Jacked-up???

[otterhere]

Some of you old-timers may remember me... I pretty much hated my Yaris after I bought it and, four years later, I'm still not crazy about it but have pretty much resigned myself to it... GREAT mileage and performance/reliability, but I have "issues" with some of the design features.

One of which is, and I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't unique to MY Yaris, is that it seems "jacked-up" in the back; the tail end seems to ride higher than the front, and I can see WAY too much of the springs, muffler, etc, from behind as well as too many "springs and things" behind the back wheel under the side panel. From what I've seen just in passing (haven't examined closely or actually measured), other Yari seem to sit more level and show less of their "underthings" in the back. Did someone jack mine up???

I bought it new, but it sat on a lot of a year (got in cheap at end of year).

Anyone???:confused:

[BEEF]

I have measurements of my yaris from the dust cap (center of the rim)to the bottom of the fender at home if you would like me to share them. if nothing else you could just look at the height delta from the front to the back. I remember the back being higher. my springs actually have more of a drop in the back than the front. took care of a lot of that look.

[Altitude]

That's normal for a stock LB.

[otterhere]

Is there a way to LOWER the back, even if it is "normal"? I don't like it!:frown:

[otterhere]

I have measurements of my yaris from the dust cap (center of the rim)to the bottom of the fender at home if you would like me to share them. if nothing else you could just look at the height delta from the front to the back. I remember the back being higher. my springs actually have more of a drop in the back than the front. took care of a lot of that look.

Yes; I'll take that! Thanks. Not sure what you mean by "dust cap," though.

[BEEF]

change the springs???

you could contact garm over at microimageonline.com and see if he will sell you just the rears and get a little bit of a drop out of it.

the installation on the rears are really easy with the right equipment. (2 jacks that lift really high).

[BEEF]

dust cap...

I didn't like my hub caps so I popped them off and painted the wheels black and used beauty bands to dress it up. I covered the center of the wheel with a dust cap to give it a kind of finished look. the dust cap is in the center of the wheel.

here is a pic of my car currently.

http://www.microimageonline.com/forums/images/dto_garage/users/3208/1350.jpg

****edit****
I'll have to find it tonight since I am once again at work and didn't think about it after posting. will have it on here tonight.

[BEEF]

sorry, it's late but here we go. before I did my springs, the measurements were
13 1/4 (front)
14 3/8 (rear)

this is from the dust cap to the bottom of the fender. basically showing how much of a gap is above the tire...kind of.

with my new springs:
12 1/4 (front)
13 (rear)

so about an inch in the front and a little over an inch in the rear.

from the dust cap to the ground is probably around 10 inches or so but I am assuming based off of the 15" rim (half being 7.5"), the meat of the tire and the dust cap top is probably about an inch higher than center of rim.

hopefully this helps. I didn't record those numbers very well but they were purely for my reference only at the time.

[Qmobile]

I wonder would if be possible to put front springs on the back? Just a idea I've had would it do anything? or even work/look right

[oliveskate]

I don't mind the stock height of it, I find it's good for our Canadian winters :P
But coil overs or lowering springs?

[Shroomster]

I wonder would if be possible to put front springs on the back? Just a idea I've had would it do anything? or even work/look right

Nope. Springs are made specifically for front or rear, coil over or independant, different weight limit, shape of coil and perches/spring seats.... That's why its best to go aftermarket for this type of issue/complaint....hope this helps

[Lux]

Maybe it's just me, but I sometimes think the Yaris is too low.. :iono:

[Qmobile]

I don't so I think it to high when I get into my 93 Escort I feel like I'm in a low rider in comparison.......I'd change it but I'm broke lol

[otterhere]

I feel like I'm climbing UP into the Yaris, whereas I prefer sitting DOWN on a carseat; then it feels like a tall, bouncy ride (much like riding those old Hippity-Hops from my childhood) without much control. I hate walking up to my Yaris and noticing that the roof is nearly as high as the other cars -- even the SUVs -- and it looks more like a minvan than anything else. I much prefer a short, low-riding car that hugs the road. At the moment, I am SO tempted to buy this little Mazda2 that's come up for sale here... Some just love Yaris but, I must confess, after four years, I still haven't warmed to it. Thanks for those measurements; will print them off and try to make some comparisons.

[BEEF]

if you say that is what you want, why don't you buy some lowering springs. I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

[otterhere]

if you say that is what you want, why don't you buy some lowering springs. I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

I'm a girl (!) and can't even change my own oil, so would def have to have it done; what are H&R springs, exactly? Who would do this; just any mechanic or a body shop?

Another thing I don't like: you barely TOUCH those side panels and you get a ding or a dent. What are they made of, aluminum foil? I could go on and on.

:mad:

[otterhere]

I went with the H+R springs and the height is noticeably lower without being slammed. they ran me ~$225. I also went with a sway bar.

the installation wasn't that bad. my ride is anything but squishy now. the handling is really nice. I put about $500 into the suspension recently (including the realignment). it made a world of difference for me.

not sure if you are a DIY kind of guy but it was worth it to me.

We shouldn't have to spend ALL that money to get tight handling; just sayin'!

[BEEF]

just because you are a girl doesn't mean you can't do things. yes, a shop can install them for you. here is where I got mine.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/H-R-Sport-Springs-Yaris-29126.htm

here is the thread where I put mine on.

http://shop.microimageonline.com/H-R-Sport-Springs-Yaris-29126.htm

and also realize that my nice stiff suspension is not liked by most people that drive economy cars. yes it corners like nobody's business but you feel most (if not every) bump in the road.

there are cheaper alternatives to suspension. garm has a set of springs for $150 for a set. you don't technically need a sway bar. and if you do it yourself, you will only have the cost of parts in it. I have a PDF of the install. I got it from here somewhere but just saved it on my computer.

[1.5]

I'm a girl (!) and can't even change my own oil, so would def have to have it done; what are H&R springs, exactly? Who would do this; just any mechanic or a body shop?

Another thing I don't like: you barely TOUCH those side panels and you get a ding or a dent. What are they made of, aluminum foil? I could go on and on.

:mad:

That is the reason the car is so affordable

[otterhere]

Thanks, Beef; sorry to (still) be so clueless, but by "shop," do you mean body shop or mechanic or tire place or what? Looks like what I need to be (semi) happy with Yaris.

"So cheap"? Used 2008s list for over $12k on cars.com! Mazda offered me $9,500 for trade-in, and I should really take it. Have I mentioned, all those compartments; ugh!

[BEEF]

I would think a mechanic shop more than body shop. you don't have any guy friends that could do this for you? I did it by myself in just a few hours. I will admit that if I had a proper shop or an extra hand or two it would have gone faster.

I actually love the compartments. I got an '08 with ~18k miles and it was $12k. for toyota longevity, that is cheap. my dad's corolla was $15k new (2006) and my mom's camry was $23k used (2010) so it was reasonable. mine has the power package with power windows and locks so not completely stripped.

you may want to talk to garm about his springs. I have heard good things about them but a friend of mine autocrosses and has experience with H+Rs. you can save a bit and get the MI springs if you want low and stiff.

here are all his springs.
http://shop.microimageonline.com/Springs_c19.htm

here are the Micro Image springs.
http://shop.microimageonline.com/Micro-Image-Lowering-Springs-MI-032.htm

[Profotoiam]

sounds like some one needs a car enthusiest man in her life to point her the way of modding
drop it low
dings just make ur car more yours
and if you bought a gas saver its because ur kinda cheap and cant afford gas in a bmw
so love the yaris for what is saving you not for what its not saving u

[Profotoiam]

holy shit just hit 100 posts wtf

[otterhere]

Hate to complain -- er, keep complaining -- but not that impressed with the mpg, either! Got 40 regularly with my old Suzuki Swift (LOVED that car), but average only in the low 30s w/ Yaris; meh! I see other Yari on the road and frankly think they look pretty cute, but they ALL look lower to the ground/in the back than mine (no "skirts riding up" showing all the underthings), PLUS they're in actual colors. I think silver was a mistep.

:(

[BEEF]

is your yaris an auto? if so, there is your low mileage. I can usually get low 40s. here lately I have been revving it more with some new mods and driving more aggressive. there are others here who see mid to high 40s. driving style has a lot to do with mileage. there are guys that can get low 30s out of a corvette that have a ~400hp V8. all about how you drive it.

if the stance bothers you that bad, just drop it. you can get the MI springs for roughly $150 and a reputable shop shouldn't charge you too much to put them on. then you have a stiffer ride and a lower ride.

if you really are this unhappy with the yaris, maybe you should change it up. I love my yaris but also realize it isn't for everyone. I bought mine knowing there were things I didn't like about it. I have changed most of what I didn't like about it myself.

[why?]

I'd consider finding a race shop, or someone knowledgeable with spring swaps and suspension products.

Or, depending on where you live, check out your local Craigslist or local forums. Some people buy spring compressors and will do the job for you for dirt cheap, just because they like doing that type of thing and it is easy extra money.

and yes, silver is always a mistake. heh, you could plasti dip your car if you wanted to.

Or you could just get another car if you really didn't like the yaris. Yaris are big sellers at the moment, i doubt you'll be able to get more for it than you can right now.

[otterhere]

Or you could just get another car if you really didn't like the yaris. Yaris are big sellers at the moment, i doubt you'll be able to get more for it than you can right now.

I've looked into trading, but the most I was offered was $9,500 (when they're selling in lots for $12k and up); due to life circumstances right now, just don't have the time or energy to mess with trying to sell it privately. But, yeah...

From the jacked-up bouncy ride to the BLUE POLKA-DOTS, I just don't like it.

Thanks for the tips; the lowering springs are a possibility. Paint is too $$$!

[BEEF]

you can borrow the spring compression tool from autozone (or the likes) with the loan a tool program. you could possibly talk a brother or a dad into helping you with it.

here is a PDF of how to install them. it really isn't that bad.

also, I feel you on the interior. it is a little strange with the dotted pattern. you could always do seat covers.

[why?]

I've looked into trading, but the most I was offered was $9,500 (when they're selling in lots for $12k and up); due to life circumstances right now, just don't have the time or energy to mess with trying to sell it privately. But, yeah...

From the jacked-up bouncy ride to the BLUE POLKA-DOTS, I just don't like it.

Thanks for the tips; the lowering springs are a possibility. Paint is too $$$!

no paint, plasti dip.A lot less expensive than paint, (http://s384403007.e-shop.info/shop/page/1?sessid=bVsNHCzrRwqdPccFRlbwUXhfyc8ataxc4D2Ki5ckJ 2TOO71nOiNJ9qzL259BoBIR&shop_param=) fun to do, and if you really don't like it you can take it off.

[otterhere]

"also, I feel you on the interior. it is a little strange with the dotted pattern. you could always do seat covers."

It's not just on the SEATS; it's on the interior DOORS! I even hate the white/gray thing going on (prefer a solid black interior; the sedan I test drove DIDN'T have that design).

[wiliker]

Sounds like you may have to just buckle down and save some money to eventually lower your car. I paid in total about $700 for the shocks, springs and a local shop to install everything. After having it lowered and new shocks I love the look and handling.

[BEEF]

a lot of what you are complaining about were things that you would have known about before you bought the car. did you test drive it??? did you look at it??? the interior hasn't changed (not since you bought it) the suspension has always been spongy.

if you have so many complaints about this car, why did you buy it to begin with?

good luck whatever you do with it.

[otterhere]

Sounds like you may have to just buckle down and save some money to eventually lower your car. I paid in total about $700 for the shocks, springs and a local shop to install everything. After having it lowered and new shocks I love the look and handling.

Sounds like; still cheaper than buying a new car... Springs AND shocks???

And, no, as I explained once before, I didn't test-drive it before buying; they were still new and pretty rare around here, and I got a good deal at the end of 2012 from a dealer at a distance. There were no hatchbacks locally to test-drive, so I tried out the sedan (which is different in many ways, not just body type, it turned out), which I THOUGHT I liked okay. Was disappointed with the Yaris as soon as I saw it and probably should've backed out at that point, but didn't. So, yeah; d'oh! But it's a reliable car, so I'll learn to live with it.

[BEEF]

wow, not even seeing the car first?

anyway, I have heard that with a mild drop, you can stay with the same shocks. I am running stock shocks with mine. garm may be a good person to ask about that (user name caliyaris). he has his own website to sell yaris goodies (the one I have referenced several times).

I still say get some buddies together and do it yourself. screw paying a shop. amazing how much labor you can get with a 6 pack of beer and a large pizza.

[otterhere]

Was a once a member of the Toyota 200k mile club and had confidence in the company; I also knew that I wanted the SMALLEST car I could get, and a cute one, so the Yaris -- with its "nose bump" seemed to fit the bill. My former car (Suzuki Swift) was silver (called it the Silver Bullet), so I repeated with Yaris. Alas, doesn't fit it quite so well. At any rate, from the number of threads I'm seeing in archives about LOWERING the Yaris, it appears I'm not the only one who bought this car and then was dissatisfied with at least one aspect of it! Glad to know I'm not the only one thinking it rides too high. That's ONE thing I can easily fix, and hopefully I'll be happier with it after. Fuzzy dice? Oh, and I might get rid of that rear seat, too; should increase my fuel efficiency.