, it has to last at least another 15 years so I want to make sure I am happy with it. While I would prefer a 3rd row seat, I know that I will only "need" that feature for another 5 years, while the kids are still in school sports. After that, I would prefer to have options like heated leather seats, a sunroof and a remote starter. So, I have now been swayed into the "small" SUV category. I really like the Subaru Outback. I've also checked out the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Rav-4 but since we are not seriously looking yet and not in a position to buy (at least for another 6 months), I haven't even taken a test drive. I think that will help me narrow my field down a lot more. This thread has been very helpful.

Yes we were not in the market to buy until April of 2019 but we happened upon this one with the exterior and interior color I wanted so we thought why not now. We were looking to kill some time and decided to stop at the dealership to see what they had and this one was in the used car section so I inquired the next morning and 4 days later I am a proud owner of it. Love the dependablity of toyota's. Hubby has had 5 car and he put 200K miles on each one with only having to buy tires for them. It was hard to turn over my HHR that I had had for 13 years but it was time. One thing I did was shopped around for financing and found Chase to be the cheapest. Applied online. They sent the info to the dealer and the dealer said they could get us a better deal. I said no I want chase. So it cut the time at the dealership to under an hour.

 

[Klayfish]

Uh...do you happen to live in Michigan??

We will be in the market for a replacement for my 2004 Suburban within the next year. I'm looking for a slightly smaller vehicle, but AWD/4WD is a must for the winter in West Michigan. I told DH that whatever we decide, it has to last at least another 15 years so I want to make sure I am happy with it. While I would prefer a 3rd row seat, I know that I will only "need" that feature for another 5 years, while the kids are still in school sports. After that, I would prefer to have options like heated leather seats, a sunroof and a remote starter. So, I have now been swayed into the "small" SUV category. I really like the Subaru Outback. I've also checked out the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Rav-4 but since we are not seriously looking yet and not in a position to buy (at least for another 6 months), I haven't even taken a test drive. I think that will help me narrow my field down a lot more. This thread has been very helpful.

Do you mean the Subaru Forester? The Outback is a station wagon.

Almost any car on the market now can be had with heated leather, sunroof and remote starter. I live in Atlanta now (born and raised in Philly, so I'm used to winter) and I still use heated seats here.

 

[kristenrice]

Do you mean the Subaru Forester? The Outback is a station wagon.

Almost any car on the market now can be had with heated leather, sunroof and remote starter. I live in Atlanta now (born and raised in Philly, so I'm used to winter) and I still use heated seats here.

Actually, I like the Outback better than the Forester, even though the Outback is a (gasp!) station wagon. It looks a little bigger and the insurance is cheaper too.

 

[Klayfish]

Actually, I like the Outback better than the Forester, even though the Outback is a (gasp!) station wagon. It looks a little bigger and the insurance is cheaper too.

Just making sure. Personally, I absolutely love station wagons and wish there were more of them here in the US. It's a shame they got the "stigma" they did, just like minivans. As I mentioned upthread, I am not a fan of small SUVs...to put it mildly. I'd rather have a wagon, or minivan.

 

[erin1715]

Uh...do you happen to live in Michigan??

We will be in the market for a replacement for my 2004 Suburban within the next year. I'm looking for a slightly smaller vehicle, but AWD/4WD is a must for the winter in West Michigan. I told DH that whatever we decide, it has to last at least another 15 years so I want to make sure I am happy with it. While I would prefer a 3rd row seat, I know that I will only "need" that feature for another 5 years, while the kids are still in school sports. After that, I would prefer to have options like heated leather seats, a sunroof and a remote starter. So, I have now been swayed into the "small" SUV category. I really like the Subaru Outback. I've also checked out the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Rav-4 but since we are not seriously looking yet and not in a position to buy (at least for another 6 months), I haven't even taken a test drive. I think that will help me narrow my field down a lot more. This thread has been very helpful.

Nope, I live in upstate NY.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Wanted to follow up. We took the Rav 4 on a trip fro Ohio to PA and it did great in the mountains. Got great gas mileage of 35 mpg. Was a comfortable ride as well.

 

[kymom99]

Wanted to follow up. We took the Rav 4 on a trip fro Ohio to PA and it did great in the mountains. Got great gas mileage of 35 mpg. Was a comfortable ride as well.

I'm glad you like it. Hope you get lots of good years out of it.

 

[Mjtheprincess]

We have one! Owned it 5 years, bought it certified pre owned. Never cost us a penny other than typical maintenance *knock on wood* I HIGHLY suggest certified pre owned from Toyota

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Uh...do you happen to live in Michigan??

We will be in the market for a replacement for my 2004 Suburban within the next year. I'm looking for a slightly smaller vehicle, but AWD/4WD is a must for the winter in West Michigan. I told DH that whatever we decide, it has to last at least another 15 years so I want to make sure I am happy with it. While I would prefer a 3rd row seat, I know that I will only "need" that feature for another 5 years, while the kids are still in school sports. After that, I would prefer to have options like heated leather seats, a sunroof and a remote starter. So, I have now been swayed into the "small" SUV category. I really like the Subaru Outback. I've also checked out the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Rav-4 but since we are not seriously looking yet and not in a position to buy (at least for another 6 months), I haven't even taken a test drive. I think that will help me narrow my field down a lot more. This thread has been very helpful.

I had and adored 2 of the loooong Chevy Suburbans when I was raising my family. The only reason I had two is the first one got stolen. Those things are tanks. I still would drive one if I could justify it. I loved everything about that car - it sat up high, it was very safe, and there was no question that I could carry whatever I might pick up along the way. And the gigantic gas tank meant I didn't have to get gas very often.

I don't like the newer, boxy body style though. Every time I see a new black one I initially think it's a hearse.