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A good alternative to the RAV4?

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m2brazil

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am about 95% sure that I will buy a used 2010 - 2012 RAV4 but I keep studying other crossovers just in case there appears one of those candy deals maybe like a 2011 CR-V low mileage for $12K for example. The RAV4 in the years I am looking are going to run me about $16,000 - $18,000.

Which other make or brand would you consider and why if you came upon a candy of a deal? I think I would consider a CR-V or Kia Sorrento maybe.

I hope to make my purchase in Ohio in the early part of June.
 
#3 ·
In all honesty......if I were looking for a four cylinder in that age range I would lean heavily towards the Honda. There is a reason it is the top seller. Buying used there is no brand I would consider other than the Honda. The four speed auto in the RAV is just too antiquated to even put on the list. I'm just being honest here and it is strictly my opinion.
 
#5 ·
I can help you here. I have a 2009 Rav4 awd base with the 2.5L. My wife has a 2008 Honda Cr-V EX and my father has a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe (FWD) with the 2.4l/6speed auto.

Advantages Toyota
*Utility, easy fold down rear seating (with remote handles by the rear gate)
*Great gas mileage even with the 4speed auto. I do 80%hwy/20% around town and easily average 27mpg. The trans ratios are well matched with the 2.5L. Would more speeds be better, yes but the trans/engine combo is well matched
*Good sight lines and well laid out interior.
*reliable
Disadvantages
*poor paint quality
*noisier than the other two
*interior fit and finish ok but others are better

Advantages CR-V
*interior well laid out
*great fit and finish
*Seats are superb
*Great sight lines
Disadvantages CR-V
*Gas mileage lower even with a 5speed auto (compared to the 4 speed Rav4)
*Not as much interior room
*Navigation system is buggy

Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L)
*Fit and finish is superb (actually in my estimation better than both the Honda and Toyota)
*Quiet inside
*A lot of content for the money
*6speed automatic
*great on gas
Disadvantages Santa Fe
*Eco button severly dampens the acceleration to the point of aggravation. (my advice turn the button off leave it as is and drive with restraint and still get great mileage)
*Does not feel as powerful as the base Rav4 (seat of the pants opinion)
*Not as spacious in cargo area as the Rav4

Hope this helps. My advice is to drive them and find out which one is most comfortable for you. There are a plethora of great choices in this segment
 
#6 ·
m2brazil said:
I am about 95% sure that I will buy a used 2010 - 2012 RAV4 but I keep studying other crossovers just in case there appears one of those candy deals maybe like a 2011 CR-V low mileage for $12K for example. The RAV4 in the years I am looking are going to run me about $16,000 - $18,000.

Which other make or brand would you consider and why if you came upon a candy of a deal? I think I would consider a CR-V or Kia Sorrento maybe.

I hope to make my purchase in Ohio in the early part of June.
Click to expand...
Be careful for the price you are quoting for a 2011 CRV sounds like some sort of damage- check the title. On Craigslist I saw one for that amount and it had water damage from sandy.
 
#8 ·
m2brazil said:
I am about 95% sure that I will buy a used 2010 - 2012 RAV4 but I keep studying other crossovers just in case there appears one of those candy deals maybe like a 2011 CR-V low mileage for $12K for example. The RAV4 in the years I am looking are going to run me about $16,000 - $18,000.

Which other make or brand would you consider and why if you came upon a candy of a deal? I think I would consider a CR-V or Kia Sorrento maybe.

I hope to make my purchase in Ohio in the early part of June.
Click to expand...
For 17-18k, you can get a brand new AWD Outlander Sport and it comes with a 10 year, 100k mile warranty.

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/96-...ums/96-4-3-general/84466-how-do-mitsu-outlander-rav4-compare-3.html#post1089826
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
I just looked at the Sport. Too small for what I need it for. Also I do not see a huge advantage to go Mitsubishi unless you buy new as the 100,000 drive train warranty is not transferable. I hear they are great cars though but their reliability has not bee proven yet. Toyota and Honda has.
 
#12 ·
I had a Nissan Rogue before getting my RAV4. It was a little tighter on the interior, but I think it was far superior to the RAV4. Very well built (Japan), drove much better than the RAV, and was MUCH quieter inside. I even liked the CVT. In 44,000 miles I didn't have any issues at all with it.

Ray
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
crayb said:
I had a Nissan Rogue before getting my RAV4. It was a little tighter on the interior, but I think it was far superior to the RAV4. Very well built (Japan), drove much better than the RAV, and was MUCH quieter inside. I even liked the CVT. In 44,000 miles I didn't have any issues at all with it.

Ray
Click to expand...
IMO Nissans are some of the best vehicles in the world. The only problem for me is they are about $3,000.00 more for a comparable suv than the RAV4. The Rogue is too small in cargo space and very rare for a decent priced used one.
 
#14 ·
RTexasF said:
In all honesty......if I were looking for a four cylinder in that age range I would lean heavily towards the Honda. There is a reason it is the top seller. Buying used there is no brand I would consider other than the Honda. The four speed auto in the RAV is just too antiquated to even put on the list. I'm just being honest here and it is strictly my opinion.
Click to expand...
As it happens, the 4-speed auto is fine, really, as the RAV4 still gets good mileage. Weird, I know. It's getting better mileage than the Acura or Hondas I've had in the past!

We also shopped the Subaru Outback. I found the suspension to be too soft for my liking and it was a bit slow. We had a Forester in the past, but the RAV4 and Outback seem roomier.
 
#15 ·
m2brazil said:
IMO Nissans are some of the best vehicles in the world. The only problem for me is they are about $3,000.00 more for a comparable suv than the RAV4. The Rogue is too small in cargo space and very rare for a decent priced used one.
Click to expand...


