Wife wants a new Toyota..RAV4 or Prius??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carleton Hughes · #1 02-08-2007, 10:45 PM

Allright....I'll lay the cards on the table,my wife wants a new car,won't drive the '84,is scared of the '98 E300{who can blame her} and is tired of the '93 Camry.

Fine...no problem.She is leaning in the direction of the Prius,great around town{her only real driving}mileage,somewhat nebulous environmental issues and the fact that since gas has fallen in price they are readily available,plus the stalling problems have long since been addressed.

She also likes the RAV4,small,4WD mini SUV. I'm ready to pull the trigger on whatever she wants but I'm inclining to the Prius....any enlightened owners out there?

Hatterasguy · #2 02-08-2007, 10:47 PM

We bought my mom a new Rav4 in October. She really likes it, its a nice little truck. Can't really say anything bad about it, a lot more noise on the highway then I am used to. But its not a Mercedes so what can you do?

My mom likes it a lot thats what counts! Fuel milege is probably decent with the four cylinder, but my mom doesn't keep track.

Carleton Hughes · #3 02-08-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

We bought my mom a new Rav4 in October. She really likes it, its a nice little truck. Can't really say anything bad about it, a lot more noise on the highway then I am used to. But its not a Mercedes so what can you do?

My mom likes it a lot thats what counts! Fuel milege is probably decent with the four cylinder, but my mom doesn't keep track.

I'm guessing she has the 4WD with the 4 cyl?heard it was noisy but adequately powerful.

TheDon · #4 02-08-2007, 11:00 PM

The Rav4's are decent... Let her decided.. just not the prius... they are the leading cause of smug

Hatterasguy · #5 02-08-2007, 11:00 PM

No 2wd 4cy, we don't get any serious snow in my area so 4wd is a bit of a waste. Yeah its powerfull enough, the engine has like 180hp and a 5sp auto, moves right along. If you want speed opt for the V6 those are pretty quick. But its tighter under the hood as a result, and fuel mileage suffers. The brakes have a very Mercedes feel to them around town as well. But not during any serious braking, just in normal driving. I'm sure thats no accident.

If you are looking at the Rav4 try the Honda CRV as well. Both my dad and I felt the CRV drove better and was more refined. But mom liked the layout and look of the Rav4 more.

Its got an eight year 125k mile bumper to bumper warranty and free oil changes every 3,500 miles for life. So its a zero maintaince car on our part.

Carleton Hughes · #6 02-08-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

The Rav4's are decent... Let her decided.. just not the prius... they are the leading cause of smug

Yeah,I know what people say,undertired,underpowered and unstable,gotta admire the technology behind it though.

Palangi · #7 02-08-2007, 11:10 PM

I am now 10K miles into an 06 Prius. So far, so good, no problems. Only real complaint is that the seats are not very comfortable. Definitely a city car, not a highway car. Lifetime overall mileage 47 mpg so far. Not a car you can work on yourself very much.

If you want to study up on the Prius, read the forums at Priuschat.com.
(That will not only give you a basic understanding of the car, but it will also greatly increase your appreciation for the Mercedesshop Forums.)

My suggestions on Prius:

1. Study up on what options are included with which "package". (Toyota's Prius website has detailed listings).

2. I wouldn't buy the prepaid maintenance. It is basically just oil changes and tire rotations. Those items, of course, can be DIY'd.

3. I would consider the extended warranty. It does have some $$$$ parts. A lot of things need their diag tool hookup to diagnose or adjust.

4. Do NOT let them talk you into installing Lojack. The factory alarm comes with all but the lowest level of packages, and is more than adequate. You do not want a Lojack "technician" poking around under the dash looking for wires to splice into.

5. Tires are a known issue. The car comes with Goodyears best described as "traction free", good for only about 30K.

John Doe · #8 02-08-2007, 11:36 PM

I have an uncle that pulls a $30K prius behind a Newell Coach and he thinks it is awesome. I think he has put 7-8K miles on it and hasn't had any problems. I rode in it once in December, and it rides more like a corolla than a Camry is all that i can say, but it seems to be a quality ride.

I put 1400 miles on a Rav 4 in central america the first or second year they came out. I beat that vehicle like i have never beat a vehicle before and it did great--I passed jacked up Hi-Luxs and Nissan Patrols that were bogged down and kept on trucking. I also rented a Daihatsu that seemed to be the very same model as the Rav 4 the following year down there and it did great too, other than I chewed two tires off of it which wasn't the vehicle's fault. Sewing machine like acceleration even with the manual transmission, but they never fail it seems. I would not want to test the vehicle in a wreck though--they are very thin and tinny when it comes to the body.

What about that new diesel jeep liberty?

kerry · #9 02-09-2007, 12:40 AM

There's a $5k tax credit for a Prius in Colorado (according to a tax man friend of mine who bought one). Don't know if anything like that applies in your neck of the woods.

Carleton Hughes · #10 02-09-2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

There's a $5k tax credit for a Prius in Colorado (according to a tax man friend of mine who bought one). Don't know if anything like that applies in your neck of the woods.

Well now,interesting and timely comment.....Seems,based on a New York Times article,since the price of gas has dropped Priuses are being somewhat neglected since the average Joe simply does not comprehend it except in terms of fuel savings.
Got to the point dealers are offering attractive financing since so many were ordered and,well,most people are conventionally minded and will take a Camry,being afraid of the hybrid technology,simple though it is,these average hooples not fully comprehending the advantages in mileage and the warranties that cover the Priuse's hybrid system...By all accounts,now seems the time to buy one,gonna take sweetums out to Smithtown to drive one on Saturday,plus a RAV4 if she's so inclined,hell,it's only 22-26 grand.........Yep,there is a tax credit in our state.

My wife thinks it's the right thing to do.

Ara T. · #11 02-09-2007, 02:28 AM

I think 5000 is basically what it costs to replace the Prius batteries. They are warranted though for a certain mileage by Toyota and AFAIK, the first replacement is on Toyota.

Kuan · #12 02-09-2007, 08:40 AM

Where do the batteries go after they're used up?

I'd go with the Prius. Girls look better in a Prius than a RAV 4. More socially head turning in the afternoon tea sense and far nicer colors from which to choose.

Carleton Hughes · #13 02-09-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

I think 5000 is basically what it costs to replace the Prius batteries. They are warranted though for a certain mileage by Toyota and AFAIK, the first replacement is on Toyota.

I believe it is 8 years,80,000 miles warranty on the "hybrid"components,battery and all.

Ara T. · #14 02-09-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Where do the batteries go after they're used up?

I'd go with the Prius. Girls look better in a Prius than a RAV 4. More socially head turning in the afternoon tea sense and far nicer colors from which to choose.

They recycle 'em.

Carleton Hughes · #15 02-09-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

They recycle 'em.

I know all about that,been recycling since I was waist-high to a parking meter...I would cycle downtown to the thrift shops,then re-cycle up the hill to go home..............3 speed Raleigh,I think it was,had a hub generator for the headlight............