2004-ish Rav4. Buying advice please

[JABB]

Looking for a cheap, reliable 4x4 and looking at the Rav4. Age approx 2004 at sub £5k.
As I see it the GX is the standard model and the VX is top of the range. What I don't get is the VT3 / 4 etc.
Can someone explain and am I right to look at the D-4D model?
Is there anything to look out for on these?

[JABB]

Anyone?

[steve2]

we have had a Mk1 for 12 years and in October bought a 2004 3 door model as the wife loves them.
There are different trim levels so just google to see what comes with what model, not great on MPG but generally a very reliable car and very good in snow (if we ever get any)
most people who buy one get another one

[Nimbus]

I've got a 54 plate RAV4 XT3

Great car, had it 8 years, never any issues, apart from fairly pants fuel consumption, ideal for towing, and various trips into farmers fields... I intend to run it into the ground, its @ 110k so I reckon its got many years yet.
Very happy with it and the OH loves it..

The difference between the gx and the xt stuff is, there was a facelift ( I think the end of '03 ), where the later models got slightly nicer dashboard, colour coded bodywork ( lots of the gx are two tone etc ), single piece front lights.

If I was buying, ( as I did ), I'd go for one of the XT models, unless a GX one was a real bargain.

Dont know anything about the diesel ones, other than they seemed pretty rare when I was looking..

There's a fairly good, tho US biased forum here http://www.rav4world.com/forums/76-rav4-2-second-g...

[JABB]

Thanks Nimbus
Do you know the difference between the XT2 XT3 etc, or is it just an age progression?

[Nimbus]

JABB said:

Thanks Nimbus
Do you know the difference between the XT2 XT3 etc, or is it just an age progression?

I dont know the exact difference, but its basically a spec thing...

ie xt3 like mine has cloth seats, air con, radio controls on the steering wheel, xt4 has leather, fancier stereo, cd multichanger etc etc..

I only looked at xt3 and xt4s, didnt see any xt2s, soI dont know what the xt2 didnt' have, but my guess would be aircon and cd player.

[Save Ferris]

JABB said:

Thanks Nimbus
Do you know the difference between the XT2 XT3 etc, or is it just an age progression?

I do!

They did the facelift around '53 plate and went from NV, GX And VX trim levels, to XT2 (very rare) XT3 (the most common) XT4 (leather and climate) and in '05 the XT5 model. This had nav and cruise from memory.

Diesel models will all have a bonnet scoop, There was also a special edition called a Granite, this was an XT3 with bigger wheels and shiney bits iirc.

[LancerG]

very reliable, great family car
I woud recommend the petrol over the diesel, the petrol is that good and the diesel pretty dull.

Sold my low miles 54 plate XT3 5door recently for 3700.

Watch out for, faded plastic headlights (will clean up with t-cut) rust on the underside rear where the dip in the rear boot is. And check under the spare, mine was green with moss and crap.

[Heaveho]

Water pumps....not especially common, but it's one of the few occasional issues. Very reliable generally.