1997 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews

1997 Toyota Rav4 (auto 2.0l 4dr)

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV AWD

Review

I owned this 6yr. old / 57000mi. Rav4 for 5 years, used it for USPS duty for 2 years. It had decent engine performance, but got worse in higher gears. Overall seating package was not very good, with awkward rear access coupled with poor thigh support made it uncomfortable for taller peoples. Gas mileage was fairly poor at about 22 mpg. overall; never got above 24 mpg. Traction on ice and snow was bad as can be for 4wd. Rear trunk room was good, as was overall reliability and materials quality. Engine and transmission usually were flawless. Almost no body rust at 11 yrs. old. Tire wear was a bit excessive over time, and getting tires for it was very expensive.
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It takes a licking and keeps on ticking

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

Review

We live in Florida and my husband surfs the roof racks are great to hold his boards. We have put many,many miles over 202,000 and This car is still going. Love everything about this car.
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Excellent quality

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD

Review

Had this car for over 13 years. No mechanical defects and 270,000 miles. Usually got around 28 mpg. It didn't have the pep that some later models had but it always got me where I needed to go.
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Would Buy it Again

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

Review

I fell in love with this car before I even bought it. It just looked like it was fun to drive. I live in Florida but have driven it to Texas and New York. The drives were very comfortable and I didn't feel like I was driving a small vehicle. Even drove it during a snow storm and it handled great. Since it's raised a little you have good visibility all around. Mine is a manual 4-speed. I've never had any mechanical problems with it - I do have regular maintenance from a trusted Toyota mechanic (not the dealership) I've already decided that if I ever need any major work done I'll pay to have it done before I buy another car.
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Excellent car

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

Review

I have my four door auto for seven years and I have yet to be disappointed by it. A lady at my local plant nursery has been dogging me to sell it to her after seeing what I packed into it over the years and how it has held up. It is going to go to my daughter since KBB does not even come close to giving it a value worthy of its abilities. If you are in the market for one buy it and don't wrangle because it will be gone very quickly.
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My Tonka

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV AWD

Review

I like the sporty, good in snow, cool looking, weird little truck car. Unfortunately I've had problems with door latches, all latches, metal rusting and breaking... odd little things. I've replaced my windshield three times for cracks and pits. Mostly on major driving it never lets me down. I live in the upstate ADKS, so there is a lot of salt and hard wear, but no excuse for the bad metal situation. Still at 167,000, I'm having trouble parting with this cool truck. Put a rack on it, I can stuff it with travel gear and take my pet!!! It's a noisy truck, so I turn up the music. It's a blast on backroads and snow with loud music. What do I do with this now, how long can I make it last.
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Ravioli Returns

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD

Review

This is my 2nd Rav, first was 5 speed, I sold it and regretted so I bought an auto. Stick shift needs another gear for sure, tachs at about 3k at 60 mph, but hey it never let me down the 3 years I owned it. Now the auto is better but for a 4 cylinder and its get up it should do better ( 23 city ). I love it, awesome in the snow, rain any weather. Would buy another, I am a Honda lover also. Auto shifts so smooth you almost don't feel it.
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I loved that car

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

Review

I bought this car used with only 6k mls. It was always very reliable, enough room, gas mileage great. I still own the car, although some idiot decided not to look before pulling out into the highway and hit me in the side, my rav rolled 4 times. I climbed out without many injuries, nothing broken. My car on the other hand looks a sight. Although to everyones surprise, it still runs. Wrecker man brought it to my house and parked it on the street. I told him I needed it in the driveway, so he got in it and DROVE it to the space I wanted it. Still quiet running, sounds great. I don't know what I will do with it, I know I am going to miss driving it.
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I will sorely miss this car!

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV

Review

I bought this vehicle new in 1997 and never regretted a day of driving it. Sporty little number that always turned heads - I've had several people want to buy it but of course I turned them down. I kept it maintained but in the end (July 2008), I didn't pay attention to oil leakage and the engine died. I went to several auto mechanics (personal friends) and was willing to pay $2500 to get another engine but decided after driving it for eleven years that I didn't want to take the chance (on expert advice) that another engine could fail in six months. Annoys me that had I paid attention, I could still be driving it another five years!
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Excellent Value

Vehicle

1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV

Review

I haven't had any problems with my Rav4. The only work I've had done is normal maintainance. The only things I don't like about the car is that it doesn't turn on a dime. It is a pretty wide turn and it is difficult if not impossible to u-turn on a two lane road. You will inevitably need to go off the road a bit. Other than that I love my Rav. It is really fun to drive, has good pick up and is very reliable.
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