Hello all. I am new to the Toyota world so I know very little about it. A neighbor and I may be looking for new cars in the near future. I know that Toyota has been highly praised over the last few years. However, as we have all seen declines in the quality of products in order for companies to increase their profits I have come here to get real world user input. I have a few questions if you all will indulge me. Both of us are looking at the 2023-2024 Rav4 vehicle.
Is the 2.5L 4 cylinder gas engine an interference or non-interference engine? IF an interference is the breaking of a timing chain or a failure of the tensioner a rather rare occurrence?
The engine compression ratio listed is 13.0:1 yet the car runs on regular gas. Old school typically had cars with compression ratios higher than 10:1 usually requiring premium gas. IS this information correct?
Coking of the valves has been a problem for many of the manufactures who use GDI in their engines. While I took a quick look under the hood, it seems as though there were fuel injectors located between the block and the intake manifold on a fuel rail. Can I assume the GDI handles the major fuel flow and the injectors on the rail reduce the coking because of the fuel flow over the back of the valves? Service department was telling me it was recommended the car be brought in for a manifold service every 2 years at the tune of $300 (todays rate)? Is anyone doing this or is this additional dealer upsell?
I personally am not a fan of the CVT transmission. I thought my bias may be misplaced so I have spoken to several independent transmission shops in my area and they agreed they were not fans of them either. I was told by the salesperson this vehicle came with a Direct Shift 8-speed transmission NOT a CVT. Do you all find this transmission to be robust and has anyone had any problems with it?
I am a DIY type of guy. I try to do most of the maintenance and repairs (as long as special tools or other materials are not required) so is this vehicle DIY friendly? IS/are there maintenance areas that are just a pure pain to do (for example: changing out the headlight, turn signal or marker lights which requires the whole front end of the car to be removed; removing the transmission to change out the internal filter, etc)?
Do you find parts availability any problem?
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again knowing what you know?
Any other comments you care to offer will be greatly appreciated.
Thank YOU and Happy New Year to one and all.
Is the 2.5L 4 cylinder gas engine an interference or non-interference engine? IF an interference is the breaking of a timing chain or a failure of the tensioner a rather rare occurrence?
The engine compression ratio listed is 13.0:1 yet the car runs on regular gas. Old school typically had cars with compression ratios higher than 10:1 usually requiring premium gas. IS this information correct?
Coking of the valves has been a problem for many of the manufactures who use GDI in their engines. While I took a quick look under the hood, it seems as though there were fuel injectors located between the block and the intake manifold on a fuel rail. Can I assume the GDI handles the major fuel flow and the injectors on the rail reduce the coking because of the fuel flow over the back of the valves? Service department was telling me it was recommended the car be brought in for a manifold service every 2 years at the tune of $300 (todays rate)? Is anyone doing this or is this additional dealer upsell?
I personally am not a fan of the CVT transmission. I thought my bias may be misplaced so I have spoken to several independent transmission shops in my area and they agreed they were not fans of them either. I was told by the salesperson this vehicle came with a Direct Shift 8-speed transmission NOT a CVT. Do you all find this transmission to be robust and has anyone had any problems with it?
I am a DIY type of guy. I try to do most of the maintenance and repairs (as long as special tools or other materials are not required) so is this vehicle DIY friendly? IS/are there maintenance areas that are just a pure pain to do (for example: changing out the headlight, turn signal or marker lights which requires the whole front end of the car to be removed; removing the transmission to change out the internal filter, etc)?
Do you find parts availability any problem?
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again knowing what you know?
Any other comments you care to offer will be greatly appreciated.
Thank YOU and Happy New Year to one and all.
