Can Toyota Still Manage to Build an Awful Car? - LA Times Article

[Razr]

Just caught this in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-neil21mar21,0,7476017.story?coll=la-class-autos-highway1

Along with this commentary:

http://omidr.typepad.com/torque/2007/03/can_toyota_stil.html



Ooohh it's gonna stir up some emotions around here :eek:

[acrbill]

There is no way in hell I could have gotten into a Fit or Versa for $12,560.
Thats the bottom line. Its also the better looking of the 3 IMO.
From what I have been reading it also gets better MPG.

I am not sure what people expect for this kind of money.

[Slummy]

Hearing things like this suck. But in no way does it change how I feel about the Yaris.

And as for roominess, my brother-in-law is 5' 8" and 220, he's not small. every time he rides in the back he comments on how much space there is. So did the 6' something sales guy on my test drive.

[Vervepipes]

Is the American model differant then the Canadian model? I recall my sticker stating 109HP and 40/50mpg city/hwy. My opinion on this story: A subcompact will never be a Cadillac, those who buy one or look at one (any subcompact) know this getting into one. My $0.02

[eijikikimaru]

I am not sure what people expect for this kind of money.

Seriously! What do they want? A Lexus type interior for the price or a Yaris? :iono:

I too agree that it looks better of the 4 (Fit,Versa, Aveo, & Yaris)

[fmicle]

What idiots!

I got my Yaris a week ago, after driving a Jeep Cherokee for 3 years. There is more leg room in the back seat in the Yaris than it is in the Cherokee. And getting in the back in the 4 door Cherokee is about as difficult as getting in the back of the hatchback Yaris.

And how can one compare a TOYOTA with a CHEVY???

First passenger reaction I had: wow it's really roomy inside.
Second passenger reaction: incredibile how much room you have inside.
Third passenger: wow, it's so silent (and that was said with a slightly open window doing 60 mph on the highway).

And by the way, the Yaris has a bigger range than the Jeep and it only costs $35 to fill up, compared to $65.

Downside: I admit, I can't go to IKEA, buy a computer table, put it in the trunk and close it ;-)

Bottom line, I love my Yaris and I hope there will be more people like me out there.

Go Yaris!

[Spades]

i read some lack luster reviews about it too, they complained that it was as exciting to drive as a prius and very cheap and basic and a long list of other complaints.

here is my take. the car is fun to drive because of the great brakes and very good handling, the acceleration isnt much, but its better than the other cars in its class.

cheap interior....WTF do these reviewers expect? its a 11k car...it isnt going to be decked out in leather.

its very spacious compared to most compacts and sub compacts, and you cant argue with the MPG.

people that give this car a crappy review are the same people that drive BMW's and rave about lexus' and benz's...its not a luxury sport sedan, so these people rag on them.

I am glad I didnt bother to give alot of thought into their reviews untill I saw and drove a yaris. Now I am quite satisfied with my little yaris.

[rstb88]

He failed to mention that the Yaris saled as the number 1 car of it segment for four years in Europe. Can Europe be wrong in good cars. Did the Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto come from Europe. No. This guy is expecting luxurious options for under 11grand. He should be clinically insane, mpg is great in this car and the Hondas engine is too big, and tha company has went a little to ricey mainstream for me anyways. I have also heard thae Nissans quality has gone down aswells as the driveability of its cars.

[St_G]

I don't find myself really disagreeing with the negatives that people bring up in reviews, it's just that they don't tend to be things that bother me or mattered much when I was making my choice. And I'm often baffled by the seeminly across the board inability of car critics to recognize that, when you're shopping in this range, amounts like $2,000 that would be insignificant in comparing more expensive cars, make a difference. I had a very strict budget, since I was paying cash. The only Fit in town when i went shopping was over $16,500. While, apart from looks, I do think the Fit is in many ways a better car (at least in the ways that count to reviewers), it's not THAT much better. And if I were shopping in the $16.5K+ range, there a other cars I'd be looking at over the Fit anyway...

I don't know of any car that I could have gotten for just a hair over $14K, outfitted as my Yaris is, with stylish looks, great mileage and legendary reliability. Period.

[acrbill]

the car is fun to drive because of the great brakes and very good handling,


WTF!!! What kind of cars have you owned that make you think the Yaris handles well? It is the worst handling car I have ever owned. It feels like I am going to scrape the door handles on the ground when I take a corner at speed.

[BailOut]

I think a lot of the sound complaints come from some of these so-called reviewers that don't know what a smaller, less powerful engine is for.

My 5MT Yaris is hardly ever revved over 2,000 RPM and I barely hear a thing, but in almost every review that bashes the Yaris I see something like "You have to peg the throttle to the floor and really rev it up to get any power out of it, and then you have to stay standing on the throttle." right before I read their complaint of too much engine noise.

