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Are you going to answer my question about your Yaris?
The Yaris interests me due to its high fuel economy and good crash test results with the side bags/curtains. If availability with ABS and the airbag options is improving, it could slide into my "consider" list for next year. I am also crossing my fingers that for the 2009 MY, due to be a refresh, Toyota will tweak the interior and put in straight-ahead gauges, since they are moving that direction with Scion.
I understand that people get passionate about their vehicles, but there are times when it's best to agree to disagree and move on.
Thanks!!
I kept my eye on Fitzmall as I had a relative who lives reasonably nearby. That Maryland-Virginia region was one of the very few that had a number of Yaris Sedans equipped just as I wanted one. Fitzmall did not have one when I was ready to buy so I went to Koons nearby. They had exactly what I wanted. It stickered at about $15500 and I got it for just over invoice at $14600.
Fitzmall has a very similar one right now at invoice about $14425.
The car you described is basically the car that I own (I have fog lights, alloy wheels and a sway bar too). I highly recommend it. The more I drive it (8,000 miles now), the more I appreciate it.
The Liftback S model that Toyota will offer for 2008 may be up your alley (you would still need to add side airbags and ABS, but those might be more easily found on an S). The new Liftback S gets a tach too.
The Liftback S might be up my alley except for price. With the power package with steel wheels (cheapest way to get the 60/40 rear seat), ABS, and side curtains the MSRP is $15,475. There's some nicer cars availble for that kind of money or less, even considering a discount on the Yaris.
The xD would be another option, if I could stomach the looks of it.
Really... is it all about price?
I'm not sure you could get a "nicer car" that gets the kind of fuel economy that a Yaris (fully loaded, mind you) gets for only $15k and some change.
You can get a $12K Yaris. But it won't have the options you want. That's the way it is. If you don't like it, get something else.
You might not like $3-per-gallon gasoline either, but that's reality as well.
I paid just over $16K for my fully-optioned Liftback.
Worth every penny, from where I sit.
You're correct in that there are few cars that get comparable fuel economy to a Yaris. But since I drive only around 7-8k miles a year, I don't need exceptional fuel economy, just good fuel economy. I'd accept just 30 mpg overall (with a lot of city driving) for a car that offers more comfort/room/convenience/features than a Yaris, for the same or less money. Let's face it, the main attractions of the Yaris are fuel economy and low price. (It should be reliable also, but that's not the big differentiator it used to be.) If I have to pay near $15k to get a Yaris that has the bare minimum features I need, then I start looking at alternatives.
There's several very nice cars available for just over $16k. That's not pennies to me, so before I spend it I'll check out all the options. If you are happy with your Yaris then I am glad for you, it's just the right car for you.
It's possible the metal on the Yaris is actually pretty strong, if it's formulated to be high-strength steel. Also it's important if it's treated against rust, e.g. galvanized.
If your Yaris rattled, I'll bet it's not the sheet metal that was rattling as that is welded (except the front fenders?). Probably something else. Lots of little parts in a car that can come loose. And as has been noted, the thinness or thickness of the sheet metal doesn't have much if anything to do with crash worthiness; that's related to the structural design (including crumple zones), the strength of the florrpan and crossmembers, the reinforcements in the doors, airbags etc.
As for economy, it is secondary in the Yaris since I will only be driving it 4-5000k a year. I wanted something that was FUN TO DRIVE, easy to park and maneuver in urban traffic and that is what the Yaris lift back is. Paid $12,800 and I am as happy with my choice as I could be.
I am not real happy with Toyota limiting the availability of the Yaris in the Midwest with what I consider to be important safety features--features that are standard now on many other cars.
I remember you used to be all over the Hyundai Sonata board and as far as I know, you still are.
The other discussions I participate in in Town Hall (and there's quite a few of those) are irrelevant to this discussion. Unless there's some new law I don't know about that limits Town Hall participation to one at a time? :confuse:
Here is an example: The Rav only comes with leather on the limited model. Says so right in the brochure. Yet the Florida region will sell you a Sport or base with leather no problem. And it is on the MSRP sticker.
Some manufacturers add options at the port and they are included on the window sticker. Maybe the leather on the non-Limited RAV4s is like that? If so, that approach would not work too well with ABS and airbags.
But I'll check with that master sales rep at the local Toyota dealership and see whether they would do a factory order for something not available in the region.
I have a friend who works for Toyota at one of their ports of entry and they have a regular assembly line installing various options and accessories including the MSRP sheet. This is for all Toyotas of course, not just the Yaris.
I'm due for a new car in about a year and it might be worth putting an early deposit on, sight unseen.
Can't stand those four-doors... never bought one yet, never will.
I doubt if you'll ever see the 5dr version of the Yaris brought here, to the U.S...If anyone wants a five door Yaris, Toyota wants that someone to go for the Scion xD...that may be good or bad, depending upon your point of view...
Peace!<-AladdinSane-- :shades:
Does anyone know i they make roof racks for he US version?
I've seen them for different models in Europe but not yet here. :shades:
1 - Yes, I do get 40mpg highway and 32 city.
2 - High seating position makes it easier to see crazy parking lot racers when backing out.
3 - Cool gated shifter.
4 - Nicely weighted steering and handling.
5 - Decent engine power.
6 - Lots of storage.
7 - No problems so far.
Now let's hear from the Honda and Huyndai people chime in on a car that they've never owned.
Anyway... on a recent trip to San Francisco, I saw lots of Yaris hatches around town--more than I've ever seen in any other city. I imagine they would be a great car for that environment--easy on gas, maneuverable, and easy to park where parking space is a premium. And of course Toyotas in general are very popular in CA.
--Had a headlight bulb burned out at 27,000 miles; replaced under warranty
--TSB on the main serpentine belt squeaking; replaced under warranty
--at about 20,000 miles the heater blower motor started squeaking badly; replaced under warranty
--fixed a few interior rattles under warranty throughout the 30,000, but I've given up on these. I guess in New England, with the change of seasons, and the hard plastics, things must expand/contract, because I still get rattles. Plus, lots of potholes! Oh well, it's not an expensive car, nor is it new!
--not Toyota's fault, but rock chips from highway driving abound on the hood and roof; just bad luck I guess (plus highway sand and salt and driving behind trucks).
Good stuff (aplenty!):
--engine is still great... still idles extra smooth and runs exactly the same as new; she loves to rev, and who cares about the noise--it's a small engine!
--same with the transmission, and I tend to play with the automatic's gears, especially in stop/go traffic or snowy conditions; quick to downshift if necessary...
--with my winter tires/summer tire changeouts, the car is awesome in the snowy/icy conditions here in Rhode Island. I had a line of SUVs behind me on the highway in the last storm!
--gas mileage is consistently 39-ish in the summer, about 35-ish in the winter (snow tires, idling, cold weather), so it's living up to the window sticker! Of course, I keep her around 70 mph or less. Let's just say it's almost exactly 400 miles (in the summer) before I get scared and fill up the tank; and about 350 miles or so in the winter
Well, in summary, the car is very predictable, if you drive it sensibly. I drive about 400 miles per week, so it's perfect for that! I think it does have a bit of character, though. I still get beeps and waves from other liftback drivers, because I only see two others on my commute, a bayou blue model and a meteorite metallic one; they are still pretty rare here!
Yes, I am a hypermiler, and I do know how to get the most out of my Yaris. Great car by Toyota! Someday would love to see it sold as a PHEV.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12219