Rav4?

[dave21478]

Does anyone know about these?

 

I quite like the look of them and my sister is making mutterings about 4x4 before the SNOW CHAOS hits.

 

I have spotted a for sale ad that I like the look of, but know nothing. The interior shot just shows a normal gearstick setup. Are they all 4x4 or is there a 2wd version? is it full time 4wd or switchable? any kind of diff locks?

Are they reliable or is the transmission made from the same type of chocolate as a Freelander?

 

Anything else to note?

 

 

cheers,

 

 

 

 

[anonymous user]

A couple of friends have had the early swb ones, both spoke highly of the reliability. I've driven them and they feel small and nippy. As far as i remember permanent 4wd with a button on dash for centre diff lock. The short wheelbase ones are really small inside.

[KruJoe]

Rav4?

 

Yes

 

Do it. An early one. SWB for FUN, LWB for a bit more space. We have one of each here.

 

Nothing else comes close, they're a joy.

They're reliable, just watch for rot at the back of the sills, around the trailing arm mounts, also broken front springs.

The alarm/immobilisers fitted to UK ones as they arrived in the country are a right PITA, but it's no big deal to rip them out. (Do without it (central locking still works) or replace with something good.)

[Cheggers]

My neighbour had a lovely N reg SWB one which she loved dearly...sadly it rusted to death about a year ago. Cracking little car while it was still alive though. The only thing I didn't like was the bland interior.

[Asimo]

The mk 2 does come as front wheel drive only in 1.8 NV spec. in the UK. Other places could have 2wd Mk1s.

 

Neighbour has had one from new, 13 years ago, loves it for all the Toyota reasons and has only had to suffer front wheel drive embarrasment a few times.  

 

Definitely the Autoshite choice among Rav4s.

[J-T]

We've got a 2003 SWB. Full time 4wd, no diff locks, no low range etc (on this shape anyway). We had a freelander a few years back and it's in a different league.

 

Typical toyota really, very well engineered to the point where nothing really goes wrong and it seems dull! Ours is really good on fuel for what it is too - 2.0 pez auto and it does around 34mpg. Timing chain as well.

 

I think the early ones were all 4wd, but there is a pov spec on the later ones that was only 2wd.  I think they're a 1.8 rather than 2.0.

[KruJoe]

permanent 4wd with a button on dash for centre diff lock

Correct ^ (for early ones).

[saucedoctor]

Alternatively, the Hyundai Tucson is worth a look. Slightly bigger. 2.0 petrol is FWD only, 2.7V6 is thirsty. 2.0 disease with later VGT is 136 BHP. FWD mostly, but has a 4WD button on the dash. Can't remember if the 4WD kicks in automagically of there's front wheel slip. Good cars. Try and get a 5 speed manuel. The 6 speed is a pain in the cock - ratios are just rong.

[KruJoe]

Oh, when you have a RAV4, Junkman will* be your friend.

[dave21478]

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

I will see if I can get a look at this one soon....

 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/703080923.htm?ca=16_s

 

The CT has expired and he reckons the timing belt needs replaced. Price is outrageous by UK standards, but pretty low for France.

[KruJoe]

They do look nice in that colour.

 

 

 

The problematic alarms we got are the ones with the rectangular fob, two square buttons, one black, one red. I guess you might have avoided them in France.

[twosmoke300]

Aren't they all that colour ? They are in Cornwall anyway . Good cars tho . Honda crv mk1 is a cracker too and can be bought for pocket money these days

[KruJoe]

We've had three, in Yorkshire, and they've all been this colour:

 

[EssDeeWon]

My mum has had 2x mk2 RAV4's, the first one was written off (X reg I think) then replaced with it with an 03 reg, both nice cars never any issues with either IIRC

[Rocket88]

could i endorse the honda HRV shout........................

[phil_lihp]

CR-V also highly recommended here, quite thirsty but ultra reliable and comfortable and good enough to handle a bit of snow.

[Vince70]

A mate of mine had the 1st Rav 4 that came into the country as he saw one on the interweb in Japan and put his name down for one before it was common knowledge over here.

I think his was white on either an L or M reg plate and he really did rate the car.

 

He did have to have 4 new shocks on his under warranty and Toyota couldn't work out how the shocks were knackered within six months on a vehicle that never went off road.

 

I don't think he told them though that he would jump a hump bridge daily at 60mph.

[tooSavvy]

▲▲▲▲ truly..... the feeling in your arse of 'gravity free mode' is worth the KerrUmpp££

 

 

TS

[Lacquer Peel]

CR-V also highly recommended here, quite thirsty but ultra reliable and comfortable and good enough to handle a bit of snow.

Most 2wd cars are good enough to handle a bit of snow.

[Honey Badger]

Early Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier are coming down into shiter territory these days, slightly* more expensive to run mind, and shit off road, apart from that the 3 litre lump and auto box are unburstable.


CR-V or HR-V are both pretty bullet proof and have part time 4wd.

Caution should be taken driving a HR-V mind, I test drove one and my missis fell about laughing as she said I looked like the campest man in town while driving it, I was so upset I threw my miniature yorkie at her once I got it out of my manbag.

[twosmoke300]

Some hrv's are 2wd too.

The Hrv is a thirsty bugger too , small engine working hard.