Re: financial. I'd look at what you qualify for loan rates, figure out how fast you will pay off (balloon payments or the required minimum), and then figure out what you would pay in interest. Compare that total to what a new car would cost (assuming 0% apr or again include finance charges). Reason being, you might decide to put money into your retirement or mortgage as it "pays better"; or perhaps the interest is too much to your liking, and you'd rather pay cash. Just my opinion.
I'm a Toyota fanboy, and I know nadda about the Ford. One upshot to the Toyota is that Toyota's tend to all be the same--I kinda like how all of my current vehicles have the switch gear in the same spot, take the same scanner, etc. That RAV4 is likely the same engine (will be if you get the 2.5L) meaning same oil, same filters, etc. For me I kinda like that--others might prefer to have their vehicles not so similar (and vanilla).
What generation of the RAV4? The latest, or the prior one? If prior, I'd skip the 2.4L and aim for the 2.5. It'll come with the 4 speed auto, but I think the V6, while more powerful and with the 5 speed auto, is just harder to work on. The newer gen is only 2.5L with the six speed auto. No comments on the newer gen, as I never drove one. I did drive the prior one, 2.5L/4AT, and it was a humdrum drive. Adequate would be one way to sum it up--fine by me, others not so much.
