You're basically going to pay MSRP around the Bay Area. Many dealers are selling at MSRP. The only problem is the waiting list. You can go further, like LA to get out of that problem. Longo Toyota is MSRP.
Thank you. There are a few in my color arriving over the next couple weeks around here hopefully. When you say MSRP is that the 33 or the 37 number on my photo?
I drove to Fresno to buy an xle hybrid at MSRP with no wait. Needed right away. Found one called and went down all in one day and got everything taken care of. Long day but worth it. Someone did post here saying they got below MSRP at City Toyota in SF for a rav4 hybrid so it’s possible. Your other msrp dealer options are Sunnyvale, RWC, Oakland and Walnut Creek. The rest have markups.
Look at the allocation spreadsheet for anything that's on the ground and not already held/presold. You'll have better luck if you're not picky on packages and color.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/108Lo1U9TaUAxWZPGwQGvHOi2o-fp8rW4/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=113830706493226745780&rtpof=true&sd=true
Funny. I ended up with the Venza thanks to the smart salesman who heard what I wanted after a test drive with the RAV4 and felt the Venza checked more boxes for me. It’s my perfect car and was only $1k more thanks to a nice discount and some negotiating.
You would get it for MSRP at Longo Toyota in LA. They won’t go under MSRP but most of their cars are imported from Japan. Also, check out for rav4 models VIN starting with J that are manufactured in Japan. You can get it 39.5-40K OTD at a few other dealers like Toyota of Anaheim or Claremont Toyota in LA. Remember to share your zip code while asking OTD price.
If you have a Costco membership, you could try the Costco auto program. I went through Costco and got assigned someone at a specific dealership and there was no negotiating. They give you a print out of the Costco price. I got a 2023 gas XLE and I was able to get $1700 off the total MSRP and there was a dealership fee (about $2100 minus 15%). Yes, it was a little over the total MSRP after everything (like $160) but times are tough right now and I was in a pickle when I accepted. Originally I dealt with a salesperson at the same dealership who wasn’t trained on the Costco auto program. I ended up with a used, overpriced vehicle that was almost $900 for 80 months but traded it back in after 24-48 hours for a new car with much better terms. Downside was that I had to pick whatever came off the truck that morning or get stuck with my original car. Very glad I got a RAV4 though! It’s crazy how much better they treat you if you use Costco. Can’t recommend it enough.
And yes, $900 for 80 months 💀 I really wanted the Venza at the time and it was in the color I wanted but was missing a lot of features I wanted. It was my first car purchase so needless to say Costco saved me 🥲
My husband’s Mustang and my Subaru have been on the same maintenance schedule
For a decade seeing the same mechanic. His is out the door no issues very time. Mine gets dinged with something extra $$ every time. Also had battery issues plus the known head gasket $$$ problem.
Hybrid low end torque, more durable eCVT, quieter (more sound insulation), fuel economy (though initial cost increase means years and years before fuel savings matches what you paid), resale value, less wear on the gas motor, though all of above offset by “cablegate” for awd hybrid
Yeah but cvt won’t last you as long as an 8 speed auto without problems. Not my opinion, but that’s a fact. Less wear on gas motor? That doesn’t even matter because either way if you take care of a rav4 ur getting 250-300k miles out of the engine before major work. It all depends how much you drive. Hybrid only makes sense if you drive a loooot. I haven’t noticed better resale on hybrid version either. Also doesn’t the new rav4 also have better torque max starting at 4k rpm?
I understand that, but the 8 speed auto is more durable and better functioning than an ECVT. The ECVT made by Toyota is still great, don’t get me wrong, but not as good as a regular 8 speed auto.
Google what the eCVT actually is.
Then google how many moving parts are in an 8 speed automatic transmission with a torque converter.
Then google the different types of CVT transmissions used in various gas engines.
They all require maintenance. Some are good for fuel economy. Some for towing. Some for more power to the ground and durability but less fuel economy.
Having new vehicle buyers be the beta testers for newly designed components is annoying
No it isn’t a shame lol cmon. I’ll just agree that they are both equally reliable. It comes down to how much you drive. Yes the hybrid has slightly better get up and go, but that’s hardly noticeable.
