Goodbye Yaris!

[trunkout]

It's been a while since I've been on here... The Yaris is being passed to my daughter. I... Am getting this:

[trunkout]

BTW... 109,000 on the Yaris with not one issue. Replaced battery and tires. Current tires are 195/50/15 Kumho Ecsta and are amazing.

[nookandcrannycar]

BTW... 109,000 on the Yaris with not one issue. Replaced battery and tires. Current tires are 195/50/15 Kumho Ecsta and are amazing.

You may not end up having the same track record with the Fiat. That said....Truly, Best of luck with the Fiat :thumbsup:. Possibly one of the best bang for the buck combinations of great handling in very tight corners and power.

[Exiwolfman]

Very nice car to drive fun we had one at my other work as customer pick up and drop off car ...at least here in Canada the Fiat has a really bad track for warranty and other problems poor quality and not cheap either .

[Gogogordy]

Enjoy...those are sweet, warts and all.

[kimona]

Good luck with the Fiat; really fun little cars (especially the Abarth). But, unfortunately plagued with more problems than any other car sold in North America.

[nookandcrannycar]

Re bang for the buck, I meant purchase price wise re those two attributes (not taking maintenance and repairs into account).

I wonder how Sail Design is faring at this point with his Fiat 500 ?

[bronsin]

Well its smaller than the Yaris and has a 1.3 liter engine. (which is good)

But Im not sugar coating it for you. Those cars need more frequent repairs. More things go wrong with them. I hope you got a good one!

But you are always welcome to come back to the fold and buy a YAris if it doesnt work out!:smile:

[WorkTL]

Good luck.

[nookandcrannycar]

He's doing quite well with it. No major issues (I just talked with him about this last week).

:thumbsup:

[bentjazz]

Good luck and wish you the best. I'd personally never in a million years get a Fiat, but that's just me. If someone gave one to me, maybe. Like a Volkswagon mechanic once told me about modern Volkswagons, they are nice as long as they have a warranty. That's how I feel about Fiats, as well.
Be that as it may, I wish you the best....

[pjon]

Not the same engine or model I know, but the 1.2 litre version was not able to progress up steep hills. It ran out of "puff". Fiat, after denying a problem did eventually fix it with a software update. They'd apparently erred too far towards fuel economy at the expense of power. Hence the inability to go uphill!
http://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/fiat-500-powerful-enough-hills-says-bbcs-watchdog-1107954951

[bronsin]

Not the same engine or model I know, but the 1.2 litre version was not able to progress up steep hills. It ran out of "puff". Fiat, after denying a problem did eventually fix it with a software update. They'd apparently erred too far towards fuel economy at the expense of power. Hence the inability to go uphill!
http://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/fiat-500-powerful-enough-hills-says-bbcs-watchdog-1107954951

1974 VW Beetle: 48 hp. Very slow on hills! VW Bus even worse!

Ah for the good old days!:clap:

[The Limo 2]

My 1959 blue window VW bus had 36 hp and my 1963 NSU Prinz had 30 hp. Yes, the good old days. I had a Fiat in the 1960's. I think it was a 127? or 128? It was used when I got it but the maintenance was so high I finally just gave it away. Also had a 1968 Fiat 850 Spyder. Nice car. Then I got married in 1972 and had to sell it when the first child came.
Roy

[nookandcrannycar]

My 1959 blue window VW bus had 36 hp and my 1963 NSU Prinz had 30 hp. Yes, the good old days. I had a Fiat in the 1960's. I think it was a 127? or 128? It was used when I got it but the maintenance was so high I finally just gave it away. Also had a 1968 Fiat 850 Spyder. Nice car. Then I got married in 1973 and had to sell it when the first child came.
Roy

:thumbsup: I learned to drive a manual driving my friend's Fiat 128 SL Coupe.

