Still no VIN for Yaris, reconsidering Fit

[cathycnm]

Question on Yaris vs Fit. I admittedly am getting a little impatient w my car still not being at the dealer (a week late now w no ETA due to computer being down). A little worried that the Colorado flood will add additional time. Concerned the car is lost/damaged.

So, I'm considering the Fit again if this drags on too long. They have manuals on the lot at the dealer in the community where I work. Manual Yaris are just hard to find and the wait is getting a bit drawn out here in the rural West. Three weeks later, still no VIN?

What is the advice of this group? How long do I wait? How easy is it to get the deposit back if they don't deliver within their promised time-frame? Thinking of giving them til the end of Sept, so over a month. The car was at the port 3 weeks ago when I put the deposit down.

How does the Fit compare on mileage -really? That's why I picked the Yaris! And local service. But a Fit in the driveway may be worth two Yaris at the port. :help:

[thebarber]

I'd rock a fit. Very similar mileage.

[CTScott]

I am not sure where in Western CO you are located, but doing a cars.com search centered around Grand Junction, I see 5 new MT Yaris within 250 miles. A dealer can get a car from another dealer (I have done that quite a few times over the years when buying new cars), so there is no reason why your dealer can't get one of those 5, other than the fact that they really don't like to do any work for a zero margin car.

Below is the link to the search:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/new/toyota/yaris/manual/_/N-ma8Zfi0Zh8bZlowZm5d?sf1Dir=DESC&mkId=20088&mdId=22331&rd=250&zc=81501&PMmt=1-1-0&stkTypId=28880&sf2Dir=ASC&sf1Nm=price&sf2Nm=location&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-transTypeId&pgId=2102&transTypeId=28112

[cathycnm]

Interesting. I'm guessing some of the 5 are a constant mistake on my local dealers website. They aren't there at all, and they are automatic in the computer. Going further is a cost because I'd have to fly or take a bus. Grand Jct is doable, but they have one automatic. I don't know where the others are. My dealer is very much doing her best, but the closest she found was the port. This whole experience is becoming frustrating.

[CTScott]

Interesting. I'm guessing some of the 5 are a constant mistake on my local dealers website. They aren't there at all, and they are automatic in the computer. Going further is a cost because I'd have to fly or take a bus. Grand Jct is doable, but they have one automatic. I don't know where the others are. My dealer is very much doing her best, but the closest she found was the port. This whole experience is becoming frustrating.

With the dealer exchange, you don't go to the other dealer. Your local dealer gets the car from the other dealer. When I purchased my 2004 Nissan Xterra, my local dealer grabbed it from another dealer 400 miles away, as it was the only one around equipped as I wanted it.

[cathycnm]

Yea, she searched and the closest is the one I put the deposit down on. New ETA this AM is about 2 more weeks. Now seeking reassurance the car was not in Denver during the flooding and hail storms last week. The delay could be a reassessment for damage. I want a Yaris, but not a damaged one. My corolla sold 2 weeks ago so I'm at risk of loosing that deal if this goes too much longer.

[cathycnm]

I have a VIN! Yipppeeeee! Now, let's hope it was in LA during the flood! :biggrin:

[CTScott]

I have a VIN! Yipppeeeee! Now, let's hope it was in LA during the flood! :biggrin:

Nice! Glad to hear you aren't having to "settle" for a Fit.

[cathycnm]

Yep. Which brings to mind a question. When I searched the BIG dealers in Denver, rack had 3 or less Yaris, but the Honda dealers list circa 100+ on the lot. Is Toyota deliberately trying not to compete in this region? It would have been helpful to know this. None of the reviews mentioned it. I guess, in hindsight, I may have settled for a Fit. Demand and supply? :eyebulge:

[CTScott]

Yep. Which brings to mind a question. When I searched the BIG dealers in Denver, rack had 3 or less Yaris, but the Honda dealers list circa 100+ on the lot. Is Toyota deliberately trying not to compete in this region? It would have been helpful to know this. None of the reviews mentioned it. I guess, in hindsight, I may have settled for a Fit. Demand and supply? :eyebulge:

I think that Toyota really tries to not compete in that segment (economy cars) as opposed to in your region. There is so little profit on a Yaris, that they would probably prefer not to sell them, but to be a "full line" car manufacturer they have to.

[cathycnm]

My guess is the only way to make anything is to go high volume, which seems to be Honda's approach. Toyota is keeping it low, a loss leader. Seems Yaris may do better in other countries?

[IllusionX]

pretty sure it is a US thing. Yarii are everywhere in Canada. Both my Echo and my Yaris took less than a week to take ownership.

Signed contract Friday and took car Monday for my Echo. For my Yaris, i think it was also Friday.. and car was ready tuesday, but i had to wait till thursday to pick up due to work.

[cathycnm]

pretty sure it is a US thing. Yarii are everywhere in Canada. Both my Echo and my Yaris took less than a week to take ownership.

Signed contract Friday and took car Monday for my Echo. For my Yaris, i think it was also Friday.. and car was ready tuesday, but i had to wait till thursday to pick up due to work.

Sounds like what I thought. It would not hold its value if it was not loved. So, I assume you do some snow driving up in Canada. Any recommendations for winter driving? :thumbsup:

[edmscan]

Sounds like what I thought. It would not hold its value if it was not loved. So, I assume you do some snow driving up in Canada. Any recommendations for winter driving? :thumbsup:

I have had my Yaris about a year and a half and it performed very well in the winter time. I bought Hankook Optimo 4S tires .. (special 4 season tires). They have worked really well for me. Didn't get stuck at all last year .. something I couldn't say before with my Honda.

[cathycnm]

Thanks. I have heard the tires it comes w are not great for winter driving. Do you suggest replacing them w higher quality right away? :cool:

[CTScott]

Thanks. I have heard the tires it comes w are not great for winter driving. Do you suggest replacing them w higher quality right away? :cool:

Your best bet (if you have the space) is to have a second set of tires/wheels. Good snows are very soft and wear quickly, so only using them during snow season is the best way to go.

[nookandcrannycar]

Toyota is keeping it low, a loss leader.

Also, as someone pointed out on another thread this summer, Toyota needs the Yaris or similar in the US re the CAFE standards.

[cathycnm]

OK, so still no word on the Yaris. So, I did some research and the ship it was supposedly on when I put the deposit down has been to Japan and back since (sigh). The interesting thing is I got the VIN three weeks after putting down the deposit and about the same time that same ship returned to the same port. Seems a little more than fishy, given the new ETA is more in line w a car that just arrived. My question is - is there anyway to find out for sure? I have the original engine # from when I put the deposit down. Does this correspond to the VIN? Since its the same ship - I suppose it is hard to know for sure.

It's irritating cause I sold my corolla to a friend based on the initial ETA. I would have been happier w honesty - now my friend has to wait while I put another 1,200 on the corolla.

If it doesn't show by two weeks form today, I'll throw a Fit. No, I'll buy a Fit. My other concern is a lot of the freight lines through the Rockies are out for a couple weeks due to the storm. Two weeks is my deadline. My friend needs my car. Yish! :evil:

[Altitude]

Sounds to me like you're getting a bit of a run around. Is there any reason you haven't considered making a deal with a dealer in Denver/Colorado Springs/Pueblo then taking a trip to pick it up?

[cathycnm]

:iono:Yes, I don't have a second vehicle or driver. I work full-time and can't cancel class for this during the semester. It's a touch expensive to negotiate an air ticket, cab, hotel. The other thing is they don't have (any/many) manual SEa over there either. I do not think it's the dealer. I think it's Toyota. It just gets very problematic when you want a non- white manual and live rural. I'd go Fit if I had it to do over again. Not because it's better, but all marketers know it's location, location, location. My dealer seems dumbfounded why this is taking so much longer than other cars they have gotten from that port. I know her and her family, it's a small town, they have a great reputation.

I heard only 15%of Yaris sold are AS. Some fraction of that, manual. Manual Fits in all models are all over the place. Driving to Denver for one of those makes more sense because lots have 100s of them - including lots of manuals. So, Toyota has 13 more days or I'll walk. We will see.

[cathycnm]

I was working w 2 Denver brokers through my credit union. The first tried to talk me out of a Yaris. Said I'd die if I hit a deer in it (seriously). The second dropped off the planet and stopped answering my emails where I got serious about the purchase. Both are directly affiliated w my credit union. I switched back to finding a more local dealer after that. I found the one who wanted to work w me. The others heard Yaris, and went of coffee break. What a strange car buying experience this has turned out to be. If I switch, it will be to Honda.

[cathycnm]

One manual SE in the Springs in non white is all I found. Pueblo has 0 Yaris at their dealer. I have as much choice locally (W Slope) as I do over there without the additional cost. Fit has more choice over there if I go that way and the dealer won't do a trade.

[Altitude]

Is there no chance the person that will be purchasing your car would be willing to make the trip with you and drive it back?

I will agree that Colorado is a bit of a strange market for autos. Seems that if you aren't purchasing a truck/SUV/van that choices are more limited than other markets.

When I bought my Yaris in 2008 I had specific wants that couldn't be met without a custom order as well. So I sat down with the dealer to review the inventories at all other dealers in the State. I ended up having to compromise on features/color but we did manage to find something in Denver and the dealer made a trade with that dealer to get it for me.

It's a shame really. The salesman did explain that the options available are determined at the market level, not by the dealer, and are based on some mystical knowledge of what sells in a given market. A bit of a cart-leading-the-horse scenario if you ask me.

In the end I did get a Yaris HB Manual which were the minimum requirements I was willing to accept. I had wanted either black or silver but ended up with Bayou Blue. A color that I came to appreciate in the end. To round it out I purchased most of the "extras" online and installed them myself.

I see a lot more Fits in the Springs than Yarii so it probably does have a lot more to do with manufacturers setting availability. Shame that Toyota believes that Colorado isn't a market for small econo cars.

Here's hoping it all works out for you in the end!

[cathycnm]

Altitude - my buyer lives in a very small community 2 hours from where I live. To the West and over another pass. The car has 195 k, so lots of barriers. She would have 8 hours both ways! I think she would drive to my town or GJ. Plus, Denver doesn't have the Yaris I want.

I like Toyota and had a bad experience w a civic many years ago, so was going to stick w Toyota. My dealer also looked at dealer trades but all were too far away, but the ship car was supposed to be a two week wait and that gave time to sell the car. Manual non-white are partially due to the kind of driving I do for work. Driving through a white out in a small white car surrounded by big pick ups. . . I've had visibility issues w my corolla so I've learned - light but not white. Maybe it will come in this week. Though, the dealer who's been working w me is leaving on honeymoon - So, another potential delay. Sigh.

[nookandcrannycar]

Said I'd die if I hit a deer in it (seriously).

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: SMH SMH SMH. Should be fired. I think you should note the name of that company and never do business with them.

[nookandcrannycar]

The salesman did explain that the options available are determined at the market level, not by the dealer, and are based on some mystical knowledge of what sells in a given market. A bit of a cart-leading-the-horse scenario if you ask me.

Yep. I thought I'd hate the Gen 3 Yaris, so I looked into getting a new 2011 Yaris. I wanted the same Cold Weather Package I have in my 2007 (I purchased my car in RI while on a trip and it was actually originally delivered to the famiiy's other dealership in CT). Gulf States Toyota (the distributor) didn't allow that option :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:.

I had wanted either black or silver but ended up with Bayou Blue. A color that I came to appreciate in the end.

:thumbsup: I wanted silver, but have also come to appreciate the Bayou Blue I ended up with.

[cathycnm]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: SMH SMH SMH. Should be fired. I think you should note the name of that company and never do business with them.

It was the boss and, yep, never again. :thumbdown:

[cathycnm]

It's too bad the non white manuals only come in SE. Seriously limiting when white could be a safety issue where I commute.

[nookandcrannycar]

It was the boss

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice (sarc).

