RAV4 owners...

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 40 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
ladyscarlett

Trad climber
SF Bay Area, California
Topic Author's Original Post - May 4, 2015 - 05:54am PT
Your opinions please, as a climber's car; mileage, durability, resell value, bivi-in-the-back confort, etc...

I am considering one. Looking for feedback from experienced owners.

Alternative suggestions welcome. I have a few criteria.

1. AWD or 4WD mandatory
2. Must be able to fold back seat(s) flat and sleep a 6-footer no cadd corner.
3. Small as possible to achieve the above
4. A good car

For mountain roads, freeway travel and Sierra backroads and occasional dirt roads (no real 4wdeeing at all)...

Gracias
DMT
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab or In What Time Zone Am I?
May 4, 2015 - 06:38am PT
bivi-in-the-back confort, etc...
I don't think so.

I needed a car for doing much the same as you describe.

I have a Toyota 4-runner trail sport edition with a V8.
It is AWD and carries a full size regular spare tire underneath the car. I would never drive a car that didn't rack up a regulation tire.
It has a locking diff and two additional 4 WD settings and downhill assist (rarely used except in major off roading).
I've had a lift kit put in for just an additional tad bit of clearance.

I've driven a friend's Rav 4 and felt they handled well, were zippy, comfortable and carried a small load well. I would not be comfortable with one in winter conditions or more adventuresome exploits.

Have you considered a Tacoma with a cap? For years I had a TRD off road Tundra with a cap and loved it. New Tundras, however I think are terribly big. I know a lot of folks like the Toyota Highlander which is AWD but larger than the Rav 4

Good luck!

Susan
stevep

Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
May 4, 2015 - 07:31am PT
I've had both a V6 RAV4 and a turbo Subaru Forester. Both were nice cars, good power and pretty decent handling for what they were. And not to disagree with eKat too much, but I'd much rather have either of them than a Sienna in the snow.

But...I'm just shy of 6ft, and I don't think I could lie down straight in the back of either with the seats folded. Slightly curled up or diagonal was OK, but not straight. A Subaru Outback wagon might be better for that.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 4, 2015 - 07:39am PT
I just spent a week with my cousin who has one. I was quite impressed with it and he has
been very happy with it the last couple of winters in Chicago. It seemed really solid and the
layout was good. Adequate power and good handling. I didn't contemplate reclining in the
back, or the front. At 6'-1" I'd need a Suburban.
BrassNuts

Trad climber
Save your a_s, reach for the brass...
May 4, 2015 - 07:43am PT
I have a 2011 V6 Rav4 with 50k miles - many happy road trips behind the wheel! I am 5'7" and sleep in the back just fine, many nights of comfortable car bivies :-) Because the rear seat fold down creates a slight change of 'bed' angle, I had a custom piece of 2" foam cut with an angled front edge that fills the back cargo area, then we sewed a nice heavy canvas cover for it - a great set up with a thermarest Dreamrest on top!

The 2011 model has a full size covered spare on the back of the vehicle which allows a nice hidden storage cubby under the rear deck (newer models do not have the storage cubby due to internal spare location nor the V6 option). The automatic AWD works great in my opinion, excellent in the snow and can be locked down manually up to 25mph. Have been back in the boonies no problem. I get 27-28mpg highway but if I have the cargo box mounted on top that drops by 2-3mpg. Great all around rig in my opinion that balances functionality and economy and is still fun to drive.
pyro

Big Wall climber
Calabasas
May 4, 2015 - 07:54am PT
I'm a rav4 owner!


LOVE IT!
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab or In What Time Zone Am I?
May 4, 2015 - 08:00am PT
Lady Scarlett ... sounding good on your choice with real full time users!

Brass....what a great idea about the foam! I'm gonna copy it since I have a kink spot in my 4runner with the seat down. I usually just wadded up a towel to address it. Custom cut foam pad! Thank you. Thank you!

Susan
stevep

Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
May 4, 2015 - 08:04am PT
I had one of the old Toyota 4WD drive vans too(the predecessor to the Sienna). It was a great vehicle and it lasted forever. And I'm sure yours does fine in the snow eKat, though studded tires are a big help there, and may be the difference you experienced.

But vans are wayyy more top heavy. I'd never say one of them handled better than the small SUVs. People autocross the turbo Forester, as it's only a little bigger than a WRX. And my V6 RAV4 Sport handled quite well even up to 110, a speed I'd never want to get to in a minivan. Neither are great vehicles for serious off-roading, but they are as capable as a van.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab or In What Time Zone Am I?
May 4, 2015 - 08:17am PT
Look closer. It's not Lady Scarlett.

Gawd damn vision plan I have ain't worth a damn!

Susan
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
May 4, 2015 - 08:17am PT
150 K on my Rav4. Love it love it. Not ideal bivy space in the back, but unless there's hella bugs or bad weather there's no reason to sleep in the back. Its been a great car, many long road trips.
caughtinside

Social climber
Oakland, CA
May 4, 2015 - 08:29am PT
The bivi is always the tough part. I think new 4runners have a 45k base price and they seem to get larger every year. I haven't looked at the highlander yet though.
kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
May 4, 2015 - 09:28am PT
Lady Scarlett= DMT?????

