Roger_Aus wrote:
> I am looking at buying a 4WD to dive to Alice Springs from Sydney. Is a
> RAV4 too small for this sort of thing. I believe the JEEPS may be too fuel
> guzzling. What do people think about the RAV.
> Roger
>
>
>
Roger,
I had a 2 door 99 RAV 4 and there where a few issues with it. It was
large enough for my wife and myself, our diving gear and luggage for an
extended weekend. There is a great deal of storage for a car so small
(with the rear seats folded up and using a roof rack.
It is an ok car, but not all was good.
The fuel economy was not as good as I expected. The fuel tank is shaped
strange as the first 1/2 tank (via the fuel guage) lasts a long time
while the 2nd half goes very quickly.
I also did not like the seats. I found them hard, yet not supportive.
Any trip longer the a few hours was really a pain in the back.
I would not really class the RAV 4 as a real 4x4. It has 4 wheel drive,
but I would be very reluctant to take it on anything other then wet
grass (please do not flame me for expressing my experances).
I understand the newer Ravs have improved the fuel tank issue and the
seats. The car was reliable, but I could not recomind the pre 2000 RAVs
as a long distant traveler.
Good luck
Kevin
