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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006
2127 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2011 at 8:50 AM
You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV
#150 of 2127 Should I buy? by jenfer1
May 13, 2001 (4:27 pm)
I'm considering purchasing a RAV4. I now own a Honda Civic EX Sedan and have been a loyal Honda customer. I'm wanting to get away from the sedans and am looking for a mini SUV with reasonable mileage and the RAV seems to fit the bill. I test drove the 2001 model today and the salesman told me that although the sticker said 29 mpg highway, that Toyota is notorious for understating actual mileage, and I'd probably get more like 32 mpg. (?)I also drove the Honda CR-V and liked it, but the mpg is not so great. I drive a long way to work (takes me anywhere from 30-45 minutes each way depending on traffic) and don't want to regret my purchase at the gas pump. What do you RAV4 owners think of the economy of the vehicle?
Thank you.
#151 of 2127 berthabert problem with rav4 by sevenseas
May 13, 2001 (9:42 pm)
My 1999 rav4 had symptoms ranging from the engine turning over then dying to hard cranking for up to 30 sec. before finally running. Air intake valve was the culprit, a known problem my dealer informed me with Camry's and RAV4's (not affecting the new 2001 models). Replaced, now its fine.#152 of 2127 savvy4 by drew_
May 13, 2001 (10:26 pm)
SUVs, because of their higher profile and larger surface area, tend to be affected a lot more by crosswinds compared to low slung cars. Minivans suffer from the same problem. This is probably exacerbated by the fact that the RAV4 is relatively short lengthwise, and wheelbase-wise. Sometimes tires can also play a factor in this.Adding a fairing, like the ones that Yakima or Thule sell, may probably help to significantly reduce wind noise from the roof rack.
Hope this helps!
Drew
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#153 of 2127 RAV Mileage by suvshopper4
May 14, 2001 (6:12 am)
Jenfer post #137:I do not believe the mileage would be as high as the salesman says (32) if you are talking US gallons (Canadian is different).
With 5,000 miles on my '01 RAV with 4WD and auto trans, I am now getting 25+ mpUSg in suburbs/highway 70/30 driving. The sticker said 23/28, so I think it was pretty accurate. And mileage can continue to improve to 10,000 miles or more.
Good luck.
ejp
#154 of 2127 RAV4 mileage... by savvy4
May 14, 2001 (8:40 am)
Suvshopper4, jenfer1 didn't mention some pertinent information about what type of RAV she was looking at that the salesperson stated could get 32mpg. Your 4wd automatic gets the worse rated mileage of all the RAVs, a 2wd 5-spd. is rated the highest of the RAVs at 31mpg (by Toyota) for hwy. mileage. Yea, it might be unrealistic to expect 32mpg, but a 2wd 5-spd would be the RAV configuration that would approach that figure of 32.#155 of 2127 drew_ re: my post #128 by savvy4
May 14, 2001 (9:14 am)
Drew, I know all about the theories of high center of gravity vehicles, but I've never owned a [light] mini-SUV before and was wondering if there were any "veteran" mini-SUV owners that could give feedback about the wind effects on their vehicles. I mentioned in my post #128, paragraph 3, lines 11 & 12 that the DESIGN of the RAV has something to do with its slight wind instability, your mention of short wheelbase/width is also a factor, and vehicle weight is another factor. Tires? Yea, somewhat, but RAVs are equipped with really nice Dunlops which shouldn't give any negative "wandering" effects. Dunlop produces some of the best tires available. I drove Chevy Suburbans (late 80's models) in the military and logged up thousands of miles on them. They're very heavy vehicles, and their weight helps keep them somewhat stable in crosswinds despite their huge wind-catching dimensions. It's hard to get daily wind averages higher than what central Montana experiences, and that's where I logged my hwy. mileage with 'burbans. I once witnessed a heavy armored vehicle (shaped like a van) get blown into the ditch by severe crosswinds as the vehicle crossed a patch of black ice going about 50-55mph. The same vehicle hit the ditch at that speed and toppled end-over-end about four times before coming to an abrupt stop. Luckily, no one died, but they were injured.Other people are experiencing roof rack noise, not I. I haven't noticed any irregular rack noises whatsoever with our RAV, and our rack came with the crossbars installed "correctly" with the arrows pointing towards the front of the vehicle. However, if you take some time and look very closely at the new RAV crossbars, you'll notice that they're very symmetrically shaped with exception of the tightening knob locations on the leading edge. Ironically, the "correct" method of crossbar installation puts the knobs on the forward side of the bars, which should theoretically cause more noise than having them installed the wrong way. Go figure. As far as accessory rack usage, yes, I agree, if you're going to install a THULE or YAKIMA rack on a vehicle (your RAV?), spend the extra dough and get the fairing. We've been Yakima rack users for six years now, and we use a fairing. A few months of using our rack w/o a fairing convinced me to buy one! It really helps smooth out the air flow.
#156 of 2127 genehar by reticent1
May 14, 2001 (10:37 am)
I believe that different regionas across the USA experience their build order process differently. Where are you geographically, and what region did you order-build a RAV from? I might have an answer for you. Can't promise, but I may be able to clarify.-Ret
#157 of 2127 To: SevenSeas Re: Berthabert RAV4 by berthabert
May 14, 2001 (12:57 pm)
Thanks. Will definitly give this a try! :o)Leah
#158 of 2127 Mileage by jenfer1
May 14, 2001 (2:38 pm)
#141-savvy4, yes I did leave some information out. I didn't realize it until my message was already posted.I test drove a 01 RAV4 2WD 4 speed automatic. The salesman indicated that I may get as much as 32 mpg; the sticker indicated 29/22. My last two cars have been compact sedans, so I'm used to very economical cars and am wondering how much more I'll be spending on gas each month. I drive about 60 miles round trip to work each day and am wondering if I wouldn't be better off with another sedan (sigh!)
#159 of 2127 jenfer1 - RAV4 Gas Mileage by sandthrush
May 14, 2001 (4:02 pm)
Sorry if I offend anyone, but don't listen to the salesman about gas mileage. Go by what is on the sticker. We have a 97 Camry and it is getting what the sticker said it would get. We just purchased a 2001 RAV4 (2WD, 5-speed) and on our first tank of gas we got 27 mpg, mostly city driving, which is what the sticker said it should get.To POST a message, please
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