Having the lights on helps everyone. Pedestrians. Those driving the vehicle and oncoming traffic. Any argument against having headlights on when the wipers are on is just wrong.

 

I agree. I think Subaru is standard across the range of models.

 

Exactly. Not being able to see in heavy rain, snow and fog has little to do with a person's own physical abilities. Which is why these laws exists--for everyone else's safety over arrogance of "I can see just fine--those other people are the ones with a problem."

 

It is also valuable in that when headlights go on, the tail lights go on. So it’s front and rear, visibility for those behind following.

Further, what possible drawbacks can there be if headlights are on.

 

Arguing against headlights on in rain is like arguing against seatbelts... people will come up with all kinds of ‘reasons’ but that doesn’t mean they’re good reasons. Seatbelts save lives.

 

^^^^ A moot point, with today's DRLs. They operate whenever the ignition is on and the vehicle is in gear. Then, the only thing the DRLs are doing is wearing out the headlights quicker LOL.

 

So I take it you do not like DRLs?

 

Not so much that I don't like them. I just see them as a drain on bulb-life when IMO they aren't actually needed most of the time. But, that, to some extent, is countered by the fact that today's lighting systems last longer than ever without burning out.

I remember, back in the 1980s, the rectangular Sylvania and GE halogen sealed-beam lights I had on my Mazda.....I drove a lot at night, and they were burning out twice a year or so. But they were cheap......$9.95 at most auto-parts stores. They were simple enough to replace that I could do it myself with only a Phillips screwdriver....no need to go to the shop. Those days are long gone.

 

Why do you think they are not needed?

 

Most of the time, visibility is not that bad. In Virginia, the law says that lights have to be on with the wipers when visibility is less than 500 feet.

No offense, but IMO I think we all have discussed the DRL/headlight/state law issues enough...at least in this thread. We're off the RAV-4/NX topic.

 

DRL's are about being seen. I have no issue with them. I can't believe you have an issue with DRL. But OK, we are off topic.

 

Only a very minor one. It's not like I hate them.

On the RAV-4. I think I might be shopping with a colleague of mine for a new one pretty shortly. He's keeping an old 1999 RAV-4 to get around the annual Virginia property-tax, which, on an old vehicle like that, is essentially nothing. He's been quite satisfied with it and with the local Toyota shop....but it is showing its age, and he still needs something reliable for work. I do think, though, that, even though worn, it was more solidly-built than the new ones, particularly in the interior.

 

I disagree.

 

Have you looked at or test-driven a new one? Yes, I'm sure the drivetrain and mechanicals will be reliable (it is a Toyota, after all)..but the 2019 interior has a lot of thin cheap parts, particularly on the base model. The interior parts on his old 1999 feel more substantial.

 

We had one for two days. A new LE model. We get them for my work. It was quite nice after using it for a while. I completely get and understand why mid size sedans are becoming less popular. To me, it seems pointless to purchase a Camry when you can get a more functional model for the same price.



I disagree. I found it to be competitive with everything else.