Anyone want a 2003 Toyota Rav4-EV? - Democratic Underground

txlibdem

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Sun Oct-31-10 09:49 AM
Original message

Anyone want a 2003 Toyota Rav4-EV?

I saw one on sale on eBay and it just struck me that I am continually amazed at how popular these are. They are a damn fine electric vehicle and they're still going strong, still out there on the roads every day.

Does anyone know someone who owns one or has driven one?

What do you think about the price they usually sell for?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Toyota-RAV4-EV-Electric-Vehicle-NiMH-New-Pack-/330489006740?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cf2ae0a94

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DrDan

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Sun Oct-31-10 10:32 AM
Response to Original message

1. rented one during last trip to Alaska - very impressed with it

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txlibdem

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Sun Oct-31-10 04:17 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Cool.

How did it perform (pep, comfort, range) in Alaska? Or perhaps I should first ask if it was summer or winter?

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DrDan

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Sun Oct-31-10 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. oops - rented a RAV4 - but not an EV

Edited on Sun Oct-31-10 07:58 PM by DrDan

Just a bit too quick on the response and just realized it - sorry.

I did like the RAV4 though

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tinrobot

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Sun Oct-31-10 06:45 PM
Response to Original message

3. $20K is too expensive these days

People got $40K for used ones two years ago, but that was because nobody sold EVs and demand was greater than supply. New EVs like the Leaf and others will quickly meet that demand.

Within 2-3 years, the original RAV4 EVs will be pretty much obsolete. The paddle chargers they use will go away and be replaced by J1772 connectors. The NiMH batteries are also expensive/difficult to replace. Great cars for 2003, but I wouldn't buy one in 2010.

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Ready4Change

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Sun Oct-31-10 11:07 PM
Response to Original message

5. Met a guy who owns one.

Several years back. Says the Rav-4 EV is rock solid reliable. Batteries were still near 100% of manufactured capacity even though the vehicle was past it's warranty. Range was fine for his daily work commute, and they had his wifes bio-diesel Jetta to use for long rips. (He was planning to install enough solar PV to charge the Rav, but hadn't done so yet when I talked with him.)

Yah, you can read some envy into my typing. :)

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Kennah

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Mon Nov-01-10 04:44 PM
Response to Original message

6. I saw one on Ebay 8-10 months ago for about $39K

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Kennah

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Mon Nov-01-10 04:47 PM
Response to Original message

7. I'm eager for the Tesla/Toyota RAV4-EV

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-28/tesla-and-toyota-in-talks-on-electric-rav4-assembly-plans.html

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