[jambo101]

BTW... 109,000 on the Yaris with not one issue. Replaced battery and tires. Current tires are 195/50/15 Kumho Ecsta and are amazing.
With that kind of reliability what made you not just buy another Yaris?

[kimona]

^ Reason often gives way to foolish desire.

[nortonfb]

I had two 124's great car. Had a 131 noise box, hated it, hot, uncomfortable
and needed attention most of the time.
Norton

[attrapereves]

Those Fiats are certainly cooler than a Yaris, but the reliability just isn't the same.

[bentjazz]

Who cares about a car being fun to drive if the reliability is 2nd rate? I think the Yaris is fun to drive, but I could care less about that sort of thing. I work 80 hours per week and don't have time to contemplate how fun a car is to drive. Fuel efficiency and reliability is what I care about. A to B driving. But that's just me. Also, the Fiat is obnoxiously subcompact. It's just too small, and for me it's just way too teeny bopperish. But, like I said, that's just me.....

[trunkout]

My god the bashing! I know Toyota is a better make! You do all know this is just a Dart engine made by Chrysler? Here... Read this (I have a 2013 but close enough): http://www.netcarshow.com/fiat/2012-500_abarth/

Also... It has 12,500 miles on it and plenty of warranty left. Plus Carmax warranty. It's brand new, trust me.

[bronsin]

My god the bashing! .

I wouldnt call it "bashing". Some are willing to put up with problems in relationships.

Some arent. :biggrin:

[428CobraJet]

The 500 has the sizzle the Yaris needs.

[Yaristeve]

If you're looking for a car that's about as much fun as you can have in a vehicle, then the Abarth is the one to beat.

Nah, the answer to that is...

...Miata.


:biggrin:

[jambo101]

Nah, the answer to that is...

...Miata.


:biggrin:
I'll second that..

[bronsin]

I'll second that..

OK now we're talkin'! :headbang:

[kimona]

Nah, the answer to that is...

...Miata.


:biggrin:

There you go! Miata wins hands down.

I wish the Mazda2 was a Miata wrapped in hatchback sheet metal.

[tadakun]

I'll just put this here. My best friends Abarth. Which no longer looks like this. He unveils the new look on saturday at Offset Kings Long Beach show. Have fun, it's a car with huge potential.

http://thehundreds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/JUSTIN_ABARTH_FRONT3QUARTER_SUNSET.jpg

more current look.
https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/10428616_10155239854895693_4392385456909494990_n.j pg?oh=0ec80234c4d31c757b525eacaed4b5e7&oe=55A07BCF

[tdinut]

With that kind of reliability what made you not just buy another Yaris?

Good question. I am struggling with this now. I have 133,000 miles on my 2008 and zero issues. I might just wait for the 2016's and get another Yaris.

[428CobraJet]

Ditto.
The fit is a bargain.
The FiestaST puts a smile on your face.
The Abarth is sexy as hell.
My 09 Yaris with 128k, as good now as 6 years ago. And no slouch. A dilemma.

The Miata? It can't do what the Yaris can do. Ive been there. Nice. Fun. Quick. Dependable. But...

[roxy1]

all i can say is good luck.

I came from a fiat 500 sport to the yaris. the 500 is a fun car to drive, no doubt about it.

the number of problems i had in less than 30,000 miles was ludicrous. to make matters worse, the service was horrendous no matter what studio i used. it only got worse as i approached the warranty expiration. I saw the writing on the wall, dumped the car, and took the cash remaining on my extended warranty.

there is a reason Fiat was dead last (by a fair margin) in the latest JD Power dependability study, which looks at the cars after 3 yrs of ownership. at least they are consistent, as FCA was rated as having the poorest service experience for its customers.

the key is to get a 500 as cheaply as possible since the resale is horrific on them. the good news is that because Fiat has to deeply discount the 500's to sell them you can get a brand new 500 for $13k or even less. quite a few have gotten new abarths for decently south of $19k.

so, i always advise fiat 500 buyers as follows:

-have fun while you can, they are fun cars to drive
-get the longest, most comprehensive warranty possible
-dont overpay, at least $4k-$5K under retail as a minimum.
-make sure you have a studio available near you.
-plan to keep the car for a fair amount of time. selling or trading in will be painful on your wallet.

