Exporting 2014 model to Norway?

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TomS

New member
Joined
Nov 20, 2018
Messages
2
I'm thinking about buying a 2014 model that is still within its 5yr/60k drivetrain warranty and exporting to Norway.

The plan is to:
1. do a full inspection by a toyota EV specialist in California,
2. do software updates, recall work, & get any parts replaced under warranty (motor whine/heater),
3. install the JdeMO charger,
4. export it.

I have read most of the posts on this forum, and understand the failure modes and their costs.
There obviously is no warranty on the RAV once it leaves North America.

with these precautions is this still way too risky? Forum seems to all agree to never buy without warranty.

-Tom
 
TomS said:
I'm thinking about buying a 2014 model that is still within its 5yr/60k drivetrain warranty and exporting to Norway.

The plan is to:
1. do a full inspection by a toyota EV specialist in California,
2. do software updates, recall work, & get any parts replaced under warranty (motor whine/heater),
3. install the JdeMO charger,
4. export it.

I have read most of the posts on this forum, and understand the failure modes and their costs.
There obviously is no warranty on the RAV once it leaves North America.

with these precautions is this still way too risky? Forum seems to all agree to never buy without warranty.

-Tom

Norway repair estimates:

heater
$1,700
50% ?? probability of encountering from 50k->100k

DC2DC repair
$1,000
50% ?? probability of encountering from 50k->100k


Drive unit rebuild (whine)
$4,200
25% ?? probability of encountering from 50k->100k


do these probabilities look in the ball park?

-Tom

I have had all but the Drive unit rebuild done. AND I had the traction battery replaced. All under warranty, in California. The DCDC and Heater usually go out together. What you listed there might be the cost of parts alone for those. If I lived outside of the Bay Area of Los Angeles Basin (where there are Rav4 EV competent people) I wouldn't even consider keeping the car. Outside the whole country, no way, for me.
 
I would make sure you get one with a rebuilt motor. I will be exporting mine back to the UK next year.

My two concerns are:
1. Being able to access the Tesla codes, because to access them you need a special data cable.
2. AHaving DC-DC converter and cabin heater parts on hand. I'm assuming they will fail at some point, and I would like to have spares at hand before they fail.
 
I would make sure you get one with a rebuilt motor. I will be exporting mine back to the UK next year.

My two concerns are:
1. Being able to access the Tesla codes, because to access them you need a special data cable.
2. Having DC-DC converter and cabin heater parts on hand. I'm assuming they will fail at some point, and I would like to have spares at hand before they fail.

Also, I would look for a RAV4 which has already had the motor rebuilt.
 
I'm amazed how much fear there is over the reliability of these cars, I own a 2012 that is just over 59k miles. We just took it to palm springs 112 freeway miles took 12 bars car had 28 miles left on the gauge we never use the extended mode charging. We have all original parts including the motor knock on wood! My neighbor has an all original Model S 2012 with 187K miles all original no problems whatsoever. The vast majority of the RAVs I'd say over 70% at least have had no problems. Yes a percentage of the original tesla motors burned out the bearings but the majority of them are still going strong, same for the charger and the dc/converter and heater. Yes they can have problems but parts are available everywhere nothing in an electric car is hard to replace and then there is Tony down in Carlsbad who offers repair service for reasonable prices.

Tesla hold up really well as do the Ravs I would not worry about getting one and using it for a long time. The most expensive part the Tesla battery holds up really well much better than any other EV battery available today. The rest of the car is simply electronic stuff that yes can break down but can either be repaired or replaced.

Steve
'12 Rav
'11 Leaf
 
Thanks for all the input. Norway has TONS of electric cars, and a lot of technical shops that specialize in repairing them.
I found a good shop to do my work, and the owner of the shop drives a RAV4ev. :)

I'm not too worried about them having the knowledge or the parts, but the labor costs a lot in Norway.

I'll try to get the quick charge added in CA before I leave.
 
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