Is the Yaris a wreck monster?

[regal]

I've not had a wreck in 20 years until I bought my Yaris, then in 2 months 4 wrecks, one severe. The serevere accident was probably unavoidable (deer) but I really question the DBW and electronic steering. My sister rented a Yaris recently on a trip and had 2 near misses. There is just something about not having hydraulic steering that disconnects me from the road. What do others think have I just had a string of bad luck or should I look at yanking out that electronic steering?

[RedRide]

The electronic assist steering is still rack and pinion just like the hydralic assist.
You still have a direct mechanical conection and the electric is only an assist.

The reason manufactures are switching to electric is for better fuel economy. A power steering pump actually consumes more power than an ac compressor. So it is definately the future.

Granted the Yaris does tend to wander a bit but it is more likely due to the rear suspension.

The one thing I do have a bit of problem with is the DBW throttle. I like a driect cable connecton and when I "put the pedel to the metal" I want complete WOT right now.

[regal]

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

EVryone I know tells me to trade it in on something else. But I have the TRD suspension, scion wheels and it handles like a go cart, a thrill to drive that is addictive. I can't see a new car I would be happy with. Tempted to trade it in on a MR2 spyder, but it has the electronic steering too.

[RedRide]

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

EVryone I know tells me to trade it in on something else. But I have the TRD suspension, scion wheels and it handles like a go cart, a thrill to drive that is addictive. I can't see a new car I would be happy with. Tempted to trade it in on a MR2 spyder, but it has the electronic steering too.

I haven't had that problem. My Yaris steers normally and centers its self.

BTW my other car is a Celica and it does handel much better of course.
I just accept the handeling limitations of the Yaris as is is not that kind of car. :smile:

[ddongbap]

Get some stiff tires.

[Bob Dog]

Negative regal, I have avoided what might havebeen accidents in other cars. Lose the POS OEM tires.

[Yaris Hilton]

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

[SilverBack]

What I don't get is why you put your toll ticket in a place where you have to reach down to get it. Just keep in the slot by e-brake so you'll never have take your eyes off the road.

And I agree a stock Yaris isn't meant to perform that well at WOT, though it'll still give you that nice little boost at mid-range :smile:

[Forrest]

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

Ditto to above. No problems.

[jambo101]

Havent had an accident in 45yrs of driving,since buying the Yaris 1 year ago i've had 2:iono:

[Tamago]

regal just needs to learn how to drive :biggrin:

and lose those shitty Champion or champiro or whatever tires...


and get a real alignment....

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

regal just needs to learn how to drive :biggrin:

and lose those shitty Champion or champiro or whatever tires...


and get a real alignment....

that or just realize its not the shitty civic he's used to driving and welcome to 2009.....

[gokartride]

I'd just chalk it up to bad luck.

[SailDesign]

regal just needs to learn how to drive :biggrin:

and lose those shitty Champion or champiro or whatever tires...


and get a real alignment....

Yes, Yes, Yes, and... check his tire pressures.... :smile:

Then play with pressure until he gets what he wants for handling. The difference can be amazing over just 3 or 4 psi.

[Bob Dog]

The Goodyear eagles oems aren't bad for an undemanding driver, but the others, bridgestone, or goodrichs are outright crap: I intended to drive them til they wore out, but after a near wreck skid on wet pavement I recognized it as the same cheap tire problem that put me in a wreck a decade age. I changed the tires to a set of Falken 912s and the problem was corrected 100%.

[Kal-El]

I love the electric power steering. It's the best thing to ever happen to steering. I'll take it over the overrated BMW steering feel which I think is way to tight and makes you work unnecessarily hard especially at low speeds.
With the Yaris, it's an absolute pleasure around the parking lots and city where the steering is so effortless. And I don't know why people complain about a "disconnected feel", it feels great to me.

And as everyone suggested, get better tires. I like 195/60/15 or 205/55/15 on the stock steelies. And almost anything is better than the stock tires.

[Bob Dog]

Me too the electric power steering (combined with the gas milage ) was what made me want the car. I took it out for a test drive and all I could think was " wow this car handles great: crisp, quick, precise and effortless.. and with the good tires, and TRD suspension it is amazing.