Cosmic, am guessing that was a mistake and he meant to login as LEB.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
May 4, 2015 - 09:38am PT
What year, price and mileage ranges are you looking at?

I just bought a '04 Honda CRV a week and a half ago, and I absolutely love it. The same day we bought it we zipped it from Santa Cruz to Yosemite. The steering's light and smooth, it had plenty of juice in the hills and passing on the freeway, my heavy foot still got 25 mpg, lots of leg room front and back...

Unfortunately for your criteria, while the rear seats flip forward and come out extremely easily, I don't think there's room for a 6' person to lay completely comfortable because of the seat brackets on the floor. If I get a chance to check I'll pass it on for you.

Happy hunting! :)
James Wilcox

Trad climber
Goleta/Virginia Lakes
May 4, 2015 - 10:03am PT
The AWD Sienna has one drawback in my opinion. In a regular Sienna the spare tire mounts underneath the vehicle. But with the AWD's rear differential running right thru where the spare tire would have gone, Toyota had to do away with the spare tire, and instead installed run-flat tires.

Run flat tires are pricey, and rarely and in-stock tire, so if you get a flat while traveling you can be in a bit of a bind. Some owners got regular tires installed, and stuck a traditional spare tire in the space behind the rear seat.

edit: over the years the Rav4 has progressively been getting bigger/longer. So it does depend greatly on which "generation" Rav4 you may be interested in.
wayne w

Trad climber
the nw
May 4, 2015 - 11:24am PT
I have an 07 RAV 4 that I have driven for about 70K miles. I am very pleased with it, overall. It doesn't handle as well, and isn't quite a quick as my 04 was, but it carries much more, has a more comfortable and quieter ride, and gets better mileage. With the exception of a six footer being able to sleep stretched out comfortably in the back I think that it will meet all of the criteria that you are looking for.
SilverSnurfer

Mountain climber
SLC, UT.
May 4, 2015 - 12:50pm PT
1998 RAV w/ 170+K miles. The back seats on the old models pop out easily and I can stretch out (5'8") if needed and carry 2 bikes without pulling off the front wheels. Lowest maintenance vehicle that I've ever owned and a great rig for running up the cottonwood canyons on snowy powder days with good winter tires (Arctic Claws-great price for the performance)-I've driven right around stuck 4wd trucks in the unplowed parking lots.
Tamara Robbins

climber
not a climber, just related...
May 4, 2015 - 01:07pm PT
IMO, you can't beat a 4 Runner. period. I have not driven one with the new body style, but my '90, '98, and now '02 have been incredibly solid, long-wearing, and kick ass trucks. Have been pleasantly surprised by the trails it can handle here around Moab (without any alterations)! (hell, I even rolled the '90 - full rollover. Following a few moments of quiet contemplation it started right up and we continued on our way! I duct taped a shower curtain over the smashed sunroof & drove it another 100k!)

Visually, the RAV4 seems tippier and boxier... and shorter wheel base so I'd guess not as much potential for being a tent or home. I lived in my '98 Runner for several seasons as a kayak instructor, and it was the perfect size to sleep in comfortably.
Banquo

climber
Amerricka
May 4, 2015 - 01:28pm PT
I spent two weeks driving around Costa Rica this past January in a Rav4 with 4 adults. It had a full size spare on the tail door and manual transmission. It was fine on the highway, dirt roads, potholes and crossing some small rivers. As I recall, the 4WD wouldn't engage unless it was in low range which would limit its usefulness in snow country. The tail door rattled quite a bit and I did manage to rip loose the plastic panel thing that holds the rear license plate. Not much ground clearance.

I used the 4WD a few times but didn't ask much of it. The only time I felt worried was one river crossing were I felt the tires lose contact and we started to float a little. Although there is a lack of bridges in CR, we didn't encounter much mud.

I would say it was fine for driving around back roads but wouldn't want to try off road, snow country or jeep trails in it. Biggest hindrance is probably lack of ground clearance.

My usual is a 2003 4Runner V8 with some lift and taller tires.

Uploading lame video:
http://youtu.be/Tihcvg0uZ_w


Banquo

climber
Amerricka
May 4, 2015 - 01:40pm PT
Toyota, Nissan and other manufacturers sell cheaper UV's in other countries. Too bad you can't get them here.

Toyota Fortuner, Nissan Patrol, etc.
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
May 4, 2015 - 05:50pm PT
I have a 97 Rav4 that I got stuck with when I loaned a guy some money.

200K miles and runs just fine. Only worth about $1700 even though not a thing wrong with it. So I just keep it as a spare.

Any reliable car with good gas milage is great.

No such thing as a bad off road car to me. You can drive a car on anything if you know what you are doing. Learned this on the back roads of Idaho in high school. We drove a VW bug 4 miles on snow crust. Had to wait for it to freeze again to get out.

Probably any Toyota is excellent. Rav4 is pretty fun. I think if you get one, you'll be happy.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 40 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta