The deed has been done! After much researching, debating, flipping, flopping, hemming and hawing, there is now a 2006 RAV parked in front of my home! :lol:
A V6 of Limited origins driving all four wheels and Nautical Blue be its hue -- I'm getting the autodim mirror with compass and leather seating done at a future date via dealer IOU (they use Katzkin/SureFit -- YAY BECKY! ). Very much love the darker blue, though my initial thoughts of Pacific being too light were unfounded -- it actually might have been a color to consider if I didn't like Nautical, Silver and Mica so much. I saw the Barcelona Red, and although I'm sure plenty of people like it, it wasn't for me -- very close to candy apple red with a slight lean toward orange -- the metallic effect was very hard to see until you were up close, and this was on a very sunny day.
Had all my price research from multiple sources (Edmunds, KBB, ConsumerReport, competing dealers), free-and-clear title and loan authorization letter in-hand and was ready to make or break a deal if they weren't too receptive to my haggling. All in all, I saved just shy of 5% under MSRP and Toyota Finance couldn't undercut the rate I got from my bank.
Accelerator pedal is a little twitchier than my old RAVs, like it could use a touch more resistance against foot pressure. But step on that pedal and hey! You move, baby!!! My '01 was zippy enough for low speed maneuvers, but always flailed at high RPMs when negotiating highway speeds, especially when uphill grades were involved. I don't forsee that being a problem at all anymore! :twisted:
First thing I noticed sitting in the drivers seat is how much smaller the instrument binnacle seems -- I think I'd prefer it a little higher and larger with a deeper cowl coming over the gauges. Second thing I noticed was when I looked right to check the traffic from that direction -- the A-pillar is huge! Seems about twice as wide as the 4.2's, though I didn't crack out the ruler to verify. I definitely feel the larger interior just sitting in the drivers seat -- the older RAVs always felt "cozy" and borderline "snug", but that was comforting in a way. Now the armrest on the door is a little farther away and the interior just feels more expansive.
All the doors slam shut with a sound thump, where I was used to a noticibly hollow and overly light swing, especially from the rear passenger doors. The rear door actually feels lighter and swings effortlessly -- I know there's probably a little less material since it no longer reaches the absolute bottom of the vehicle, but it's a noticible perception.
The larger of the two underfloor storage areas is huge! It was able to accept every bit of safety gear and tools I had riding in various compartments of the old RAV and even swallowed up a cane-style umbrella and a folding aluminum dolly that I previously had strapped to the back of the rear seats! :shock: And there's still more room!! One thing I will miss from the old RAV is the grocery bag hooks that were on the backs of the rear seats -- why did they have to go away?? :?
More personal observations, comments and pictures soon to come!
A V6 of Limited origins driving all four wheels and Nautical Blue be its hue -- I'm getting the autodim mirror with compass and leather seating done at a future date via dealer IOU (they use Katzkin/SureFit -- YAY BECKY! ). Very much love the darker blue, though my initial thoughts of Pacific being too light were unfounded -- it actually might have been a color to consider if I didn't like Nautical, Silver and Mica so much. I saw the Barcelona Red, and although I'm sure plenty of people like it, it wasn't for me -- very close to candy apple red with a slight lean toward orange -- the metallic effect was very hard to see until you were up close, and this was on a very sunny day.
Had all my price research from multiple sources (Edmunds, KBB, ConsumerReport, competing dealers), free-and-clear title and loan authorization letter in-hand and was ready to make or break a deal if they weren't too receptive to my haggling. All in all, I saved just shy of 5% under MSRP and Toyota Finance couldn't undercut the rate I got from my bank.
Accelerator pedal is a little twitchier than my old RAVs, like it could use a touch more resistance against foot pressure. But step on that pedal and hey! You move, baby!!! My '01 was zippy enough for low speed maneuvers, but always flailed at high RPMs when negotiating highway speeds, especially when uphill grades were involved. I don't forsee that being a problem at all anymore! :twisted:
First thing I noticed sitting in the drivers seat is how much smaller the instrument binnacle seems -- I think I'd prefer it a little higher and larger with a deeper cowl coming over the gauges. Second thing I noticed was when I looked right to check the traffic from that direction -- the A-pillar is huge! Seems about twice as wide as the 4.2's, though I didn't crack out the ruler to verify. I definitely feel the larger interior just sitting in the drivers seat -- the older RAVs always felt "cozy" and borderline "snug", but that was comforting in a way. Now the armrest on the door is a little farther away and the interior just feels more expansive.
All the doors slam shut with a sound thump, where I was used to a noticibly hollow and overly light swing, especially from the rear passenger doors. The rear door actually feels lighter and swings effortlessly -- I know there's probably a little less material since it no longer reaches the absolute bottom of the vehicle, but it's a noticible perception.
The larger of the two underfloor storage areas is huge! It was able to accept every bit of safety gear and tools I had riding in various compartments of the old RAV and even swallowed up a cane-style umbrella and a folding aluminum dolly that I previously had strapped to the back of the rear seats! :shock: And there's still more room!! One thing I will miss from the old RAV is the grocery bag hooks that were on the backs of the rear seats -- why did they have to go away?? :?
More personal observations, comments and pictures soon to come!