[regal]

get 195/55/15s and you'll be laughing, of course you could go even wider but it'll cost ya. plus i believe 195 to be optimal width for the Yar Yar



I do have 195/55/15's, what about adding neg camber front and rear would that help with self centering. And I can take the punishment, I love the car. Kinda glad another guy posted in the same boat as me.

Just help me work thru this.


If its the cheapiros I'll ditch em but its hard to find a good true summer performance tire in 195/55/15, their all glorified all weather. Something sticky like the old Kuhmo summers would be perfect.
thanks

[RedRide]

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

For what it is, I can live with the Yaris DBW.
I'm old school and the issue I have with the yaris BDW throttle is that it is not completly linear and at WOT it is reported that the max you get is 87% .

I fully understand that it is set up this way for fuel econmy and that is one reason why I bought the car. :smile:

[SailDesign]

I do have 195/55/15's, what about adding neg camber front and rear would that help with self centering. And I can take the punishment, I love the car. Kinda glad another guy posted in the same boat as me.

Just help me work thru this.


If its the cheapiros I'll ditch em but its hard to find a good true summer performance tire in 195/55/15, their all glorified all weather. Something sticky like the old Kuhmo summers would be perfect.
thanks

regal,
Try these.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1+Star+Spec&partnum=955VR5Z1SS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[Rutherfordman]

Commute 180 miles a day on some pretty dangerous road, I-85 Charlotte/Gastonia. Car now has 61,000 miles on it in just over a year and a half. No issues with the steering in fact I have been run off the road more than once and managed to keep everything together. The OEM Goodyears hydroplanned in very hard rain storms, the new Yokohamas are much better. The yar car has served me well and this is coming from someone who mainly drove pick-ups and jeeps.

[supmet]

You can do emergency lane changes just fine at freeway speeds with a stock yaris. And I believe it has better accident avoidance capabilities than 90% of cars out there(think SUVs and big trucks).

You just aren't paying enough attention to the road(as evidenced by your "oh I just took my eyes off the road to get my toll ticket - don't take your eyes off the road)

[2009Toyotoad]

Regal, you simply need to get past this. Its not the car, the tires, or the time of day. You're looking for some place to point a finger other than yourself. The accidents are over and you're still walking, talking and typing. Learn what you can from the events and move on. Trying to look for explanations beyond the fact you found yourself in a specific set of circumstances benefits no one.... especially yourself. With any luck you'll learn to identify when you're headed into the same type of event circumstances and learn to avoid them in the future.

Best of luck to you.

[twowheels]

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

You should have your alignment checked, particularly the caster angle, as my Yaris self centers just fine.

[wooverstone8]

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

Same here.

[GeneW]

Yaris centers nicely. The car is VERY agile and very responsive. Before I learned to mind the car carefully I had partial lane changes from tiny gestures of my hands. Movements that take a sixteenth of a turn of the wheel to even start with a regular car will make the Yaris move fast in a given direction.

I had the car "hop" one time while using Mud and Snows on wet roads - I was going a bit too fast and the car get away from me on a fast stop. I caught it in time and don't do that any more.

Little or no hydroplaning at reasonable (under sixty miles an hour) speeds.

The car is VERY stable in snow. I've had to push it quite hard to make it "break" on skids. When it goes, however, it goes fast. You're on the rails and then you fall off in a hurry. There was little warning in some tests that I did, including a sudden drastic lane change while driving in freezing rain over snow - something that will sometimes ground your average car.

If you have accidents in the car it could be a combination of factors. I'd suggest slowing down first. Check your tire pressures and condition. Keep in mind that the Yaris does not have a mushy envelope, at least not in my experience. There is a crisp edge of stability and then a sudden sharp hard breakover.

Gene

[advocate]

get 195/55/15s and you'll be laughing, of course you could go even wider but it'll cost ya. plus i believe 195 to be optimal width for the Yar Yar

I use 205s. They're amazing I can't get enough of em.

[SailDesign]

I use 205s. They're amazing I can't get enough of em.

+1 - Had them on the first Yar, and intend to go there again on this one when $$ allow.