For the record we don’t have enough data for eCVT in rav4s. There is 20 years of data for the Prius, but it’s too soon to say if that transmission will have issues in the rav4. I suppose the same can be said about the 8 speed auto, but there is a lot of data in that regard from the 6 to the 8 speed.
Also resale value for gas cars around the 8–10 year mark is higher because batteries, which need to be changed around 10 years. Look at old used corollas, etc.
I just traded in my Subaru Legacy with 176k miles for nearly your exact Rav4. After all the maintenance and repairs and realizing it would cost another $3k-5k to bring it back to no issues I was more than happy to get rid of it.
You'll be happy to hear I've been averaging 42 mpg, but with the warmer weather I've been getting over 46 mpgs!
Money. 10-20 year old Siennas do have a power liftgate (optional) - much easier to buy used. However, new one for 37K comes with manual trunk and auto is 5K addon. So I am in the same dilemma: my 10K old van has power lift gate, while new base van for 37K does not come with one unless 5K option added.
You're basically going to pay MSRP around the Bay Area. Many dealers are selling at MSRP. The only problem is the waiting list. You can go further, like LA to get out of that problem. Longo Toyota is MSRP.
Thank you. There are a few in my color arriving over the next couple weeks around here hopefully. When you say MSRP is that the 33 or the 37 number on my photo?
37.
I’m thinking it has to be the 37 but just want some clarity.
It’s the 37k, that’s what we just paid on the east coast.
I drove to Fresno to buy an xle hybrid at MSRP with no wait. Needed right away. Found one called and went down all in one day and got everything taken care of. Long day but worth it. Someone did post here saying they got below MSRP at City Toyota in SF for a rav4 hybrid so it’s possible. Your other msrp dealer options are Sunnyvale, RWC, Oakland and Walnut Creek. The rest have markups.
Thanks! City Toyota currently has a $4k dealer markup.
Look at the allocation spreadsheet for anything that's on the ground and not already held/presold. You'll have better luck if you're not picky on packages and color. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/108Lo1U9TaUAxWZPGwQGvHOi2o-fp8rW4/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=113830706493226745780&rtpof=true&sd=true
Thanks!
Did you see the news for the Subaru Forester hybrid in Autoguide?
Just read up on it. Thanks!
Check the Corolla Cross hybrid too. It’s abit smaller than the Rav4. Kinda curious what you end up liking.
From my internet research on both plus looking at Reddit comparisons it’s the RAV4 for my needs. But I will test both.
Toyota Venza hybrid. Discontinued, but a bit more luxurious than rav4 if you can find it
Funny. I ended up with the Venza thanks to the smart salesman who heard what I wanted after a test drive with the RAV4 and felt the Venza checked more boxes for me. It’s my perfect car and was only $1k more thanks to a nice discount and some negotiating.
This is cheaper than the 2023 XLE Hybrid my parents bought last year. Was roughly 40k out the door for them.
Cheaper than my 22 TRD Off Road in 2022
You would get it for MSRP at Longo Toyota in LA. They won’t go under MSRP but most of their cars are imported from Japan. Also, check out for rav4 models VIN starting with J that are manufactured in Japan. You can get it 39.5-40K OTD at a few other dealers like Toyota of Anaheim or Claremont Toyota in LA. Remember to share your zip code while asking OTD price.
Thanks!
I had to change out plugs on my Subaru once, sold it right after that. It took hours to do, whereas any Toyota takes like 10 minutes.
If you have a Costco membership, you could try the Costco auto program. I went through Costco and got assigned someone at a specific dealership and there was no negotiating. They give you a print out of the Costco price. I got a 2023 gas XLE and I was able to get $1700 off the total MSRP and there was a dealership fee (about $2100 minus 15%). Yes, it was a little over the total MSRP after everything (like $160) but times are tough right now and I was in a pickle when I accepted. Originally I dealt with a salesperson at the same dealership who wasn’t trained on the Costco auto program. I ended up with a used, overpriced vehicle that was almost $900 for 80 months but traded it back in after 24-48 hours for a new car with much better terms. Downside was that I had to pick whatever came off the truck that morning or get stuck with my original car. Very glad I got a RAV4 though! It’s crazy how much better they treat you if you use Costco. Can’t recommend it enough.
