New User, getting Yaris fever

[TammyLynn]

Been looking to replace my gas guzzling Infiniti G35 with something sporty but affordable. Finally decided on a Yaris or a Corolla.

Made an offer at the local dealer for a 2010 Certified Used Yaris with less than 30k miles for $12,500 and the counter-offer was $13.5.

4 Door Sedan, Blue (like the Infiniti it'll be replacing)

http://www.elkgrovetoyota.com/used/Toyota/2010-Toyota-Yaris-0a1af2950a0a006501aac630f970c90b.htm

I'm guessing that the 2010 has comparable gas mileage to the 2009 that I've done more research on.

Anyone tracking trends that can help me figure out if this is a good price or if I'd be better off going for the 2011? Or waiting longer for a better deal?

I appreciate any input you may have!

Thanks!

[TammyLynn]

Also, any feedback on manual versus automatic?

I've driven manuals my entire life but I'm considering an automatic mostly for when I'm stuck in traffic and shifting gets tiring. Side note: My commute is against traffic so I rarely hit traffic, so it's not a huge issue, just something I consider on those occasions I do.

[AppleJacks716]

Sounds like your trade in will cover the full cost of the yaris. It certified which is an added benefit for a used car. 30k is a good mileage to buy a used car at, it depreciated most of what it will for awhile and is still new.

[thebarber]

you'll want a manual

if you drive a lot of highway, id go for a corolla....more space and similar mileage (assuming you don't get an xrs)

in-city the yaris is great

but i wouldnt drive an auto yaris. i had one as a rental when mine was in the shop, and it sucked (relative to my 5spd)

[TammyLynn]

Thanks for the input.

Most of the used Toyotas I've seen have upwards of 50k miles on them, so I thought 27k miles seemed much better.

I'll go with my gut and stick with the manual. I think going from the power of an Infiniti I'd probably be disappointed in an automatic.

Heading out for a test drive today or tomorrow... we'll see if I can drive off the lot with a new (to me) car!

[yarisugi]

From a 300hp car to a 100hp car, there are many changes you'll have to get used to. But gas prices going beyond $4 a gallon, you'll definitely get a little more miles for your dollar. Good luck and hope you like it.

[TammyLynn]

From a 300hp car to a 100hp car, there are many changes you'll have to get used to. But gas prices going beyond $4 a gallon, you'll definitely get a little more miles for your dollar. Good luck and hope you like it.


After I got my (latest) ticket, I don't get to use many of those horses anyway! :cry:

[thebarber]

After I got my (latest) ticket, I don't get to use many of those horses anyway! :cry:

its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow

[mazilla]

its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow



FTW

[brg88tx]

i'd get them to throw in some genuine yaris wheel covers, the one's in the photos are aftermarket cheapies.

[brg88tx]

Tammy, don't know if you've seen this one yet, but here is a blue sedan with manual transmission at a carmax near you:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=298612548&dealer_id=780242&car_year=2009&systime=&doors=Four+Door&model=YARIS&search_lang=en&start_year=2007&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=25&min_price=&rdm=1303482867592&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=76499&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2010&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=Manual&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=45000&color=&address=94203&sort_type=priceASC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=TOYOTA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=18&standard=false

[bentjazz]

I bought my 2010 Yaris in December, and I'd probably do things differently if I could do it over again. That is, I'd buy the sedan with manual transmission. I bought the LB with auto tranny, and I'm not unhappy with my purchase, but since I'm attempting to get the best FE possible, I think the aerodynamic qualities of the sedan coupled with a manual transmission would be the way to go....

[fnkngrv]

go manual. I am selling factory alloys for a pretty good price if you do make the purchase.

[kimona]

Contrary to what many of our members say, I think the Yaris offers a marvelous automatic transmission that's surprisingly intelligent. The car will perform very well if you're not afraid to put your foot into it. On the other hand, the Yaris manual transmission, clutch, and shifter is by no means a performance set-up... and is a huge disappoinment for anyone coming out of a Miata, for example.

BTW, in California, you can buy a NEW Corolla LE for the same price you're going to pay for a year-old Yaris.

[why?]

Test drive both of them. I have a manual, and it is a manual, but it takes a ton of getting use to. i still stall the darn thing, it is crazy sensitive. A throttle controller seems to be a must buy, and is definitely on my list.

The auto gets really good gas mileage as well. It comes more down to driving styles than transmissions.

[TammyLynn]

I appreciate the information and feedback, it helped me to be more informed when I met up with Toyota sales.
I knew what I was looking for, which made it easier to get the conversation going.

its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow

Lol, that's so true!

