My daughter will learn to drive in a year, so I am thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4 to use as my winter vehicle (I live in Pittsburgh) while my 2004 LS430 takes a rest! I value your collective opinions so I am posting this here. Toyota...Lexus...it's all on topic!


What should I do? They have an '04 RAV L that is pretty much exactly what I want. Sticker is about $25500 and, including the current $750 rebate it can be bot for $22500...3 grand off.

I plan to keep this for 4 years exactly. I looked at the the Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds sites and a 2000 RAV4 in good shape with 35,000 miles (about what I expect...it's a "second" car) is worth about $10700. A 2001 with the same miles is worth about $1000 more. In other words, if someone had done what I am doing 4 years ago, the one model year older vehicle with the same miles would be worth only a grand less.

So what it boils down to is this: Will an '05 (they say due in October but I'd bet sooner) be able to be bot for 2 grand off sticker? Paying more than that would point the equation in favor of the '04...at least financially. Getting a bigger discount than $2000 would point the equation in favor of getting the '05 since an '04 now goes for $3000 off sticker but is worth $1000 less at the other end.

What do you guys think?

 

SEVENTY readers and NO ONE has an opinion on this?

 

Because no one wants to be hold reponsible if it doesn't work out

I'd go for the 04, since you'll be keeping it for 4 years, by than a new gen should be out. The resell value between a 04 and 05 shouldn't be too much.

But since you're willing to pay upwards of 20grand for an extra car to let your LS rest. Don't worry too much about the $1000 difference

good luck on your purchase!!