Yaris long term durability champ vs FR-S and Miata

[regal]

I remember an early 90's Accent I had that needed rotors, turns out they were integral to the hub and replacement was more than the car was worth, a car totaled because it needed rotors, unbelieveable but true.

So I got a 90's civic which was the leader for a budget car that would last forever if you changed the timing belt/water pump. Not only that it handled and performed like a dream with good springs and shocks.

I replaced my civic with a new 2009 Yaris because of the reports of the Yaris engine lasting forever plus it has a timing chain. Its a very durable car in manual transmission form. Problem is no double wishbone suspension on all four corners, not even IRS (civics dropped that critical feature by then also). With TRD springs, shocks, 15" aluminum rims the Yaris handles decent, but just not as fun as the good old EG civic.

So I've been looking at the FR-S or maybe even a Miata. Do we think these cars will have the long term low maintenance cost/reliability/lack of major breakdown as the Yaris/Civic ? At one time I almost bought an MR2 Spyder but learned of the ceramic catalysts blowing into the cylinders debacle, what a disaster that turned into. Not wanting a repeat of that no matter how fun to drive, if the long block can't make 300k miles I don't want it.

So die-hard Toyota million mile enthusiasts, does the FR-S design look as bullet proof as the mighty 2nd gen Yaris ?

[ilikerice]

Good question.. but remember, the FR-S power plant is made by Subaru and its a new design 2.0 boxer. SO, I don't think anyone can say weather it will hold up to Toyota reliability yet. Time will tell

[bronsin]

A Miata is a very durable, reliable car. So good in fact that I recommend it as a Yaris replacement! Reliability wise. Not economy wise.

In fact Mazdas are so good I will be looking at the Mazda 2 if anything happens to the Yaris.

I have already told my Toyota salesman about the water pump issue and how that might make me choose something other than a Toyota come replacement time.


Anyone have any Mazda or Mazda 2 issues I should know about before throwing Toyota under the bus? :eek:

[nookandcrannycar]

A Miata is a very durable, reliable car. So good in fact that I recommend it as a Yaris replacement! Reliability wise. Not economy wise.

In fact Mazdas are so good I will be looking at the Mazda 2 if anything happens to the Yaris.

I have already told my Toyota salesman about the water pump issue and how that might make me choose something other than a Toyota come replacement time.


Anyone have any Mazda or Mazda 2 issues I should know about before throwing Toyota under the bus? :eek:

I really, really like the Mazda 2. I just wouldn't be willing to put up with its inferior (in current form) fuel economy.

[nookandcrannycar]

Good question.. but remember, the FR-S power plant is made by Subaru and its a new design 2.0 boxer. SO, I don't think anyone can say weather it will hold up to Toyota reliability yet. Time will tell

You're right, time will tell.....but I know quite a few people who have Subarus of different vintages and not a one has had any engine trouble (I know....anecdotal evidence).

[kimona]

Miatas are certainly very reliable.

[bronsin]

I really, really like the Mazda 2. I just wouldn't be willing to put up with its inferior (in current form) fuel economy.

What MPG do they get?

[Lux]

I'd be looking at the Mazda Roadster if creature comforts in the 86 are not an attraction to you. I don't have experience with Subaru's new engine, but my experience with their old boxer units has been less than favorable... packaging in confined spaces makes service more complicated as well. I do have experience with the Mazda 1.8 and it gets my thumbs up for simplicity, very good reliability (strong bottom end), and great performance in the delicate Roadster frame. It's up to you. It's well known to not purchase a car in its first year of production, mostly due a manufacturing perspective through which assembly defects are ironed out after two production years. I've worked certifying and repairing cars in assembly plants before so I've dealt with these "pilot year" defects myself. It affects every new model (except maybe the Lexus flagship, depending on who you ask).

[nookandcrannycar]

What MPG do they get?

I remember reading an Edmunds.com review that criticized the MPG and I thought I remembered that for a combined tank people (in posted user reviews on various sites) were pretty much hitting the midpoint between EPA City (28 auto) and EPA Highway (34 auto) or about 1 mpg higher so 31-32 combined. I looked today on Edmunds, MSN, Yahoo, etc. and didn't find what I remembered..it was a bit better. The best combined city/hwy I found with reference to the transmission being an automatic was 36.2 MPG combined. The highest hard numbers overall I found were one person got 42 MPG combined on a tank and another person got 50 MPG for a 65 mile portion of a tank....so.....better than I remembered, but not what we see on Yarisworld..... and I did see the Edmunds.com review that criticized the MPG today as well. I remember seeing reviews on other sites but can't think of any off the top of my head.

[tk1971]

My wife and I just got rid of our Subarus. I had a 02 WRX and she had an 05 Forester. Both turbo charged. Both engines run on timing belts and after replacing each of them, I never wanted another timing belt car again. Ever.

Plus, there's only about 2" of space to get each of the 4 spark plugs out (horizontal boxer engine). In my case (turbo charged), there's all this plumbing and fixtures that need to be removed for certain things, and due to the turbo, everything seems hotter under the hood.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Subarus when I had more time to actually maintain them. Now that I have 2 kids, we need cars that are as maintenance free as possible.

I don't know anything about the FR-S engine, but I'm just generalizing based on the horizontally opposed Boxer H4 engine from my previous cars.

[nookandcrannycar]

My wife and I just got rid of our Subarus. I had a 02 WRX and she had an 05 Forester. Both turbo charged. Both engines run on timing belts and after replacing each of them, I never wanted another timing belt car again. Ever.

Plus, there's only about 2" of space to get each of the 4 spark plugs out (horizontal boxer engine). In my case (turbo charged), there's all this plumbing and fixtures that need to be removed for certain things, and due to the turbo, everything seems hotter under the hood.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Subarus when I had more time to actually maintain them. Now that I have 2 kids, we need cars that are as maintenance free as possible.

I don't know anything about the FR-S engine, but I'm just generalizing based on the horizontally opposed Boxer H4 engine from my previous cars.

I recently sat in a Prius C for the first time at my local Toyota dealer. It was a '3' and was quite comfortable. The only things I can think of off the top of my head that I'd change (besides making hand crank windows available) are covers for the open dash storage (like in the RAV4) and side pockets under the rear side windows (beside the rear seat) like in my current Yaris......and of course a 5 speed manual which isn't possible with the type of hybrid Toyota uses. The dealer also had a white 5 door Yaris SE and that is the 2012 Yaris color I like the most. It was of course an automatic. If the 5 speed manual and hand crank windows are gone by the time I decide to replace my current Yaris, then I will probably pick the Prius C. If at least the 5 speed manual is still available on the Yaris it will be a hard decision between the Prius C and the Yaris. Although the Prius C was very comfortable, my feet didn't like only having a brake pedal and an accelerator in that physical space.

[junorico24]

Civic are definitely more fun to drive than the Yaris.The MX5 as well.

[Kar98]

Civic are definitely more fun to drive than the Yaris.The MX5 as well.

I'm glad that for a change I'll have a reliable car, even if it's a bit more on the Spartan side than I'd prefer, but a freaking Trabant is more fun to drive than the Yaris :drinking: