Welcome to my super-cheezy RAV4 webpage. I purchased this RAV on Friday, August 10, 2001. Strange story behind it... I was in the market for a gas friendly vehicle that could take me to the slopes and hold some stereo equipment. In early July 2001 I saw enough of the newly designed RAV4 on commercials and the internet, and finally went to [my local Toyota Dealer] to take a test drive, not knowing what to expect. Already saw a few on the road, and in fact a few of my neighbors had white ones. I was concerned that 2.0L of gerbils wouldn't cut it, but the test drive quickly threw that idea out. I was already in love with the RAVs aesthetics, but then I found the world famous RAV4 gallery on [RAV4WORLD.COM] and [this silver beast] tipped the scale! I went back to my Toyota dealer and requested a red or blue 4WD RAV. The salesman led me to believe none existed unless I ordered one, which he said would take at least 3 months. Not an option. Had the dealer check other dealers, and they didn't have what I wanted. I got on the Internet and requested the vehicle with my desired specs to be contacted by San Diego fleet managers who couldn't produce. They also led me to believe that a red or blue with 4WD and ABS doesn't exist anywhere in California. After 4 weeks of "call me in a few days for the new shipments to arrive", I was on the verge of buying something else.
On a whim, I was reading the forum on[RAV4WORLD.COM], and someone posted that they purchased over the Internet from [Dianne Whitmire of CARSON TOYOTA] so I dropped her an email with my desired specs. Within 5 minutes, she replied with good news that she had what I wanted, and a link with a picture. Within 20 minutes of that first email, I was on the phone with her and she was pulling the keys aside for me. The next day, and 110 new-car-smell-miles later, the RAV was in my driveway!
Over the past few years, I found my lucky number to be #333. I got real quiet on the phone when I was getting directions to pick up my RAV at Carson Toyota, 1333 E. 223rd Ave.. Of course I had to become [RAV4WORLD Gallery Member #333]. Exactly what that means is yet to be determined...
In no way do I claim my vehicle to be better or worse than any other RAV. I think every RAV looks perfect if it's owner thinks so. Those who are quick to complain and critize are always more than welcome to do so intellegently(oxymoron?). My RAV is, and will continue to, look different because working on stuff and junk is a hobby of mine. There will always be people who think their way is the only way, which is the rightest way, and therefore the best looking way, and those are the ones who only help those who see things their own way. Those people can go chew aluminum foil. I respect ALL who own RAVs, and anyone who shares the same hobby as mine.
