I want luxury upgrades.

[ekakutsuri]

I've just recently decided that I'm gonna stick with my 2007 Yaris Four Door Sedan for a long time to come. As such, I'd like to work to bring it to a higher standard as time goes by. What I'd really like is to bring my vehicle up to a 'luxury vehicle' sedan standard. Not for racing, but for the comfort of myself and my passengers.

I have very little idea of where to start. I want to talk to an auto body shop, but I'd like to have some idea what I'm talking about before I do. I'm also finding information that indicates that I can damage the trade-in value of my car if I customize too heavily.

While I'm willing to sacrifice a little value for a comfortable car, I'd like to know what I can add on that would improve or at least not damage it. For instance, I understand that the Japanese version has a push-button start. If I could somehow import the parts for it, would having it installed change the value of the car?

I'm also thinking about upgrading my seats and interior. I'd love to have more comfortable seats all around, and leather seems like a worthwhile material to add... do I have any options to get some of those 8-way adjustable seats from the Avalon? What about the touchscreen navigation system...it looks like it has the same profile across the different Toyotas.

I also didn't get the the 'Power Pack'. Could I talk to a Toyota dealer and get them to install that now?

I've tried to dig around on the forum to answer these questions, but I haven't come up with a lot of satisfactory data. I'm still digging, but thought I would approach the community as more than a lurker to get my answers.

I really am not sure how to start. Can anyone help?

[Qmobile]

Well first I'd talk to Garm (cali yaris) on here, he knows a think or three about gettin japan parts. He could help you out A LOT, as far as I seen he can get just 'bout anything you want. No matter if it's body kits, wheels, inside stuff, lights (what ever trips your trigger) I know that a great deal of members on here would agree with me on this also. I personally haven't bought anything from him, but a lot of the others have. He has a website also it's:http://shop.microimageonline.com/

And you could have the power package added by the dealership......if you wanna pay out the wazoo for parts and labor. I can get things at the dealer's price on most USDM and CDM parts, so I could prolly save u a lil money of parts

[big lo]

Well first I'd talk to Garm (cali yaris) on here, he knows a think or three about gettin japan parts. He could help you out A LOT, as far as I seen he can get just 'bout anything you want. No matter if it's body kits, wheels, inside stuff, lights (what ever trips your trigger) I know that a great deal of members on here would agree with me on this also. I personally haven't bought anything from him, but a lot of the others have. He has a website also it's:http://shop.microimageonline.com/

And you could have the power package added by the dealership......if you wanna pay out the wazoo for parts and labor. I can get things at the dealer's price on most USDM and CDM parts, so I could prolly save u a lil money of parts

You dam right, with Garm you cant go wrong, from speed to looks, all in one MI baby, holla.

[auxmike]

Ditch your car and buy one used with the factory power pkg. Don't even try to rustle up all the parts you would need. Big $.
I have it in my '08 3dr. Well worth the $1290 option for all the bells and whistles I got!:drool:

[swidd]

Biggest luxury item I would recommend would be new seat covers, the $399 Clazzios from microimageonline look great combined with the $65 leather armrest. I just put mine in today, so I'm very biased, but the car looks and feels a lot less cheap with those upgrades.

Also, vacuum and clean it, that helps :)

Sound proofing can make it as quiet as a Ford Fusion (I just had one as a rental car, and was not impressed with the sound level considering it was a $35,000 car fully equipped). Aside from smoother/softer suspension, my sound dampened Yaris is every bit as quiet as the new ford fusion. Also, if you sound dampen the doors so they'll sound 'thick' and solid when you slam them, it adds to the luxury feeling. .

Also agree that you might as well ditch the non-power package and buy a loaded Yaris instead. Might not be the money saving path you were hoping for, but ...

[yarrr]

I agree with seat covers and sound proofing/deadening. There's a number of DIY examples for both if you search clazzio or deadening. Touch screen nav can be done as well, a good head unit with nav will run 600-1000 though. I think a user on here also took their car to an upholsterer and had them put nicer foam in the seats.

I also agree with giving Garm a call at microimage. He has a ton of interior/exterior parts, neffy CF wrap(I think it gives the interior a much higher end feel), and really anything you could want for a yaris. Also the best place to shop for upgrading your suspension(shocks, springs, sway bar) which will give the car a more sporty feel, not sure if its exactly the luxury feel you're going for.

You might want to check out echo_hrs car on the microimageonline.com forums. He has JDM push start, steering wheel(although now its a xB JDM? I'm not sure he changes stuff so often) climate controls, pretty much everything. His interior looks like a spaceship.. haha.

[MUSKOKA800]

If I wanted a more 'luxurious' ride I'd start with some sound deadening and quiet touring tires.
Garm can help with leather upgrades and a push button start kit. Find a leather steering wheel etc. and you'll be on your way.

[cali yaris]

those are very good ideas to start with. The seat covers really do make the car feel "richer" and sound deadening is easy to do. You can start by spraying your wheel wells with sound deadening compound.

thanks for the compliments guys, I appreciate it.

upgrading the audio with a good touch screen head unit (GPS, bluetooth, etc) is a must!

[Astroman]

Some nice professionally installed window tint would help too. Also maybe a TRD rear sway bar, better handling without sacrificing ride quality. To me a better handling car feels more luxurious than one that doesn't handle as well. Also its an easy mod, 100% reversible, and not really visible. You could also find some of the sport package stuff, like side and bumper skirts. Makes that car look much nicer, and isn't racy.

[ekakutsuri]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I'll want to follow up with Garm for sure. I'll probably also consult a dealer to figure out what's going to effect the trade-in value of my car more directly.

I've gotten a couple of responses talking about making my car 'sportier', and a couple of suggestions for CF (I presume Carbon Fiber) wraps. I just want to clarify, I'm more headed in the direction of Rolls Royce, Bently and Lincoln in terms of Luxury.

See, I get a kick out of being the guy who drives. Don't ask me why, I just dig it. The more comfortable folks are in my car, the happier I am with it. I've even considered getting a chauffeur outfit.

So you can probably guess that I'm a little eccentric. It's strange to want to make a Yaris look and feel like a million bucks. Still, it's got such great gas mileage and dependability. That's what makes it worth it in my mind.

Thanks again for the input!

[NH3R717]

Lexus badges and maybe some wheels from a Lexus as well.... I mean that is what Lexus buyers do, they buy Toyotas with Lexus badges and pay $20k more. luxury is all about the badge on your car man.

[nazier]

redo the seats with leather, and the door panels, sun roof is a must also like garm said upgrade the sound and head unit with gps, fit pdc,

note fit things to the car that will increase value, but must still look neat,

[evo165]

Does your ride come with leather steering wheel? If not, you should get some JDM leather steering for the EXTRA luxury touch!! It is the wheel that you're touching daily when you drive your cars!! :wink:

[carrera2]

How would you go about making the Yaris more quiet?

What sound deadening material do you use and where exactly do you install this?

[Fenrizwolf]

here
and sound deadening is easy to do. You can start by spraying your wheel wells with sound deadening compound.


How would you go about making the Yaris more quiet?

What sound deadening material do you use and where exactly do you install this?