$965 · 1997 Rav4 Front Wheel Drive - Your next project!

The Good: New muffler and pipes, tires and battery are almost new, and the windshield was replaced not too long ago and is pristine. Or close to pristine anyways...I can't see any pits or chips. Also recently had some brake work. Calipers were replaced on both sides of the front. If you add up all of the items that are either relatively new or just in like new condition, you have well over $1000 in value. If you're fixing up another first generation Rav4, there's a lot of value in my trusty old, well loved '97 Rav4. The Bad and The Ugly: Head gasket needs to be replaced at some point. Nothing catastrophic, but it leaks a bit of oil and it burns a bit of oil. It still runs well! It just doesn't have the pep it used to have, and you occasionally have to give it the opportunity to do some high RPM when it's warmed up so it can burn off the carbon deposits, otherwise it starts to run a bit rough. Also, these old Rav4s like mid-grade gasoline otherwise you get some knocking. There are issues with the locks. It's actually a bit ridiculous. The drivers side lock sticks, so you have to unlock from the passenger side. The auto lock doesn't always work for the rear drivers side door, and the latch doesn't work on the passenger side rear door. It's crossed the 300,000km mark. There's a lot of wear and tear, but it still has so much potential! Also, the clear coat is bubbling up on the hood, so, that's very much the "ugly". Please note that this is the 2WD version and not the 4WD version. For the last 4.5 years, I've only been using this car to drive 4km to the park and ride, and then 4km home. It has been doing that quite reliably. So, if that's what you want it for, I'm sure it will continue to hold up for you. The person I want to buy it though, is someone who loves the 1st generation Rav4, and they either want to restore this to its former glory, or they can use all of the best parts to restore another Rav4 to its former glory. Or maybe you just want to part it out and make some money off it, which you could totally do. Finding used Rav4 parts is incredibly difficult. You can't find these things at the pick 'n pulls. They never seem to end up at the salvage yards. I would part it out myself, but that would feel like dissecting a family member.