I want to get a car now I'm settled and thinking about a small MPV. I tried the Landrover Freelander but its the worst thing I've ever driven so now wondering about a Rav4 (4 door) automatic because 1) I'm not a brilliant driver 2)I do a lot of fetching and carrying and 3) Toyota are reliable aren't they? Has anybody got one and if so what do you think of it.

Or..... if anyone has experience of a similar type of vehicle (apart from Freelander) I'd be very interested to hear.

why do u want a 4x4

Originally posted by Zinger549
why do u wwant a 4x4
Because people are allowed their own choice and if the lady wants a 4x4 then she can have one.

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Because people are allowed their own choice and if the lady wants a 4x4 then she can have one.

Where did that come from?

My mother drives a RAV4 4 door automatic and she loves everything about it. She drove a Ford KA before mind :rolleyes:

I do a lot of work for toyota and the technicians there swear by them. If properly maintained they'll run forever, I've driven one myself and think they're a really nice and comfy and not too big to handle

Thanx very much. I didn't particularly want a 4x4 but as I am really small I think I will be more confident with a higher driving position. Rav sounds good and as you say, is quite small compared to other MPVs.

my mum's fiance has one.. and from what i can tell it is a decent car and although i dont think he considers it the best car he has ever had, doenst dislike it too much either. one thing about it though is that there is very little back seat room for a car of its size, or any car for that matter! You dont get much leg room and i struggle to put a rear facing baby seat into it! X

You said about other 4 x 4's...my dads had a Vauxhall Frontera for years, and it's been fantastic, apart frmo general jobs like new brake pads & tyres it's never broke down once.

They're very good, but expensive to buy and run.

They are not MPVs.

If you're buying new you may as well wait for the new shape to come out now.

B

PS: Frontera is crap!

Originally posted by Bourne
PS: Frontera is crap!

I'm interested to know why you think this?

Originally posted by serapis
I'm interested to know why you think this?

Poor gearboxes and take an age to reach 30mph let along 60. (this is based on a 2.4i LWB)

Very noisy to drive, and feels like it has a shaky drivetrain setup.

If I were to make a recommendation, I would say get a Rav4 - seems good for the money.

They are a good womens car, my mum likes it because she can fit all her shopping in the boot.

Good engine and they look pretty decent, but I think they're a bit much for what they are.

Why don't you want a Freelander?

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW
Poor gearboxes and take an age to reach 30mph let along 60. (this is based on a 2.4i LWB)

Very noisy to drive, and feels like it has a shaky drivetrain setup.

If I were to make a recommendation, I would say get a Rav4 - seems good for the money.
Can't agree with any of thaat.
Bought the wife a Frontera recently (LWB 2.0lt) and it's amazing.
Fast off the mark (if required which to be fair it isn't), sturdy, relaible, great off road (I know cos I've taken it off road already) and not too noisy at all.

All round great vehicle in my opinion.

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Can't agree with any of thaat.
Bought the wife a Frontera recently (LWB 2.0lt) and it's amazing.
Fast off the mark (if required which to be fair it isn't), sturdy, relaible, great off road (I know cos I've taken it off road already) and not too noisy at all.

All round great vehicle in my opinion.

Yeah I agree, my mates 2.0 TD4 Freelander (diesel) is very quick, I was driving about in it half the day on Saturday and was very impressed.

People I know who've had RAV4s have said very good things about them. I've you're buying new though, it's worth waiting for the New Generation RAV4, which I think is being launched in January and is supposed to be a BIG step forward.

Have you not considered a new Vauxhall Zafira?

It has the higher driving position and is probably far more practical.

Because I took a Freelander on a test drive. It was incredibly noisy, it handled like a tractor and then...... it broke down. It was the petrol version and from my later research I gather these are one of the worst built cars on the road. It's a shame because it looks nice and tidy. Going to test a Rav4 at weekend.

Originally posted by dinp
Have you not considered a new Vauxhall Zafira?

It has the higher driving position and is probably far more practical.

only if u need 15 seats & storage compartments that dont hold enough.

Originally posted by Trishtee
Because I took a Freelander on a test drive. It was incredibly noisy, it handled like a tractor and then...... it broke down. It was the petrol version and from my later research I gather these are one of the worst built cars on the road. It's a shame because it looks nice and tidy. Going to test a Rav4 at weekend.

if your not bothered by the badge, try a kia.
either th sportage or sorrento, bth have been voted best 4x4 in their groups for 2005. excellent fuel economy & cheap to service.

Originally posted by Zinger549
why do u want a 4x4
Part of original post by Trishtee
-I didn't particularly want a 4x4 but as I am really small I think I will be more confident with a higher driving position.-
Part of original post by Trishtee
-wondering about a Rav4 (4 door) automatic because 1) I'm not a brilliant driver-
AHA! Now we know why 4x4's are so popular! :D

yep that and the fact they pxxs other people off.

Originally posted by Trishtee
Because I took a Freelander on a test drive. It was incredibly noisy, it handled like a tractor and then...... it broke down. It was the petrol version and from my later research I gather these are one of the worst built cars on the road. It's a shame because it looks nice and tidy. Going to test a Rav4 at weekend.

Alot of them had head gasket problems.

I've had a Freelander and a RAV4 - Freelander had to have a new engine after it had only done 19,000 miles and it was rubbish to drive.

I had my RAV4 for three years and reluctantly parted with it earlier this year (S reg) - in the three years that I had it only purchased new tyres for it, it drove like a dream (and I could park it almost anywhere!). Would recommend it to anyone