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Japan? Kentucky? Does where it was made change anything?

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Waitara

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm shopping new Rav4s and some dealers have several on the lot from different factories. I've noticed the Japanese ones have different tires, and what looks like a different windshield. (more reflective - maybe a metallic UV coating?)

Any differences worth seeking one over the other?
 
#3 ·
Mine was built at a Japanese plant which in my opinion is great. My feeling has nothing to do with the parts used, but in regards to the attitude of the assembly plant personnel. I have no proof, but I have seen many "how it's made" episodes from different manufacturing plants all over the world, and the US plants just don't give me confidence. It could just be the attire that is worn. I understand that this could become a very dicey subject but it is only my opinion.

Time will tell regarding parts once a pattern becomes clear as to which RAV4's end up being part of the faulty fuel pump recall. So far, there seems to be the beginnings of a pattern where RAV4's built in Japan are not included. Like I said, time will tell.

Also, keep in mind that there are some components that are installed at the port ... hmm, I just thought of something, if a RAV4 is built in the US, there is no port since it's already here. Things that make you go hmmm?

Just some thoughts
 
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#5 ·
While the drivetrain is the same, I think the supply chain of other parts such as hoses, perhaps bolts, and other small items may be different. All I know is that my Japanese built Scion never needed hoses, CV boots in 13 years of FL sun. On the other hand my 10 year old Prius needed window rubber belts after 10 years of FL sun. Plus the overall Japanese's work ethic seems better. Not saying that some Americans don't have a good work ethic but some do not. It will be harder and harder to find a J Vin Rav as time goes on between CA and US plants on-line.
 
#6 ·
Japan build owner. A friend that is a Subaru owner swears by Japan builds. ALL parts sourced in Japan and or local as opposed to Canadian / US builds which assemble Global Parts, a melting pot of a logistical supply chain.

. . . . . and then there is the "Cultural" aspect. I am quite pleased and happy that I own a unit built in Japan.
 
#8 ·
Waitara said:
I'm shopping new Rav4s and some dealers have several on the lot from different factories. I've noticed the Japanese ones have different tires, and what looks like a different windshield. (more reflective - maybe a metallic UV coating?)

Any differences worth seeking one over the other?
Click to expand...
How do you guys/gals know where the Rav4 is built? By VIN #?

Are the ones made in Japan compared to the ones made in the US have the first 2 letters in the VIN differ?
 
#10 ·
I had a 2007 Camry with "JT" VIN, which came with a set of horrible Bridgeston tires and burned a lot of oil from the start.
I have a 2014 Camry with "4T" VIN, which came with a set of Michelin tires from Indiana plant and is still running very well. I don't think it really matters. I like USA built RAV4 because it comes with Michelin and not Firestone tires.
 
#11 ·
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#13 ·
J-Vin builds are my preference.. Had a 1992 J-built Camry I purchased new in 1992 and it was Flawless for the 150K I owned it.. I was overjoyed to get my 2021 Hybrid Limited that was built at Aichi... they sure assembled my 92' with Great Care.. So far, my 2021 has the same quality.
 
#14 ·
RussC said:
Parts are identical and most of the assembly is automated using robots so I would not be concerned which country it was assembled.
Click to expand...
Edit: The majority of a Toyota is not assembled using automation. Those are Kia and Hyundais.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I've made my purchase! (well... pending) A used 2020 Limited. Canadian-built VIN. I've been very pleased with the build quality on my American-made Japanese-branded cars, except for an Alabama-built Honda with panels aligned by Helen Keller. Our Ohio-built '05 Accord and Indiana-built '11 Outback were impeccable and completely free of problems past 100K miles. Save for a single wheel bearing and the little plastic strap that stops the rear door at a certain point. The Outback had a washer fluid sending unit go bad. And a ton of headlight bulbs. And a radio problem where it got free satellite radio for life. Not even a problem in my book. Given the complexity of modern cars, I'm amazed they can pull that all off. My Tennessee-built Nissan Frontier was great too. No problems. Americans can build great cars, they just have a Japanese emblem on the hood. I teach Engineering so I tend to be critical on the design side. Automation is an amazing thing. A robot applying sealer to an oil pan, which is then checked by robotic vision/camera system before assembly is nearly impossible to get wrong IF set up correctly. A human with a caulk gun is a lot more prone to "good enough" mentality 7 hours into a shift. I am kinda glad this used one was built pre-covid. Remember how scared we all were in May/June? If I was called back to work and scared for my life, I don't think my focus would be on quality.
 
