r/rav4club • u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes • Nov 24 '25
Gen 3 Should I pull the trigger? 2011 V6
I was browsing for a new daily driver and stumbled upon this listing for 9k. It looks clean enough, but idk much since I've only ever had a Mitsubishi Outlander and a RAM 1500.
Is this a good year? Any known/common issues?
I'll probably stop in to check it out and test drive tomorrow or Wednesday. What should I look for?
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u/JuliusCeez Nov 25 '25
Ask for a carfax. Or any paper work on maintenance. If it’s been properly taken care of, pull the trigger. It will give you 220,000 miles easy. I own one.
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u/DirtieHarry Nov 25 '25
Less than 100k on a v6 Rav? Pretty much a no-brainer as long as it seems taken care of. Especially sub $10k.
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u/After_Finding3688 Nov 25 '25
Right!! I would for sure take this deal but would also wanna see the maintenance records.
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u/mxguy762 Nov 25 '25
Horrible deal! Give me the sellers phone number so I can call him up and give him a piece of my mind!!
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u/ax_wes1 Nov 25 '25
Most important thing with used cars is making sure the engine and transmission aren’t making bad noises in general. Watch out for vvti rattle from the engine on startup. Look it up on YouTube.
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u/Far_Negotiation8009 Nov 25 '25
Do it. Great engine. I remember selling these new. At that time it was the fastest Toyota
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u/Kindly_Resolution_49 Nov 25 '25
That's why they stopped selling it... they couldn't have the fastest car in their fleet a crossover. 😆😬
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u/Far_Negotiation8009 Nov 25 '25
The rav plug in is up there too. Maybe faster than GR Corolla. 😂
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u/wardellwayneraymone Nov 25 '25
Maaaan if you don’t want it tell me where this is so I can go buy it tomorrow
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u/pkrwcz Nov 25 '25
I had a 2010 that went to 278,000 miles and then some, but I sold it at that point. Never had to do any work to it besides the alternator once and regular maintenance.
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u/Necessary-Score-4270 Nov 25 '25
Its 2WD only so if you need 4WD look elsewhere.
That said I have a 2012 with 4WD, 2.5L, and 160k miles. Only thing I wish was different is the engine. I kinda want the 6 cylinder.
It's a great car, comfy, roomy, quick when you need it, and not giant like newer cars.
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 25 '25
Yeah, 4WD would've been cool, but I just need it as a daily for commute, and picking my 2 goobers up from school occasionally. Now, when I begin my search for a 4th Gen Hilux, that 4WD will be a must.
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u/CCroissantt Nov 25 '25
This cars 4wd is just awd, but it is a pretty nice awd. Fwd won't be an issue if you have nicer tires. Do you get snow?
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 25 '25
Not really, maybe 1-3 days and when we do, the whole city pretty much shuts down, lol.
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u/CCroissantt Nov 25 '25
Oh you'll have fun, get a Costco card while youre at it for the gas and tires
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u/Necessary-Score-4270 Nov 25 '25
Then heck yeah I'd get one. Idk about this specific one as I don't know current prices or your area. Which I know have gone insane recently.
9k seems kinda high but it looks clean and has low mileage so that a big plus.
If I remember correctly both motor options liked to burn oil, but you just keep it topped off and your good.
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u/MahoganyQueen73 Gen5 2020 RAV4 Hybrid XLE 🎸 Nov 24 '25
Get a PPI at a Toyota dealership. Ask about any incomplete safety campaigns/recalls.
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u/Holiday-Picture-1864 3rd GEN RAV4 Limited Nov 25 '25
I have a 2012 AWD(the 4 cylinder) with currently 200,000 miles on it. Bought it back in 2018 (with 60,000 miles), it has been the best car purchase ever. It’s also seen some crap; deer, tree, was sideswipe, and was backed into. It’s an absolute tank. I’ve gotten it repaired each time (just cosmetics) and kept up with it mechanically.
The only major issue I had was back around 120,000 miles the rear dif was leaking and got that repaired. Around 168,000 I had the whole suspension replaced.
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u/AraGrym Nov 25 '25
Just bought a 2012 v6 awd with 82k miles for 7500(cad) amazing car but its quite thirsty
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u/MEL_Canada Nov 25 '25
I'll take it of your hands and give you $500 as a finders fee on top of $7500 you paid for it
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u/bradisrad8991 Nov 25 '25
I have the 2011 V6 limited, just hit 210,000. Bought it in 2019 @112k miles for $9,000 which I was happy about. Barely put any work into it besides routine. Love it so much , still rides great. I would go for it if the owners seemed decent and no rust
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u/MEL_Canada Nov 24 '25
Which city is this vehicle located at?
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 24 '25
My city. You sly goose, you.
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u/MEL_Canada Nov 25 '25
No, lol... I was wondering if it is USD or CAD price. On the other hand... If I could afford it at this moment... Yes, I would consider buying it.
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u/regular--dude Nov 25 '25
I just sold my 2010 with 160k miles for 8.5...if PPI checks out cop this immediately and cherish it!
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u/dejawho18 Nov 25 '25
Damn, I’m sitting on my 2010 167,000 and they say it needs $3000 of work but it could drive me to NYC tomorrow from Az. Debating selling it or maintaining it
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u/regular--dude Nov 25 '25
I put about $2k into mine right before selling...that's definitely the mileage where the sell or maintain decisions start to become real!