[fnkngrv]

My god the bashing! I know Toyota is a better make! You do all know this is just a Dart engine made by Chrysler? Here... Read this (I have a 2013 but close enough): http://www.netcarshow.com/fiat/2012-500_abarth/

Also... It has 12,500 miles on it and plenty of warranty left. Plus Carmax warranty. It's brand new, trust me.
Folks are religious about the Yaris generally once they have owned one unless they become jaded with how STALE the big T has become with their entire line. It is to be expected. You also went into one of the most unreliable chassis around which will also net people's ire. I personally have no intention of buying another Yaris. I think the 2007-2010 sedan was awesome. I am just not an LB guy. I think they can be hella sharp for sure, but just not for me to own. I have stealed myself to the fact that if I buy from another manufacturer I will just be sure to pick up any and all warranties possible. I am actually seriously considering the Focus RS if I don't by a Lexus IS or Tundra.

[nookandcrannycar]

In order to like the driving experience, I think you have to feel physically comfortable in the car. A friend of mine had a Miata, that I drove, and I felt cramped. She went from a Golf convertible to the Miata to a 3 series BMW coupe. I felt comfortable driving the Golf and the BMW...I had enough room in both. It also may matter how one's height is distributed. I have a friend who is the same height I am, but he looks like a midget sitting in the passenger seat of a car where I am the driver.

I have more room, or at least feel as though I do, behind the wheel of the Fiat vs the Miata.

If I eventually get another new car to compliment my '14 Yaris, I'm thinking it will be a base Subaru Forester with a manual transmission. It is my understanding that all of the different levels of Impreza Crosstrek only come with the black plastic liners/wedges/coping/whatever you want to call it around the edges of the wheel well cutout. I really, really don't like the way it looks. There is probably some way to remove it, but I started thinking about the Forester. The Forester has the same ride height as the Crosstrek. It has more interior room, and the real world mileage penalty vs a similarly manual Crosstrek isn't too great. My understanding is that they have different bodies, but that quite a bit of the rest of the car is very similar or the same.

[nookandcrannycar]

Good question. I am struggling with this now. I have 133,000 miles on my 2008 and zero issues. I might just wait for the 2016's and get another Yaris.

The French made 2015s are as tight as a drum. Will one be able to say the same for the first year 2016s coming out of the 'Mazda' plant in Mexico ?

[nookandcrannycar]

I had two 124's great car. Had a 131 noise box, hated it, hot, uncomfortable
and needed attention most of the time.
Norton

The 124 Spyder sure turned girls heads in the 70s. The much older brother of one of my best friends had one. After he graduated from college, he got a company car and sold the 124 to his mom. My friend had a Le Cat Black Capri with a manual transmission, but every chance he had he'd borrow his mom's 124.

['LilRedYaris]

ABS corrosion and related wheel bearing corrosion issues with my '07 Yaris finally irked me enough to trade it in at almost 112,000 miles. Just traded her in on a I-4 '09 Camry. I loved my Yaris. It was a great commuter car, got great mileage, and was fun to drive. I'm awaiting the Camry this week. I know the Camry will be bigger, quieter, and will be a much "smoother" highway car, but it's very plain. I'm fearing a much lower "fun" factor than the Yaris.

[jambo101]

While the Abarth is a sharp looking car if i was looking for something like that i'd probably stick with something from Toyota,that bulletproof reliability is hard to overlook.
Maybe not as stylish as the Abarth but=
http://www.airrunnersystems.com/air-suspension/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2011_SEMA_Show_Scion_iQ_Sibal_003.jpg

[428CobraJet]

Toyota has no low end "halo cars" like the FiestaST or Abarth in the states. If they would have imported the 6 speed manual transmission IQ....I'd be driving one. All we get is/was the lame cvt. Neat car....but cvt only :-(

There's compelling reasons to bolt for the hot little Fiat (and Ford). Those who haven't driven one should.

