Hi

Does anyone know what if any differences there are between
these two years?

I am thinking of replacing my 1991 Corolla wagon with a RAV4,
so if you have any experience with a RAV4 you would like to
share I'd be grateful.

What sort of real-world fuel consumption do you get? Did
they used to make the RAV4 with manual transmission once
upon a time? (Now, unfortunately it seems they only have
automatics available).

I was going to get a Subaru Legacy wagon, but the local
dealerships around here were so bad it put me off all together.
Plus I decided that I would like to have some sort of electronic
stability control.

Thanks,
Esmail

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonakDUH (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

The Rav 4 was redesigned in 2006 and AFAIK, there are few, if any changes to
the 2007.


Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in
news:c158c$450b2568$44a4a10d$5247 (AT) msgid (DOT) meganewsservers.com:

The JBL aufio upgrade now comes with bluetooth and costs about $300 more...
:-)

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonakDUH (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

I just bought a 2006 a couple of weeks ago. I really like it so far. It
replaced a 2002 CRV AWD LX. As far as I understand it, 2007 will have side
curtain airbags standard (mine were installed as a factory option), JBL
stereo with Bluetooth is an option, the MSRP is slightly higher (but
actually works out lower if you wanted the side curtain airbags as the rise
in MSRP is less than the cost of the airbags as an option in the 2006). I
wanted a V6 but DH talked me into being economical and spending 2-3K less to
get a 4WD Base I4. For a Base model it's pretty nice. It has some options
like DRLs, 17" wheels, and the SCAirbags. I'm only on my second tank of gas
but I got 24 mpg (70% city/30% hwy) from the first. I would have probably
gotten a manual (had it in the CRV that the RAV4 replaced) although it would
have been a bit of a fight as DH prefers automatics. HTH.

--

Tanukiki (mom of 2 wonderful boys)

tanukiki wrote:

Ah .. that is great news as I really want that feature.

I don't think manual is available any longer for this car ...

By the way, do you like the way it handles? I've only driven sedans
and wagons, so this whole SUV (mini-SUV) experience would be new to me.

I did take one out for a test drive, but that was very short, not enough
time to form an opinion. I plan to go back for more.

See my answers embedded below...

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonakDUH (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote


Me too. I was very glad that seems to be a standard installed option for the
2006 models in the Mid-Atlantic area. Or I might have waited for an 07 which
are just starting to trickle in around here...


You are correct. I'm sorry if I didn't word it well. IF it had been
available I would have considered it. The 4 speed auto in mine works well
although I really would have liked the 5 speed auto coupled with the V6 :-)


Definitely find somewhere that will give you more than a very short test
drive. I like the way it handles. I also drive a 2000 Corolla LE (well until
it recently decided to have some problems at 175000 miles) and a 2006 Ford
Mustang. The RAV4 handles very much like a sedan to me although you sit
higher which I like. I think it handles and feels better than my 02 CRV. My
DH thinks it handles MUCH better than the CRV. He never wanted to drive it
but we "fight" about driving the RAV4. It steers effortlessly, has a nice
tight turn radius, very few blind spots. It's got a great amount of space.
At first I thought I would try to find a third row model but after reading
multiple reviews decided it wouldn't offer enough useful seating and would
take up the great cargo area under the floor in the back of the vehicle. The
17" steel wheels that came on mine look okay. DH says the OEM tires will
probably only last about 30K miles or so. When it's time to replace them, I
might get alloy wheels. Oh and the standard sound system is ehhh...adequate
but not great. I have too many other things I want to get like WeatherTech
liners and such...oh and a tow kit (we had one on our CRV and used it a
couple times a month for our utility trailer) to worry about spending money
on the radio yet. My DH loves to comment about how many things come standard
with this vehicle as opposed to the lack of standard features on our base
model CRV. I think they offer a few more standard options on those now
though. One thing that did bother me about the base model is the lack of
body-colored rearview mirrors but I bought a dark blue one (Nautical Blue
which is gorgeous when the sun shines on it) and the black mirrors go well
with it. I would have hated them on a lighter colored vehicle. OK that's
about as much as I can think of now. Please feel free to let me know if you
have any other questions. Another excellent place to visit is
www.rav4world.com I lurked there for a while during the research process
leasing up to my purchase as I'll have this vehicle hopefully for at least
4-5 years.

Tanukiki

tanukiki wrote:
:-)

Yes, definitely will .. this was just to give me an idea if I even wanted
to consider this car. I also drove a Matrix XR (really only on the urging
of the sales person) and I confirmed that I didn't want that one.

Glad to hear .. I don't want something top-heavy and likely to roll over.

I certainly will, thanks for offering, and thanks for the URL to rav4world,
I already poked my head in there.

Best,
Esmail

"Esmail Bonakdarian" <ebonakDUH (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

Cool. It's a good group of people in there. RAV4 is a great vehicle!

--

Tanukiki (mom of 2 wonderful boys)