Author Topic: 08 Rav4 lease up, what's next? (Read 1054 times)

mmorriso · « **on:** January 24, 2012, 03:23:51 pm »

My father in-law has a lease expiring on April 1 on a 2008 Rav4 Limited 4cyl and is thinking of getting something similar on a 3 yr lease. The lease will be a business expense and the intent is to buy it personally at the end of the term. Any advice on a favourable lease deal and experience with smallish SUVish vehicles would be appreciated. I am estimating the budget to be $35K with AT, fuel economy and long term reliability as top criteria as this vehicle will be used in retirement.

The best deal may be on an 11 RAV4 if they are available?

Not sure if the new CR-V or CX-5 will be available in time or if there will be any deals to have since they are so new?

I suggested looking at a Venza or Outback but that didn't go too far based on the wagonish looks.

How is the CVT on the Forester?

How is the 4cyl in the Santa Fe?

Personally I would pony up for an RX350 but I'm not the one shopping!

Thanks in advance for your input.

Spec5 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:16:02 pm »

Santa Fe 4cyl is pretty anemic. Also there's a new one due out in like a month or two.

Kia Sportage SX (274hp) is about $36 but he might be able to get into one for under 35 - would be plenty happy with the performance of that thing I'm sure. Check out the Sorento EX V6 as well if he wants something bigger - my sister bought one this summer and they're VERY nice for the $$$ lease rates I believe are 3.9%. Both Kia and Hyundai are very solid on the reliability and have some of the longest warranties in the business at 5/100k kms.

Keep us posted! Lots of great advice to follow I'm sure.

johngenx · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:21:30 pm »

Forester has 4-speed AT, not a CVT. The trans is an old design, but the redeeming quality is that it's super durable. If you are keeping the car, the AT equipped Forester make some sense. Overall reliability is very good, and the old automatic can go 350K or more with normal servicing...

EV Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:23:22 pm »

Isn't there a redesigned RAV coming up? That or the current, as long as it comes with a V6. Excellent reliable engine and almost as good on fuel. Kia Sorento would be another good option, but long term resale might not be as high.

If it is a keeper, I'd personally stay away from boosted direct injected engines.

Spec5 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:30:40 pm »

Quote from: EV Dan on January 24, 2012, 10:23:22 pm

Isn't there a redesigned RAV coming up? That or the current, as long as it comes with a V6. Excellent reliable engine and almost as good on fuel. Kia Sorento would be another good option, but long term resale might not be as high.

If it is a keeper, I'd personally stay away from boosted direct injected engines.

Couple good points there. Probably get some good deals on them as well since the styling is starting to get long in the tooth. Nice thing about the Rav is the super low load floor. With the spare tire on the rear door instead of under the floor you get a LOT more room vertically. My brother in law has one and I was amazed at how much more stuff he could put in there vs our Tucson that has the tire under the floor. MUCH lower lift over height - might be handy or something to keep in mind for an older gent.

airbalancer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:53:10 am »

the new cr-v are in the dealers

Juke1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2012, 08:06:19 am »

The Equinox deserves a good look. Would be high on my shopping list.

Spec5 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2012, 08:24:14 am »

Quote from: airbalancer on January 25, 2012, 06:53:10 am

the new cr-v are in the dealers

They are but you might have to look really hard - they're not much different than last years!

Shnak · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:58:24 pm »

The Kia Sorento with the 2.4L DI engine (from the Sonata) might be a good option. Decent performance, good fuel economy, great overall package.

Juke1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2012, 01:27:27 pm »

Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 12:58:24 pm

The Kia Sorento with the 2.4L DI engine (from the Sonata) might be a good option. Decent performance, good fuel economy, great overall package.

The Sorento is an awesome looking vehicle and very comfortable, but my test drive I found it underpowered with the 4. Exceptional turning radius btw!

Shnak · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2012, 01:41:50 pm »

Quote from: Juke1 on January 25, 2012, 01:27:27 pm

Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 12:58:24 pm
The Kia Sorento with the 2.4L DI engine (from the Sonata) might be a good option. Decent performance, good fuel economy, great overall package.

The Sorento is an awesome looking vehicle and very comfortable, but my test drive I found it underpowered with the 4. Exceptional turning radius btw!

Recently? They've only added the 2.4L from the Sonata for MY2012, IIRC.

I drove one when it first came out with the old 2.4L (that's still in the Santa Fe today), and it felt very slow. It's a fine engine in my car, but in the heavier Sorento, it was simply outmatched. The new 2.4L DI has to be a much better fit for the Sorento.

Juke1 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2012, 01:53:58 pm »

Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 01:41:50 pm

Quote from: Juke1 on January 25, 2012, 01:27:27 pm
Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 12:58:24 pm
The Kia Sorento with the 2.4L DI engine (from the Sonata) might be a good option. Decent performance, good fuel economy, great overall package.

The Sorento is an awesome looking vehicle and very comfortable, but my test drive I found it underpowered with the 4. Exceptional turning radius btw!

Recently? They've only added the 2.4L from the Sonata for MY2012, IIRC.

I drove one when it first came out with the old 2.4L (that's still in the Santa Fe today), and it felt very slow. It's a fine engine in my car, but in the heavier Sorento, it was simply outmatched. The new 2.4L DI has to be a much better fit for the Sorento.

Spring of 2010 we test drove it, it was a 2011 with a 4 http://www.autos.ca/kia/day-by-day-review-2011-kia-sorento-ex-v6

I convinced him to get a Rondo instead, far more practical with the 2 big pups.

Shnak · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:10:48 pm »

Quote from: Juke1 on January 25, 2012, 01:53:58 pm

Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 01:41:50 pm
Quote from: Juke1 on January 25, 2012, 01:27:27 pm
Quote from: Shnak on January 25, 2012, 12:58:24 pm
The Kia Sorento with the 2.4L DI engine (from the Sonata) might be a good option. Decent performance, good fuel economy, great overall package.

The Sorento is an awesome looking vehicle and very comfortable, but my test drive I found it underpowered with the 4. Exceptional turning radius btw!

Recently? They've only added the 2.4L from the Sonata for MY2012, IIRC.

I drove one when it first came out with the old 2.4L (that's still in the Santa Fe today), and it felt very slow. It's a fine engine in my car, but in the heavier Sorento, it was simply outmatched. The new 2.4L DI has to be a much better fit for the Sorento.

Spring of 2010 we test drove it, it was a 2011 with a 4 http://www.autos.ca/kia/day-by-day-review-2011-kia-sorento-ex-v6

I convinced him to get a Rondo instead, far more practical with the 2 big pups.

Pretty sure you drove the old 2.4L then... not the new one.

Jaeger · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:35:20 pm »

Quote from: Spec5 on January 24, 2012, 10:16:02 pm

Santa Fe 4cyl is pretty anemic. Also there's a new one due out in like a month or two.

Agreed, but a V6 Santa Fe can be had for well under the budget price. My sister got a screaming deal on hers, and she couldn't be happier with the purchase.

I don't have a lot of experience in the SUV / CUV market, but I know that she is one extremely happy customer.

Jaeger

Juke1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:39:20 pm »

Oh I see, they added DI, nice. That surely makes a difference, 191 hp vs 175 hp

Juke1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:41:03 pm »

Quote from: Jaeger on January 25, 2012, 02:35:20 pm

Quote from: Spec5 on January 24, 2012, 10:16:02 pm
Santa Fe 4cyl is pretty anemic. Also there's a new one due out in like a month or two.

Agreed, but a V6 Santa Fe can be had for well under the budget price. My sister got a screaming deal on hers, and she couldn't be happier with the purchase.

I don't have a lot of experience in the SUV / CUV market, but I know that she is one extremely happy customer.

Jaeger

That truck aged well, still sharp very after 5 years.

EV Dan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:14:13 pm »

Quote

That truck aged well, still sharp very after 5 years.

-it's not a truck

Otherwise an excellent choice, esp. with a V6. I test drove it years ago. It's quiet, powerful, should be even better with a recently updated 6auto. It is their soon outgoing design, but they must have nailed every bug in it by now.
Like I said before, in terms of future resale, reliability and driving enjoyment you can't beat the 6cyl.

mmorriso · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:38:45 pm »

thanks for the comments so far. the car well be keeper and log fairly low mileage so a v6 may be a viable option. good to know the forester is a traditional AT. the last gen crv didn't get a test drive in 08 due to the front end and i don't think any domestics are on the radar at all.

serious shopping probably won't start until march but i'll pass on all of the great info from you guys.

from doing a few build & price quotes online new vehicles sure do get expensive as you move up the trim level ladder! i'll double check if a suv is a real need or want.

thanks again

m

Snowman · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:20:24 pm »

I had a look at the new CR-V at NAIAS and it is worthy of consideration.

airbalancer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:37:02 pm »

Quote from: EV Dan on January 25, 2012, 04:14:13 pm

Quote
That truck aged well, still sharp very after 5 years.
-it's not a truck

Otherwise an excellent choice, esp. with a V6. I test drove it years ago. It's quiet, powerful, should be even better with a recently updated 6auto. It is their soon outgoing design, but they must have nailed every bug in it by now.
Like I said before, in terms of future resale, reliability and driving enjoyment you can't beat the 6cyl.

I tried a Santa Fe, sure is no truck, could not get comfortable driving it