Toyota RAV4

[Lumps]

So I have a budget of no more than 20k. I want a sport utility type vehicle but not a monster SUV. I am looking at Toyotas and Hondas mainly, the RAV4 and the CR-V. I am buying used, few years old, with no more than 30k miles on them.

My concerns are the power. I really want a Honda or Toyota because this car needs to last 10+ years. I know it's all about how the maintenance rather than the brand to some extent I realize that, I know how to buy a car.

My concern is as I said the power. A 6 cylinder RAV4 is very rare at my price point and in general. Seems to me a 4 cylinder in a sport utility such as this seems underpowered...is that true?

I've been eyeballing Nissans but I like the feel of the Hondas and Toyotas best but any suggestions of a vehicle matching my description would be awesome, preferably ones backed with experience.

[Lumps]

I'd rather have a V6 Accord or Camry than an underpowered SUV...and that is really what it's coming down to. But I really want more room and size of the SUV but not if it means flooring it to get up to 70mph.

[Hawk]

Acura RDX

 

 

/thread

[KSpan]

Subaru Forester, older body style.

[Lumps]

Acura RDX

/thread

Except my max is 20k and I'm not buying a vehicle with 60k miles on it.

It'd be nice and I've been looking at Acura cars...those are in the price range.

Same with the Subaru...those are pricier cars, fellas.

[Panthro]

Older Toyota 4runner?

[Panthro]

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/2006-Toyota-4Runner-11589438.html

[Lumps]

Older Toyota 4runner?

Pretty much out of price range. I'd have to find a gem. And it will eat gas, a reason I'm sticking to the smaller SUVs.

Surely there is someone here that owns a RAV4?

[Lumps]

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/2006-Toyota-4Runner-11589438.html

Nice find...48k miles a bit much though.

[Anybodyhome]

Every non-affiliated site comparison I've read cites 2 things:

1. RAV4 edges in cargo space by 3.5 cu ft

2. Rear seat fold down advantage to Honda.

 

Other than that, virtually all of them say you won't go wrong with either and it comes down to a matter of preference for the buyer. Which do you prefer?

[Lumps]

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/2006-Toyota-4Runner-11589438.html

Also, looks like a v8, at least that's the engine pictured not paying for that poo.

[OneBadCat]

Get an early 2000's Montero and tune it up. Great vehicle, not the best MPG though

[Lumps]

Every non-affiliated site comparison I've read cites 2 things:

1. RAV4 edges in cargo space by 3.5 cu ft

2. Rear seat fold down advantage to Honda.

Other than that, virtually all of them say you won't go wrong with either and it comes down to a matter of preference for the buyer. Which do you prefer?

Definitely the RAV4, for the reasons mentioned and others. It's the power issue. My car now has a 4cylinder and is slow, I can't imagine driving a bigger car with a 4 cylinder.

[SmokinwithWilly]

My wife has the v6 RAV 4 and loves it. Has plenty of power and gets decent gas milage at 23/28 mpg. Her's is an 06 with 100k miles on it and it still runs like a champ. I know there was a period in the production of RAV 4's when they went through a lot of problems. I want to say it was 08-10, but I'd double check to be sure. My mother-in-law got one of them and finally got rid of it because it had so many issues, all under warranty though. 

 

The only real down side I have seen from RAV 4's is they eat tires like crazy. My wife is almost through her 3rd set. The last set I bought were 80k mile tires and she got 29 out of them. It seems to be a common issue from every tire guy I have talked to. 

 

Just my $.02.