Bruster

always wondered who is most popular purchaser of Rav4's.

Which category best fits the Rav.

feel free to change the poll if i didn't do it correctly

I guess you need to specify which RAV you're polling as the two RAV's (4 cyl vs 6 cyl) appeal for very different reasons. I own/drive a ZR6 (a 1st time toyota owner which replaced my SWB Pajero) - Kids are grown therefore mainly use it for myself and with my partner however I was attracted to it because it provides speed, power, ability to carry 4 adults in comfort with plenty of luggage room (golf trips away with the blokes) - the 4cyl version is just too slow for me and would struggle cruising fully loaded. Perhaps the 4 cyl 4d version appeals to the young family or to those who are no so enthusiastic about needing the power on open roads. I also believe that you may need separate polls for the 4 cyl 4d vs 3d since they also appeal to differing motorist tastes - I notice the 4cyl 3d being driven mainly by young women but perhaps thats the appeal just in the eastern subs of Sydney. I'm sure Toyota would know.

Very good point Castr10,

i didnt even think about the other versions of the Rav4...just thought the current version being the more popular .

i have always used normal unleaded and the occasional premium when going down to Canberra.

the car is pretty good with normal unleaded, i use mostly Caltex because i have about 4 or 5 caltex stations on the way home.

although i havent tried E10 fuel, even though the fuel cap says i can use it...still not confident on the E10 yet.

always wondered who is most popular purchaser of Rav4's.

Which category best fits the Rav.

feel free to change the poll if i didn't do it correctly

I am owner of a ZR6 RAV since october last year i have been intrigued by the large number of Klugers i see on the road.

i dont know why, yes they offer a bit more space and features but its also heavier and thirstier.

The RAV name plate has also been around much longer than the Kluger... too me the Rav is faster, easier to park and has more appeal to a wider audience yet on this Forum the lack of interest on the Rav4 tends to send over to RAv4world.com the US forum for RAV's.

what do you guys think?

Thanks, Bruster. Yeah, I can live with that, so long as the sound quality is there!

i think sound quality will depend on your mp3 track, i can tell you i just got the new Nokia 5800 and hooked it up to the RAV4 and the quality was fantastic.

Hey guys,

Just a quick question? Does anyone have the ScanGauge II installed in their current model Rav's. I have a 2008 2.4 CV and am thinking of getting one. Here is the link below:

http://www.scangauge.com.au/buy/index.shtml

As the Rav4 does not have a trip computer, I'm thinking of getting the ScanGauge as I'd like to monitor my fuel consumption a bit more. The CR-V comes with a trip computer and the Rav doesn't.

If anyone has this installed please let me know as the the Dealership was not very helpful and I called the ScanGauge people and they said that it works for the 2006 but they arer not sure of the 2008. From my understanding, the model's did not really change during that time. On their website it also says that it works on Rav's 2006 onwards but whrn I called them, they could not gaurantee this.

I too been researching into this and i went as far as contacting Toyota US and Toyota canada to see if i could get the display button with wiring sent over here to be installed on my steering wheel. The US and canadian versions have trip computer and i believe that our versions have that too but not activated by lovely Toyota australia. Since US and Canada toyota were not willing to help, i am now looking into a scangauge and does fit in.

most modern cars with an OBDII plug in will work with scangauge.

My brother in law ordered one and im waiting to see how it works on his car.

Thanks, guys, that's great. Can't do without my iPod, and those FM transmitter things are HOPELESS!

yes it does have one, but you wont be able to display your songs etc.. on the cars stereo lcd display.

you will have to use your ipod if you want to change songs or skip .

well chased up the dealer i bought the car from and apparently they must've misplaced the touch up paint bottle and apologised.

the bad news is that according to the dealer and Toyota HQ (contacted them) they dont provide touch up paint for imported models, only aussie built cars such as camry and aurion will be able to provide touch up paint bottles.

so if you received a bottle of paint dont lose it because toyota wont be able to provide you a new one.

The only other way i found was through Autobarn they can provide you with touch up paint provided you have the paint code for your model and they can mix it inhouse for $25.00 per bottle.

cant believe what you have to go through for such a simple thing.

now im confused, i'll contact my dealer on my monday.

yesterday i just went to the local Toyota dealer which is not the dealer i bought the from.

i just want to touch up the sccratch caused from the attempted theft of the rear wheel but seems to be impossible.

i guess i'll see on monday what my dealer says.

just wondering if you guys have been able to source touch up paint for your late model Rav4?

i went to toyota, auto1, supercheap and could not find anyone who supplies paint for Rav4 07 /08.

seems impossible and suprising toyota dont have this available.

apparently imported models are not supplied with touch up paint.

i'll keep searching.

I had a key-lock lug nut installed by Toyota so that the wheel could not be stolen. I think it cost about $60.00 which was a lot cheaper that losing the wheel.

wow, they should've told me that initially when i bought the car, but good to know.

however that should be standard really, but i will enquire on the next service.

If Toyota called on you for suggestions on how to improve the RAV4, what would you tell them?

What annoying things would you take out, and what features or functions would you add?

So far I've got:

Automatic door locks at 15mph.

Better cargo area lighting.

i totally agree with the above and plus:

1) Trip Computer

2)bigger wheels for rav v6

3)spare wheel under neath

4)diesel engine

Eargunk,

the car comes with a hard cover standard the problem is that its very easy to open and there is no option to lock it with a padlock.

BlackKnight,

i parked in Westfield Hurstville, worked in the area for over 6 years never had a problem until now.

funny thing happened today though, i was parking the car and just so happens i parked next to an identical RAV4 and i started chatting with the lady and she said just before xmas she experienced the same problem except in her case they took everything, spare wheel with cover and the rest of the wheels...the car was jacked up.. i find it unbelievable i mean these are standard wheels not after market wheels...who would've thought RAV's where in demand for thieves.

anyways she got replacement wheels and replacement spare with cover, her husband then modified the lock for the cover to be able to install a padlock.

i dont think i'll be able to do that, not very handy with tools.

Hi guys,

just wanted to vent my frustration, today was a bad day and started at the very early morning.

an attempt and stealing my spare cover and spare wheel in Westfiel Shopping Centre, the guy looked suspicious according to some people and that may be why he got scared. He left behind the cover and the spare wheel but in return my lug nuts were missing, my wheel cover all scratched and my rear bumper scratched obviously from him forcing the the cover off.

Later in the day in the same place a shopping trolley hit the front bumper, dont know if it was deliberated or accidental but the damage is done.

Obvisouly im very upset but unfortunately out of my control specially when i have no where else to park my car during work hours.

this brings me to my question to all the RAV4 members, have any of you found a way to lock the wheel cover. I think the previous generation you where able to lock it with a padlock but this one doesnt seem to have any space to put a pad lock.

Cheers

Bru

Hi

I've just put on my new Rav4 zr6 All Toyota Parts $$$$$$$

Sidesteps Easy about 40mins

Nudge Bar Easy when you get the V6 fitting Extras to standard Kit 3 hrs 2 attempts should do it in 1 hr

Tow Bar Easy about 1 hr 15 mins

thanks guys,

i got 2 quotes from two different dealers and one was almost $400 cheaper.

this is nudge bar and side steps, how can this be such a different and both being toyota dealers.

so i decided i was going to buy the parts and install it myself, i'll start with the side steps first then try nudge few months later.

thanks again

Hi,

im about to purchase side steps for my RAV4 and wanted to do the installation myself.

just wondering if anyone here has installed side steps before, if so how easy is it to install and if i need any special tools.

if its too difficult and may just pay the dealer for labour and installation...

many thanks

Bru

i think the whole nation should protest against it and avoid petrol stations who only stock E10 fuel.

this will show them how much business they will lose in the long run.

i too had bad experiences wit E10 and avoid them at all costs.

i am personally happy with regular unleaded i don't know why they changing it when there is no fuel economy benefit.

Just wondering if anyone has noticed a similar problem:

I have experienced on a few occasion that a sulphur smell enters the cabin when I accelerate hard/ or up a hill, with the aiir coniditoner on and in recirculation mode. The car is a May 08 RAV ZR6. Spoken to the dealer who naturally found no fault with the car, but suggested that it may be a problem related to sulphur in the fuel, or unburnt fuel in the catalytic converter, or whatever (I don't think he really knows).

Hi achk,

i have noticed i get the same smell when my right foot has a mind of its own, i drive Rav4 ZR6 08 model as well.

i did get a bit worried about that and i will bring it up in the next service.

there has been a few things i will point out next service, is there anything else you have come across?

cheers

Bru

Yeah i hear u man, it seams that there isn't much to talk about with the Ravs.

I have owned my Rav4 SX6 for a couple of months now and always check in here but not much happens from day to day.

I have posted a few threads asking questions and even posting pics to try and 'gee up' the conversation.

I'm sure that many people have looked in here for info....Don't leave if u can't find it! Post the question and get the ball rolling!

I am a member of many forums where the activity is huge so what we need is a few people to start talking about there cars. Even if u think u don't have much to say.

Pick a topic or make one up,

My Rav

Fuel Consumption

Washed my car the other day....

Mods

Day trips

Longer trips

Camping Trips

Problems

Stuff on Ebay

Stereos

etc.

Even advice on non car related stuff or if u have a joke to share...etc.

At least throw up a picture so we can see it.

There are heaps of Rav4's getting around the Cairns area that i see, especially new ones and i know Toyota has sold heaps over the years so there are heaps of drivers out there with experience to share.

Lets build this site up so that we can all enjoy knowing about what we own.

I'm sure the moderators for this site have heaps of ideas as well so lets give them a nudge :)

Heath.

couldn't put it better myself, the American site is good but alot of the content relates to the american version eg. stereos. gps. antennas

Lets hope it gets better...

am i wrong to say that the Kluger Forum in this website seems to be way more popular than the Rav4 forum.

there seems to alot more info and responses from there than there is from RAV4 forum.

I thought Rav's were popular!!

Firstly i know there has been some talk in relation to the Toyota GPS but i can not find anything in relation to what im after.

i recently purchased rav4 zr6 and the GPS states its a voice guidance GPs but the only voice i hear is right at the beginning ( to follow the blue line)

after this there is no more voice guidance and its left up to me to constantly look at the blue line.

on the manual shows diagrams of Turn by turn guidance, split screens etc and mine shows nothing of that.

i have tried everything and can not get the GPs to work properly.

any ideas or suggestions.

cheers

Bru

Holy fricken doley! How did you get them done to $43k for a ZR6? Retail is $50K

And i thought i got a good deal

CrankN.

Hi CrankN,

sorry slight delay in getting the pictures but here they are, not best pics.

qt fan: thats pretty good figures for start/stop driving on ZR6 - can u provide info on the wifes driving style - would she keep revs low <3.5K perhaps? I guess I'm trying to ascertain average fuel usage for both low/high revs in city driving.

we could know this really easily if the rav had a trip computer with instantaneous consumtion. my dad's new landcruiser has one and it is incredibly useful. basically when you rev high you see your instantaneous consumption go up really high.

i was thinking of getting a scanguage or dashhawk in order to monitor instantaneous usage but not sure if these devices actually display this. they both provide trip computers (along with lots of other info) but i'm not sure if that includes instantaneous useage.

RAV4's in the USA have trip computers. They can also be ordered with a 9-speaker JBL stereo system. And probably lots of other goodies that we aussies miss out. It would be great if we can have the followings in the RAV4, either standard or option:

1. xenon lights

2. rain sensor +/- automatic headlights

3. trip computer

4. better switch backlighting (eg steering wheel volume/track buttons, central lock botton, and I don't know why the sat nav's buttons have green backlight but the rest of the car has orange backlight)

Guess I'm just being picky. Or maybe I should save up and buy a lexus... but surely the above niceties don't cost an extra $30K.

Hi there,

if USA RAV4 has trip computer how easy would it be to install in the ozzie version? anyone tried or attempted this?

cheers

Bru

hi again,

well i could not wait after test driving the Rav4 v6 i fell in love with and bought one this weekend.

will be ready at the end of the week.

didnt buy new but a demo with 5000 kms and silver in colour...

cheers

Hi Bruster, how much did you pay for your demo?

We got a great deal on our SX6 with heaps of stuff thrown in. Ours came in Storm Grey which is a great colour.

Have gone through a tank and a half of fuel but forgot to set the trip meter to get true fuel usage so will see next time.

Yeah i did read about the upgrades on the '09 before i bought but they really didnt make me want to wait for it to come out. Plus i used it as leverage for a better price. Still my Rav is an 8/08 so as new as an 'old' car can get.

Heres a pic i took when we went jet skiing last weekend.

Post any pics or info u have. Love to learn/share about my new car.

CrankN

Hi CrankN,

i got my RAV for 42990 driveway its the ZR6 model with reverse sensors, but now im wondering wether or not rear camera would be better.

I was suppose to pick it up this friday but reverse sensors apparently are not in yet to be installed so have to wait until Wednesday.

Mine is Silver in colour but did not get any nudge bar or side steps...which i may install later

Will have photos soon, great colour by the way..its the colour i was looking for but coulnt find it in a ZR6 model.

Bruster

Is the rav4 V6 as quick as the books say??? Its tempting!!

its pretty darn quick, gave a quick test off the lights and flew.

its almost the same weight as the aurion..

the only thing im worried now if if petrol prices sky rocket... hopefully it will go down rather than up.

having said that from the reviews and the forum here it seems the v6 is just as economical as the 4 cylinder RAV4...not much difference.

in fact one review in carpoint claimed v6 model to be more efficient than the 4 Cylinder Rav4.

i guess i will find out in the coming weeks.