We bought a 2008 Limited v6, with 89,000 Km = 55,000 miles / private sale off Canadian Kijiji.
- took 6 months searching & bought the first one, we looked at
- always dealer maintained / 2 owner & bought off a Doctor
- even had 1 full year remaining, of free extended warranty
^^ NOTE - only have up to a month, to transfer the extended warranty at dealer.
Except for new tires, AMG 12v battery & oil changes, its perfect.
- saved $10,000 by not purchasing a 2012 RAV4, from a dealer
Likes - incredible performance & easy to park
- 4x4 for winter driving / goes through snow like a knife thru butter
- like the exterior spare tire
- full leather seats & heated / driver's powered
- heated wiper blades & heated side mirrors
- moonroof
- tow package engine & trans coolers without the rear tow hitch (Canadian models)
- HD rad & alternator
- buying smart, the good options are almost free / just don't worry about the vehicle color much
(immaculate condition, trumps all)
Cons - almost none, not a deal breaker
- more road noise & bucket seats are not as comfortable, as our 2002 Volvo v70 wagon
I crawled under our SUV, in the poring rain / the undercarriage & floor still had shinny-original paint...always look for rust & auto body repair sells, when buying used.
- short test drive, the power train & handling was still like new condition
Had it spray wax-oil undercoated, before the first winters snow fall.
Will put another +160,000 Km on it, over next 4 years / than it gets sold to my brother / to replace his wife's 1999 Honda CRV AWD.
- he asked to buy it, the first day I got our used RAV4 home / look for the cream-puff vehicle
Why buy a 2012, for higher money / when one 4-5 years older, can be found, also with low miles.
- just takes more patience, to save big $$
2 weeks I purchased a one owner/original paint 2000 4Runner SR5 v6 4x4, with 80,500 original miles - senior owned & dealer maintained.
- now that ones, the keeper
^^ 2 good used examples, their out there / but the vehicle hunt, has to be the fun part...to get the best ROI.