Here’s a chance to own a true ’90s Toyota throwback — a 1997 Toyota RAV4 4WD with the 5-speed manual transmission and only 122,622 miles.

Before crossovers became oversized, complicated, and packed with electronics, Toyota built the original RAV4: small, lightweight, economical, simple, and fun to drive. This one takes you right back to that era.

It has the combination enthusiasts love — 5-speed manual, 4WD, and classic first-generation RAV4 styling. It has that unmistakable old-school Toyota feel you simply don’t get in a modern crossover.

This RAV4 is exceptionally clean and well kept for its age. With just over 122k miles, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find these early RAV4s in this kind of condition, especially with a manual transmission and 4WD.

And what better place to enjoy one than Colorado? Throw your hiking gear in the back, point it toward the mountains, and enjoy everything our great outdoors has to offer. Whether it’s a weekend in the Rockies, heading up to a trailhead, camping, fishing, skiing, or simply taking the scenic route through the mountains, this little Toyota feels right at home.

It’s economical enough to make a great daily driver, compact and easy to maneuver around town, yet still gives you the versatility of Toyota 4WD. The 5-speed manual makes it genuinely enjoyable to drive — simple controls, mechanical feel, great visibility, and no unnecessary technology getting between you and the road.

1997 Toyota RAV4

• 122,622 miles
• 5-speed manual transmission
• 4WD
• Great fuel economy
• Exceptionally clean for its age
• Classic first-generation RAV4
• Simple, dependable old-school Toyota engineering
• Perfect Colorado adventure vehicle
• Increasingly difficult to find this clean

There was something special about Toyota’s vehicles from this era. They were simple, practical, reliable, economical, and built to be used. They truly don’t make them like this anymore.

Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic ’90s Toyota, an economical little 4x4, a Colorado mountain runabout, or you simply appreciate clean surviving Japanese vehicles from this era, this is one worth seeing.

Roll the windows down, row through the gears, and head for the mountains.

If you know, you know.