Tammy, don't know if you've seen this one yet, but here is a blue sedan with manual transmission at a carmax near you:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=298612548&dealer_id=780242&car_year=2009&systime=&doors=Four+Door&model=YARIS&search_lang=en&start_year=2007&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=25&min_price=&rdm=1303482867592&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=76499&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2010&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=Manual&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=45000&color=&address=94203&sort_type=priceASC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=TOYOTA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=18&standard=false

That's actually the car that made me consider the Yaris. I saw it at the CarMax but didn't take it on a test drive.

I headed to the Toyota dealer and drove one of the automatic Yaris sedans. I liked it, but didn't love it. Unfortunately they didn't have a manual for me to try. I also gave the Corolla SE a go, but the payments were higher than what I was looking for.

I ended up driving off the lot with a Certified 2006 Scion Release Edition hatchback for 13,700. It's not quite the Yaris I went in there to try..but I managed to meet my needs: Lowered my payments $300/month and I got the manual speed, space, and gas mileage I was looking for.

Thanks again for the advice and input.

[brg88tx]

scion xa? i considered those too. I think they are geared a little lower so mpg at 75-80 won't be quite as good as the yaris. Good looking little cars and have the exact same engine as the yaris. Congrats.

[Hershey]

You can pick up a new 2010 or '11 3 door base model w/ manual tranny for $12,500 or less . Automatic about $1,000 more . Good luck .

[Hershey]

Go to several dealers to get best price . Dealers get secret incentives from TOYOTA that the consumer isn't aware of . So , there is room for discounts . We went to several HONDA dealers for a 2011 FIT and got $1,000 more trade in value at 2nd dealer .

[Hershey]

Might want to consider these sedans at HANLEES DAVIS TOYOTA . Loaded 2010 Jade Sea Metallic , $16,727 M.S.R.P. , their price $13,997 with a saving of $2,730 or the loaded BARCELONA RED , $16,658 m.s.r.p. , their price $13,997 , a saving of $2,661 . There's a big discount on both these 2010s . The sedan gets little better gas mileage than the 3 and 5 door YARIS with the automatic . If you do a lot of stop and go the auto is a better choice . Here's the dealer website , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/index.htm . The NEW SPECIALS for YARIS , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/specials/new.htm and the M.S.R.P. for the YARIS , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/new-inventory/index.htm?SByear=2010&SBmake=Toyota&SBmodel=Yaris&SBbodystyle=clear .

[Hershey]

Just checked the Kelly Blue Book for the 2010s' above at 2,500 miles and at EXCELLENT condition . The trade in value is $13,450 . The value could be higher , couldn't get all the items listed for them . The cars above are supposedly $13,997 discounted . Thus , a smaller gap .

[TammyLynn]

Might want to consider these sedans at HANLEES DAVIS TOYOTA . Loaded 2010 Jade Sea Metallic , $16,727 M.S.R.P. , their price $13,997 with a saving of $2,730 or the loaded BARCELONA RED , $16,658 m.s.r.p. , their price $13,997 , a saving of $2,661 . There's a big discount on both these 2010s . The sedan gets little better gas mileage than the 3 and 5 door YARIS with the automatic . If you do a lot of stop and go the auto is a better choice . Here's the dealer website , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/index.htm . The NEW SPECIALS for YARIS , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/specials/new.htm and the M.S.R.P. for the YARIS , http://hanleesdavistoyota.com/new-inventory/index.htm?SByear=2010&SBmake=Toyota&SBmodel=Yaris&SBbodystyle=clear .

Davis did not pop up when I searched for Toyota dealers in my area! It offered me Folsom and Elk Grove, neither had what I was looking for.

That's an amazing price for a new 2010!

I'm happy with my purchase, but if I hadn't been in the time crunch I was in I probably could have driven off with something new. Was still able to land Toyota's 2.9% financing but my credit union was going to give me 2.99 anyway.

I have a friend who just crashed her Lexus who may be joining the ranks of us who 'have to put keys in to start them', lol. I'll take her to Davis, looks like there are some great incentives off that lot.

[Hershey]

Enjoy your newest addition .

[2009Toyotoad]

I found the manual very easy to drive, but its a very light flywheel on the engine so it will take a few "stalls" in first to get the hang of it. As pointed out the automatic is "capable" but I found the noise level difference between the 4 speed auto and the 5 speed manual at highway speeds to be very noticable.

I also notice the auto was more likely to drop down to 3rd on moderate hills, while I could hold 5th gear in the manual on the hills, without losing to much speed.

[TammyLynn]

I think also there's an adjustment going from any manual to an automatic.

I rented a car for my trip to San Diego and they gave me a Chevy Cobalt (automatic). It doesn't have a fraction of the kick the Yaris did.

I probably could have gotten used to it pretty quickly had I gotten the automatic. I have a friend looking for a car and I suggested she check out Toyota in Davis.

Thanks!

[Hershey]

Welcome , let us know how things go at the dealer .