New owner

[regal]

Thanks to all who answered my questions. I picked up an 09 3door LB w/ convenience package for $11.7k. I had some bad experiences looking at used Yari's, one dealer wanted $10k for the same car except it was an '08 with 11k miles and a crooked hood. The guy wouldn't come down $500.

I think the resale value of a Toyota is so high that it makes buying new the way to go.

As an engineer I am impressed with the design of the car except the mechanical lifters. I had an old diesel with mechanical lifters once that required shimming every 30k miles.

How long are the OE lifters lasting before needing shimmed?

[otterhere]

Are you impressed with the INTERIOR design of the car? I'm happy with the outside (except it's too tall and big), but I find a whole lot of the inside just plain awkward and inconvenient; I could elaborate, but will spare you all. You think that's good design?

Anyway, congrats on the purchase; sounds like you got a good deal!

[ChinoCharles]

I think the resale value of a Toyota is so high that it makes buying new the way to go.

+1

[otterhere]

"+1"?

[SailDesign]

Regal, just so you understand where "otterhere" is coming from, here are links to his "I don't like the Yaris I bought" threads:-

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11620
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13958

Not judging, just FYI. :biggrin:

[SeaYa]

Good deal regal! As for the lifters, I haven't seen any problems posted on this forum...unless you plan on running from 5500 to redline all the time, I'll be willing to bet my life savings they last the life of the car.

[otterhere]

Thanks for stalking me, Sail!

True, I have some problems with the Yaris, esp. the interior design, which you already knew from the question I posed directly to you. I admit that without being "ratted out" by Sail. Since you're a design engineer, I'd be interested to hear your take on that...

Oh, and I'm a "her"; not a "him"; if you're going to harrass me, Sail, might as well get that straight.

[tomato]

I think the resale value of a Toyota is so high that it makes buying new the way to go.



I think you're right! Same with Honda's actually.

Crooked hood? You mean from a Toyota dealership ? They don't fix that before reselling?!! :rolleyes:

You got a damn good price!!! :thumbsup:

I think you're right about the resale value. I took a gamble and went with a used 2007 Yaris, relatively high mileage (55K) My final price was about $9.8 K with last minute add-ons, taxes and everything. I also test-drove a 2008 Yaris with a lower mileage at a different Toyota dealersihp and their asking price was already $11.5K, so with taxes and stuff ... :iono: I think around here new Yarii are more expensive, though.

I think you did the right thing.

Well done and congratulations! :drinking:

[SailDesign]

Thanks for stalking me, Sail!

True, I have some problems with the Yaris, esp. the interior design, which you already knew from the question I posed directly to you. I admit that without being "ratted out" by Sail. Since you're a design engineer, I'd be interested to hear your take on that...

Oh, and I'm a "her"; not a "him"; if you're going to harrass me, Sail, might as well get that straight.

Any time! :smile:
I don't feel I "ratted you out", rather that I explained to regal where you were coming from. There is a difference between explaining something everybody here already knows, and exposing the dark underbelly of your buyer's remorse. :wink:
On the "him/her" front - my apologies. It is not always easy to tell from the way someone writes, and although my fellow males will hate me for it, it is mostly men who buy from the gut without checking things (unless we're talking shoes, of course...) or marry from the.. OK - let's not go any further.

[SailDesign]

"+1"?

Usually means "I agree with you", or "add me to the list"

HTH :smile:

[otterhere]

Ah, gotcha on the +1 (computer illiterate). Thanks, 'mater...

Sail, it was hardly necessary to "explain where I'm coming from" when I come right out and say in my first post to this person that I DON'T LIKE the design of the Yaris; does it take Sherlock Holmes to confirm?

But thanks for devoting your (obsessive) attention to my posts...

No apology necessary on the gender; "otter" is (deliberately) gender-neutral.

But... I thought it was the WOMAN'S prerogative to change her mind???

[SailDesign]

Sail, it was hardly necessary to "explain where I'm coming from" when I come right out and say in my first post to this person that I DON'T LIKE the design of the Yaris; does it take Sherlock Holmes to confirm?


No, doesn't take a lot, but at least the OP (Original Poster) can now go andf see for themselves WHAT you didn't like, instead of having to either guess or have it spelled out again. I'm only trying to save you work here, y'know! :smile:

[tomato]

... it is mostly men who buy from the gut without checking things (unless we're talking shoes, of course...) or marry from the.. OK - let's not go any further.

:bellyroll:

[regal]

I don't deal with interiors in my work (just exterior) but inside the Yaris I get a feeling of falling foward. I think the seats with the integrated airbags push you foward with every road bounce. The horizontal portion of the seat should have been tilted upward more to hold you back in place, also the seats themselves should be a couple inches lower.


Obviously all cars should have an ash tray, the cup holder is on the wrong side. No temp guage is silly (how do you know when to turn on the heat?) But I really like the ease of getting in and out, I have some injuries and I dread getting in and out of my lowered civic. I slip in and out of the Yaris with ease.


