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1999 Toyota RAV4
Invoice: $14,336 - $15,975
Miles Per Gallon
City: 22 MPG - 24 MPG
Highway: 25 MPG - 29 MPG
Body Style: N/A
Engines: 2.0L I-4 127 HP
When it was introduced, industry analysts weren't sure how to categorize the Toyota RAV4. Though it wasn't the first one, the success of this mini sportutility vehicle helped start a trend. Now established as a class, small SUVs are increasingly popular for their relatively low cost, fuelefficiency, compact size, sporty image and, in some cases, fourwheeldrive systems. The RAV4 is no longer new and there are few changes for 1999, but it's still a headturner. Toyota's reputation for quality, durability and reliability has enabled the RAV4 to continue to post strong sales despite new and upgraded entries in its class. This year, Toyota added an optional leather interior to its RAV4L Special Edition package. All twodoor models now come with a soft top that debuted in mid1998. The folding fabric top provides openair motoring for backseat passengers, while a solid sun roof opens above driver and frontseat passenger. The Soft Top model looks like an offroad toy, offers relatively little luggage space and the back seats are best suited for children. The fabric top is of high quality and Toyota has done a good job of minimizing noise levels. The twodoor hardtop is no longer available. The fourdoor RAV4 presents a more roadworthy stance. It offers some of the versatility of larger sportutility vehicles, but with less room for people and parcels. The fourdoor model is 16 inches longer than the twodoor and rides on a longer wheelbase. It offers seatbelt hardware for five people. The Honda CRV, Kia Sportage, the new Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Subaru Forester compete with Toyota's RAV4. RAV4 offers the best fuel economy (22/26). It sits in the middle of this group of competitors in terms of size: five inches longer than Sportage, 14 inches shorter than CRV, one inch shorter than Grand Vitara. RAV4 is near the top for cargocarrying capacity; only CRV offers more space. Forester provides the best driving dynamics, but lacks some of the offroad capability. The RAV4 is based on the frontwheeldrive Toyota Camry sedan. Its unibody chassis gives it a comfortable carlike demeanor. Two and fourwheeldrive variations are available. The fourwheeldrive models feature a lockable center differential (on manual transmissions). Even though the RAV4 lacks a lowrange set of gears, its ground clearance (7.5 inches for the fourdoor, 7.7 for the twodoor) is sufficient to make light offroad driving feasible. The locking differential gives the RAV4 traction advantages over the allwheeldrive Honda CRV and Subaru Forester. Although the RAV4 has been compared to the Jeep Wrangler, it cannot compete with the Wrangler's traction capabilities in really rough going. There doesn't seem to be a consensus on the RAV4's looks, considered everything from cute to ugly duckling to extraterrestrial.
Purchasing an older vehicle, such as the 1999 Toyota RAV4, makes good financial sense. You're able to avoid the steep depreciation rates that occur with brand new vehicles. This essentially gives you the advantage of getting a 1999 Toyota RAV4 for less money than when it was new. If the 1999 Toyota RAV4 was properly maintained, you also have a good chance of steering clear of problems that would have developed when the car was new.
The amount you pay for an older car depends on various factors. One important element is where you buy the vehicle. You're likely to get a better deal if you buy it from a private party, as opposed to a dealer. On the other hand, a reputable dealer will normally have some kind of limited warranty, so you can drive away knowing that if the car breaks down right away, you'll be covered. Another factor that may affect price on a 1999 Toyota RAV4 is whether it's "certified" by the manufacturer. A certified vehicle will cost more because warranty service is provided that normally doesn't come with a used car.
Another dynamic that will play into the purchase price is the resale value. A used vehicle with a high resale value will obviously cost you more. It is expected that the 1999 Toyota RAV4 will have a excellent resale value. This assumes that the 1999 Toyota RAV4 is in good condition and has a reasonable number of miles.
Find a used 1999 Toyota Rav4 for sale at CarsDirect.