I don't know any engine on the consumer market that is quiet at 6,000 RPM.

I also have yet to grasp why anyone would think a USD $12k car should have fine interior appointments. I've read everything from it looking cheap to it having too much plastic to the missing navigation system and bluetooth, etc. I just shake my head as lots of those things are just now entering the sub $30k market, and if cars were always about gadgets then the Cadillac Escalade with its 10 MPG and micro-climate system and quad-screen DVD system and ported radio system with bluetooth and voice dialing and heated seats and stuff, crap, and flam would be the best selling car of all time, and we'd all have $800/month car payments instead of $250. :eek:

All these reviewers keep saying that the Fit is a better bang for the buck but I just don't see it. Worse mileage, worse emissions, higher cost and a whole slew of common reported issues.

I'm also tired of hearing that the Yaris is too small. Too small for who? Too small for what? How much space do you need to commute to work or get groceries or carry some cardboard to the recycling plant or visit a friend? Is room for 5 too little space to take a friend or 2 to lunch? Do some people really believe you have to have a 5,000 pound SUV just to pick up the milk?

It's as if they're out to get the Yaris just because it's not the same as the cookie cutter American vehicles on the road.

[MDF]

I give that review a failing grade. The reviewer with his one brain cell is an idiot, and the LA Times suck...

The Yaris is awesome...:thumbsup:

[stuffy]

well said bailout,

the article is primarily about brand-bashing, which he alludes to himself. he apparently has a chip on his shoulder concerning toyota's success.

[Bretsuaz]

I find it humorous that Toyota is always the benchmark. That really tells the whole story. Obviously, they build superior vehicles. It is no wonder they are so successful.

Im not sure if this article was really about the Yaris. He seemed to spend more time bashing Toyota for their success, and somewhat predicting a decline. Something I just dont see happening.

I think well see alot more of this in the future, especially with the US automakers now on life support.

[Pavel Olavich]

I love my Yaris, but in truth it does not handle that well...it is bouncy at freeway speeds....kind of floaty...but not the worse I've experienced.

[Pavel Olavich]

...My 5MT Yaris is hardly ever revved over 2,000 RPM and I barely hear a thing...

If you rarely tack over 2,000 RPM with your manual Yaris, you are often lugging the engine...not good, not good at all. That engine wants and needs to rev'd past 3,000 when shifting up...otherwise you will damage it over time. The Yari engine has shit torque at and below 2,000!

[Nutzoids]

This Dudes email address is at the bottom of the article

here is the email I sent him:

I don't agree with anything you have said...

Please check out www.yarisworld.com

and see what the owners of this car really think...

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4523

This Thread is about YOUR article!

Thank you

Nutzoids

Lets hope he checks us out!

:evil:

[ChinoCharles]

Huge communities of enthusiasts containing thousands of members from all over the world from all walks of life don't spring up over automaker failures. Toyota has lost touch? I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

[Nutzoids]

I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

So lets Flood his email and tell him!

:evil:

[ChinoCharles]

Dear Dan,

Yeah, we’re all going to e-mail you now.

We’re sick of reporters knocking our cars. The media has been one big Honda circle jerk since the Fit, Yaris and Versa hit showrooms.

The thing is Dan, I’m 21 and I am Toyota’s target market. I’m young and this is my first car purchase, and I needed the cheapest, most economical car I could get.

The fact that the Yaris is the cheapest car from any company I would trust as well as the best on gas for any 87 pump gas, non-hybrid car I know of made this an easy decision.

The media constantly tears it apart. It doesn’t have enough room, its too noisy, blah blah blah.

I would drive a dune buggy right now if it got 100 MPG. Have you been to a gas station lately Dan?

Yarisworld.com… 3000 owning members from all over the world with two generations of Yarii (yeah, they’re called Yarii) Ever heard of a Vitz? A Vios? A Belta?

All Yarii.

Dan, no offense, but you’re the one who is out of touch. This thing is a regular sensation... we prove it!


EVERYONE EMAIL
dan.neil@latimes.com
AND TELL THE MEDIA TO SHUT UP

[St_G]

That's an important point -- getting Toyota quality for Daewoo prices is a deal, imo, no matter which options get cut -- but I really think this just comes down to differences in perspective.

I'm not going to spam the dude's email because he's made judgements based on a different perspective than my own. I test drove the Fit and I understand why the press prefer it so much. If I were in their place, and not having to spend money, nor wake up every morning looking at either, I'd probably ignore the fact that a loaded Fit Sport is priced up in MINI territory and focus on the cool folding seats, the four doors and the more agile suspension. Those are things that are important in a review, even if they're not that important in the day-to-day commute of the average customer.

