Used 1997 Toyota RAV4 Consumer Reviews
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LOVE my 1997 RAV4
teresa31, 12/28/2012
1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV AWD
35 of 35 people found this review helpful
I purchased my '97 Rav4 14 years ago with approximately 30,000 miles on it. Today it has 103,000 miles and is still going strong. The paint looks fantastic. The sunroof has never leaked. Seats still look great. It isn't a "peppy" driving vehicle but it is the most reliable car that I've ever owned. It goes in ANY weather. The amount of storage with the seats down is unbelievable. In 14 years the only repair (other than scheduled maintenance) has been to replace the oil pump. Since they had to pull the motor I had all belts replaced at that time (at approx. 85,000 miles). I've test driven a few newer vehicles with all the bells and whistles, but they don't compare to my 16 year old Toyota.
LOVE MY RAV4!!!
Cathy, 11/26/2015
updated 06/04/2018
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
Bought my 1997 in 1999 with low mileage. It has been wonderful. I spend a lot of time in it and it has always been reliable. It has safely transported my kids and their friends as well as my grandkids in comfort and safety. HAVE looked at newer models but I don't like them - too big, wasted interior space. i.e. dashboard too deep and too busy.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
It takes a licking and keeps on ticking
Kimbo873, 06/10/2010
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV
25 of 25 people found this review helpful
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.
Excellent quality
Ray, 05/29/2010
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD
28 of 29 people found this review helpful
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.
Would Buy it Again
MC , 08/24/2009
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
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.
Long term relationship
IAM, 11/30/2005
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
We have had this car since 1997, its reliability performance & style have all withstood the test of time. It rides today like it did 9 years ago.
1997 Toyota Rav4 (auto 2.0l 4dr)
panowak2, 06/22/2011
1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV AWD
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
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.
I will sorely miss this car!
Judy, 08/02/2008
1997 Toyota RAV4 2dr SUV
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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!
Excellent car
Paati, 08/07/2009
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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.
The BUV
woo2, 06/04/2002
1997 Toyota RAV4 4dr SUV AWD
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Purchased to drive our bassets. Basset UV. It is wonderful, fun to drive and perfect for that. Took it over a CRV because it has the manual transmission. But it is just what I was looking for.
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