[regal]

Regal, you simply need to get past this. Its not the car, the tires, or the time of day. You're looking for some place to point a finger other than yourself. The accidents are over and you're still walking, talking and typing. Learn what you can from the events and move on. Trying to look for explanations beyond the fact you found yourself in a specific set of circumstances benefits no one.... especially yourself. With any luck you'll learn to identify when you're headed into the same type of event circumstances and learn to avoid them in the future.

Best of luck to you.


thanyou for the thoughtful reply. I pick up my "new" Yaris tomorrow and I will take this advice to heart.

[regal]

Drove the fixed Yaris about 3 hrs today and it handled like a dream, I am sticking with it.

[Tamago]

Drove the fixed Yaris about 3 hrs today and it handled like a dream, I am sticking with it.

what are your alignment specs now?

[regal]

I forgot to ask them for the report, haven't added the washers yet so I'll be getting another alignment soon anyhow.

[ern-diz]

no doubt i love my little yaris but, i'd be lying if i said that during the first few weeks of driving it, i felt a significant difference in the cars ability to stick to the center of a lane when compared to the '98 civic 4dr i had previously...i've also read other threads where people have made mention of the car feeling a little bouncy and requiring more 'work' to keep straight...once i got my rims and tires, i felt a significant improvement and i'm sure there was an element of 'getting used to' the feel of the yaris over what i had driven for the past 7 years but still, it did feel a bit more lose...when we take my fiances slk 230 out for a dip, i think it goes without saying that i again notice a significant difference in stability in it from when driving my yaris on a day to day...that may be an unfair comparison considering her car is sport inspired and obviously more expensive but still, as i said originally, i did notice a bit more sway (at freeway speeds) than with my civic (and the car was new so, no alignment issues existed) and have read comments from others about this as well...

...that being said, i still love owning s.u.v.'s on the outside lane of freeway onramps lol...they cut me off on the straight away coming up to the onramp but once we get into it, they find themselves getting pwnd by multiple car lengths--from the outside lane :laugh:

[nsmitchell]

My Yaris handles like a go cart! It's fun and responsive. I need a speed governor to keep me under 70MPH! I have Michelin HydroEdge tires and they are awesome. Cornering and stopping are great and the ride is quiet and comfortable.

[regal]

I think this should be a sticky for new drivers, probably could have avoided a few collisions if I knew what I was getting into . BTW I love the way it handles now, I got it down.

[JBIZZ]

Havent had an accident in 45yrs of driving,since buying the Yaris 1 year ago i've had 2:iono:

Sounds like you were due for one, accidents happen to everyone. I wouldn't blame it on the Yaris unlesss you think it's unlucky. I think other vehicles are more prone to hit the Yaris because it is not intimidating. One fix would be to make the car seem more aggressive. Maybe install a louder intake/exhaust & race stripes or something. I've almost been driven off the road a few times by dumb window licking drivers. Just remember the only car smaller than ours is the smart car. Be pleased you don't own one of those rediculous cars.

[Yaris Hilton]

After 45 years of driving, you're getting to be one of those geezers everybody worries about being on the road. :laugh:

[ellenbetty]

Is your Yaris red? I was hit in the rear of my red Horizon 3 times in a year. I repainted the rear end ivory. The ivory color cut back on getting rear ended. I think that other drivers expect people who own red cars to drive fast. I have been driving my Yaris 3 door liftback for 1 1/2 years. I like how my 2 Yarises drive. The Yaris is easier to drive than my dead brother's Ford Ranger. The Yaris is easier to drive than my Mom's Subaru Outback Wagon. I traded in the Ford Ranger as down payment on a second Yaris 3 door liftback.

How many small cars have you drove with power steering? My last three cars had power steering. I drove a Escort Wagon with power steering and power brakes before buying the Yaris. I had zero problems adjusting to the electric throttle or the electric power steering.

I had a close call with 3 deer in my Horizon. Nothing like having 3 deer run across the road right in front of you to make you nervous about driving after dark.

[bronsin]

Hmm before the Yaris I had 2 accidents (not my fault though). ZERO accidents in the Yaris.