A Change of Wheels

Ok, driving on all four wheels now! Got the RAV4 home and completed a detailed look-over. Pretty well up together, but I don't like the restricted opening of the rear door...that's a pretty dismal piece of design work and I don't appreciate why it's built that way. Other than that, it drove even better than I remember and it's not a dawdler!! It's got a Diff Lock, which I didn't notice on the test drive...useful. Think I might enjoy owning this...for a while

Like I hinted at in the other post - "always look on the bright side of life".

Thanks for your comforting words, Tom. I'm not agonising about the other RAV4! As you said...in not so many words, it's wasted energy.

Overall, I like the machine, it appears well built and certainly drives competently. The diesel is quieter than the Audi!! Now I've got to find the nearest dealer...need a couple of things.

It might be worth typing Toyota into the Search Directory box of Macks 4x4 info

Will come up with loads of interesting stuff I'd wager.

Found a dealer...about 30 mins drive on a good day. Very impressed with the service and they knew what they were talking about!

Bought some replacement windscreen wipers, and they put a new battery in the spare key. Gave me prices for a set of mats, although I only want the drivers mat, and replacement gearstick knob...yes, a gearstick knob! The existing one is worse for wear (the previous owner must have had VERY rough hands!!!) and for me, something like that gets up my nose! Sad, I know, but it spoils the ship for an apeth of tar for me!

They GAVE me a new stub aerial and a touch-up stick, which unfortunately, is the wrong shade. The aerial replaces the original, which was one of those foot long whip type aerials protruding at an angle backwards from a base on the roof. This fouled my up-an-over garage door on the way in and consequently, prevented me from backing out!!

I asked if they could do anything about the restricted rear door opening, the answer was no! It's apparently restricted because a full 90 degs opening angle, with the spare wheel on the rear door, would obscure the hazard warning light on the right rear. There is a longer rear door stay I can purchase but would need to fit myself.

Ok, getting to know my new wheels, which is one of the things I enjoy about changing cars.

tecmic wrote:

They GAVE me a new stub aerial and a touch-up stick, which unfortunately, is the wrong shade. The aerial replaces the original, which was one of those foot long whip type aerials protruding at an angle backwards from a base on the roof. This fouled my up-an-over garage door on the way in and consequently, prevented me from backing out!!

Mmmm, getting back out could be a bit of a problem!

On the subject of wiper blades; When I got my Terios 3 years ago one of the first things I did was change the crappy stock wiper blades for FLAT AERO type. I got them from Amazon for around £4. each and they are still going strong.
The FLAT AERO,one piece blades perform MUCH better than the old fashioned type.


For example;

AERO BLADES

Never seen them before. Nice one, I'll try those out next time I need replacement blades.

Tom Mc wrote:

Never seen them before. Nice one, I'll try those out next time I need replacement blades.

STANDARD equipement on WV,AUDI,BMW,MERCEDES,LEXUS etc these days
You get a much cleaner sweep and never get any juddering!

maadmaan10 wrote:

Tom Mc wrote:

Never seen them before. Nice one, I'll try those out next time I need replacement blades.

STANDARD equipment on VW,AUDI,BMW,MERCEDES,LEXUS etc these days
You get a much cleaner sweep and never get any juddering!

That would explain it, didn't thing they were around in 1973!

STANDARD equipment on VW,AUDI,BMW,MERCEDES,LEXUS etc these days
You get a much cleaner sweep and never get any juddering![/quote]
That would explain it, didn't thing they were around in 1973! [/quote]


So that's how long you been asleep then!!

Never a truer word spoken in jest!

They are not bad those flat wipers. But...I have tried a few cheapo brands of the flat wipers (not on my landie) and they were rubbish. Go for Bosch or whatever.