RAV 4, don't s#*t can me please

[alwaysonthefly]

The old man is looking at buying a RAV 4 to do the big one around this gr8 country of ours. Believe me, I've tryed talking him into a VITARA, but he doesn't want to do any serrious off roading, just after a bit of extra ground clearence is all. He will more than likely go an auto, so is no low range an issue? Whats your thaughts on this vehical, and just how capeable and bullet proof are they? What aftermarket gear can you get for em? ie bull bar, suspension upgrades. Thanks in advance

[stets]

my next door neighbor got one of the new 1's for his missus, he drives a gq with a 5ltr and some bits. he said the rav aint bad on the gravel roads and great on wet tar, but it dont like the boggy sand on the beach much, his missus likes it because of the camel ad on tv, go figure. he reckons its a waste of money, but his missus loves him for it, as for my opinion, i didnt like the drive of it, and it felt a bit top heavy.

[Big_Waity]

My mate's oldies own a new Rav. His mum loves it cause it's cute and easy to drive. His old man hates it cause it has very little power and is uncomfy and is very heavy on the juice for a small car. I took it for a drive the other night and was very unimpressed. I really don't get the softroader thing, it's like buying a vehicle that has the downsides of a 4wd with the dowsides of a car... either way, if I were to go a softroader, I prefer the x-trail. My mum owns one. She loves it, I enjoy driving it but would never buy one. Haven't done any real 4wding in it although drove one on sand a while back and wasn't hugely dissapointed...

[Magnat]

To Tour around Australia, the LWB V6 Vitara would be my choice..(I own the 1.6litre and it sits on 3600rpm at 110kph, a bit high for constant driving)
I found the xtrail, whilst on highways was alot friendlier to drive, it felt a bit distant and tended to float requiring a constant mind on the road...

People have toured Australia in Subaru Out backs but they didnt tow anything.. I think the Rav4 would do OK... wouldnt be my choice but would do OK..

I would go the Vitara as when your touring around Australia, you never know what conditions are going to be like and it would be comforting to know if low range was ever needed, it would be there...

[Prado255]

I met a guy in Cairns who had a hot looking RAV4 (older model). He had BFG's on it and was raised up 2 inches. He has travelled everywhere in it and said it has never let him down (yet). He said he owned a Suzy before but the Rav and the RAV is loads better on fuel. He reckons this made up for the loss of low range.

Hope this helps.

[dazzler66]

Hi

though this is an old thread i thought it worth a comment from a current model Rav owner (4cyl, auto CV) . About 18 months ago we traded our 100 series on a new Rav as we were not getting the use out of the cruiser any more. (was used to tow and recover off road racer which has been sold)

The new Rav4 is a really good vehicle if you keep in mind its intended role;

More ground clearance than a normal 2wd or AWD vehicle
4WD to give better traction on sand/mud/ gravel.

We constantly get around the 8 to 9 litres per 100kms around town with a little better on the highway.

We have used ours to tow a 7 x 4 camper trailer fully loaded for a family of five and it would sit on 110ks with no worries. It has allowed us to get into national parks and forestry roads that you wouldnt go with a 2wd sedan or a wagon nor a subaru outback.

What is amazing with the new rav is the amount of space. Dont be fooled into thinking these are a small car, the rear seats slide fore and aft and can accomodate 4 six footers with room to spare (there is as much leg room in the rear as the 100 series had). We currently have a 13yo, 6yo and a car seat in the back and all are comfortable.

I have used it on a few power line trails, the ones that go up hill and down dale, and found the auto more than made up for no low range as the torque converter and locked F/R power split let it climb confidently. No 2wd could have got where it went.

We are about to head off on a 3 month holiday with a Jayco camper trailer (910kg) and are seriously considering taking the Rav. ARB now make a 50mm lift coil spring package which should make towing better. Our plans are to hire a 4wd if we decide to go seriously off road.

The only negative to me is that its not a full time 4wd system but FWD with RWD when needed. If you hit the lock button it then puts power through to the rear. I dont like the system from a technical point but it is yet to let us down. I havent used it on the beach where i think it would cause trouble particularly over 40ks as i it then can no longer be manually locked and decides whether to give RWD for itself. As i avoid the beach like the plague its no worries ;)

So thats why soft roaders sell. They are a great intermediate step between a full 4wd and a car. Horses for courses. ;)

[chopper]

the new V6 Rav is a pearler.

We have had one (with traction control) go some amazing places during our courses (made a few noises getting there)

[dazzler66]

the new V6 Rav is a pearler.

We have had one (with traction control) go some amazing places during our courses (made a few noises getting there)

200kw......does it torque steer :p

[robsrunner]

its 200 killerwasps mate!

[Luxster]

I purchased one for my daughter. The only issue is ground clearance! An amazing vehicle for no low range!