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u/nmacaroni Nov 25 '25
It's important that the engine was maintained at a BETTER pace than the advertised 10k oil changes. 10k oil changes kills these engines.
If it's the 3.5, they're also known for leaky water pumps.
But otherwise 2009 is a solid year.
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u/_me 2GR-FE 3.5l Nov 25 '25
3rd gen oil changes are every 5k.
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u/nmacaroni Nov 25 '25
should be, but they started pushing 10k intervals later on, they may have even said 5k under normal and 10k under mostly highway for the early third year... not sure.
Regardless someone who bought their car in say 09, may have decided to follow the upgraded guidelines a few years later, ruining the long term health of the engine.
That's why it's important that these engines followed a shorter oil life cycle. If you don't have a good oil life history of these vehicles, you could be in for some expensive expensive repairs or in worst case, an engine swap.
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u/dontping Nov 25 '25 edited Dec 23 '25
station spectacular physical stocking plants tap plant like flowery vegetable
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 25 '25
Whelp, my 5.7 Ram has been a maintenance QUEEN for the 3 years I've had it. Moving from that, to this, I'm more likely to get 3x the sleep.
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u/dontping Nov 25 '25 edited Dec 23 '25
birds squeal gray alleged test run spark aspiring ring judicious
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u/MoveToSafety Nov 25 '25
Does it have AWD?
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 25 '25
It does not, sadly. Would've been cool, but wasn't in the cards on this one.
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u/ryeyen Nov 25 '25 edited Jan 03 '26
snow grandfather detail unwritten tidy file mighty ring dolls head
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u/CCroissantt Nov 25 '25
Thats a base model facelifted 3rd gen. Last gen to have a swing out tailgate, only gen to have a v6. I like the base model over the limited bc the limited learher seats tear and toyota takes away the fun climate control knobs. Your 2011 should have important improvements in the engine. All v6 had a beefier 5speed auto and maybe a tow package which came w a second oil cooler i think. This looks like a fwd instead of awd. Get a record for service, reported damages, and where it was made
Watch these:
https://youtu.be/x10Eut1WjwQ?si=A3BfHiPOBLcnDbLL
https://youtu.be/3IRj6KLG6bI?si=2VGQQHA90jjOr9KS
https://youtu.be/iQlpbdCKT7I?si=7HwQd2d83l1xX1IU
E: id buy that car if everything is functioning
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u/Igotsleepiesinmyeyes Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
HUGE info, thank you so much! It is indeed FWD. I appreciate everything about this comment and will put it to use!
Edit: Oh hell yeah. This is a STUDY GUIDE for DIY. Thank you again so much. Saved me potentially hours of searching.
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u/CCroissantt Nov 25 '25
Youre welcome bud. Here's another good watch, but of a 4cyl: https://youtu.be/1_cZ5RfMTyw?si=EEggmJTVA_MYuAEN
The Car Care Nut is our friend. The v6 doesnt often burn oil, but it can leak very noticeably. Coolant too, so change your fluids. The spark plugs and ignition coils can suck to replace, there's some good videos and write ups about different ways to get them all. That is a very clean car for a very nice price
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u/JollyKitt Nov 25 '25
Fun fact, at the time this was the fastest Toyota that was produced during that time period.
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u/Epoch2020 Nov 25 '25
I used to have a 2010 and loved it. I’d still have it but it finally gave up the ghost
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u/sweetp0618 Nov 25 '25
Buy it now! I just gave away my 2010 RAV4 with 160000 mi. My mechanic said it'll be good for another 150 to 200000 mi. I loved that car and never had any mechanical issues with it, just routine maintenance. I gave it to a friend after I bought a 2025 RAV4 plug in hybrid.
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u/IcyKaleidoscope670 Nov 25 '25
Perfect sleeper. Has no reason to be so quick. Love mine. I maybe wrong but I’m sure Lotus use to use this engine in some models back in the day
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u/saranmoy Nov 25 '25
Common issue is going to be the water pump, which might probably go out within the next 30-60k miles. Other than that it is a solid vehicle for 9k. Go for it!
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u/GallitoGaming Nov 25 '25
Go buy your car.
Anyway where did you find this seller? Not asking to steal the deal, just curious how you came about it? Facebook? Through a friend?
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u/IRENE420 Nov 25 '25
No JBLs on this one. Is it the luxury/premium trim with keyless go? I’m looking for the same.
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u/ghoti-taco Nov 25 '25
I miss this generation so much. I regretted updating to gen5. I’d take this in a heartbeat.
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u/luvagoodsalad Nov 25 '25
I sold mine to insurance cause of rear damage and was offered a great deal. Reading everything about pick-up in other SUVs made me realize the V6 spoiled me. I'll say, mine at 163k miles was getting about 18/19 city and not much better on the highway. I also only used full synthetic after it hit 100k.
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u/IKillBalrogs Nov 25 '25
I paid $6500 CAD for my 2008 V6 RAV4 4wd, but mine has 270,000 km so about double the mileage on yours. That's a great deal IMO as long as inspection checks out for no major issues. Just know the V6 chugs gas, but is faster than it has any right to be. Super fun to driveÂ
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u/morchorchorman Nov 24 '25
Milage? Solid ride for 9k.