Looking for a 2nd hand SUV

[si|verfish]

Guys, my Bro is thinking about getting a 2nd hand Toyota RAV4, year 97. I don't have much knowledge about these sort of cars, so here I am asking your opinions.

1) Pros and cons of said car.
2) How much should you be willing to pay for said car.
3) Any sort of known problems with said car.
4) What other similar alternatives? CRV? etc.

Your opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BlackSamurai]

silverfish, 2-doors or 4-doors?

 

[si|verfish]

Preferably 4 doors I guess. I didn't ask him that.

 

[si|verfish]

C'mon guys, need a hand here.

 

[BlackSamurai]

silverfish, try to post it at Toyota thread. I think you will have better response.

PS: BlackHowling have a RAV4.

 

[munky]

i think the rav4 is a little bit overpriced. And it's small (compared to others in the same class. Correct me if im wrong). Better get the crv. It's bigger. And if im not mistaken the rav4 is 1.8, and the crv is 2.0

Just my 2 cents

 

[BlackSamurai]

PS: earlier version of CRV is 1.6 only.

 

[moe6]

uhhh... dude there wasn't ever a 1.6l CRV. It'd kinda lose the point if there was.

and a quick googling shows no such thing either.

 

[si|verfish]

Had a look at motortrader, most of the year 97 RAV4s are 2.0 litre. Goes for about 50k. Just need more info on how the car drives, etc.

 

[verticalimit]

my boss wife driving a toyota rav4. i try n drive before cos bring to service
i feel totally sux underpowered for 2 litre somemore. get CRV better.

 

[si|verfish]

Hmmm...is it the version I'm talking about?

The CRV is about 20k more expensive for a car around 97 compared to the RAV4.

 

[bridgestoneRE711]

cr-v , maintainace is cheaper than rav4 .

 

[si|verfish]

Fuel consumption etc.?

 

[munky]

didnt know there are 2.0 rav4s . My bad

 

[zan]

97 rav4 is the 1st model introduced in 1994 if not mistaken. 3S-FE engine from corona.
as the name says...RAV4 means Recreational Activity Vehicle. 4 means full time 4WD.
becoz of that, maybe power delivery sluggish a bit but superb traction.

personally speaking, cabin is cramped. too small for comfort. but according to UK magazines RAV4 is fun to drive. especially in 2 door version. i had drove both version before during my time with toyota but not spirited one. just for testing purposes..make sure car is all right before complete service.

2 door model however attarcts attention. later RAV4 (as the present one) has VVTI and bigger body. it was introduced in late 1998, so expect all new model soon.

since its introduction as the compact SUV, more manufacturer is rushing to produce their own version of RAV4.
Honda =CRV, HRV
Landrover = freelander
mitsubishi = pajero i.o/shogun pinin
kia = sportage
not to mention the pioneer in small SUV like Daihatsu Feroza and Suzuki Vitara both 1.6 but Vitara has the Grand version in 2.0 spec.

price is ranging from 55++ to 80++. my advice, spend a bit more and get the 2nd model RAV4.