Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Toyota RAV4, 2006-2012

[Autos_Editor]

Check this practical compact sport utility vehicle for steering problems.

Read More...

[Juke1]

Check this, check that, that's an awful lot of checking   A work colleague has had a less than stellar experience, an annoying no start condition that would require jiggling the shifter, looked at many times only to come back and haunt again.  Premature strut replacement and almost every part in the front end so she says.  Squeaks and rattles from the back area, likely the tire on the door I think.

[redman]

The best aspect of the Rav4 for me has been the 6 cylinder (which they dumped now). The  6 cyl engine beat many of the 4 cylinder competitors in power and fuel economy.

My biggest gripe has been with the fisher price looks, especially the spare tire at the rear. The other but mostly with all Toyota products is the over boosted steering lending itself to almost complete isolation from the road.

Not a true 4wd system but enough to make that group of buyers happy. I could mentioned who were the main group of buyers, but then again why start more useless rambling and debate.

[Spec5]

My brother in law and his wife bought a used one from the states - they've been very happy with it - but I would put my '07 Tucson's old interior ahead of it any day. It definitely was designed in a different age - the replacement will be a welcome sight - well less the no V6 option.

[Vanstar]

When buying any used car, I do a lot of checking. FWIW one should budget a new battery on any used car. It's not like it's a lot of moeny.

[Gardiner Westbound]

When buying any used car, I do a lot of checking. FWIW one should budget a new battery on any used car. It's not like it's a lot of moeny.

Many batteries have a sticker on them that shows the install and/or warranty expiry date.

[Vanstar]

When buying any used car, I do a lot of checking. FWIW one should budget a new battery on any used car. It's not like it's a lot of moeny.

Many batteries have a sticker on them that shows the install and/or warranty expiry date.

True but without the bill of sale for said battery, it would not be possible to get any warranty on it anyway.

Batteries last five years or so; we replace them at this interval because it's cheap insurance.

[life in the slow lane]

When buying any used car, I do a lot of checking. FWIW one should budget a new battery on any used car. It's not like it's a lot of moeny.

Many batteries have a sticker on them that shows the install and/or warranty expiry date.

True but without the bill of sale for said battery, it would not be possible to get any warranty on it anyway.

Batteries last five years or so; we replace them at this interval because it's cheap insurance.

I like your idea of what  I call "preventative maintenance". Its getting old, why take the chance, like you say cheap insurance.

Getting back to the RAV4, as redman says, the exterior designs looks like Fisher Price designed it. I too, really disliked the spare tire location. Also, like Spec5 mentions, the interior is rather dated and hopefully the replacement addresses this with a better looking centre cluster and more soft touch materials. I should talk though our 2002 Subaru Legacys interior is not much better.

[dragonfly]

 The problem with the bursting external oil lines is a first...Why would oil lines burst?  And yes...this would probably lead to a blown engine..and a trip to the junkyard... The steering shaft sounds like another nightmare. How much is that to replace..$1000...2000..Sounds like it might be very expensive. You don't mention cost in the article..This car was ugly when first introduced and got even uglier with time...Jack

[PJungnitsch]

The steering shaft looks like an easy fix:

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/99-4-3-mechanical/91865-how-replace-intermediate-steering-shaft-solve-clunk-problem.html

And the part (at least in the US) is cheap, $91.00.

[chrischasescars]

The problem with the bursting external oil lines is a first...

This is not the first time the oil line problem has been mentioned here. I've been pointing that out in every used Toyota review I wrote in my last two years writing for this site.

[S. Aureus]

I test drove a 3.5 base model, and a 2.5 sport back in 2010.
For some reason, the 2.5 was more responsive in the city, than the 3.5. In the latter, the engine and the gearbox didn't seem to know what the other was doing at the moment. Weird... 

[ArticSteve]

The problem with the bursting external oil lines is a first...Why would oil lines burst?  And yes...this would probably lead to a blown engine..and a trip to the junkyard... The steering shaft sounds like another nightmare. How much is that to replace..$1000...2000..Sounds like it might be very expensive. You don't mention cost in the article..This car was ugly when first introduced and got even uglier with time...Jack

Ya we get it JACK, you blame Toyota for America going into the toilet.  Don't dispare, Canada is close behind. 


Btw, JACK, Toyota will replace all those V6 leaky oil lines regardless of time or mileage on any affected V6 Toyota.   You think the D3 would do that?   

[Snowman]

I see the mods are removing our anti-troll replies.  a little sensitive are we? 

[Snowman]

The problem with the bursting external oil lines is a first...Why would oil lines burst?  And yes...this would probably lead to a blown engine..and a trip to the junkyard... The steering shaft sounds like another nightmare. How much is that to replace..$1000...2000..Sounds like it might be very expensive. You don't mention cost in the article..This car was ugly when first introduced and got even uglier with time...Jack

Ya we get it JACK, you blame Toyota for America going into the toilet.  Don't dispare, Canada is close behind. 


Btw, JACK, Toyota will replace all those V6 leaky oil lines regardless of time or mileage on any affected V6 Toyota.   You think the D3 would do that? 

Yep, had one of them GM 4.3's with the exploding oil lines that cost me $1200 and sent me into the warm embracing arms of Toyota.

[life in the slow lane]

While watching the tellie, a new commercial appeared for the 2013 Rav4. Much better looking on the exterior. The rear spare is gone, which IMHO is a blessing. The front end is different also, looks nicer, but would like to see one in the flesh before passing judgement on it. The commerical showed the interior and the center stack was really all I could see, and again looks better, but again won't pass judgement on it until seen in the flesh.

If I was looking for this size of vehicle, it could be in the running along with the Forester.

[Spec5]

I test drove a 3.5 base model, and a 2.5 sport back in 2010.
For some reason, the 2.5 was more responsive in the city, than the 3.5. In the latter, the engine and the gearbox didn't seem to know what the other was doing at the moment. Weird...

Funny back in 2007 when we bought our Tucson we test drove the V6 as well. I too remember the V6 feeling somewhat... Normal. Like it didn't feel sub 7 second 0-60 time - just waaay too smooth perhaps. But I also remember the tranny being "busy". My BIL's 4 pot oddly enough seemed less anxious almost - like a normal SUV. The V6 almost seemed like it was raring to go all the time. In the end it was a fair bit more expensive than our V6 Tucson and we both preferred the interior on the Viva Edition Tucson vs the Rav.

On another note - guess what I saw pulling into the Toyota lot tonight on my drive home from work!? I think it looks quite nice - the design is definitely Toyota conservative - front end kind of reminds me of the new Camry and the rear like a facelift gone wrong of the previous gen! All in all should sell tons to the elderly crowd! 

[ArticSteve]

Who wrote this article. 

Common Issues:    that windshield wipers are present and functioning        
                                       denting, peeling of paint or other visible damage   

The above are common issues to the Rav? 

Very LAZY reporting about the oil line issue and how it affects all 3.5 Toyotas up to and including my 2009 and that it's a FREE lifetime repair. 

[chrischasescars]

... that it's a FREE lifetime repair.

But some of the replacement rubber hoses are failing too, apparently:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/122-2nd-generation-2008-2013/402325-2gr-fe-v6-lsc90k-recall-oil-line-fails-dealer-wont-cover-damages-warning.html

The metal line Toyota started using in 2008 would be a better solution for older engines with this problem.

[Fobroader]

Sounds like a great all season vehicle, even with a couple of easily repaired problems. Good power out of the V6, roomy and I am one of the weird ones that think thats the perfect place for a spare tire. You try removing a spare from underneath a car when the undercarriage is covered in mud/ice, its really cold, or the snow is really deep.