I've got a '98 rav4 I imported from Japan into BC, Canada this spring. It only had 57,000km on it! Paul's videos have been super informative, and this was a cool comparison to see! My Rav seems to have a blend of both of these specs!
I have a 97 2 door RV5 2 sun roof 5 speed from Spain island of Tenerife. bought from original owner. 100% original from mag wheels to full electric windows. 79000 KMS. HAVE NOW had 4 years currently in Alacante area Spain Only needed basic maintenance. It's closer to the Japanese import car than the US model but has US style I'D plates.
I have a 2007 Rav4 Japanese that I bought in Kenya. So far, the biggest difference I have noticed compared to a USA Rav4 is that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car.
if you watch paul's videos youll see he filled his rear diff mount with window sealant. It definitely strengthened the mount. Seeing how much it jars forward and back under acceleration is crazy.
That's good to know! A lot of people complain about that noise and movement. I honestly don't care about it. It's an old car so I don't mind most of the things that come cause of age
I agree it was built tough from the get go. Road noise is east to overcome, just crank the radio lol. Less electrical makes the car more of an investment than an expense compared to newer vehicles. After 2012 car manufacturers made even changing tail lights a minor repair. It’s crazy. I’m glad you love it and you do have an original with the paint and the accessories from Japan. It looks killer and never a new paint job. Just touch ups. Best wishes.
I haven't found a concensus about this online. The only thing I can think off is that it might come from the Japanese market, but that is not always the case.
Very cool video, I knew that the JDM ravs had only one catalytic converter but I thought it was the big one underneath like the us spec, and they just missed the first one in the manifold. I was so wrong, the Toyota factory must have been very well organized back then as the had to make so many different specs at the same time, btw the euro spec rav is also very different from these two, that also has only one catalytic converter but it's the one under the car, also the spare wheel is placed more to the left and there was a no airbag version sold just like your JDM.
No center locking differential. Well you got gipped big time. That’s the best feature of the whole vehicle. It gets through pretty much anything like a foot of mud going uphill. Good video though. I learned some things
I knew it didn't have a manual center locking diff when I bought, so it wasn't a ripp off at all. Besides, the automatic trannys still give you the same capability if you have the 4WD system. The inly difference is that you can't manualñt engage/disengage it.
@@shadowdance4666 you are still not getting it. Automatic RAV4s with 4WD do have center locking diff, but it is not manually engaged by the driver. Instead, it is managed through a viscous coupling. Don't believe me? Go watch @labcoatpaul videos explaining it.
@@theOGRAV4 yes you’re right. I find it very difficult to believe especially that it works well enough for my expectations. Maybe it’s you that should drive a manual with the locking center differential. One that is engaged when you are stopped because it’s real and pretty cool too. Actually from what I read they don’t have any locking differential on the automatics. Yeah maybe it’s time to research the original brochure or even my owners manual and see what it says. I believe that I’m correct. But I’ll double check my manual which I still own. Maybe I’ll make a video after the eclipse
if you want it for off-road, of course! if you like the feeling of gear-shifting manually, off-course. It depends on what you want it for. I have knee injuries that make it painful to engage the clutch repeatedly, so automatic was perfect for me. I wasn't looking for the fun that comes with manual transmission. I have had plenty of manual transmission cars and had my fun for the last 15 years. I am at a diffent stage of life now. I simply loved the car but needed an automatic. Either option is great depending on your needs/wants.
I've got a '98 rav4 I imported from Japan into BC, Canada this spring. It only had 57,000km on it! Paul's videos have been super informative, and this was a cool comparison to see! My Rav seems to have a blend of both of these specs!
That's awesome brother. Enjoy your new toy! And yes, Paul's videos are the bomb!
how much was it for and what was the cost to import?
@@AhmedKhan-md2hl $11,000cad for the car and $1000 import fees/shipping
The mirrors are bigger on Paul’s RAV because it’s newer. JDM models also got the large mirrors in ‘97 model year.
That's really interesting. Thanks for the update!
I have a 97 2 door RV5 2 sun roof 5 speed from Spain island of Tenerife. bought from original owner. 100% original from mag wheels to full electric windows. 79000 KMS. HAVE NOW had 4 years currently in Alacante area Spain
Only needed basic maintenance. It's closer to the Japanese import car than the US model but has US style I'D plates.
