Possible to get a deal on a RAV4 Prime??
12-04-20 | 11:28 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,710
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
This problem is not limited to Toyotas by any means. Automotive history shows stability/handling problems with a number of SUVs, even after electronic stability controls were included. Some that I can remember just off the tip of my hat are Jeep CJ-5/CJ-7 models, early model Ford Broncos, Isuzu Trooper II, Mitsubishi Montero, the Suzuki Samurai (which was arguably the worst-handling one of all), Acura SLX (which was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper), and some versions of the Lexus GX460.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-05-20 at 09:22 AM.
12-05-20 | 12:37 PM
#20
Driver
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: CO
For that Price I'd just go with TESLA AWD Model Y starting at $50K. They won't get the $7.5K Federal Rebate but will get the $4K state rebate for now, though it will drop to $2.5K in 2021
12-05-20 | 12:44 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: CA
Originally Posted by LX5280
For that Price I'd just go with TESLA AWD Model Y starting at $50K. They won't get the $7.5K Federal Rebate but will get the $4K state rebate for now, though it will drop to $2.5K in 2021
12-05-20 | 07:09 PM
#24
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
he even describes front wheel torque steer as 'fun'
12-05-20 | 07:34 PM
#26
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,710
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
One could probably say that about any true gas/electric hybrid......no range anxiety.
One also has to keep the needs of the gas engine in mind. If the vehicle is plugged-in/recharged most of the time, so that the battery stays at or near a full-charge, and not driven very far most of the time, it will be running on its electric motor, particularly if it has a heat-pump climate-control system. That means the gas engine will run very little, if at all...and gas engines need to be run a certain amount to keep internal parts and seals lubed, oil circulating, and anti-freeze/coolant circulating through the system. The worst thing one can do to a gas engine is to NOT run it for long periods of time.
Agreed that it's hard to fault the quality of Toyota drivetrains (including hybrids), which is among the world's best. Personally, though, I find much of their trim and interior materials to be cheap...particularly on the RAV-4 and C-HR.
Agreed. I would not pay over MSRP for any vehicle. I did so only once in my life (about $150 or so for a new 1984 Mazda).....and that was under extraoardinary circumstances, in early 1984, when it was almost impossible to get a new Japanese vehicle in the American market without a mark-up, particularly for Toyota and Honda. I would have paid a lot more of a markup for an Accord or Camry...particularly in a then-popular color. And I only did so because I was sick and tired of what I had been going through with American-badged cars at the time (I've done write-ups on some of them)....after several lemons in a row, finally, I had had enough.
Depends on gas prices....which, right now, particularly in the U.S., are generally low by historical standards.
One also has to keep the needs of the gas engine in mind. If the vehicle is plugged-in/recharged most of the time, so that the battery stays at or near a full-charge, and not driven very far most of the time, it will be running on its electric motor, particularly if it has a heat-pump climate-control system. That means the gas engine will run very little, if at all...and gas engines need to be run a certain amount to keep internal parts and seals lubed, oil circulating, and anti-freeze/coolant circulating through the system. The worst thing one can do to a gas engine is to NOT run it for long periods of time.
Superior quality. Real features. Made in Japan 
Paying over MSRP is pretty dumb tho.
All that extra money can buy gas for the hybrid for how many years?
12-05-20 | 07:53 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,740
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From: ON/NY
One could probably say that about any true gas/electric hybrid......no range anxiety.
One also has to keep the needs of the gas engine in mind. If the vehicle is plugged-in/recharged most of the time, so that the battery stays at or near a full-charge, and not driven very far most of the time, it will be running on its electric motor, particularly if it has a heat-pump climate-control system. That means the gas engine will run very little, if at all...and gas engines need to be run a certain amount to keep internal parts and seals lubed, oil circulating, and anti-freeze/coolant circulating through the system. The worst thing one can do to a gas engine is to NOT run it for long periods of time.
Agreed that it's hard to fault the quality of Toyota drivetrains (including hybrids), which is among the world's best. Personally, though, I find much of their trim and interior materials to be cheap...particularly on the RAV-4 and C-HR.
Agreed. I would not pay over MSRP for any vehicle. I did so only once in my life (about $150 or so for a new 1984 Mazda).....and that was under extraoardinary circumstances, in early 1984, when it was almost impossible to get a new Japanese vehicle in the American market without a mark-up, particularly for Toyota and Honda. I would have paid a lot more of a markup for an Accord or Camry...particularly in a then-popular color. And I only did so because I was sick and tired of what I had been going through with American-badged cars at the time (I've done write-ups on some of them)....after several lemons in a row, finally, I had had enough.
Depends on gas prices....which, right now, particularly in the U.S., are generally low by historical standards.
One also has to keep the needs of the gas engine in mind. If the vehicle is plugged-in/recharged most of the time, so that the battery stays at or near a full-charge, and not driven very far most of the time, it will be running on its electric motor, particularly if it has a heat-pump climate-control system. That means the gas engine will run very little, if at all...and gas engines need to be run a certain amount to keep internal parts and seals lubed, oil circulating, and anti-freeze/coolant circulating through the system. The worst thing one can do to a gas engine is to NOT run it for long periods of time.
Agreed that it's hard to fault the quality of Toyota drivetrains (including hybrids), which is among the world's best. Personally, though, I find much of their trim and interior materials to be cheap...particularly on the RAV-4 and C-HR.
Agreed. I would not pay over MSRP for any vehicle. I did so only once in my life (about $150 or so for a new 1984 Mazda).....and that was under extraoardinary circumstances, in early 1984, when it was almost impossible to get a new Japanese vehicle in the American market without a mark-up, particularly for Toyota and Honda. I would have paid a lot more of a markup for an Accord or Camry...particularly in a then-popular color. And I only did so because I was sick and tired of what I had been going through with American-badged cars at the time (I've done write-ups on some of them)....after several lemons in a row, finally, I had had enough.
Depends on gas prices....which, right now, particularly in the U.S., are generally low by historical standards.
12-05-20 | 08:00 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,710
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
12-06-20 | 10:09 PM
#29
Yeah gas is so cheap the 'advantages' of this rav4 prime are minimal for the extra $, although it's certainly faster.
but it's still a rav4, no passenger power seat available, cramped rear seating, cheap materials all over. Oh and fugly too.
but it's still a rav4, no passenger power seat available, cramped rear seating, cheap materials all over. Oh and fugly too.
12-07-20 | 12:02 PM
#30
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Woodlands, TX