Rav4 are they any good ?

[zelbo]

Just looking for some quick help from PH

Off to help a friend of my girlfriends tomorrow morning to look at a Rav4 (2L 1998 version) now other than the obvious is there anything specific i should be looking for ?

i have tried to suggest something better for the money she has, but seems to be set one one of these gwad knows why!

Cheers for any advice

[omgus]

IMO they are great little cars, as capable off road as any soft roader (more so than most actually), comfy, handle fairly well, reliable and good cruisers. Petrol consumption is better in the mostly 2wd versions and the auto box will drop economy to mid 20's around town in the petrol.

hope that helps.

[Ozzie Osmond]

"Adequate"

There are many better cars out there.

[OllieWinchester]

omgus said:

Petrol consumption is better in the mostly 2wd versions

They are all permanent four wheel drive.

Not great on fuel, but quite peppy engines and decent handling mean they are ok on tarmac, and not too shabby off it. Listen out for any clonking coming from the rear diff when taking up drive, also look out for a juddering clutch.

[OllieWinchester]

Ozzie Osmond said:

"Adequate"

There are many better cars out there.

Such as? Bear in mind these are sub £1k now, I can't think of anything in the same sector that is as good for the money?

[Emsman]

Reliable, suprisingly fast, not too bad off road, dated inside as you would now expect, and quite a laugh to drive.

Parents had one for years, never went wrong in 90,000 miles.

Not much bootspace, and not all that roomy, but great little car

[omgus]

OllieWinchester said:

omgus said:

Petrol consumption is better in the mostly 2wd versions

They are all permanent four wheel drive.

Not great on fuel, but quite peppy engines and decent handling mean they are ok on tarmac, and not too shabby off it. Listen out for any clonking coming from the rear diff when taking up drive, also look out for a juddering clutch.

No they aren't. Most are but a few of them are only 4wd when they need to be. Depends on year and spec, my Mothers 53 plate is, my step dads old 55 plate isn't unless the front wheels start to slip.

Edited by omgus on Monday 6th December 21:37

[Zeek]

Mrs Zeek has one of these. The short wheel base version. Permanent 4x4 (they did do a 1.8 2-wheel drive version, so don't get that). Drives quite nicely for something of this type. Feels just like a small nippy car.

They are quite practical. The rear seats lift out to leave a van type space, but the rear door doesn't open very wide!

[OllieWinchester]

omgus said:

OllieWinchester said:

omgus said:

Petrol consumption is better in the mostly 2wd versions

They are all permanent four wheel drive.

Not great on fuel, but quite peppy engines and decent handling mean they are ok on tarmac, and not too shabby off it. Listen out for any clonking coming from the rear diff when taking up drive, also look out for a juddering clutch.

No they aren't. Most are but a few of them are only 4wd when they need to be. Depends on year and spec, my Mothers 53 plate is, my step dads old 55 plate isn't unless the front wheels start to slip.

Edited by omgus on Monday 6th December 21:37

OP is asking about a 1998 car, they were all 4wd.

[andy43]

1998 is the original shape - all 4wd. Post 2001 they did an NRG (I think!) that was 2wd. Remember speaking to a trader who bought two 2wd's at auction - thought he'd got them for a song until he collected them and got 'em up on a ramp to look underneath
Dead reliable, not bad to drive for what they are, and tbh for the money they go for now, there isn't really much else that compares. Did a lot of miles in ours, no probs at all.
It'd need a good inspection now though, at 12 years old.

[omgus]

OllieWinchester said:

OP is asking about a 1998 car, they were all 4wd.

Lol, Fair point teaches me not to read all the OP because i am busy watching tv.

[Rum Runner]

Go For a Grand Vitara much better.

[Chris_w666]

I know someone that ran a 1997 5 door from new until last year when they used it as scrappage. In that time it did 130,000 miles, was serviced 5 times, and never had more than routine items replaced.