[cathycnm]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice (sarc).
Yep. The credit union needs to unaffiliate w him. But I have had enough to deal w since then with car issues. I'm not going w the credit union for financing, but I suppose I could tell them, since telling his boss did not work.:thumbdown:

[Hershey]

Shouldn't have to deal with that , may be stalling you so that you buy a different car off their lot . We had that experience once on a Corolla that never showed up from the factory .

[Hershey]

The FIT has .9 % finance rate of 2 > 5 years . We went with 5 . Always pay more to pay on the principal . Payment is under $200 . It has about 29,000 mis . (?) and has been a pleasure .

[cathycnm]

I think they wouldn't mind me going Corolla, but I don't think the dealer is doing this intentionally. I think it's Toyota just letting the car sit at the port for weeks. I still hope the Yaris comes through. If not, the interest rate on the Fit is a plus. Guessing I'll loose my deposit. But if I don't move, I'll loose my buyer and can't afford a rental car for long. It feels a bit like Toyota is passing alone their loss to me right now. But I can give it a bit longer before I throw a Fit at the dealer. (PS she is friends w me on Facebook, so I've planted a few Fit posts in w the Yaris ones.) Going to go chat w Honda next weekend, unless I'm driving a Yaris, that is.:thumbup:

Any bets on that one? What are the odds?

[Hershey]

Best of luck . Sure you'd enjoy either one .

[cathycnm]

Best of luck . Sure you'd enjoy either one .
Made an appt to test drive the Fit next weekend. Lots more choice for those wanting non- white manual in rural CO. No word from the dealer, so it will be later next week if the Yaris does show. Once it ships, is it about 72 hours to the dealer? I assume she will let me know when that happens. Just ready to be done w this crazy journey. :eek:

[cathycnm]

Best of luck . Sure you'd enjoy either one .
Made an appt to test drive the Fit next weekend. Lots more choice for those wanting non- white manual in rural CO. No word from the dealer, so it will be later next week if the Yaris does show. Once it ships, is it about 72 hours to the dealer? I assume she will let me know when that happens. Just ready to be done w this crazy journey. :eek:

[cathycnm]

Got an email from Toyota saying this is considered a preference request and may create an "extended wait time." Come on Yaris, show up by Saturday, as promised!

[john21031]

I own a 2012 Fit white manual. Couldn't be happier with the car. There is a reason it won the car of the year and best subcompact car so many times.
It's a bit more than the Yaris but you get a lot of technology in it. It's a pure joy with very high quality to boot.
Here in LA I see dozens of both Yarises and Fits in all kind of colors and transmission options.

[cathycnm]

Thanks, John. The Toyota dealer will refund my deposit since they couldn't meet the deadline. That said, the Yaris may be here by Saturday. If it is, I'll definitely go Yaris. If its not, I'll drive to Grand Jct and test drive the Fit. Two good things - The ethics of my Toyota dealer in saying they could do a refund anytime in this case. And the Honda dealer saying he had driven both a lot while in Europe and I couldn't make a bad choice. So, I'll post that photo of the new car next week. We'll see who wins! Either way, I can't wait. Literally and figuratively.

[cathycnm]

Another week delay. Hoping the salesman covering for the dealer's vacation isn't right. Oh, I wish this wasn't happening. Guessing it came on ship load#2 and was never on ship #1. The timing is perfect for that. The VIN takes 3 weeks, is given out 24 hours after ship load #2 arrives and is now in Denver, 4.5 weeks later. Gosh, I was so in love w this car, and I think it's still a good car. A really good car. I just don't know what to do. Love the color more than the Fit. At the same time, I can go down on trim cost and still have a non white manual. Nothing like a drawn out car experience.

[cathycnm]

:burnrubber:Got the Fit about 10 days ago. Not without a tad of regret that the Yaris was a month late and still in transit, but also w an open mind. I have almost 500 miles on it already and averaging 40+ MPG. I'm really enjoying it! Cheers to my dealer for getting a deposit check out to me within a week! Disappointed in Toyota on this one - really wanted this car until the final week. I like the cargo room in the Fit. It's sure a fun ride to work! Hope the Yaris gets a good home.