14th Nov 2011, 16:21

Again with this same comment? My guess is that your friend abused the heck out of his RAV, and now it rattles and squeaks as a result. They also probably don't maintain it well, so the mileage suffers.

I have a RAV 4, and it has none of the qualities you keep going on about. It is super quiet and smooth, even with all the windows down and the sunroof open on the highway. We've passed 15K miles, and it still drives, feels, sounds and handles as it did the day we pulled off of the dealer lot with it. There is not one rattle or squeak anywhere on it. I am getting around 25 mpg with the V6 engine, and I do drive it fast on the freeways (around 75 usually). The only time I dropped below 20 mpg was when I had 3,200 pounds of boat on the back. Then it was around 15 mpg. Of course I didn't drive it in overdrive, so that cost a few mpg.

It is easily the best handling small SUV out there, as we looked at many of them before deciding on the Toyota. The Escape was a close second, but was too truck like overall, and the acceleration was much slower. The RAV is the best of both worlds. Sporty like a car, and still a 4X4 SUV for utility when you need it. It's too bad you listen to the media hype about Toyota being the evil empire of the car world. They really do make great cars, and until I have a major problem like I have had with many other brands, including your coveted GM, I won't be swayed against them.

14th Nov 2011, 18:48

For my family "trouble-free import" is an oxymoron. None of our imports came remotely close to "trouble-free". A few years ago we test-drove 8 SUV's, including the Toyota Highlander. We avoided the Hondas because of their bad transmissions and our previous horrible experience with Honda. We did drive the then-new Nissan Murano because we liked the sporty styling. After extensive road tests of all these SUVs, we settled for another domestic. We haven't regretted it at all. It has over 100,000 miles now with nary a repair. Modern domestics are the best-built and most reliable vehicles made. After reading almost daily reports of Toyotas being recalled by the millions, I don't understand the blind loyalty to such dangerous vehicles. Bad brakes, suspension and steering don't make for safe cars.

15th Nov 2011, 14:05

After the transmission in my RAV 4 crapped out at a whopping 45k, I switched to a Nissan Murano, and don't regret it one bit.

15th Nov 2011, 14:27

I'd love to know where these broad assumptions that all things imported are miraculously all inferior. As pointed out about a zillion times on this site, there are dozens and dozens of imported brands, as well as American branded vehicles that are themselves imported from other countries, and in some cases simply based off of an imported brand with a different label slapped on the front. Are they ALL inferior due to coming from overseas?

So what I'd like to know is how exactly was this conclusion determined for such a statement? Where is the proof that ALL things imported are inferior? Likewise, if various consumer surveys, quality reports, and other polls shows makes like Toyota, Honda, and their respective luxury divisions at the top of the reliability and quality list, then how do these facts affect the assumption that imports are naturally inferior? What if the vehicle in question - regardless of brand was actually made in the USA with American parts? Does that mean that by default it's perfect in every way? What about those made outside the US - and again - regardless of brand - are these at the same time inferior, just because they were put on a ship and "Imported" to the US?

15th Nov 2011, 16:01

Funny thing is, even with the recalls and such, I have never actually had a defect on any Toyota. My domestic SUV's have been horrific though. I wish I could have even gotten close to 100K miles with nary a repair on anything domestic. It just doesn't happen for me. Until Toyota actually fails me, I won't be swayed by anything written about them, or even the recalls on them. I've been stranded and paid $thousands in GM repairs, therefore I have sworn off of them for life. Ford really is the only domestic brand I would consider these days.

16th Nov 2011, 13:53

The domestic vs. import argument is a tired one, full of flaws for sure, yet it continues to rage on. As you've pointed out, there is such a mix of import and domestic vehicles and parts in virtually all car lines, it doesn't really make sense to say one is better than another. I will say though that companies like Toyota and Honda started having more quality control issues when they started building their vehicles in the US. It is more about business practices then actual quality.

17th Nov 2011, 13:28

Actually, in most cases companies like Toyota and Honda have had fewer problems per vehicle out of those that are made in the US, perhaps because the plants are newer. But for whatever reason, they have had a fairly good track record manufacturing-wise in the US.

18th Nov 2011, 00:57

After switching to Ford and Chrysler in the late 70's, we finally started giving GM vehicles a chance in 2001. After driving a 2001 Pontiac and a 2003 GMC, we are very impressed. No issues of any kind in 100,000+ miles.

18th Nov 2011, 05:42

When I lost 2 trans in mine, how is that a business practice? I find the higher productivity as the cause. My older made in Japan models were far better. Now you hear of major issues and recalls on a regular basis. I drive a new Ford now, and it's great.

18th Nov 2011, 09:38

What does GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles have to do with a Toyota review? Seriously. Stop putting on totally unrelated stuff about cars that have nothing to do with a Toyota. Thanks.

18th Nov 2011, 09:56

Not true, one of Toyota's bigger recall issues was due to a third party part that was manufactured by a US company.

18th Nov 2011, 12:44

People post jive about Toyotas on domestic threads all the time... Two can play the same game.

18th Nov 2011, 12:56

How about the half million Yotas that were recalled last week, was there a domestic third party involved in that fiasco?

18th Nov 2011, 16:35

That was not the point. Sure - there might be individual cases of parts that might be defective from any given manufacturer. The data referred to was for PPV - Problems per vehicle. As a whole, Toyota plants in the US have had fewer problems per vehicle than the equivalent models made in Japan.

19th Nov 2011, 01:25

I'm not buying the "It was built better in Japan" argument. Our Honda was built in Japan, and it was the worst built, most unreliable car we ever drove. Our Japanese-built Mazda was also total crap. We now drive Fords. No problems in over 100,000 miles.

19th Nov 2011, 05:16

Can't explain all the other recalls though? When comparisons are made in the same price range with GM Ford etc, it's helpful when buying new That's what it has to do on a car survey. If you have bad experiences 2 or 3 times in a row, do you not shop around? I drive a new crossover. I looked at others, import and domestic, same price levels. So that's why I like to see comparisons import vs domestic within a review.