#16 ·
Good luck with your purchase. FYI, the OEM Toyota hitch sits higher than aftermarket but is a harder install (you mentioned towing in another thread).
A few items to watch for, the battery drain issue, the now hopefully fixable gas tank issue, the leaking headliner issue. Not saying you will have these issues, just some to watch out for.

Since you teach engineering, you will probably be interested in some of the Weber Auto videos that explain the Toyota Hybrid systems. They focus on the Prius, but the Rva4H system is similar,
www.youtube.com

Evolution of the Toyota Prius Transaxle

A new series of videos covering the evolution of the hybrid-electric transaxles used in the Toyota Prius since 1998. The P111, P112, P410, P510, and P610 (P7...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com


Waitara said:
I've made my purchase! (well... pending) A used 2020 Limited. Canadian-built VIN. I've been very pleased with the build quality on my American-made Japanese-branded cars, except for an Alabama-built Honda with panels aligned by Helen Keller. Our Ohio-built '05 Accord and Indiana-built '11 Outback were impeccable and completely free of problems past 100K miles. Save for a single wheel bearing and the little plastic strap that stops the rear door at a certain point. The Outback had a washer fluid sending unit go bad. And a ton of headlight bulbs. And a radio problem where it got free satellite radio for life. Not even a problem in my book. Given the complexity of modern cars, I'm amazed they can pull that all off. My Tennessee-built Nissan Frontier was great too. No problems. Americans can build great cars, they just have a Japanese emblem on the hood. I teach Engineering so I tend to be critical on the design side. Automation is an amazing thing. A robot applying sealer to an oil pan, which is then checked by robotic vision/camera system before assembly is nearly impossible to get wrong IF set up correctly. A human with a caulk gun is a lot more prone to "good enough" mentality 7 hours into a shift. I am kinda glad this used one was built pre-covid. Remember how scared we all were in May/June? If I was called back to work and scared for my life, I don't think my focus would be on quality.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Variman said:
Good luck with your purchase. FYI, the OEM Toyota hitch sits higher than aftermarket but is a harder install (you mentioned towing in another thread).
A few items to watch for, the battery drain issue, the now hopefully fixable gas tank issue, the leaking headliner issue. Not saying you will have these issues, just some to watch out for.

Since you teach engineering, you will probably be interested in some of the Weber Auto videos that explain the Toyota Hybrid systems. They focus on the Prius, but the Rva4H system is similar,
www.youtube.com

Evolution of the Toyota Prius Transaxle

A new series of videos covering the evolution of the hybrid-electric transaxles used in the Toyota Prius since 1998. The P111, P112, P410, P510, and P610 (P7...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for the look-fors. I was relieved to see a fix for the gas tank. But as it is, I only buy gas every other week so getting only ten of fourteen gallons isn't a huge issue. (not that my Outback is super fuel-efficient, but it has a huge tank and I don't drive much lately)

Toyota seems to look out for it's owners with known problems, and that's good enough for me. (Subaru was the same)
I've been watching lots of Youtube videos but haven't seen those yet - looking forward to it!
As for the hitches - this car has the wave-your-foot-under-the-bumper thing - any insight as to whether the Curt or factory hitch still allows use of that? And does the factory one have a built in spot for trailer wiring? All stuff I can find if I google, of course. I asked the dealer to throw in crossbars, but may go for a factory hitch (parts only) instead.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
SeanBeanDiesInTheEnd said:
Good answers here, if it helps my thought process has always been for JP cars: Japan > Canada > USA > Mexico (not sure if they even build there still).

Canada and Japan made cars are pretty darn close IMO, like within 5%.
Click to expand...
Love your screen name. Except in my favorite car chase movie (Ronin) he only gets fired, not killed.
 
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