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Is the 1998 Toyota RAV4 5-door able to transport a queen size mattress?

gttommy — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 07:50:58 -0800

Is the 1998 Toyota RAV4 5-door able to transport a queen size mattress? Assuming the backseats are folded forward of course, and the mattress is inside the car, not outside.

I'd imagine personal stories would be the best answer, as opposed to theory.

But if it helps, here are some car lengths (from Wiki) for cars that can achieve this:
Toyota Camry XV20 Wagon - 189.8 inches (4,821 mm) - YES
Mitsubishi Magna TJ Wagon - 4,746 mm (186.9 in) - YES

Toyota RAV4 in question: 4,160 mm (163.8 in) - ???

Clash of teh humble Cute Utes

methinks — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:38:24 -0800

Dear Car Shopper, what would You choose? RAV4 or Outback, new base models. We're in the new or new-ish car market and will be acting soon. We are narrowed to two models for various reasons, each unfamiliar to us and each in a similar 'class' but with its own unique features and possibly limitations.

The choices, 2012 or very slightly possibly 2011, base models only:

~ Toyota RAV4 4-cylinder

~ Subaru Outback 2.5i

Great Lakes region US. Small city driving and some rural roads, mostly low hills, plus 80 mile round-trip highway commute, three or four days each week. Four months of inclement weather, icy highways and deep slush. Occasional trips to a fairly hilly city. Rare 3000 mile round-trips to high-desert SW US.

Two adults, occasional adult passengers. Basic cartage, no hauling or towing is planned. Our 2000 Celica is a wonderful car but getting long-in-the-tooth and can't handle all conditions or uses.

Looking for: Sole daily driver. Low maintenance, longevity, appropriate power for its weight, said winter and rural handling. And mileage that won't shock us too drastically from our current 30 MPG average.

If we're picking and choosing, reasonable road noise is nice too, as is a reasonably responsive or 'sporty' feel. We can adapt to any styling, and features don't matter too much.

We know and like Toyota. Subaru is unknown to us.

Bonus question: If the RAV4, is it reeeeaallly worth trying to get the v6, for these uses?

Other opinions or constructive thoughts?

Blowing my head gasket...

WinnipegDragon — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:22:21 -0800

My RAV4 is two months out of warranty, and suddenly needs $5k worth of work. What should I do in this scenario? Some further details:

I am the first and only owner of this vehicle (3.5L v6), it has 72,000km on it and the extended warranty expired in December.

I took it in to the dealer for a routine oil change/inspection and the tech called me and told me it needs a new head gasket (leaking coolant) and that the rear axle seals are leaking. I am not surprised by the axle seals as this vehicle has had them done twice already and I suspect it will be a chronic issue with the vehicle. The head gasket floored me though.

The tech suggested that the head gasket is 26 hours of labour on it's own 'since it's a V6' and that I was looking at over $4k worth of work plus taxes.

I am taking this to an independent mechanic that a friend recommended tomorrow to confirm these findings and get an alternative quote, but I as suspicious about the timing with the recent expiry of the warranty, coupled with some flyers I've received in the last six months from the dealership about wanting me to trade in my RAV. I've opened a customer care case with Toyota through the dealership in order to try and get them to cover this under the extended warranty given the low mileage as well.

If they confirm that the head gasket is shot and warranty is refused, is it worth it to invest this much in this vehicle? Black book value is about $13k-$15k on trade in, retail seems to be $20k to $23k in the city right now.

Is there anything else I should do? This is not a financial hit that will be easy to absorb at the moment.

To CRV or not to CRV?

wuzandfuzz — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:51:32 -0800

Should I get a 2010 Honda CRV or a 2010 Toyota Rav-4? It's time for me to let go of the faithful car (an old one of my parents') that carried me through college and law school and get a grown-up-mobile now that I've entered the world of the employed. It's come down to two - the 2010 CRV or the 2010 Rav-4. I've test driven both and like them equally, essentially.

I'm interested in your experience with your CRV or Rav-4 and/or anything you considered when making a similar decision. I'm sliiiiiightly leaning towards the Rav-4 because I like the styling a little better and I like the extra storage under the trunk floor. However, I'm somewhat concerned about the side-opening trunk and how well that works when someone is parked behind you.

Relevant information:
- I'm getting the base model for either of them(none of the add-ons are particularly interesting to me.)
- I live in the SF Bay Area (so no snow) and am not into camping or other outdoorsy things that might necessitate driving off of a paved road.
- I'm tall with long legs (5'10") and wide hips, which knocked out the Subaru Forester for me - it was just too cramped.
- Toyota is currently offering 2 years free maintenance when you buy a new car.

Thanks in advance for helping me choose my first new car!