The fact that the Yaris is the cheapest car from any company I would trust

[Terrorize]

I used to drive a Chevy...but it went to shit and i had to trade it after 3 years for a YARIS..and so far..i'm impressed....plus who cares if this car is cheap and feels that way to some? and doesn't drive well to some? I GET TO MOD THE SHIT OUTTA THIS CAR!!! It saves me gas..and the car was priced amazing..and doesn't have all the features that i don't use and would of paid for if i chose another car.

[Pars]

If you rarely tack over 2,000 RPM with your manual Yaris, you are often lugging the engine...not good, not good at all. That engine wants and needs to rev'd past 3,000 when shifting up...otherwise you will damage it over time. The Yari engine has shit torque at and below 2,000!

I've got 45,000km on my 5dr Yaris. On the flats, while taking it slow, I can switch at 1500rpm without lugging the engine. There's nothing wrong with going through the gears while switching at 2000rpm, unless you're going up a hill.

In my case, the low rpm response got slightly better with time, but still not as good as my old 1.6L (SOHC) Civic. But what the Yaris lacks in initial take-up, it gains in mid range power.

[Razr]

I'd probably ignore the fact that a loaded Fit Sport is priced up in MINI territory and focus on the cool folding seats, the four doors and the more agile suspension. Those are things that are important in a review, even if they're not that important in the day-to-day commute of the average customer.

Well, the Thai models have both the cool split/flat folding/sliding seats and four door liftbacks. I can't comment on the "agile" suspension, as I put aftermarket wheels on mine from day one, and it goes around corners just fine. Although I only drove about 10 miles on the stock rubber, I do have to admit that it was nowhere near as behaved/controlled in OEM config.

IMHO the Yaris LB is hands-down better than the Honda Jazz/Fit in every way - otherwise I would've bought one of them instead, naturally :wink:

[Razr]

Another thing worthy of pointing out is that the author states: "It has been stretched and widened a bit for the U.S. market" which is pure hogwash of course. :bs:

The only difference between USDM and foreign market versions of the car are the bumpers - heck even the interior fabrics are the same.

It seems the author is manufacturing outright lies in order to provide rigged evidence to support his obvious personal hatred (and I suspect downright fear) of Toyota's dominance in the US and Global markets.

[Pars]

Why is it that only the US Yaris is getting all the bashing, while everywhere else in the world, the car is being praised? Perhaps Toyota is putting a handicap on the options/accessories to make room for the Scion.

Well, if the Yaris isn't selling in the States, it just means more for us Canadians. :thumbup:

[Violin]

I guess all the total strangers who come up and compliment me on my car are ignorant too.

I've owned some pretty cool cars over the years and I love my Yaris.

[stuffy]

i think a lot of journalist exhibit sheep mentality, especially auto journalists.
one guy starts loving a car and hating another one and they all jump on the bandwagon.

when this car first came out in canada in autumn 05, it got great reviews. then the reviews started to get worse as the car was released in the states, now you can't find a good review of this car.

the simple fact is that it is a great car for the price. the fit is marginally better than the yaris when it comes to handling, interior roominess, stock features. the yaris is marginally better than the fit in fuel economy, exterior styling (most would agree i think), and acceleration.
but for some reason, they trash the yaris.

i also want to mention that i've read a certain auto journalist that absolutley trashed the yaris for having the speedo in the centre, then in a review of the mini-cooper, this same journalist made a passing comment about the centre speedo.
apparently it's not as bad that the mini cooper has this feature.

[St_G]

I meant how the Fit seats fold like four different ways. It's a cool thing, and would have to count in the Fit's favor if I were writing a review or comparison, but made no real difference to me as a consumer since 99% of the time, I'm just carrying myself to and from work.

Well, the Thai models have both the cool split/flat folding/sliding seats and four door liftbacks.

[BailOut]

If you rarely tack over 2,000 RPM with your manual Yaris, you are often lugging the engine...not good, not good at all. That engine wants and needs to rev'd past 3,000 when shifting up...otherwise you will damage it over time. The Yari engine has shit torque at and below 2,000!
As Pars already said, the 1NZ-FE engine is just fine shifting between 1,400 and 2,000 RPM as long as you aren't pushing the car. If you ever lug the engine you'll be the first to know as you can both hear it and feel it through your control surfaces.

I did indeed lug it one time when I wasn't paying attention, so I know what it sounds and feels like.

Folks such as yourself often mention torque. I've been driving for 20 years and I have yet to discover what folks need all this torque for in their daily driving unless they climb a lot of steep hills or drive like a maniac. If you live in a mostly flat area the only time you'd ever need high torque might be for entering the highway and/or passing people on it, and even that doesn't require very much torque if you use a lighter, more efficient driving style and plan ahead.

