steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 76
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 13, 2019 10:20:18 GMT
I'm upgrading my Mk2 (that I have loved) to a Mk4. The Mk2 is staying 'in house' as my partner's 'new' car.
Any owners out there, please talk me through the Mk4, whatever you want to say. I've done some research so I know a bit about the basic models, but there's nothing like first hand advice and experience from like minded people.
I thinking of, but not not limiting myself to.. Petrol/Hybrid and climate control (as opposed to basic A/C). Most of the other stuff seems pretty standard and or/is not that important to me.
The trim levels that I know about are Icon, Icon Tech, Design, and Excel. But then there's Business Edition - where does that sit compared to those I've just mentioned? Is there a link anywhere to a tick box style spec sheet for the different trim levels? What does TSS stand for?
What are your experiences, and if you had the chance to 'rebuy' your Mk4, what would you have gone for instead?
I'm thinking of avoiding a diesel because things just seem to be getting worse in terms of vehicle tax and fuel duty for them.
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 13, 2019 17:55:28 GMT
Where to start ? Budget dictates all.....
At the end of the day these are utility workhorses. I simply prefer diesel but when I bought my one Hybrids were not with us...
For me the top spec Invincible is not exactly ultra equipped so the lower models must be very basic.
I would have a look at the new Shogun Sport. The Rav has fallen behind the times now.
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 76
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 13, 2019 18:29:22 GMT
I should add that I'm looking at facelift models from 2016 onwards. Charlie, I disagree with spec levels being basic, they look pretty good even down to Icon level. Sorry, not interested in a Shogun, that's why I'm on here!
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 13, 2019 18:40:32 GMT
I should add that I'm looking at facelift models from 2016 onwards. Charlie, I disagree with spec levels being basic, they look pretty good even down to Icon level. Sorry, not interested in a Shogun, that's why I'm on here! Steve the facelift specifications are virtually the same as pre facelift. The top spec Invincible or whatever it’s called still doesn't have Navigation or a sunroof. Dont misunderstand the 4.4 and 4.4.5 is a stunningly capable versatile and comfortable car. But it’s lagging behind its competitors which is likely why the new car is with us. The 4.4s as good as they are are as dull as dishwater. Many on this forum don’t own RAV4s but it makes no odds whatsoever.. i wont have a Hybrid for two reasons. I don’t understand the technology and I just like a Diesel engine. The 2.2 with an auto box is a peach. Just my honest opinion.
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Post by bigkev on Apr 13, 2019 21:59:10 GMT
..........or a 4.3.2 up here........Elgin dealer.........with 4000 bliddy miles and FSH...... ? 150 Diesel but though.......MINTFUL.......2012.
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Post by philip42h on Apr 14, 2019 6:37:09 GMT
As my learned colleagues say "I just like a Diesel engine and the 2.2 with an auto box is a peach". And you can get that combination with a late 4.3 or an early 4.4 ... If I had the chance to 'rebuy' my 4.4 I just would - my Icon has everything you've asked for and, as Charlie says, "is a stunningly capable, versatile and comfortable car" and boringly dependable. I would, and probably will, have a hybrid as my next car but it does seem a rather complicated way to make a petrol engine behave as if it were a diesel ... Business Edition models were designed for the company car market so, IIRC, two wheel drive, 2.0 diesel manual for good fuel economy and lower emissions so an estate car rather than a RAV4 really. TSS stands for Toyota Safety System - blind spot stuff, warnings of meandering pedestrians, pre-crash alerts etc. Nothing that I would pay for ... So, 2.2 diesel auto is best because it suits the car so well and, because they are evil diesels, the secondhand price strongly favours the buyer - which is another reason why those of us running them will continue to do so. The 2.0 VVTi petrol is very well regarded and considered pretty 'bomb proof' - I believe that it comes with a CVT in the 4.4. And hybrids are the near term future - if if you are set on a late 4.4 - go hybrid ...
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Post by charliefarlie on Apr 14, 2019 7:12:39 GMT
As my learned colleagues say "I just like a Diesel engine and the 2.2 with an auto box is a peach". And you can get that combination with a late 4.3 or an early 4.4 ... If I had the chance to 'rebuy' my 4.4 I just would - my Icon has everything you've asked for and, as Charlie says, "is a stunningly capable, versatile and comfortable car" and boringly dependable. I would, and probably will, have a hybrid as my next car but it does seem a rather complicated way to make a petrol engine behave as if it were a diesel ... Business Edition models were designed for the company car market so, IIRC, two wheel drive, 2.0 diesel manual for good fuel economy and lower emissions so an estate car rather than a RAV4 really. TSS stands for Toyota Safety System - blind spot stuff, warnings of meandering pedestrians, pre-crash alerts etc. Nothing that I would pay for ... So, 2.2 diesel auto is best because it suits the car so well and, because they are evil diesels, the secondhand price strongly favours the buyer - which is another reason why those of us running them will continue to do so. The 2.0 VVTi petrol is very well regarded and considered pretty 'bomb proof' - I believe that it comes with a CVT in the 4.4. And hybrids are the near term future - if if you are set on a late 4.4 - go hybrid ... Very........ Very well put. 👍👍👍
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Post by shcm on Apr 14, 2019 19:27:44 GMT
Link to previous thread with comments:
I'd also upload the 2016 brochure for you, but unfortunately attachments are limited to 1MByte, (Brochure is 7MByte).
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steverav4me
Club Member
RAV4.3 SR D-CAT Auto 4WD 2011 facelift model.
Posts: 76
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Post by steverav4me on Apr 16, 2019 12:42:36 GMT
Thanks guys. Well, I've looked at hybrid vehicles of the spec that I would like and the prices are out of my range. So I looked at face lift diesel Mk3 models with high specs. I have bought a 2011 Mk3 SR D-CAT Auto with just 34k miles. It's excellent condition and it's got just about every feature that I dreamt of. I'll start a new thread as I will now bore everyone with 'newbie' questions about this vehicle.
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