Rav4

[QueBota]

I would say that's accurate, RAV4, CRV and similar. Built on a car platform, good for driving on improved snow covered roads, around 6" or so, depending on conditions, beyond that, they lack power/clearance and high center in the crap that plows leave between roads and intersections. Pull many of these little 4x4s/AWD's out every winter, drivers normally don't understand how their 4x4 got stuck. If you're a good snow driver you can get a little further. Not a truck or body on frame SUV. Treated and driven like a car they will provide good service with some go in the snow capability.

Q

had a 4runner, ok i guess, very poor gas mileage and expensive rear axle seal leaks. my 4cyl 4x4 toyota truck is a completely different story, 230k going strong & a workhorse. " bashing through the boonies" is not what i do, strictly utility driving slow on county roads. agree tho that rav4's are for soccer moms on asphalt. best regards

 

[oldpilgrim]

my wife told me she was going to buy a new car. I told her I don't care what car she gets as long as it's a Toyota. She came home with a new 2012 RAV4. In 2014, she got itchy and said she wanted a new car.
She traded it in on a 2014 RAV4...a better car than the 2012 in my estimation.

My brother/sisterinlaw have had 3 Toyotas, My son has had 2, my father had Camry and said it was the best most reliable car he ever owned, my mother now has a Corolla, my DIL has a Camry, my best friend has a RAV, (I talked him into it). He says its the best car he's had, I talked my coworker into a RAV4 and she says it's the best car she's ever had. .

I have a 2014 Tundra, had a Corolla before that (commuter car...don't need to commute now) and in my opinion, you cannot buy a better vehicle than a Toyota.They go forever

 

[QueBota]

Agree with that, Toyota has very good engineering and build quality at their price points and probably beyond. I haven't owned a Toyota since a 1985 R22 powered small pickup and and a 1991 3.0l V6 powered 4 Runner. Traded the '85 to a friend for some implements (he's still driving it, 350K +) and the 4 Runner was totaled in an off road rollover (long story). Wish I still had both of them. If I had to buy a new(er) car it would probably be a Camry (or Accord). Never known anyone to have serious problems with their Yota's and if it's a Toyota manufacturing/engineering issue they are pretty good about standing behind their product and correcting the problem.

Q

 

[ProjectKing]

Come on bubba, lots of manly men drive Rav4s etc. some even drive cars. To impress my neighbors and keep my "man card" active, I get i my Ford 350 and park down by the road with my Dekalb cap on with a match stick clinched in my teeth looking all steely eyed.

Lol! Grunt grunt

 

[big bubba]

i really shouldn't complain re: my '96 Rav4 w/ 220K. just that toyota could have been a bit more robust on construction w/o compromising price or size. but overall, i still intend to keep replacing consumable & structural parts. can't bring myself to commit to 20-30K for something that will eventually depreciate & wear out. were i younger & with family, probably a different story.
btw, my '08 M8540 is the newest machine i own, cost more than twice of any vehicle i've owned, and cost more than my 127 acre farm in national forest purchased in '77. (but looking @ current tier 4 prices of equivalent, still a bargain) just to look at my priories, many shake their head, don't blame them

 

[Whatswrong]

The Toyota idea appeals but it sounds like the competition for this particular one is high . Taking a hard look at a Sante Fe as well I think it would give a bit .more room

 

[HHR]

What about the Subaru Forester? I see them everywhere and the nearest dealership is 100+ miles away.

 

[aczlan]

The Toyota idea appeals but it sounds like the competition for this particular one is high . Taking a hard look at a Sante Fe as well I think it would give a bit .more room

My inlaws have a Santa Fe and love it.

Aaron Z

 

[MinnesotaEric]

A friend has owned several RAV4s and loves them. I began having trouble getting in and out of my 4WD pickup, but living where I do, I needed to retain 4WD. My wife and I tested the RAV4 and was going to buy it until I tried the Venza, now discontinued, and bought one with V6, way more expensive than the RAV4 but I needed the smoother ride and it will be the last vehicle I ever buy.

My daughter has owned Forerunners and Highlanders, but the entry height was too high for me. My wife and I only own Toyotas, but my son loves his CRV with 300k+ miles and as mentioned, Subaru makes great machines.

Get AMP Powerboards. My 90-year-old mother scrambled in and out of my truck easier than she gets into her Infiniti.

 

[Whatswrong]

I checked out the Forrester ,maybe a superior vehicle but the price looks way high compared to other similar vehicles of similar size and vintage.