[Jebzter]

IS 300 buddies...am considering purchasing a fully loaded 2001 Black Toyota RAV 4 ($23K +). What are your comments on this? Mainly use it for a lot of functional trips - esp. in the winter season.

Still love my IS 300...

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Jebzter
2001 IS300
Slvr/Blk/Carbon Fiber Interior/

 

[Jeff Taylor]

The RAV4 has been getting pretty good reviews. I definitely like the new styling.

However, I have a feeling it is going to feel like a real slug after driving the IS. Maybe that is a good thing because the IS will seem even faster...

Jeff

 

[Agent Smith]

Not a bad price...but not my cup of tea...I prefer SUV's that come with exploding tires as original equipment.

 

[Italian Stallion]

I've got an 96 RAV4 that has 80k on it - not one thing has gone wrong. Manual tranny and is a blast to drive. Superb handling for an SUV (in fact, Consumer Reports says the RAV is the most agile SUV they have tested).

I test drove the new 2001 RAV. Toyota did a very good job in the redesign. Much more room in the rear seat, and much quieter.

Of course it's not an IS300, or a sports sedan for that matter. But when it's snowing, I'll STILL be able to get up the mountain where I live .... while the IS300 drivers are cooling their heels in some motel.

This will be one awesome vehicle if Toyota ever gets around to putting an V6 in it, as rumored.

Great car - you can't go wrong with one.

[This message has been edited by Italian Stallion (edited October 12, 2000).]

 

[SpectraBlueIS300]

If you're considering a RAV4, you may want to check out the Mazda Tribute (aka Ford Escape).

 

[Jebzter]

SpectraBlue: Why Mazda?

 

[brad]

Say what you want but it is unequivocally a chic car.

 

[wazzup]

The new Ford Escape (which is built off of the Mazda Tribute) is a nice little suv. Smaller then an Explorer, a little bigger then a Rav 4. Lower ground clearance thus more car like performance and best of all a 200hp V6.

Ford has been in a lot of trouble these days though (tire recalls, ignition recalls etc etc).

RAV 4 and CR V are still little four cylinder engines right?

 

[viggen]

There is a review of the RAV4 in the latest Car & Driver. They said it is more fun to drive than any SUV. The interior looks much nicer than the previous model and it has the same cool steering wheel as the MR2 Spyder and Celica. Also, 0-60mph in 10.5 sec is pretty good for a mini-ute with an auto transmission.

 

[Jebzter]

OK...I'll check it out this weekend. I still like the 2001 RAV 4's look and ergonomics...dash, seating, functional usage of baby seat, take off seat, good gas mileage.

The front (headlights) look like an IS...

 

[viggen]

Originally posted by wazzup:
The new Ford Escape (which is built off of the Mazda Tribute) is a nice little suv. Smaller then an Explorer, a little bigger then a Rav 4. Lower ground clearance thus more car like performance and best of all a 200hp V6.

Ford has been in a lot of trouble these days though (tire recalls, ignition recalls etc etc).

RAV 4 and CR V are still little four cylinder engines right?

The Escape has class-leading acceleration and handling, as well as the shortest braking distances of any SUV. However, I would be concerned about build quality because they've already had recalls on this vehicle.

 

[mrclam]

everyone i know and see who drives a RAV4 can't drive for sh*t

 

[lilaznboi]

I think that the RAV-4 is a nice car for a small tiny SUV. But if I were to getta SUV, I would go for a 4Runner which costs more...or probably something even bigger just so it feels like your driving a SUV. U guys probably will all disagree with me but the Impreza 2.5RS isn't all that bad. I was considering to buy this car and turbocharge it and buy all the mods so it will be almost like a WRX.

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Spectra Blue IS300

 

[kota]

.

[This message has been edited by kota (edited October 19, 2000).]

 

[Agent Smith]

Yeah - with all of the bad press on Ford...maybe you could command a better deal...just make sure the tires aren't Firestone.

 

[Italian Stallion]

I test drove the Tribute. Nice power and decent handling ..... but I couldn't get past the shifter mounted on the steering column. That's bad enoough, but the Mazda engineer who designed this (and must have been drunk or stoned at the time), made the lever much bigger than it needs to be, and it sticks out at an absurd angle. Felt I was drving a Ford Galax 500 from 30 years ago.

When I mentioned to the salesman that I didn't like it, he said other customers had also complained.

Originally posted by SpectraBlueIS300:
If you're considering a RAV4, you may want to check out the Mazda Tribute (aka Ford Escape).

 

[chromaplast]

hmm.. doesn't the new RAV4 has similar head light shape to the IS?

 

[JW]

Yeah, I noticed that too...seems like Toyota's stylists are extending the shape of the headlight assembly so that it rises up as it curves around the side. An extreme example is the Celica.

 

[chiem]

I've heard good things about Subarus. Forrestors and Outbacks.. I think you can get an H6 in one of them.

--k

 

[IIIseries]

Youre right Viggen, the Escape, according to my dealer, has had 3 recalls ALREADY

Typical Ford, huh?