Question Advise: 02 HL or 08 RAV4

[gossamer88]

I know, I know...these are pretty extreme choices.

You see, my wife and I are pretty much weekend-warriors (as we use public transportation to and from work). We put about 5-6K miles a year driving. We loved our 03 HL (was totaled from an accident on Memorial Day weekend).

Test drove the RAV4 and really liked it. The same dealership has a certified 02 with 39K miles. It looks mint. One owner that traded it in last April. Looks like they really took care of it. I realize dealers detail these trade-ins. But trust me when I say it looks friggin' new. The certified warranty will not be very long since it's already 6 yrs in. Should I go with this ole reliable or something new that will last us for years to come (knock on wood)?

[DrRuckus13]

Did you spend very much time with the Rav 4 ? I would borrow if for a full weekend before you make any decisions.

IMO.. I had an 2008 Rental Rav4 for 2 weeks with the V6 and FWD. It was really nice. and the single button glove box just blows my mind .... I was thinking about trading my 01 HL in for one right at first because their very comparable in size/power/MPG..ect. But after about 10 days i missed the comfort of my HL. The Rav4 is just not the same and kinda left me wanting more. Its hard to expain other than when i had a honda accord, it nice and new but was just simply boring to drive.

There is just something about the HL that is super smooth and makes me FEEL very relaxed when driving. Needless to say i'm keeping my HL until it dies.

[LifeTech]

Yu admit comparing apples to oranges...that's a start in the right direction. But the real dilemma is whether to buy NEW or USED. Reading between the lines yu seem to be at this forefront.

I always buy new. 9 new cars later and I will admit that I run into some real cream puff used vehicles when helping friends and family buy used.

Just beware of the term Certified Preowned. In my opinion, it means absolute nothing to yu , the buyer. But merely means more money for the Dealer in question.

I base this on the fact that rarely can a certified preowned vehicle be something "special" at 6 years old! I don't care how nice it looks or the low mileage.

Lexus(Toyota's Lux. division) will never call a 6 year old RX300 a certfied pre-owned vehicle. Why should a Toyota dealer.

This term originally had special requirements attached to a car. Mileage and condition and one owner or one Lease key. But Age was usually not older than 3 years.
As of late many dealers will detail a car till it glissens like new. Then pass it off as Certified preowned. Many dealers actually do nothing accept clean it to look great. And say it is worth as much as 2K or more than an equivalent "Non-Certified model.
The used car market is larger with more profit to be made than the new car market.
I had the luck of finding a Toyota/Lexus DVD video for the dealers left in my RSE HL DVD player. The Topic was regarding Upselling Toyota and Lexus Certified Preowned vehicles. It showed the Dealer franchises how to make higher profits using Certified preowned vehicle stickers and handouts showing all the numerous components that were checked out. In actuality the dealer does nothing different that makes them special. Yet a salesman will swear up and down that it was completely inspected like no other car was. It is BS. It is just a used car like the next one.
The discovered DVD truly backs up my above statements.
This is just one way for dealers to embellish their Used car inventory.
The V6 Rav4 is way different than a 1st gen HL.
The Rav is overpowered with the V6 if yu had to ask me. And if yu don't travel far it is ok.This not a size vehicle that needs a V6 in this day with fuel prices and all. A 4 Cyl might be more justified. However an HL with a 4 cyl would be underpwered in my opinion. But the HL is much more comfortable and Quiet too. But yu know this already since yu owned one.
Just some thoughts to think about.

It is always your call. No one can tell yu what is more correct when choosing a car in the end. But be educated at best.
I still say if yu want a used HL only check out 04-07's. The 3.3 V6 with the 5 speed does better MPG overall because driver input is more precisely regulated.

I'm getting 26MPG @ 55-6 MPH with my 4WD Limited. Very Local driving with a light foot gets me on average 18MPG +/- 1.
A FWD HL will do even better if that is what yu want.


LT

[gossamer88]

Thanks for the responses.

LT, I have to say you've been a great help. Test driving the RAV4 left me wanting a little more. We've been pretty spoiled by the HL. I think I rather have a used one than a new RAV4. I'm going to keep looking since we're in no rush (again we're weekend-warriors). Hopefully we're find an 06 or 07 that will suit us perfectly. Thanks again.

[LifeTech]

I'm trying to reach out to someone who has an 06 HL for sale.. I don't know if it was sold yet. It's in the NYC area. Private sale. It was very well taken care of. Low miles if I recall.
No response yet.
It's good to not be in a rush when buying a car. I'm a firm believer.

LT

[DNytAftr]

I own a 02 4wd highlander (not the limited) and a 08 v6 rav4. as it was said they are really two different kinds of cars. since the highlander was built off a camry chassis its suppose to handle better and such (also cuz of its wider stance). The rav4 feels like its got alot more "pep" to it where it feels faster but the overall drive feels more rough. I end up driving 120 miles a day (mostly freeway) the rav gets alot better millage but has a bumpier ride (i guess stiffer suspension) but the highlander gives a much smoother ride but takes half a tank of gas for the whole trip. From time to time i use my cousins 08 lexus gs 350 and the ride between the highlander and the lexus feel so much simmilar. so for longer rides and overall i prefer the highlander but for more outdoorsy uses i would recommend the rav4. i guess if your looking for something alot more smooth i would go with a highlander but their both really good cars. and so far ive never had a problem with ether of them. Best of luck in choosing.