I think I will deal with the seating/bouncing issue by getting rid of the mushy factory shocks and springs. Problem is I don't want to lower the vehicle. I am hoping that with use the seats lose their spring effect. I literally get sea-sick right driving it right now, but I think this will be easily fixed.

[otterhere]

I think I will deal with the seating/bouncing issue by getting rid of the mushy factory shocks and springs. Problem is I don't want to lower the vehicle.

I agree it's horribly "bouncy"; I almost feel like I'm teetering on top of a hippity-hop (remember those?). I would LIKE to lower the car, as I'm petite and almost have to climb in; also hard for my old mom to get in. How do you go about lowering the springs and/or shocks; what's the cost and what are the ramifications of doing so? Could you remove just springs and not shocks?

:iono:

[regal]

To lower my Civic I put Koni lowering springs with the matched shocks. It made the car handle like a dream, you get rid of the bounce but it is replaced with more of a rip, much easier on the stomach.

I don't want to lower the Yaris only because we get heavy snow here and also I can't get a lowered car in my garage without bottoming out. Otherwise I would lower, its a much better driving experience

[HTM Yaris]

Listen to my Yaris's stock lifters , tell me what you think :smile:

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb133/HTMyaris/?action=view&current=MyMovie.flv

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb133/HTMyaris/?action=view&current=HTMYARIS151.flv

[Yaris Hilton]

I haven't noticed the mushy/bouncy thing y'all are talking about, but when I pumped my tires up from 32 to 44 PSI the Yaris felt much firmer and more sensitive in its steering response. I feel every tiny ripple in the road, too. That's why they recommend lower pressures, to reduce "Noise, Vibration and Harshness," not because of any safety or wear issues. I've always run sidewall max pressures and gotten longer than average tire life with no unusual wear patterns.

[SailDesign]

I haven't noticed the mushy/bouncy thing y'all are talking about, but when I pumped my tires up from 32 to 44 PSI the Yaris felt much firmer and more sensitive in its steering response. I feel every tiny ripple in the road, too. That's why they recommend lower pressures, to reduce "Noise, Vibration and Harshness," not because of any safety or wear issues. I've always run sidewall max pressures and gotten longer than average tire life with no unusual wear patterns.

Hilton, you need to join this group. :biggrin:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/group.php?groupid=2

[regal]

I sold my old 93 civic today so I could invest in a better suspension for the Yaris. The Yaris is such a neat car, the engine is bullet proof with the timing chain and the chassis is absolutely solid for a 2200 lb car.

There was a '08 Yaris with 10k miles at a local dealer for $9700, but he really insulted me by not comming down in price and only offering $200 for my civic. I am so glad I bought the new Yaris for $11.7 from my local Toyota dealer and sold my civic for $1500 on Craigslist. I got a new car for what that used Yaris would have cost!

I do miss the Honda, the Honda had a certain mystic and unbelievable handling. I am gambling on the TRD suspension for the Yaris, I really hope it does the trick. Right now with the stock suspension I am not getting that magical "connection" between car, driver, and road. I am going to roll the dice and see what TRD can do for the car.

[tomato]

I do miss the Honda, the Honda had a certain mystic and unbelievable handling..


I hear that!!! I just sold sold my old 1987 CRX :cry: Damn, I LOVED that car.
I know it's hard for people to believe it - especially Toyota enthusiasts :wink: - but as old as she was, the original engine was still running real strong at 151K miles, and the handling, as well as the acceleration made me proud. She was LIGHT, and preferred to go fast!!! Enuff said, lol.

I sold my old 93 civic today so I could invest in a better suspension for the Yaris. The Yaris is such a neat car, the engine is bullet proof with the timing chain and the chassis is absolutely solid for a 2200 lb car.

There was a '08 Yaris with 10k miles at a local dealer for $9700, but he really insulted me by not comming down in price and only offering $200 for my civic. I am so glad I bought the new Yaris for $11.7 from my local Toyota dealer and sold my civic for $1500 on Craigslist. I got a new car for what that used Yaris would have cost! ..

You did the right thing! You got a great price for a new car, I couldn't believe my eyes when you first posted the price. Around here, $11.7 could only get me a 2008 Yaris with a mininum of 15 to 20K miles on it (manual transmission, no power anything). Add taxes, fees, and what not... well, it's hardly worth it, is it. I did too, walk away from a couple of a...holes dealers. Part of the game, I guess. Congrats on your purchase and let us know how the mod works out for you.



:burnrubber:

[yaris-me]

Listen to my Yaris's stock lifters , tell me what you think :smile:

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb133/HTMyaris/?action=view&current=MyMovie.flv

http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb133/HTMyaris/?action=view&current=HTMYARIS151.flv

Totally enjoyed the ride.:eek: