First car

[mfbzoester]

I've been saving up my money for a long while in order to buy my first car. I'm almost positive I'm going to get a Yaris or Fit. Unfortunately, I have come to a dilemma of whether to get a manual or automatic. I live in the mountains; e my driveway is 2/10 of a mile of dirt and gravel. Obviously I'm a little worried about the Yaris getting up my road. Most of driving is done to work and back again which is about 8 miles through curvy pave roads, then about 2-3 miles on a highway going 65mph, and then through town going 35mph. An alternate route is going through downtown at 25mph instead of the highway.
I just wanted some opinions on the autmatic and manual. I really enjoy driving a manual because I feel like I have more control of the car. But I'm also worried about the expense if the manual were to ever need a new clutch.
So, just let me know what you all think. Thanks for the help!

[yPod09]

Welcome!
Congratulations! Nothing like buying that first car on your hard earned (and saved) cash!

I was deciding between a Fit and a Yaris (obviously chose the Yaris). I just felt more comfortable, "at home" in the Yaris. Didn't love the rear visibility of the Fit either. Plus the Yaris gets better gas milage I believe.

I have an automatic, but I know that the people on here with manuals get MUCH better gas milage than I do (I average around 36 mpg). I'd probably get one if I were to go back and do it again. The Yaris is FUN to drive and that would just add to it!

The manual folks will have to speak to the lifespan of the transmission, but from what I know of Toyota, you'll probably be ready for a new car LONG before the trans wears out.

What part of the country are you in?

Happy shopping! Hope to see you around the site once you get your car!

[junorico24]

The Yaris and Fit is perfect for a first Car.Wish my first car was a Yaris or fit or Accent.

:clap:

[junorico24]

The Yaris and Fit is perfect for a first Car.Wish my first car was a Yaris or fit or an Accent.

:clap:

[Profotoiam]

If your worried about fixing your car dont drive walk ride a bike hitch hike
cars are expensive so is insurance gas tires other wear and tear

with that said yaris is awsome i drive my sedan like a idiot in dirt and rocky gravel roads its a car drive it like one
i got a auto matic cause i live in the city and well oc and la rush hour sucks with clutch but hey if you know how to drive well and love to drive stick if your gonna sit around in traffic beating your meat auto and for everything else theres mastercard

Good luck with the buy and have fun

[thebarber]

Manual. Always.

[CrankyOldMan]

The only time you need to worry about your clutch is when you're abusing it, i.e. towing loads in excess of rated capacity, pushing more HP through it than it's rated for (GARM! =P), engaging it too slowly, or cruising around with it partially disengaged--a.k.a. "riding the clutch". As long as you understand and apply the fundamentals of operating a manual trans, there's no problems with longevity.

The irony of an automatic transmission is that it's always generating friction and/or slipping during shifts, hence the need for the gearbox oil cooler.

Either way, they're both designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, when used properly. I say buy whichever trans you enjoy more. I love rowing a stick, but my wife would rather not have to think about up/downshifting in corners. To each their own, I guess.

[mfbzoester]

yPod09: I live in Frederick County, Virginia.

I'm going to be getting a used Yaris because the new ones are too expensive. It has been very hard hard though to find a Yaris that fits my needs. I've been trying to find a four door that has the side airbags with less than 75,000 miles. Unfortunately, it's been tricky to find any that fit my budget of $11,000.

[yPod09]

Go to Autotrader.com and search for this # AT-12BFEB0D
or AT-12B74351
or AT-12A2C70F
or AT-12894CD0

Those are all pretty much within your criteria and within an hour or so from your area. Keep searching! You'll find the right one!

[mfbzoester]

Thanks, yPod09.
Another question I have is about a 2dr vs. 4dr. Does the 2dr tend to be a pain to get in and out of? I plan on occasionally taking one of my dogs around with me to the park and wondered how hard it would be to get them or people out of the back.

[jpmck03]

Thanks, yPod09.
Another question I have is about a 2dr vs. 4dr. Does the 2dr tend to be a pain to get in and out of? I plan on occasionally taking one of my dogs around with me to the park and wondered how hard it would be to get them or people out of the back.

I'd fold both seats down and lay a blanket over the seats and stick the dogs in the back that way. They'd have plenty of room and getting them out would be as easy as opening the back hatch.

Getting people in an out of the back in my Yaris isn't too bad. Haven't heard any complaints. About as easy/hard as any other 2 door coupe.

[CrankyOldMan]

Does the 2dr tend to be a pain to get in and out of? I plan on occasionally taking one of my dogs around with me to the park and wondered how hard it would be to get them or people out of the back.

I have a 2 dr hatch, and I've only ever gotten in the back once. It didn't seem to be too much of a problem. Other than that, I occasionally have the smaller kids (8-11) sit in the back, and it's only an issue when they argue about who gets in first. From the pictures I've seen of the 4dr hatch, the lower opening of the rear door seems so small that it might be more of a hassle than a 2dr.

[Spidermandud]

I had an 02' Chevy Blazer 2-door; if you've ever gotten in one of those; it was ridiculous. The yaris is much easier to get into. If you were doing it every day. . . it might get old, but if it's just occasionally having someone ride in the back seats; my roommates don't seem to mind at least.

Either way, you won't regret buying a yaris. No one does. :D . . . Anyone? . .. Anyone?

[junorico24]

2 door Yaris is fine for dogs keep the window open so they don't get over heated.

[yaris2010RS]

lol, GET THE 2 DOOR IS ALL YOUR FRIENDS HAVE 2 DOOR CARS!

when me and the boys go out we always ride in the yaris cuz its the only car (2 door neon, 2 door civic(s), 2 door Golf GTI) that we can all fit in easily and get in and out of

welcome to the fourm

[J_Lynn]

2dr manual ftw!

[ilikerice]

2 door here also.. BUT I wish i got a 5 door =(

I got too impatient

[12 yaris]

I prefer the Yaris,that's why I'm here had a couple of Honda's in my life,but now I think they
are overpriced.
By the way my first car?
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.340,4spd.

[reeync]

mfbzoester, I live in the country...not in mountains as high as the ones you're on, I think, but my driveway is uphill and a fifth of a mile of dirt, mud, gravel, and tree roots. The Uwharries here in NC are old mountains (tallest is just under 1,000 ft), but still the drive to town is on winding, hilly roads. My Yaris is automatic...haven't driven a manual in many years...but it has no problem with the roads, and I get between 32 and 34 mpg even with driving speeds that drop from 55 to 45 back up to 55 and then down to 30 or less around some curves.

For 16 years, I had a Geo Metro 2-door hatchback. It wasn't too bad for getting in and out of the back, but my kids weren't small then and didn't need car seats. Now I have a grandson who has just graduated from a car seat to a child's safety seat, and I have to say that getting him in and out of the car seat would have been a trial if I'd have gotten a 2-door Yaris. If you don't have that concern in the near future, I can't think of any other reason why a 2-door wouldn't be adequate, though.