[nookandcrannycar]

While the Abarth is a sharp looking car if i was looking for something like that i'd probably stick with something from Toyota,that bulletproof reliability is hard to overlook.
Maybe not as stylish as the Abarth but=
http://www.airrunnersystems.com/air-suspension/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2011_SEMA_Show_Scion_iQ_Sibal_003.jpg

Kaotic Lasagna posted some MPG numbers for his FR-S, and they weren't too far behind the Yaris sedan he had.

[kimona]

ABS corrosion and related wheel bearing corrosion issues with my '07 Yaris finally irked me enough to trade it in at almost 112,000 miles. Just traded her in on a I-4 '09 Camry. I loved my Yaris. It was a great commuter car, got great mileage, and was fun to drive. I'm awaiting the Camry this week. I know the Camry will be bigger, quieter, and will be a much "smoother" highway car, but it's very plain. I'm fearing a much lower "fun" factor than the Yaris.

My other car is a '10 Camry. It just turned over 20K miles. I love the car! Compared to the Yaris, it's pure luxury. But, you're right... the fun factor is definitely lower.

[428CobraJet]

Who cares about a car being fun to drive if the reliability is 2nd rate? .....

Drive the Mitsubishi and you won't say that.

[CrankyOldMan]

There's compelling reasons to bolt for the hot little Fiat (and Ford). Those who haven't driven one should.

The Fiat is shorter than the wheelbase of the Yaris. /pass

[BLKHILLSGUY]

I absolutely love the looks of the Fiat, but I can't overlook the horrendous quality. I'm not mechanically inclined and I need a bullet proof vehicle. And thankfully, Toyota has yet to let me down.

[Kalispel]

The French made 2015s are as tight as a drum. Will one be able to say the same for the first year 2016s coming out of the 'Mazda' plant in Mexico ?

The only 2016 'Yaris' being built by Mazda as far as I know is the 2016 'Yaris Sedan' for the Canadian market, and will be marketed in the USA under the Scion badge as the iA.

Glad to hear that the French Yaris is well-built, as I plan to pick up an SE in late July this year. Sadly, I seem to get the impression that most of the "old-school" Yaris people don't seem to like the 2015 refresh (or 2012-2014) much, and would rather opt for other vehicles instead. :iono:

[fnkngrv]

The only 2016 'Yaris' being built by Mazda as far as I know is the 2016 'Yaris Sedan' for the Canadian market, and will be marketed in the USA under the Scion badge as the iA.

Glad to hear that the French Yaris is well-built, as I plan to pick up an SE in late July this year. Sadly, I seem to get the impression that most of the "old-school" Yaris people don't seem to like the 2015 refresh (or 2012-2014) much, and would rather opt for other vehicles instead. :iono:
There is a reason for that in regards to people not liking the newer generations of the platform. it has lost its quirkiness and one of a kind design. even though the drivetrain is tried and true it is still aging. another issue is that a lot of people feel they are getting more bang for the buck from other platforms in the same segment and that will impact how people feel about the platform especially when other manufacturers are offering more amenities in the segment. The thing is is that when you're spending money on a vehicle especially one that has been continuously going up in cost as the years have progressed you should get the best bang for your buck. that means that you get more amenities. if they kept the platform at roughly the same cost. As when launched in 2007 for example with these refreshes they probably would have more popularity.

[ern-diz]

There is a reason for that in regards to people not liking the newer generations of the platform. it has lost its quirkiness and one of a kind design. even though the drivetrain is tried and true it is still aging. another issue is that a lot of people feel they are getting more bang for the buck from other platforms in the same segment and that will impact how people feel about the platform especially when other manufacturers are offering more amenities in the segment. The thing is is that when you're spending money on a vehicle especially one that has been continuously going up in cost as the years have progressed you should get the best bang for your buck. that means that you get more amenities. if they kept the platform at roughly the same cost. As when launched in 2007 for example with these refreshes they probably would have more popularity.

This

[jambo101]

I'm thinking Toyotas IQ model is picking up where our Yaris left off as a smart little sporty runabout whereas as the current model of the Yaris merits soulless homely porker status.=
http://d1r57ja1amoclf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/screen-shot-2011-10-31-at-120026.png

[ern-diz]

I'm thinking Toyotas IQ model is picking up where our Yaris left off as a smart little sporty runabout whereas as the current model of the Yaris merits soulless homely porker status.=
http://d1r57ja1amoclf.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/screen-shot-2011-10-31-at-120026.png

Isn't the IQ going away? That's what I thought I read around here...

[fnkngrv]

Isn't the IQ going away? That's what I thought I read around here...
That is what my sources say. It just wasn't moving off the lots very well. We in 'Murica just don't have the same outlook on micro cars as across the ponds.

[428CobraJet]

Maybe it could have been the next Yaris...but my yaris gearbox is awesome!

[ern-diz]

That is what my sources say. It just wasn't moving off the lots very well. We in 'Murica just don't have the same outlook on micro cars as across the ponds.

For sure, although (as I posted in the off-topic section) I am seeing TONS of Corolla S' around lately. Seems like there's always 2 of them around me on the road at all times lol.

[nookandcrannycar]

I imagine the IQ would be quite easy to park :thumbsup:.....I just get a sort of claustrophobic feeling sitting in one. I also seem to remember the location of the radio in relation to the driver's seat being somewhat awkward.

[bronsin]

I imagine the IQ would be quite easy to park :thumbsup:.....I just get a sort of claustrophobic feeling sitting in one. I also seem to remember the location of the radio in relation to the driver's seat being somewhat awkward.

Thankyou for giving me an opportunity to express my opinion about the iQ! :biggrin:

Yes its small inside but after driving it for a while, it feels like a much larger car.

My objection (I know youre all on the edge of your seat right now!) is the interior styling. Too busy! Its like theyre trying to make the car bigger by turning up the styling volume! Not good.

I don't like the radio either. I just wish they would make a plain car where form follows function. :bow:

Good luck I ever see that! :eek:

[jambo101]

I havent really researched the car but they seem fairly popular here in Montreal,

[ern-diz]

Yes its small inside but after driving it for a while, it feels like a much larger car.

Sums up my feeling on the Yaris. I remember the first time I sat in my car after having seen it from the outside. Felt like a much bigger car from the inside than out.

[nookandcrannycar]

Thankyou for giving me an opportunity to express my opinion about the iQ! :biggrin:

Yes its small inside but after driving it for a while, it feels like a much larger car.

My objection (I know youre all on the edge of your seat right now!) is the interior styling. Too busy! Its like theyre trying to make the car bigger by turning up the styling volume! Not good.

I don't like the radio either. I just wish they would make a plain car where form follows function. :bow:

Good luck I ever see that! :eek:

:thumbsup:

I don't remember getting that claustrophobic feeling in other past cars with 'no space behind you'....thinking Porsche 914, Fiat X1/9, Pontiac Fiero, 1st Gen Toyota MR2, etc. I'm thinking this might be because those others are, to use the Porsche 911 term re the roof, targas.

[nookandcrannycar]

Sums up my feeling on the Yaris. I remember the first time I sat in my car after having seen it from the outside. Felt like a much bigger car from the inside than out.

:thumbsup: Yep. I agree.

[attrapereves]

So what is going on with the Yaris...

I know that Mazda is redesigning the "2" to look like a smaller version of the "3". Will the Yaris basically be a Toyota badged Mazda 2? And the Scion a Mazda as well?