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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006

2127 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2011 at 8:50 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 72 of 213

#709 of 2127 Special-ordering a RAV4 by mathtype

Sep 13, 2002 (8:48 pm)

My daughter took delivery today of a RAV4 that we ordered on May 23! For those of you who might be considering special-ordering a RAV, here's some detail on the experience.
 
My daughter wanted a RAV with 2wd, 5-speed, ABS, L package (which requires alloy wheels), and moonroof. It didn't take long to find out that Toyota did not import such cars into California (the ABS was the hangup). Longo Toyota agreed to special-order the car from Japan at $500 over invoice, but warned that it might take 4 months to arrive. The weird thing (which the salesman says is not unusual with special orders) is that the car never appeared on any computer listing. It just showed up today at Longo, exactly as we ordered it, without apparently ever having officially existed.
 
So, if you're thinking of special-ordering a RAV and are willing to wait, it can be done, but you may find it to be an exasperating experience. At times, I would have given odds that our car would never arrive.
 
By the way, the car turned out to be a 2003 model with an invoice price about $550 LESS than the 2002 model (most of the savings coming from a substantially reduced price on the L package). The invooice on this RAV was about $19,250.

#710 of 2127 mathtype by suvshopper4

Sep 14, 2002 (8:31 am)

Nice that you could special-order for only $500 over invoice. Sounds pretty good to me. Way to go, Longo Toyota. They even got the wait time right.
 
Nearly 4 months is a long time to wait for a new vehicle, but at least you got exactly what you wanted by your willingness to be patient.
 
Hope your daughter enjoys her RAV, and that, in the end, you think it was worth the wait.

#711 of 2127 I doubt by nippononly

Sep 14, 2002 (11:04 pm)

just ANY dealer would have done this, either. I have heard stories all over the web of dealers being unwilling, or saying it was downright impossible. I bet it doesn't hurt that Longo is the number one dealer of toyotas in the world outside Japan! At something like twice the annual sales of their nearest competitor...

#712 of 2127 2003 RAV4 with sport package by totalnet

Sep 15, 2002 (9:39 am)

I bought one in the SF Bay Area. Here is a quick and dirty write up on it. Will post a longer and detail version, if anyone wants to read it. 2WD graphite gray color with sport package, 16" aluminum wheels, sunroof, keyless entry, and rear spoiler options. $500 over invoice with really great financing.

#713 of 2127 curious by nippononly

Sep 15, 2002 (9:05 pm)

what is there in the new sport package that is not appearance-based? I know it has a hood scoop and some other visual stuff. The 16" rims are the standard size for RAV - are they a special design in the sport package? Is anything else included, or do they change the suspension at all?

#714 of 2127 by diploid

Sep 15, 2002 (10:26 pm)

I believe the rims are a special size, but still 16 inchers, same as all other RAV4s.

#715 of 2127 sport package by totalnet

Sep 16, 2002 (9:01 am)

The package code for the 16" is AW. It's the split 5 spoke aluminum. I think all the sport package comes built with extra options I listed from the factory. On the Built Your Own page on Toyota's website, you have to get those extra options when you select the sport package. On the sticker, the factory subtract $1000. 80% for invoice and 4% for dealer kickback is about the same as the $750 rebate they are offering on the 2002.
 
It's pretty much all looks. Since I didn't test drive a regular or L RAV4, I can't say. Here are the different I can think of. The graphite gray is only for the sport package RAV, it's the same color used on the IS300. The hood scoop is cover and insulated from the inside. Things I don't like compare to L package. The S doesn't come with fog lamp, tonneau cover, and hard shell tire cover. Didn't really care if the side molding color match or not.
 
PS. I had the dealer add the tonneau cover as a dealer option.

#716 of 2127 question by nippononly

Sep 16, 2002 (2:54 pm)

What is it with this new fascination to have non-functional hood scoops on trucks?
 
It is just my little worthless opinion, but while hood scoops enhance the looks of sporty cars, like coupes, they look a little silly on trucks, especially the RAV, which is no sports car!

#717 of 2127 The return of the non-functional hood scoop by suvshopper4

Sep 16, 2002 (3:28 pm)

These were big years ago. Now they're coming back? Go figure. They actually catch air and create more wind resistance!

#718 of 2127 hood scoop by totalnet

Sep 17, 2002 (7:29 am)

Toyota is making the hood that has a scoop for other markets' RAV4 that has turbo disel engine. It was the easiest way for them to come up with something new for 2003. Just like offering the graphite gray from the IS300.

Messages Page 72 of 213

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