a good little review

[stuffy]

http://wheels.ca/reviews/article/2889

this is from a year ago, but this is the type of review the yaris was getting when it first came out,

until the sheep-like automotive press decided they didnt' like the car.

[cleong]

I have no issues with that. Reviewers can bag it all they want, and people are still going to buy it because of the way it looks, the price it asks, and then simply for the fact it is a Toyota (and brings along all the good things people associate with the brand name).

[Pars]

That particular article was what got me into the Toyota show room, since at the time I was a die-hard Honda advocate, but was beginning to have respect for Toyota (friends Celica GTS which I used to drive when going for lunch).

Lawrance Yap is one of the few auto journalist that I respect (Jim Kenzie and the editor for canadiandriver is another). I'm sure the American journalist are just as good when it comes to testing the cars, but it's tough to get the real story about the car from their comparison test. To a certain extent, they all seem like spin-doctors or they're so blind-sided by the exotics, they miss out on the real drama in the everyday segment.

Since I'm a realist, and probably will never own a Porche, I tend to get excited about cars that I can actually afford. It's nice to see a journalist who is as excited about the grass-root stuff as they are with the Porche 911.

[ECHOKnight2000]

^^^Actually I think American reviewers are worst GENERALLY speaking, regarding smaller cars especially. Not always, but it seems that way. I really think culture plays into it and how GENERALLY speaking American's have smaller or small car phobia. Anything smaller than a bus or tank is "dangerous." It seems you guys (Canadians) are more accepting of small cars which is cool. I'm not saying everyone has to like small cars or they have to drive what I like but you can tell there is a bias against it in the U.S. GENERALLY speaking. I'll get off my soap box.

If you go to familycar.com, they have a praising review of the Yaris hatch and sedan.:thumbsup:

[brickhardmeat]

I'm happy with mine.

[spkrman]

^^^Actually I think American reviewers are worst GENERALLY speaking, regarding smaller cars especially. Not always, but it seems that way. I really think culture plays into it and how GENERALLY speaking American's have smaller or small car phobia. Anything smaller than a bus or tank is "dangerous." It seems you guys (Canadians) are more accepting of small cars which is cool. I'm not saying everyone has to like small cars or they have to drive what I like but you can tell there is a bias against it in the U.S. GENERALLY speaking. I'll get off my soap box.

If you go to familycar.com, they have a praising review of the Yaris hatch and sedan.:thumbsup:

verrrrry true!

After driving it since last november, it doesn't feel small at all...

Someone touched on this in a thread a while ago... where he noted he wouldnt put his kid in such a small car as a first car... thats a very scary thought! Put a teenage driver in a boat, so when they ram into me while talking on a phone/drinking jamba juice they completely demolish my car and probably me with it... and after that, they are sure to never buy a small car and the cycle goes on :cool:

In regards to the review, thats canada, us here in the states dont get the same options or standard features (tach????????)... toyota shot themselves in the foot in the eyes of most USA reviewers for that one.

[Pars]

Regarding big car syndrome, I don't think all the States have them. I spend some time in Maui, Oahu and Kauai in my last vacation and there was a healthy amount of small cars in-between all the pickups (the pickups were jacked-up in Kauai but slammed in Oahu). Interestingly enough the xA seemed to be somewhat popular. I guess the island folks got the right attitude judging from the type of cars they drive. I suppose the mainlander still need to learn that the guns don't have to be big in order to be effective....

[spkrman]

Regarding big car syndrome, I don't think all the States have them. I spend some time in Maui, Oahu and Kauai in my last vacation and there was a healthy amount of small cars in-between all the pickups (the pickups were jacked-up in Kauai but slammed in Oahu). Interestingly enough the xA seemed to be somewhat popular. I guess the island folks got the right attitude judging from the type of cars they drive. I suppose the mainlander still need to learn that the guns don't have to be big in order to be effective....

Saying the USA normally doesn't "include" hawaii, at least not in things like this. Gotta be pretty sweet over there though! :)

[eTiMaGo]

Regarding big car syndrome, I don't think all the States have them. I spend some time in Maui, Oahu and Kauai in my last vacation and there was a healthy amount of small cars in-between all the pickups (the pickups were jacked-up in Kauai but slammed in Oahu). Interestingly enough the xA seemed to be somewhat popular. I guess the island folks got the right attitude judging from the type of cars they drive. I suppose the mainlander still need to learn that the guns don't have to be big in order to be effective....

I would agree, I've grown up and lived only on smallish islands until about 5 years ago, and there is definitely a specific kind of mentality in common. Cars and driving-style wise, I think the fact that no matter how fast you go, you'll end up on the other side of the island in no time, makes people appreciate smaller cars and a more relaxed driving style...