Do you know what the difference is between accelerating from 0-45 MPH in 6 seconds vs. 12 seconds in an urban scenario is? Getting to the next stop light's line of traffic faster and then wasting fuel at 0 MPG while you idle and wait.

[Pavel Olavich]

....can Europe be wrong in good cars. Did the Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto come from Europe.....


Sure, Europe was wrong about cars most of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and just in the recent years did Europe get great little cars.

The French, Spanish, small German, and small English cars up until the last few recent years were CRAP!

Maybe you should travel a little more...

[Pavel Olavich]

Huge communities of enthusiasts containing thousands of members from all over the world from all walks of life don't spring up over automaker failures. Toyota has lost touch? I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

Well, I hear ya, and I too love my Yaris, but you need to understand human nature....just because there are 3,000 or 30,000 Yaris lovers on a site, does not necessarily mean that this is proof of it being a great car.

When people buy something, they will defend that product no matter what, regardless if it is a good product or not. Not talking about everyone, but most people are irrational in this way.

Don't get bothered by bad reviews of our fine car...who cares what others think? What matters is what you think! :headbang:

And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.

[ChinoCharles]

Well, I hear ya, and I too love my Yaris, but you need to understand human nature....just because there are 3,000 or 30,000 Yaris lovers on a site, does not necessarily mean that this is proof of it being a great car.

When people buy something, they will defend that product no matter what, regardless if it is a good product or not. Not talking about everyone, but most people are irrational in this way.

Don't get bothered by bad reviews of our fine car...who cares what others think? What matters is what you think! :headbang:

And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.


You'll argue anything, won't you? :laugh:

[redyaris]

"Klingon love poetry"?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Pavel Olavich]

You'll argue anything, won't you? :laugh:

Go to college young man...it's called discourse, debate, discussion....didn't they have that in high school? :w00t:

[ChinoCharles]

Go to college young man...it's called discourse, debate, discussion....didn't they have that in high school? :w00t:

:rolleyes:

Isn't arguing for the sake of arguing more of an elementary school thing?

[St_G]

Well put. +1


And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.

[Yaris]

Do you know what the difference is between accelerating from 0-45 MPH in 6 seconds vs. 12 seconds in an urban scenario is? Getting to the next stop light's line of traffic faster and then wasting fuel at 0 MPG while you idle and wait.What's with the rush to be the first to hit the next red light? I haven't seen anyone handing out racing trophys to the idiot red light racers.

[stuffy]

And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.

i agree the fit is a great car, but it is no better than the yaris. like i noted, it has some features the yaris doesn't, but likewise the yaris has it's strong points as well, which most of these journalists ignore.

the way these reviews read, you would think the fit is twice the car the yaris is.

[St_G]

I will say this: anyone who acts like there is a qualitative diffence in the interiors of these two cars (I never bothered to go sit in a Versa, so I can't compare there) is nuts. There was nothing more upscale about the plastic dash and cloth seats in the Fit S I drove.

I never bothered to even go sit in a Versa, so I can't speak to that one.

[daq421]

So here is what I wrote to the Author of that Review:
.................................................. .................................................. .......

Sir,
I am the owner of a Yaris 4 door coupe, And while I recognize your Auto review was related to the 3 door, to which some of your complaints are specifically related. I find I'm motivated to respond anyway.

It seems you have completely missed the point (and the boat) when it comes to the Toyota Yaris. As I mentioned I have one of these great cars and after putting 11,000+ miles on it I love this little car. It's (unlike the puffed up and over featured behemoths of some car manufacturers) a simple and fun car. And that's really the point. The Yaris is wonderful for it's simplicity, mileage, and low maintenance needs not it's flash. As a reliable and economical choice, in this era of rapidly climbing fuel costs, the Yaris shines. Further, having driven this car for months (using it for both daily commutes and lengthy vacation driving), I wonder at your low opinion of it's road abilities. The car is not fast, this is true, but it has never failed to get me comfortably and quickly around in traffic or nimbly slice around the curves in the local back roads. I have to ask, what were you asking the little car to do? Drag race?

I suggest you take a Yaris on as a daily driver for a month or two, try the 4 door, then rewrite your review. I pretty much guarantee that after really getting to know this reliable, nimble, fuel efficient, and fun car you'll have a change of heart.

-Peter



--
.................................................. .................................................
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
-Mark Twain
.................................................. .................................................

[ChinoCharles]

HE DRIVES A VERSA

'Nuff said. :wink:

No, he actually said he got a Versa for the same sticker as a Yaris and prefers it more. I want to know what Versa he was looking at that cost under $12,500.

I think I am beginning to understand more and more why Toyota sold the liftbacks with power nothing. If you're looking for a hatch with amenities, maybe the Yaris isn't your car... unless you buy the base model and add them yourself as many of us have done. You can just pick up a Versa or a Fit... Honda and Nissan assumed their buyers would be looking for all the goodies, while Toyota seemingly didn't want to get into a three way battle. They wanted the best base value. For me, I can save big bucks putting power windows and locks on my car myself and waiting for someone to off their 60/40 seats, so base was fine.

Hmmmmm.

[Spades]

WTF!!! What kind of cars have you owned that make you think the Yaris handles well? It is the worst handling car I have ever owned. It feels like I am going to scrape the door handles on the ground when I take a corner at speed.

well, for a 11k dollar car the handling is pretty good. go drive a versa or aveo and get back to me.

besides, maybe you dont know how to drive it? I have lots of fun on twisty roads with it, and even on the skidpad results it is not half bad. I dont consider a hairpin corner taken at the appropriate speed unless at least 3 tires are spinning. but hey, if you have owned much better cars with much better handling, why oh why did you buy a 11k dollar gas miser car?

[foober]

My brother in law and sister will only buy american. (they have a jeep and GMC). And his cars are always breaking down. He's been through three cars in 10 years while I've had my one toyota tacoma.

My litttle brother went good gas milage car like I did last year. He bought a honda hybrid. And they've already got a recall on it to check a switch. But he's also very discouraged about the milage. He was hoping for at least 50 miles to the gallon. He's getting almost 40 miles to the gallon.

And my little yaris is doing great. And i'm getting 37+ miles per gallon at half the price of these big luxury cars that are always breaking down.

[Pavel Olavich]

well, for a 11k dollar car the handling is pretty good. go drive a versa or aveo and get back to me.

besides, maybe you dont know how to drive it? I have lots of fun on twisty roads with it, and even on the skidpad results it is not half bad. I dont consider a hairpin corner taken at the appropriate speed unless at least 3 tires are spinning. but hey, if you have owned much better cars with much better handling, why oh why did you buy a 11k dollar gas miser car?

Forget about twisty roads and such....just on the freeway doing 70 mph, it is bouncy, the steering is a tad wandering, and the handling is NOT remarkable, not even when comparing like cars from any and all competitors. I'm not saying it is bad....just that the handling is not great, nor remarkable, just okay. I knew this before I bought the 2007 Yaris LB, but I was ok with it because my demands of this car are not sportcar handling...rather high MPG, high reliability, and low maint costs, so I don't complain.

As for twisties, canyon carving driving, it's handling is BS....and I know how to drive twisties by car and sport bike. The Yaris is a great car, perhaps the best in it's class, but lets not make it more then it is. :smile:

[ChinoCharles]

I have to second Pavel and Bill on this one... stock, the Yaris handles like garbage. Its body roll city. If you want it to handle well, you're going to need to pay the 500-1000 for an upgraded suspension and put some real tires on it.

[Pavel Olavich]

My brother in law and sister will only buy american. (they have a jeep and GMC). And his cars are always breaking down. He's been through three cars in 10 years while I've had my one toyota tacoma.

My litttle brother went good gas milage car like I did last year. He bought a honda hybrid. And they've already got a recall on it to check a switch. But he's also very discouraged about the milage. He was hoping for at least 50 miles to the gallon. He's getting almost 40 miles to the gallon.

And my little yaris is doing great. And i'm getting 37+ miles per gallon at half the price of these big luxury cars that are always breaking down.

You cannot hold it against Honda because of one recall...this is not fair, especially since Toyota gets recalls too. Just accept the truth: Honda & Toyota make great cars.

And the fact that your bro gets less MPG then he expects really doesn't mean much as we don't know his driving habits, etc....

Honda & Toyota both make great fantastic cars...and they take turns eclipsing each other every year, model depending of course.

[spkrman]

Do some people really believe you have to have a 5,000 pound SUV just to pick up the milk?

Sadly.... some people do!!!!!

I'd say maybe 5% of those with giant SUV's have a practical use for them.

I like simplicity, the less stuff there is, the less to BREAK!!!! A proven reliable platform, plenty of space for most folks... what more do you really need?

I do have to agree, though, the yaris once "equipped" doesn't seem as much of a value once compared to the fit and such... or even the scion XA (when it was available).

I like the car, and I've spent many an hour of a long highway journey in it, and I fully intend to drive it until the wheels fall off - which should be a very long time from now :headbang:

[nsmitchell]

I recently took my Vice President to his house in my Yaris. He drives a $70K+ Mercedes S430 Long Edition. It was about a 10 mile trip and he kept commenting on how quiet and well composed the car was. We were cruising at around 70mph and he just couln't believe we were in a small car. I also think people don't realize the wheelbase on the Yaris LB is fairly long. 96.9". The Honda Fit has a wheelbase of 96.5". Hello!!!

Cute, Quiet, Controlled, Quality and Cost effective = COOL CAR!

Yaris is YES!

[nsmitchell]

ConsumerGuide has some good info.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-toyota-yaris-3.htm

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-honda-fit-3.htm

[jdubau55]

After looking at some of the other articles that guy wrote I just kinda blew him off. As a matter of fact when I did the search for him the title was "Criticism: Dan Neil" so really it seems all he does is nit pick over all the things he thinks are bad.

[Pars]

Forget about twisty roads and such....just on the freeway doing 70 mph, it is bouncy, the steering is a tad wandering, and the handling is NOT remarkable, not even when comparing like cars from any and all competitors. I'm not saying it is bad....just that the handling is not great, nor remarkable, just okay. I knew this before I bought the 2007 Yaris LB, but I was ok with it because my demands of this car are not sportcar handling...rather high MPG, high reliability, and low maint costs, so I don't complain.

As for twisties, canyon carving driving, it's handling is BS....and I know how to drive twisties by car and sport bike. The Yaris is a great car, perhaps the best in it's class, but lets not make it more then it is. :smile:

I tend to zip around at 100mph on the dinky 175/65/14 tire (I got 45,000km on them) and It's not bad. I've yet to encounter a situation where the steering got upset from bouncy roads. A similarly priced but much bigger Cobolt would feel more stable at 100mph, but you'd be handicapped by the Cobolt's dumbed down steering response when it comes time to toss the car around. That being said, I'm more used to the responsiveness that comes with low profile tires and good springs/shock and I'm looking forward to getting rid of the Yaris's mushy tires for low profile summers.

If you got a good set of knee pads and a sport Bike, any car (including most sport cars) would be BS in comparison.

[deebrown]

For those of you upset over the LA Times review, click on the following link (or copy and paste it) to read a very positive review.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,17406096-13232,00.html

[hystria]

The price of a Yaris is the price of quality pieces and quality conception. That's why it offers so little while being "so expensive". It is build to be a trouble free car, the only one and probably the last such a car here in North America

[daq421]

WTF!!! What kind of cars have you owned that make you think the Yaris handles well? It is the worst handling car I have ever owned. It feels like I am going to scrape the door handles on the ground when I take a corner at speed.


I feel the little car is fairly nimble around the twisties, certainly better then you make it out to be.. but then, I've been driving a loooong time and rely less on the car and more on my own skills.. anyone can make a race car go, talent is in making a car do more than expected.

The Yaris is no sports car, but neither is it worthy of such disdain. If you wanted a rally car you should have bought one.

-Peter

[flkrabbits]

I love my Yaris! The only negative in my opinion is the "very good handeling"... uhm. its not that great... i feel like im going to roll over. but i think thats because i like taking corners and im just used to driving my corolla... ;] hopefully with some added mods it will handle a little better. lucky for me i got 2 super awesome mechanics!

[60 Somethings]

I don't think he's referring to the same car we drive - e both think out stick-shift LB is a phenominal little car, and we are used to sporty little cars.

Here are the other sporty cars we have owned over the last 32 yrs.

1) 1966 VW - 40HP (Yup, that's a ports crib on the roof rack!)
2) 1971 ALFA Romeo Berlina - 1.75L
3) 1974 ALFA Romeo Spider - 2.0L (still own this one)
4) 1976 ALFA Romeo Alfetta Sedan
5) 1979 Ford Fiesta

While the Yaris is no match for the ALFA's, especially the Spider, it is a fun car to drive.

(FYI: Consumer Reports latest auto buyer's guide rates the Fit as one of the 5 slowest cars from 0 to 60MPH!!!)

[stuffy]

great cars 60 something, do you still have any of them?

[60 Somethings]

Stuffy,

We still have the '74 Spider - bought it new in 1975.

May finally part with it this summer. It's not a PNW car - in otherwords, it's not good in the rain. Also makes it rust. We originally lived in So. CA, and it has always been garaged. It was been repainted in 1985, but the engine is original with 139,000 miles!

The Yaris LB is a more practical modern, everyday car. You can't push the ALFA on city streets or freeways without getting into trouble (tickets). It's a great car at 80+ MPH, and........ oh the sound!!!!!

Our daughter, who can be seen inside the VW circa 1969, was definitely influenced and had an ALFA of her own in the mid-90's, befiore she and her husband had a kid. It was the red 1974 GTV, shown below with my Spider. As she says, she's already had her dream car.

[Pavel Olavich]

Stuffy,

We still have the '74 Spider - bought it new in 1975.

May finally part with it this summer. It's not a PNW car - in otherwords, it's not good in the rain. Also makes it rust. We originally lived in So. CA, and it has always been garaged. It was been repainted in 1985, but the engine is original with 139,000 miles!

The Yaris LB is a more practical modern, everyday car. You can't push the ALFA on city streets or freeways without getting into trouble (tickets). It's a great car at 80+ MPH, and........ oh the sound!!!!!

Our daughter, who can be seen inside the VW circa 1969, was definitely influenced and had an ALFA of her own in the mid-90's, befiore she and her husband had a kid. It was the red 1974 GTV below. As she says, she's already had her dream car.


Your picture of the Ford Fiesta brought back very nice memories for me....mine was freaking fast and very manuverable...it was hell on wheels...great fun!

[stuffy]

wow, that gtv is beautifual (so is the spyder)

[Yaris Revenge]

I haven't read this thread, and haven't even finished the article, but I just had to guffaw at this:

"The Yaris came to our shores last year as a replacement for the Echo, which itself didn't inspire much Klingon love poetry."

Frikkin' hilarious!

~YR

[daq421]

I don't think he's referring to the same car we drive - e both think out stick-shift LB is a phenominal little car, and we are used to sporty little cars.

Here are the other sporty cars we have owned over the last 32 yrs.

1) 1966 VW - 40HP (Yup, that's a ports crib on the roof rack!)
2) 1971 ALFA Romeo Berlina - 1.75L
3) 1974 ALFA Romeo Spider - 2.0L (still own this one)
4) 1976 ALFA Romeo Alfetta Sedan
5) 1979 Ford Fiesta

While the Yaris is no match for the ALFA's, especially the Spider, it is a fun car to drive.

(FYI: Consumer Reports latest auto buyer's guide rates the Fit as one of the 5 slowest cars from 0 to 60MPH!!!)

My father owns that same year Alfa Spider.. It's one of the cars I learned to drive on.. Great car.

-Peter

[Nautical Yaris S]

that article is BS.
consider the source, too.
in a recent Road & Track test, the Yaris 5 speed whooped both the Fit and Versa in flat out acceleration.

[sqcomp]

I think I'll float with the Yaris bandwagon on this one.

I despise the lack of power in this vehicle...saying that, I didn't buy it for power! I bought this car for fuel efficiency and low price tag while still being a Toyota and having Toyota's reliability.

The suspension is indeed cushie but really! What do you want for the price? If I want more power and better handling from a FWD platform, I'll go back to the SRT-4.

I bought the Yaris for a reason, and the Yaris is doing VERY well for those reasons! Go Yaris!

[corey415]

that article is BS.
consider the source, too.
in a recent Road & Track test, the Yaris 5 speed whooped both the Fit and Versa in flat out acceleration.

The Yaris had a better 0-60 time (by 1/2 second) because both Fit and Versa require a 2-3 shift to achieve the 60 mph test point.

Look at the quarter mile times, all three cars have similar times.

Acceleration in eco-cars is besides the point. All B segments cars are slow, bottom line.

[corey415]

He failed to mention that the Yaris saled as the number 1 car of it segment for four years in Europe. Can Europe be wrong in good cars. Did the Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto come from Europe. No. This guy is expecting luxurious options for under 11grand. He should be clinically insane, mpg is great in this car and the Hondas engine is too big, and tha company has went a little to ricey mainstream for me anyways. I have also heard thae Nissans quality has gone down aswells as the driveability of its cars.

The Honda Fit engine is the same displacement. 1.5L. What are you talking about. And the European market definitely has it fair share of poorly made cars.

[captainzerocool]

Dan Neil has, time and time again, proven himself to be as anti-car as one can be. Never mind he is a frackin psychopath.

:/

[Pavel Olavich]

I think I'll float with the Yaris bandwagon on this one.

I despise the lack of power in this vehicle...saying that, I didn't buy it for power! I bought this car for fuel efficiency and low price tag while still being a Toyota and having Toyota's reliability.

The suspension is indeed cushie but really! What do you want for the price? If I want more power and better handling from a FWD platform, I'll go back to the SRT-4.

I bought the Yaris for a reason, and the Yaris is doing VERY well for those reasons! Go Yaris!

Agreed! I got mine for MPG, dependability, and low cost. As for power, I'm actually okay with the power it provides...it has never left me vulnerable to getting out of the way of other cars in traffic, getting on the freeway, and such.

Big power costs too much when one factors in gas, insurance....not to mention more damage to our environment, etc....

[churp]

Comparing the Yaris to the AW11 (85-89) MR2's for power and weight is almost identical....112hp/2200 lbs......sure they feel totaly different because of gearing/how you sit/weight distribution but these things ran away from Fieros all day long.....with a little lower gearing, stiffer suspension, and sitting like in a gokart it would damn near be the same car.....the Yaris is just an 'improvement' for everyday driving!!!! I currently own an 85, an 86, an 87, and 2 parts cars.... I bought my Yaris for the advantages it has. :iono:

[Pars]

Comparing the Yaris to the AW11 (85-89) MR2's for power and weight is almost identical....112hp/2200 lbs......sure they feel totaly different because of gearing/how you sit/weight distribution but these things ran away from Fieros all day long.....with a little lower gearing, stiffer suspension, and sitting like in a gokart it would damn near be the same car.....the Yaris is just an 'improvement' for everyday driving!!!! I currently own an 85, an 86, an 87, and 2 parts cars.... I bought my Yaris for the advantages it has. :iono:

The first generation MR2 was an amazing car, by friend bought one new when if first came out and It was the kind of car that wouldn't hold back a talented driver. The supercharged version is a lot faster the non. Back then, I was driving a 3.1L Corsica and going full throttle at 180km/hr, the MR2-S went around me like I was standing still.

From experience, I know the Yaris Hatch (in my case, 5dr model) is a surprisingly good handling car, but if it can be made to dance like the old mid-engine MR2, that would be impressive.

[sam07yaris]

i see more yaris owners on the road than with the fit and the versa..... ftw!!!!


and to add that.... i have not yet seen any hot girls in the fit and versa..... bwaahaaaaaa ftw again!!!!

[ItalianYaris]

Hey Guys! I just wish all you guys would get some of the models we get here in Europe! I have a 2007 Yaris TS 5-door Hatch! I can only imagine what this guy would have wrote about this car! The price tag is US dollars is 26,000.00. At least mine! The Yaris has an amazing reputation here in Europe! You see them all over the place, is the only car in its segment to have a 5-star European Crash test rating! It comes with 9 airbags!!!!! I am from Miami, FL. came here to study, and when I move back home, I am so taking My Yaris with me! there is no doubt! maybe I should show this guy in his face what kind of machine the Yaris is!!!! I hope you guys in the US get this model! the Thing is amazing, here in Europe is compared with the Mini Cooper S, which is a car far more expensive! We do have to think that I pay a 20% tax on the Yaris, so if you got a TS at home, im sure it would ot cost more than 18,000 dollars! I will post pics on the proper Forum as soon as I get the car! comes in next month! :)

[GTSRacer]

I own a Red RS 3dr Hatch. The RS package replaces the silver trim inside with glossy black plastic trim. The white vents are replaced with black vents. The seats are made of a sporty black fabric, and it has the fold flat seats in the back. I believe that if Toyota USA sent all of these reviewers an RS model, they would have little to complain about. The materials feel much better, and the little chrome trim on the door handles give the feeling of sporty luxury. In addition, I believe that Toyota USA made a huge mistake by not offering ABS as an option. IMHO Toyota USA was trying to bury this car, because of the poor reception for the Echo, and had little need for the Yaris except to fill a price point. They then saw the demand for this great little car, and still don't know how to market it.

Compare the reception that the Yaris got in Canada. Toyota Canada launched a full media blitz on the Yaris, with smart ads, making the Yaris cool to young males such as myself. They gave the Yaris a sport package and made options such as ABS available to multiple trim levels.

Toyota USA could learn a bit from Toyota Canada's marketing of this fine car.

TM

[boris13]

I own a Red RS 3dr Hatch. The RS package replaces the silver trim inside with glossy black plastic trim. The white vents are replaced with black vents. The seats are made of a sporty black fabric, and it has the fold flat seats in the back. I believe that if Toyota USA sent all of these reviewers an RS model, they would have little to complain about. The materials feel much better, and the little chrome trim on the door handles give the feeling of sporty luxury. In addition, I believe that Toyota USA made a huge mistake by not offering ABS as an option. IMHO Toyota USA was trying to bury this car, because of the poor reception for the Echo, and had little need for the Yaris except to fill a price point. They then saw the demand for this great little car, and still don't know how to market it.

Compare the reception that the Yaris got in Canada. Toyota Canada launched a full media blitz on the Yaris, with smart ads, making the Yaris cool to young males such as myself. They gave the Yaris a sport package and made options such as ABS available to multiple trim levels.

Toyota USA could learn a bit from Toyota Canada's marketing of this fine car.

TM

I agree -- the US market DOES need an "RS"-type model in the liftback, with a sport suspension, better tires, better trim, tach/gauges, spoiler, power windows/locks, the 60/40 seat, standard ABS, side airbags, and an upgraded sound system. Maybe in a couple of years...

(By the way, ABS IS an option in the States.)

[GTSRacer]

(By the way, ABS IS an option in the States.)[/QUOTE]

All of the reviews make ABS sound unavailable.

- really a shame

I think too they want to find something wrong with Toyota, and its very difficult.

[ItalianYaris]

Ohh wow! In the USA ABS is an option? Thats interesting. Here in Europe we get that all standard! Not only that, we get also ABS + EBD + BA. And also ESP! But was going on with the idea of trashing Toyota? They are the most successfull car company now, and also The biggest I think right now!?????