RAV 4 - why not?

Rich L · 30 January 2007, 00:43

So putting aside machoism for a moment, what's the general consensus of the RAV 4?

Here's my Dilema. I launch my boat rarely on unstable ground, slippery slipways, but like to have a car that would cope if circumstances arose. I'm not talking deep sand or mud, more likely shingle, compacted sand or weed.

On the otherhand, my wife wants a car thats fun to drive, stylish, quick, easy to park at Tesco (i.e compact), good on motorways, is reliable, comfortable & fuel efficient. We don't need 2 cars. She DOES like being high up.

The RAV 4 is all these things - particually offering a saloon car feel. Is there another? How does the RAV 4 compare to a saloon 4x4?

Obviously I understand that it is not going to win any off road medals.

Any advice appreciated

Rich

Stoo · 30 January 2007, 00:51

Personally, I can't imagine a RAV pulling a 6m boat... Does the RAV have a "low" range on the 4WD? Or is it full time AWD?

According to Toyota's towing guide, the tow rating of the 6 cylinder is 3500 #s. I suspect that if you exceed that, your warranty will be pooched... If you are within that weight, and not going far, and not on major highways.... maybe!

http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObje...ing%5fe%2ehtml

Rich L · 30 January 2007, 02:00

AWD. It has electronic variable control but also has the option to 'lock' the torque to all 4 wheels.

My boat borders on the unbraked (750Kg) capacity, but same with my Shogun...

Braked it's easily within capacity. A 2.2L diesel will definately pull OK.

Incidenly we don't have the choice of V6 or anything above 2.2L over here.

Thanks

Rich

Nos4r2 · 30 January 2007, 04:44

Because it's a hairdresser's car...

No low range AFAIK. There's no point in having 4wd for a slipway without it. With a low range it'd probably be a pretty good idea.

prairie tuber · 30 January 2007, 05:28

Myth dispelled;

BogMonster · 30 January 2007, 09:56

I haven't driven a RAV4 but I know a Freelander would struggle with mine due to the lack of low range doing a hill start with 2 ton of boat and very heavy trailer on the back, so a RAV will too, unless it is available as an automatic which may help (as long as it doesn't burn the torque converter out!). If the boat and trailer together really is only 750kg then it will be much easier.

Speaking as somebody with a "slightly challenging" launching site I would say it depends on a number of factors

- How steep the slipway/approach is (I always use low range in the 90 and would struggle to pull away uphill in high at some states of the tide)

- How slippery it is - just 4WD will deal with this though a vehicle with low range is more controllable for gentle starts with no wheelspin, important on gravel launch sites as you don't want to dig yourself in!

- Also think of the boat. If I had to do a revving clutch slipping takeoff up the launch site I use, I'd probably end up with the boat half off the trailer as it is rough and rocky and even tickover in low range makes the boat bounce around a bit on the trailer so I need to pick my way up the first 20 yards really slowly and carefully.

Rich L · 30 January 2007, 10:51

Rich L · 30 January 2007, 11:00

Thanks all

The 2.2L Diesel isn't available in Auto. It doesn't have low range.

I guess the RAV-4 offers little advantage over a 4 wheel drive saloon car then, except possibly ride height.

Is there a compact 4x4 or saloon style car, that drives like a 'proper car' and DOES have low range option?

Anyone recommend a decent 4x4 forum?

Cheers

Rich

donutsina911 · 30 January 2007, 11:33

would opt for a subaru estate, either the impreza or foresster - both 4X4 and the turbos are pretty quick and certainly much more fun to drive/quicker than a RAV4. I think the forester has a slightly raised driving position but cant be sure - mate tows a hefty Boston Whaler behind his impreza and its a piece of cake - styling is subjective, but if you avoid one with gold alloys I think both subarus are more appealing than a RAV4.

Pete7 · 30 January 2007, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Myth dispelled;

Really, were did you get that collage from then ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Anyone recommend a decent 4x4 forum? Cheers Rich

come on Rich, there is only one 4x4, the best by far

Pete

BogMonster · 30 January 2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Anyone recommend a decent 4x4 forum?

www.lr4x4.com undoubtedly the best of the lot though none of our lot will be very polite about Toymotas

www.difflock.com I think has a more "general" forum, most of the ones I have seen are model-specific

IBWET · 30 January 2007, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Myth dispelled;

That thing looks blathered.

Nos4r2 · 30 January 2007, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Vicious rumour mongering dispelled....

Is that a mooring being laid?

prairie tuber · 02 February 2007, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Thanks all

Anyone recommend a decent 4x4 forum?

Cheers

Rich

http://www.pirate4x4.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Really, were did you get that collage from then ?

Pete

From the the toyota section of the above mentitoned website. While the photochop of the RAV4 is obviously a lark, there is a fellow doing a neat project involving putting a a subframe under a unibodied RAV4 and mounting solid axles underneath. While this won't be suitable for towing a RIB, it should make a neat little lightweight rockcrawler.

Here is the link:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514048

TimMcC · 02 February 2007, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

So putting aside machoism for a moment, what's the general consensus of the RAV 4?

Here's my Dilema. I launch my boat rarely on unstable ground, slippery slipways, but like to have a car that would cope if circumstances arose. I'm not talking deep sand or mud, more likely shingle, compacted sand or weed.

On the otherhand, my wife wants a car thats fun to drive, stylish, quick, easy to park at Tesco (i.e compact), good on motorways, is reliable, comfortable & fuel efficient. We don't need 2 cars. She DOES like being high up.

The RAV 4 is all these things - particually offering a saloon car feel. Is there another? How does the RAV 4 compare to a saloon 4x4?

Obviously I understand that it is not going to win any off road medals.

Any advice appreciated

Rich

Anybody any experience with the Santa Fe ?.

Tim

matt h · 02 February 2007, 08:58

my mate works for Subaru and changes his car every 3 months, he sometimes tows the rib around, in the forester 2.0 non turbo,he will at best get 14 to the gallon, and will only go 260 tops on a tank of fuel, that was pulling a small 5.3 humber
the legacy was the same, in comparison, A4 quattro diesel, does 500 miles towing the same boat!

matt h · 02 February 2007, 09:03

what about a freelander auto TD4 diesel, great engine, i had a 3 dr in the td4 engine, was brilliant, and a bit of heritage as well!! and very good off road

donutsina911 · 02 February 2007, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

my mate works for Subaru and changes his car every 3 months, he sometimes tows the rib around, in the forester 2.0 non turbo,he will at best get 14 to the gallon, and will only go 260 tops on a tank of fuel, that was pulling a small 5.3 humber
the legacy was the same, in comparison, A4 quattro diesel, does 500 miles towing the same boat!

a4 quattro diesel...fun to drive?! and what heritage has a freelander got other than a track record of being poorly screwed together, slow and not that clever at towing - as for being good off road, I'm assuming this means going up the kerb..

Biggles · 02 February 2007, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by donutsina911

a4 quattro diesel...fun to drive?! and what heritage has a freelander got other than a track record of being poorly screwed together, slow and not that clever at towing - as for being good off road, I'm assuming this means going up the kerb..

But they've got much coveted badges on them

So they must be good.

rbw156 · 02 February 2007, 19:18

I seriously considered a RAV4 but discounted it on the grounds that you can't open the rear door with a trailer attached! This was too much of a limitation for me with a tow vehicle!

I bought a Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi Sport instead, which is a fantastic tow vehicle for my 6.5m RIB. In my view it is the perfect compromise between a car and a big 4x4.

Feel free to PM me if you want further details.