Front brakes are the only slightly problematic issue (this is also noted in the DOT NHTSA issues site). Without special shims you get a constant brake squeal on stopping and it makes it very hard to judge the state of your brakes. Otherwise I am stunned and flabbergasted at how well built this vehicle is (and I have owned many vehicles).
I have the two door front wheel drive 5 speed and it is a joy to drive. Very nimble and agile on city streets, you won't know it if you are doing 90 on the highway, and extraordinarily trouble free mechanically. Inside the two separate fold up rear seats allow for plenty of room in case you decide to pick up a new dishwasher on the way home.
We have two kids and 120 lb dog so this is no longer our main vehicle. but if I had the four door and enough room for the dog with both kids I would drive the rav4 until either it or I gave up the ghost.
95k+ miles and nothing, but three front pad jobs. that is it. I will probably have the timing belt done soon, but that will be my first expense over the 3x$200 brake pad sets in 7.5 years.
My wife learned to drive on the five speed manual. we drive about 75% city and it is the original clutch. We even do light towing. Incredible.
I own a 1996 2door Rav that I bought used in 2001. I've had the exact same experience described in this reveiew. Front brakes replaced at 100,000 miles (39,000 when I bought it) and that's it.
The car sits on a Celica frame and most of the other mechanics including the engine are borrowed from the Corolla----incredible engineering!!!
Rav4 means you have a 4wheel drive - that's why they call it rav4 -cheers.
Many 2dr rav4s are 2wd, so...
On what planet?
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