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RAV4 - 2009 4-cylinder vs 6 cylinder

24 messages,  Last post on Sep 29, 2009 at 4:55 PM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Engine, SUV


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#5 of 24
Re: RAV4 - 2009 4-cylinder vs 6 cylinder [lproulx] by normkol
Jan 27, 2009 (9:34 am)
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Replying to: lproulx (Jan 26, 2009 12:49 am)

I own an '08 V-6, but just last week spent a week with a rented 4 cyl, driving from LA to San Francisco.
 
The 4 was great. Only occasionally did I miss the power of the V-6. If I was buying again, I would save my money and get the 4.
#6 of 24
by tireguy
Feb 02, 2009 (7:56 pm)
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My wife and I bought an 08 V6 RAV4 4x4 Limited last summer for her to haul the kids around town. It will never travel more than 100 miles from home (that's what the Yukon XL's for), but I just didn't see the point of the 4-cylinder. The mileage is basically the same. The V6 transforms this modest cute-ute into a sleeper. That thing accelerates faster than a 2000 Mustang GT. Plus with the V6 you can get the tow package and drag around up to 3500 lbs. Overall, I am extremely impressed with this vehicle. What it does (provide a lot of capability in a miniature package) it does better than any other make. I was perusing the Mercedes GLK specs after seeing a commercial, today. For $10G less, the RAV4 beats it in almost every category. Same engine, same horsepower, basically same acceleration, way better mileage, two more seats. Using MB's comparison tool, you can't even select a Toyota to compare. I guess they know. Okay, so they get points for the wood dash. Sorry, off subject. In a nutshell, getting the V6 just takes this vehicle to another level. The 2.5L is more than adequate, but it's nothing to write home about. I was recently towing a trailer with my 1,000 lb John Deere garden tractor with tiller attached. I pulled out into traffic and I saw the cars a mile out move to the left lane to pass the knucklehead towing a tractor with a micro-utility vehicle. In a matter of seconds I was up to speed and beyond. They reclaimed their spots in the right lane behind me.
#7 of 24
Re: [tireguy] by typesix
Feb 03, 2009 (7:01 am)
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Replying to: tireguy (Feb 02, 2009 7:56 pm)

Aside from the nice extra power of the V-6, here are some disadvantages:
-initial cost is higher
-city gas mileage is lower
-for DIYs the V-6 is much harder to service, try changing the rear sparkplugs
-heavier weight of 6 cyl means longer stopping distance on slippery surfaces
#8 of 24
Re: [typesix] by junebug1701
Feb 05, 2009 (10:19 pm)
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Replying to: typesix (Feb 03, 2009 7:01 am)

True, the initial cost of the V6 is about $2000 higher. But you get a RAV that is a lot more fun to drive!
 
City gas mileage is a bit lower. If you do the math, the average driver will spend an extra $150-200 a year. Goes toward the fun factor.
 
The iridium tipped spark plugs don't need to be changed until 100,000 miles!
 
Yes, it may be a bit heavier, but the RAV brakes are very good--stopping is not an issue. The V-6 is the main reason I picked the RAV over the CR-V. After a couple of test drives, it was an easy decision.
#9 of 24
Re: [junebug1701] by typesix
Feb 06, 2009 (8:07 am)
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Replying to: junebug1701 (Feb 05, 2009 10:19 pm)

More the fun factor for you, ok. Should point out that sometimes the plugs will not come out at 100k miles for any engine, some mechanics recommend loosening the sparkplugs at 30-40k miles and re tight them.
#10 of 24
Re: [typesix] by steve_ HOST
Feb 06, 2009 (10:25 am)
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Replying to: typesix (Feb 06, 2009 8:07 am)

I worried a bit about that issue with my minivan. I told the shop to loosen the plugs at 30k, but I have no way of knowing if they did or not. At 125k, I had the plugs replaced and asked the tech if they had any trouble with them being seized or anything. The tech said they always wait until the engine is dead cold (overnight in my case) before trying to pull plugs and that they had no problem with mine.
 
Could be an urban legend about the cold engine. I recall hearing Click and Clack warning about the possibility of high mileage plugs seizing so some proactive loosening may be in order.
#11 of 24
Re: [steve_] by wwest
Feb 06, 2009 (10:41 am)
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Replying to: steve_ (Feb 06, 2009 10:25 am)

I just changed the plugs ($80, first time) in our '95 LS400 at 225,000 miles. Except for a seriously longer spark gap the plugs looked fine. With the new solid state electronic spark genration the spark plug gap is no longer such a big issue.
#12 of 24
Re: [wwest] by steve_ HOST
Feb 06, 2009 (10:53 am)
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Replying to: wwest (Feb 06, 2009 10:41 am)

I did the wires and distributor at the same time. My mpg didn't budge a bit, which makes me think I should have just waited until something broke.
#13 of 24
Re: [steve_] by wwest
Feb 06, 2009 (12:41 pm)
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Replying to: steve_ (Feb 06, 2009 10:53 am)

Yes, I think the emissions monitoring aspects of the OBDII systems will give us lots of forewarning of marginal perfromance.

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