That's awesome! I love Spain. I ve been to Sevilla and the región of Andalucia and it is beautiful! Enjoy your RAV4, they're amazing.
I have a 2007 Rav4 Japanese that I bought in Kenya. So far, the biggest difference I have noticed compared to a USA Rav4 is that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car.
That's really the biggest difference. Everything else, aside from the things I point out in the video, are quite the same.
if you watch paul's videos youll see he filled his rear diff mount with window sealant. It definitely strengthened the mount. Seeing how much it jars forward and back under acceleration is crazy.
That's good to know! A lot of people complain about that noise and movement. I honestly don't care about it. It's an old car so I don't mind most of the things that come cause of age
I agree it was built tough from the get go. Road noise is east to overcome, just crank the radio lol. Less electrical makes the car more of an investment than an expense compared to newer vehicles. After 2012 car manufacturers made even changing tail lights a minor repair. It’s crazy.
I’m glad you love it and you do have an original with the paint and the accessories from Japan. It looks killer and never a new paint job. Just touch ups. Best wishes.
I'm buying a 95 Rav4 (2door), but instead of "L" it has "J". What does this mean?
I haven't found a concensus about this online. The only thing I can think off is that it might come from the Japanese market, but that is not always the case.
Very cool video, I knew that the JDM ravs had only one catalytic converter but I thought it was the big one underneath like the us spec, and they just missed the first one in the manifold. I was so wrong, the Toyota factory must have been very well organized back then as the had to make so many different specs at the same time, btw the euro spec rav is also very different from these two, that also has only one catalytic converter but it's the one under the car, also the spare wheel is placed more to the left and there was a no airbag version sold just like your JDM.
That's really cool to know. You should send me some pics of your RAV4 to compare! theograv4@gmail.com or through instagram #theograv4
Vas subir el coche?
No te entendi lo que quisiste decir... 😅
I notice one more difference between those two, and also EVERY JDM vs US first gen RAV4. Dashboard light dimmer (US), a blank (JDM).
I wonder if it's because for some reason dimming the dash lights is not legal in Japan?
No center locking differential. Well you got gipped big time. That’s the best feature of the whole vehicle. It gets through pretty much anything like a foot of mud going uphill. Good video though. I learned some things
I knew it didn't have a manual center locking diff when I bought, so it wasn't a ripp off at all. Besides, the automatic trannys still give you the same capability if you have the 4WD system. The inly difference is that you can't manualñt engage/disengage it.
@@theOGRAV4 not in million light years. With the center differential lock on it’s like a whole different vehicle
@@theOGRAV4 you know what. Drive one with it in rough patch. Hell put it in a competition with vs without. Then come talk to me lol
@@shadowdance4666 you are still not getting it. Automatic RAV4s with 4WD do have center locking diff, but it is not manually engaged by the driver. Instead, it is managed through a viscous coupling. Don't believe me? Go watch @labcoatpaul videos explaining it.
@@theOGRAV4 yes you’re right. I find it very difficult to believe especially that it works well enough for my expectations. Maybe it’s you that should drive a manual with the locking center differential. One that is engaged when you are stopped because it’s real and pretty cool too. Actually from what I read they don’t have any locking differential on the automatics. Yeah maybe it’s time to research the original brochure or even my owners manual and see what it says. I believe that I’m correct. But I’ll double check my manual which I still own. Maybe I’ll make a video after the eclipse
i vote for ur Rav4
👈🤘
are they the same size or is the japanese version bigger??? and whats the dimensions of these cars in metrtic please heheh
They are the exact same size. A quick Google search about its size in meters should give you the info you want 😉
@@theOGRAV4 it says that these are 169cm wide but they look bigger??? than 5'5
I have 2 RHD RAV4s...
Nice!
So not all rav 4s have difflocks?
Correct. Those with FWD only dont
Manual beats automatic always
if you want it for off-road, of course! if you like the feeling of gear-shifting manually, off-course. It depends on what you want it for. I have knee injuries that make it painful to engage the clutch repeatedly, so automatic was perfect for me. I wasn't looking for the fun that comes with manual transmission. I have had plenty of manual transmission cars and had my fun for the last 15 years. I am at a diffent stage of life now. I simply loved the car but needed an automatic. Either option is great depending on your needs/wants.