I'm an SC driver, and I have a lady friend who currently drives a Saturn coupe (CRAP! Did I say that?) - she just got a puppy, and it's going to grow up to be bigger than a Saturn-load. She is looking at Toyota Rav4's and Honda CRV's, in the $21-24K price range. I think those cars, while good quality, are too small. She can get a 4-year-old RX for the same money. What do I say to her to convince her to at least test-drive one? I have been telling her a well-maintained used Lexus is a good buy, since it is such a reliable car. She is set on getting something brand new. Any suitable forms of coersion will be gladly considered!

 

Oh yeah, here's the passenger - her name is Morgan - she's 13 weeks old - look at the size of those feet - this is gonna be a big doggie - she's a Newfie-Shepherd-Irish Setter mix

 

a) more for your money
b) Lexus name
c) reliability

One might suspect she wants the security of a factory warrenty. In that case try
a) Certified Used Car program at a dealer
b) Used car warrenty, available even on a private buy

Good Luck


PS A sure fire way is to take her to the Photo Gallery here on the CL site - some great photos there!

 

Go to http://www.rav4world.com and read about the problems with the new generation (2001 model on) RAV, many of which persist to this day. Brakes squealing or groaning, dashboard rattles, hesitation, stupid cover over the battery. It's an ok vehicle, but not up to the usual Toyota quality, and the Matrix appears to have similar issues. I traded mine after 8 months of love the beauty of it/ hate the rattles, etc. for a Highlander, which was definitely up to Toyota build standards.

--Jay