New member, RAV4 LTD 2008 v6 or 2009 LTD I4?

[joevirus563]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum and happy to be part of it!

Now i have a few question about the rav4's...

First a little bit on myself...

I'm from Canada. I've been driving a Hyndai Elantra 2004 since I bought it brand new, manual, no AC, no option at all! And kind of tired and need a bit more options.
I have an active lifestyle, camping etc. I'm not gonna really tow since I don't have a trailler, but might rent one sometime to tow like motorcycles. Most of the time we'll be only 2 in the car.

Around 10 000km/y for work driving, including 2wk on the road as a vacation

Feature that I'm looking for:
- Sunroof
- Heated seat
- Bluetooth? not needed but would be nice
- No leather if possible...
- V6? If its not really more expensive on gas... why not?

I've been looking to buy a rav4 for a few time now.
Here's the info i'm after:

1- What would be a decent price for a RAV4 Limited 2008 V6-I4 and RAV4 Limited 2009 V6-I4?
2- Would the I4 2009 be really better than the I4 2008?
3- What trim would have all my needed option (Sport? Limited?)?

Thanks for your help!!

[Willow]

Salut et bienvenu

My dad bought an 08 V6 Ltd, for just under 19K. It has sunroof, no heated seats (which can be added), no BT and no leather.
Our 07 Ltd is I4 we paid 17K, we have sunroof, heated seats, no BT and non leather.
From discussions on this forum the V6 doesnt use that much more in gas and from experience the 6 is much more fun to drive loads of power. We don't tow anything and to us heated seats was a must over the abiltiy to tow so we bought the I4. My dad would like the ability to tow so he got the V6. If I had to do it all over, I would have bought a v6 w/ heated seats. But I am not dissapointed

[joevirus563]

Originally Posted by Willow

Salut et bienvenu

My dad bought an 08 V6 Ltd, for just under 19K. It has sunroof, no heated seats (which can be added), no BT and no leather.
Our 07 Ltd is I4 we paid 17K, we have sunroof, heated seats, no BT and non leather.
From discussions on this forum the V6 doesnt use that much more in gas and from experience the 6 is much more fun to drive loads of power. We don't tow anything and to us heated seats was a must over the abiltiy to tow so we bought the I4. My dad would like the ability to tow so he got the V6. If I had to do it all over, I would have bought a v6 w/ heated seats. But I am not dissapointed

Great! Thanks... I have many deals around here...
V6 Ltd 2009 101 000km 17k :D
V6 Ltd 2008 around 15k

[ajd187]

The sales guy at my Toyota dealer told me that the V6 RAV4 is the fastest vehicle Toyota makes. A quick check on the line up revealed that this is probably true. The V6 is the same engine that goes in the Sienna, which weighs a lot more than the Rav!

EPA reported numbers on the V6 are just a little less than the I4. The I4 is also pretty quick though and great on gas. Can't go wrong either way IMO.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by joevirus563

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum and happy to be part of it!

1- What would be a decent price for a RAV4 Limited 2008 V6-I4 and RAV4 Limited 2009 V6-I4?
2- Would the I4 2009 be really better than the I4 2008?
3- What trim would have all my needed option (Sport? Limited?)?

Thanks for your help!!

Welcome, Joe! You need to read this document--it will detail all the differences between the 2008 and 2009. I wish I had it available when I bought my '08. I would have probably gone for the '09:

http://rav4world.com/pdf/2009/2009_R...w_Features.pdf

[joevirus563]

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Welcome, Joe! You need to read this document--it will detail all the differences between the 2008 and 2009. I wish I had it available when I bought my '08. I would have probably gone for the '09:

http://rav4world.com/pdf/2009/2009_R...w_Features.pdf

Thanks for the document!
Ok now... do you know when the 2009 are coming back from leasing?

[Dr. Dyno]

They still make an I4?? Why?

[kenm09]

Originally Posted by ajd187

The sales guy at my Toyota dealer told me that the V6 RAV4 is the fastest vehicle Toyota makes. A quick check on the line up revealed that this is probably true. The V6 is the same engine that goes in the Sienna, which weighs a lot more than the Rav!

EPA reported numbers on the V6 are just a little less than the I4. The I4 is also pretty quick though and great on gas. Can't go wrong either way IMO.

Actually the 3.5L engine is the same across the Sienna, V6 Camry, V6 Highlander, V6 Venza and Avalon.

The 2.4 I4 is found in the 6th generation Camry (prior to the newest model), Matrix and also the Rav. We have a 2008 Camry with the I4 and it's a good engine and has no known problems at 70k miles, but it's not as fuel efficient as I thought it would be. In fact, this engine may be something that they are beginning to phase out as I noticed the 2012 Camrys and Ravs have a 2.5L engine, while the Highlanders and Venzas have 2.7L.

Like others have been saying, the difference in MPGs between the V6 and I4 are minimal, and the 3.5L is quite powerful in the Rav's smaller physique. Even if I wasn't towing like I do, I would have still opted for the 6 cylinder. When you compare it to other vehicles in its class, it is kind of a niche vehicle with the Kia Sorento being the only contender with a 3.5L engine. The Escapes have a 3.0L V6 (and I believe discontinued this in the new generation) while the CRVs don't even have the option of a V6.

Just my .02

[joevirus563]

Great... Ok I have a deal for a 2008 Limited all leather, JBL sound system. 116 000KM for around 15 500$ should I jump on it or wait for a 2009?!?

[kenm09]

Originally Posted by joevirus563

Great... Ok I have a deal for a 2008 Limited all leather, JBL sound system. 116 000KM for around 15 500$ should I jump on it or wait for a 2009?!?

Considering the price, if you like it, I feel it's a fair price. A quick search, and I found this vehicle to meet your same criteria...

Lowery's Auto Sales, Inc. | Vehicle Details

Listed at 17,500 USD, I would imagine another $2,000 off is something not too hard to do. If they are stuck at 15,500, see what they will throw in. The OEM Toyota hitch and Wire Harness can be pricey, so that's always a nice bartering item. Also, maybe a cargo cover, etc. When I bought my 2010 Sport, they ended up coming down over $4500. Granted, the Sports are in less demand than the Limiteds. Maybe some others that own a Limited can comment. I look at the $15,500 price tag for something with that amount of miles (roughly 72k?) and you can be in something newer for not much more.