Author Topic: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?  (Read 6265 times)

intently

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Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« on: July 11, 2013, 03:33:57 PM »
I need some help making a decision.  My wife and I are planning to have a third child in the next year or so (and a fourth after that, if possible).  We're going to need a van.  We currently own a 2008 Corolla (~$8,500, 33mpg, ~60k miles) and a 2011 RAV4 (~$19,500, 22mpg, ~20k miles).  Both vehicles seat five people, but the RAV4 can carry a lot more stuff obviously.

Once we get a van, it seems like the RAV4 will be redundant.  The van should be able to carry anything the RAV4 can.  It's hard to think of a reason to keep the RAV4 and sell the Corolla, except for the fact that the RAV4 is newer I suppose.

Any thoughts?  Is it just obvious that we need to sell the RAV4?

cdub

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2013, 03:40:54 PM »
Sell the RAV4 - that way when the van would be overkill for the amount of passengers for a trip you have a high MPG car.

But also - can you fit 3 carseats across in a Corolla? I know we can in my Leaf but that car is a midsize based on interior dimensions.

And another thing - I wouldn't make the purchase until you are closer. A van with just 2 adults and 2 kids seems like serious overkill.

We just bought a used Odyssey a month before our third is due (next month) and it feels like a huge waste without the 3rd child. I know we'll be thankful when the third comes to have the space though. (especially since i'm thinking of having a fourth too like you)


labrat

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2013, 07:30:00 PM »
Sell the RAV4.  If you are planning on buying a van it will be redundant and more expensive to drive and repair (newer doesn't necessarily mean better) compared to the Corolla.  Once #3 is on the way look for a van and truck all of the kids around in that.  Once the kids are out of car seats you can cram them into the back seat of the Corolla - I was one of 3 and we crammed into the back seat of my parents Buick Skylark.  When that car died they bought a Buick Century wagon, which at the time was the height of luxury.  The "way back" was palatial!

easyrider

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2013, 07:52:36 PM »
There is no debate.  Sell the RAV4.

intently

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2013, 09:52:12 AM »
Yeah, sell the RAV4... which I probably shouldn't have bought anyway... but which I love :)  Stupid material possessions!

frugal_engineer

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2013, 02:40:43 PM »
Those toyota engineers all mustachians think are super amazing failed pretty hard with the new RAV4:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/11/2013-toyota-rav4-earns-poor-rating-in-iihs-front-crash-test-w-v/

m8547

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2013, 05:49:40 PM »
Small overlap is a new test. A lot of current cars are failing it, and it hasn't had time to work its way into new designs.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-blog/2013/05/Only_Two_Compact_SUVs_Earn_IIHS_Top_Safety_Pick_Plus_Designation/

intently

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2013, 08:27:27 AM »
How'd the 2011 RAV4 do??

MoneyLifeandMore

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2013, 08:07:15 PM »
I say sell the Rav4 if you're buying a van. That way you have a more economical car and a hauling car. I can't think of many things the Rav4 would be able to do that a minivan wouldn't, but the Corolla can save you gas when not everyone needs to go.

Matte

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2013, 10:49:09 PM »
I'd sell the rav4. 

Matte

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2013, 10:51:15 PM »
Wouldn't worry about the corolla lasting or being 3 years older, keep it in good repair and you should get another 20 years out of it.  If you are like me and buy quite new or new better make it last to be worth it.

onehappypanda

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Re: Which car should I sell: RAV4 or Corolla?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2013, 06:35:06 AM »
I'd sell the Rav4 for sure. You'll get more for it, you'll save a ton on gas, you won't need it for hauling when you have a van, and (I think) your insurance should go down. Savings all around.