2013 Nissan Rogue

CHAMBERSBURG , CHAMBERSBURG PA 1-855-730-6803 / Hours
AWD 4dr S
[
B]FitzWay Low Price: $19,165.00 [/B]

PLATINUM GRAPHI/CHARCOAL
SUV Invoice Price: $23,860.00

MSRP: $24,820.00
Stock #: N106224

Model#: 22213

Vin: JN8AS5MV1DW106224

Fitzgerald Automall Inventory Search : New and Used cars Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, DC, Virginia
 
#16 ·
m2brazil said:
I just looked at the Sport. Too small for what I need it for. Also I do not see a huge advantage to go Mitsubishi unless you buy new as the 100,000 drive train warranty is not transferable. I hear they are great cars though but their reliability has not bee proven yet. Toyota and Honda has.
Click to expand...
If the Outlander Sport is too small for you, you can always go with the Hyundai Tucson which is similar in size to the Rav4 and it's only $20,000 for the AWD model
New Hyundai Tucson - in 10306 Area - AWD on Cars.com

Or the KIA Sportage for $20,000 as well. They all have 10 year, 100k mile warranties.
New Kia - in 10306 Area - AWD on Cars.com
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Both have less cargo space and have less power than the RAV4.

I can get a semi new 2012 RAV4 with 13,000 miles on it for $18,000 Still under the 60,000 mile warranty.


we5leyz said:
If the Outlander Sport is too small for you, you can always go with the Hyundai Tucson which is similar in size to the Rav4 and it's only $20,000 for the AWD model
New Hyundai Tucson - in 10306 Area - AWD on Cars.com

Or the KIA Sportage for $20,000 as well. They all have 10 year, 100k mile warranties.
New Kia - in 10306 Area - AWD on Cars.com
Click to expand...
 
#18 ·
Before I bought our RAV I looked at alot of used vehicles. We typically liek to buy a car that is 2 years or so old. This use to be the "value" point, as a new car depreciates "as soon as it is driven off the lot".

However I found that this is no longer true. The used car market is very strong and lightly used cars fetch a high price. In some cases I see people selling used cars for as much as a clearanced/sale (or costoco dealer rate) new car. As a comparision I made a price per mile calculator. Assuming that I will get 200K miles out of the car. If you get a car with 50K on the clock, you have 3/4 of it's life span left. However it does not seem like you will get 1/4 of the savings.

The old way of thinking (my fathers), is to buy a new car and drive it till the wheels fall off. However based on the high current market value of used cars (and if you have a car with a high reslae value- this is where the hyndais don't) it would seem like one should buy a new car drive it for a couple of years and sell, then buy another new car. If you are savey with dealer nagotitations and used car sales, you will almost come out even and not have to deal with repairs ever.
 
#19 ·
MrPulldown said:
Before I bought our RAV I looked at alot of used vehicles. We typically liek to buy a car that is 2 years or so old. This use to be the "value" point, as a new car depreciates "as soon as it is driven off the lot".

However I found that this is no longer true. The used car market is very strong and lightly used cars fetch a high price. In some cases I see people selling used cars for as much as a clearanced/sale (or costoco dealer rate) new car. As a comparision I made a price per mile calculator. Assuming that I will get 200K miles out of the car. If you get a car with 50K on the clock, you have 3/4 of it's life span left. However it does not seem like you will get 1/4 of the savings.
Click to expand...
I did the same. My Rav4 stickers for $32k. I bought for $19k with 30k miles. I would pay around $12k for a 5-6 year old vehicle. Used the rates at my credit union and ignored any maintenance since you would have that with whatever car you bought. Also assumed I would drive 20,000 miles/year to 200k total. Brand new comes out to $0.16/mile or $3275/year for 10 years, 2-3 years old like I bought calculates to $0.104/mile or $2442/year for 8.5 years, and going way used at $12k and still having a short loan would be $0.105/mile or $3245/year for 6.5 years.

So, still looks like 2-3 years old pays off a lot. If I was buying 5-6 years old, I would pay cash. Instead of a $545 payment on brand new or $346 on 2-3 years old, you could put $150/month into an account every month and pay cash every 6.5 years for a car.
 
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#20 ·
Out the door I paid $26K and some change for our RAV. Anything I wanted to buy was is in the low 20's. The $26K included all taxes and DMV fees, which I would have had to pay seperatly for a used car. $19k for a v6 (4wd?) with 30k on the clock; that is great.

I did not consider maintance either, though with a new car you have toyota care (free maintance and roadside) for 2 years. It is really jsut oil changes as I do tire rotations with winter wheel/tire swaps. It is however turning out to be more of a PITA for my wife, since the RAV is her car. No local dealers where I live. Must drive an hour down the hill and wait for service no appointments available for oil changes. Where as with an old car I jsut take care of everything at home.

Another caveat was the 3rd row (and 4wd). That is the whole reason why we got the RAV. Those are super hard to find used. Otherwise we would have got a new outback, which IMO is a better car (did I jsut say that on a RAV4 forum). It would have been our 3rd OB.

All and All I still agree that buying barely used is the best deal. Esspecially if you do not get the super popular cars. Around here though RAVs and OBs are super popular.

Another note. I really wanted to get the V6. However there were no V6 4wd 3rd anywhere in california/nevada. I would have had to build one and have it shipped from Japan. That would have made it a full price deal and out of our budget. I drove 3+ hours to Lodi to pick up/buy our RAV which was on the lot and they were trying to get rid of. Seemed like no one want to pay extra for the 3rd row.
 
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m2brazil
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