Toyota RAV4 (2006 - 2012) 2.2 D-4D T180 5d (2006/56) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Would you buy this car again and why?

Probably but not take it to a dealer for servicing!

What are you likely to buy next?

If not a Rav4, could be Subaru XV, Volvo XC60, Skoda Superb.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£24,800

When did you buy the car?

October 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes, got a quote from a car broker (UK supplied cars) and the local Toyota dealer matched their price i.e. £4000 saving!".

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Wanted a 4x4, but not a tractor.

What was the dealer like?

OK when buying, but servicing they are too 'up sell' orientated! Example I filled my washer fluid to the brim before it was serviced, BUT they still charged me for washer fluid. When I complained, they said they would issue me with a credit note for next service! Its not going back to the dealer again!

What's it like to drive?

Very agile and smooth and at 6 years old. Still the Gti of the 4x4 world. Have been employed driving the new BMW's/Jags/Range Rovers on/off the ferries locally. Other remarked 'and then you get back into your car and think its cronky'. Never felt this getting back into my 6 year old Toyota!

What's it like to park?

Easy, but I never find parking a problem in any car!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Tyres are STILL expensive being run-flat 4x4 tyres, as with an inner rim, to support the car if the tyre goes flat. (Other run flats are low profile, so the strength is in the tyre wall). HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 85K! Noted coolant being pulled through overflow, got an independent garage to check, who confirmed head gasket. They rang Toyota for one, to be told 'no gasket is available, it is a new engine'.......! THANKFULLY though as this engine is also used in Lexus's and Toyota saw the failure as their design fault, Toyota supplied a modified engine FREE OF CHARGE! (Apparently Toyota will honor this failure on all Toyota T180's up to 7 years of age and approx 110,000 miles (Being a modified unit the same fault should never occur in another 110k!).

What's most practical about your car?

Keyless entry - no fumbling with keys/pad to zap, running to your car in say a rain storm! Just touch the door handle (with the pad say zipped into a fleece pocket) and it unlocks!

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Love the keyless entry and ignition and 6 years on can still see no car similarly priced equipped with this. Its never been a problem to me and why I want it again! No ignition key is not just security, but safety, as your right knee collides with the ignition key in a frontal accident and this can cripple you for life! (Why Saab put the ignition in the gearbox).