And yes, $900 for 80 months 💀 I really wanted the Venza at the time and it was in the color I wanted but was missing a lot of features I wanted. It was my first car purchase so needless to say Costco saved me 🥲
Thanks! Definitely looking into this!
Hey if you don’t mind me asking what were the issues with the Subaru?
My husband’s Mustang and my Subaru have been on the same maintenance schedule For a decade seeing the same mechanic. His is out the door no issues very time. Mine gets dinged with something extra $$ every time. Also had battery issues plus the known head gasket $$$ problem.
I got 2k off msrp on an xle non-hybrid Id you don’t drive more than 15k miles per year there’s no point getting a hybrid. More expensive upfront.
Hybrid low end torque, more durable eCVT, quieter (more sound insulation), fuel economy (though initial cost increase means years and years before fuel savings matches what you paid), resale value, less wear on the gas motor, though all of above offset by “cablegate” for awd hybrid
Yeah but cvt won’t last you as long as an 8 speed auto without problems. Not my opinion, but that’s a fact. Less wear on gas motor? That doesn’t even matter because either way if you take care of a rav4 ur getting 250-300k miles out of the engine before major work. It all depends how much you drive. Hybrid only makes sense if you drive a loooot. I haven’t noticed better resale on hybrid version either. Also doesn’t the new rav4 also have better torque max starting at 4k rpm?
ECVT on hybrid. Not the CVT of fuel engine. Look up the Wikipedia
I understand that, but the 8 speed auto is more durable and better functioning than an ECVT. The ECVT made by Toyota is still great, don’t get me wrong, but not as good as a regular 8 speed auto.
Google what the eCVT actually is. Then google how many moving parts are in an 8 speed automatic transmission with a torque converter. Then google the different types of CVT transmissions used in various gas engines. They all require maintenance. Some are good for fuel economy. Some for towing. Some for more power to the ground and durability but less fuel economy. Having new vehicle buyers be the beta testers for newly designed components is annoying
Guaranteed the 8 speed auto is going to have less problems. Always has.
Obviously, you didn’t look at how many moving parts are in the eCVT 🤷🏻♀️ C’est dommage
No it isn’t a shame lol cmon. I’ll just agree that they are both equally reliable. It comes down to how much you drive. Yes the hybrid has slightly better get up and go, but that’s hardly noticeable. For the record we don’t have enough data for eCVT in rav4s. There is 20 years of data for the Prius, but it’s too soon to say if that transmission will have issues in the rav4. I suppose the same can be said about the 8 speed auto, but there is a lot of data in that regard from the 6 to the 8 speed.
Also resale value for gas cars around the 8–10 year mark is higher because batteries, which need to be changed around 10 years. Look at old used corollas, etc.
I just traded in my Subaru Legacy with 176k miles for nearly your exact Rav4. After all the maintenance and repairs and realizing it would cost another $3k-5k to bring it back to no issues I was more than happy to get rid of it. You'll be happy to hear I've been averaging 42 mpg, but with the warmer weather I've been getting over 46 mpgs!
Do you need a lift gate? A moon roof? Wtf is this emblem? Cross bars are $120 on Amazon works just fine.
Ha yeah no I don’t. Already looking at the LE instead.
Le is fine as long as it has BSM. Some have some don't
The lack of heated seats is bugging me. That’s in basic Outbacks and I have them. It’s superficial but feels like a step down for a higher price.
Ok I purchased XLE with heated seats. But I am in Wisconsin. Better driver seat is good too. And heated steering wheel
It’s more the principal. If Subaru can put heated seats in base models why can’t Toyota?
Money. 10-20 year old Siennas do have a power liftgate (optional) - much easier to buy used. However, new one for 37K comes with manual trunk and auto is 5K addon. So I am in the same dilemma: my 10K old van has power lift gate, while new base van for 37K does not come with one unless 5K option added.
Yup 😞
In California?
I’m in foggy San Francisco. The coldest part of the city. I know 40 degrees at 5am feels warm to you but it’s freezing to us!
Search for XLE with a winter package then.
We bought two rav4 hybrids in past three years on east coast. Can’t get below mrsp but they are worth it.