YACT: Best Alternatives to 2006 Toyota RAV4?

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
33
81
My dad has a 1997 RAV4. It's the best car he's ever owned. Period.

He was getting excited about the new 2006 RAV4...until he saw it in person. He says it's more Highlander than RAV; that Toyota took the car in the wrong direction. He saw a 4-cylinder AWD version for $25K before tax, tag, title. There are quite a few options in the $25-30K range.

What does he love about this old RAV?
-Economical
-Small Size (can go just about anywhere)
-Reliable

What does he want in a replacement?
-Budget is $25K-$35K
-Must have AWD
-Must be reliable (more or less excludes American and German makes)
-Economical (robust 4-cylinder)
-He has been looking closely at Toyota, Honda/Acura, and Nissan/Infiniti


So what alternatives would ATOT suggest?
 

Nikamichi

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2003
7,759
0
0
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Honda Pilot.

Too big for his tastes.

How long can he hold out for a new car? I'd recommend the 2007 Santa Fe, 5/60,000 warranty is :thumbsup:. Hyundai is seriously going to corner a good share of the car market this year. Their new vehicles are apples & oranges compared to past year's models.

Link
 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
Honda CR-V or a Ford Escape. I'd still probably choose the 2006 Rav4 v6 though. It's around 28k MSRP loaded.
 

toekramp

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2001
8,426
2
0
2006 Rav4 4wd is 23.5k here at my dealership... and they definitely took the RIGHT direction. that care is a thousand times better than anything out on the market right now.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,105
598
126
So tell then, what's the difference between the '06 Rav and a Highlander? Aren't they practically the same size now?
 

toekramp

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2001
8,426
2
0
Originally posted by: NutBucket
So tell then, what's the difference between the '06 Rav and a Highlander? Aren't they practically the same size now?

not much, about 4" or something
 

Martin

Lifer
Jan 15, 2000
29,178
1
81
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Honda Pilot.

Too big for his tastes.

How long can he hold out for a new car? I'd recommend the 2007 Santa Fe, 5/60,000 warranty is :thumbsup:. Hyundai is seriously going to corner a good share of the car market this year. Their new vehicles are apples & oranges compared to past year's models.

Link


holy crap, that looks like a mini FX45. Damn.
 

Rudee

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
11,218
2
76
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Honda Pilot.

Too big for his tastes.

How long can he hold out for a new car? I'd recommend the 2007 Santa Fe, 5/60,000 warranty is :thumbsup:. Hyundai is seriously going to corner a good share of the car market this year. Their new vehicles are apples & oranges compared to past year's models.

Link

That vehichle doesn't look the least bit manly. Not in any way.

 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
Originally posted by: Rudee
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: Nikamichi
Honda Pilot.

Too big for his tastes.

How long can he hold out for a new car? I'd recommend the 2007 Santa Fe, 5/60,000 warranty is :thumbsup:. Hyundai is seriously going to corner a good share of the car market this year. Their new vehicles are apples & oranges compared to past year's models.

Link

That vehichle doesn't look the least bit manly. Not in any way.


Do you drive a Ford Bicep?
 

tennisflip

Golden Member
Sep 25, 2003
1,845
0
0
Other than the logo not being exactly inbetween the two lines on the grille it looks pretty good... I'm talking about the Santa Fe.
 

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
0
0
YGPM on various models I recommend. If you have questions about any additional models or vehicles let me know. I've got just about every model car/suv in that price range.