Countdown to delivery and "Zoom Zoom"

[Kalispel]

Well, the truck driver called me a few hours ago and let me know that he was dropping off my 2015 White SE 5-Spd Manual between 1pm-3pm (AZ timezone) today. :bow: I took a half-day paid personal day from work and drove home to wait for it. Hopefully, no damage was done to the little Yari between source and destination - and I should soon be giving it a whirl this evening for a few errands in order to get acclimated the clutch feel before driving it to work tomorrow.

Pics and review/impressions coming soon! :thumbup:

[ern-diz]

Stoked for you!

Looking fwd to your comments/pics.

[Kalispel]

It just arrived! No visible dents/dings or defects @ first inspection. Took a couple "virgin pics" right off the truck. Time to go check out some clutch action and make sure the A/C blows plenty of cool air (it's 108f here today in Phoenix).

[ern-diz]

It just arrived! No visible dents/dings or defects @ first inspection. Took a couple "virgin pics" right off the truck. Time to go check out some clutch action and make sure the A/C blows plenty of cool air (it's 108f here today in Phoenix).

I know a gal in the boxing world, PR person for Iron Boy Boxing, that said it was going to get up to 113 there in the next couple days. Stay cool and stay safe.

[IllusionX]

You said zoomzoom, I though you were getting a Mazda for a moment...

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[Kalispel]

You said zoomzoom, I though you were getting a Mazda for a moment...

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

I remember watching a YouTube reviewer that stated the 2015 Yaris SE had better "Zoom Zoom" handling/driving characteristics than the current generation Mazda2 hatch had. :thumbsup: They were right - I really enjoyed my 20 mile "break-in drive" this afternoon, along some long stretches of road north of Phoenix.

Trying to figure out how to post pics off my hard drive to a message post, and then will write up my first impressions with the 2015 SE stick.

[Kalispel]

Here some virgin pics of the girl right off the truck:

http://oi61.tinypic.com/zwc38k.jpg

http://oi61.tinypic.com/mh3lat.jpg

[Kalispel]

Here are a few more pics than I took after returning from my 20 mile "break-in drive":

http://oi59.tinypic.com/35m31q9.jpg

http://oi59.tinypic.com/2zhil8z.jpg

[Kalispel]

And the rest thus far:

http://oi61.tinypic.com/2uzw0tz.jpg

http://oi59.tinypic.com/jinnfb.jpg

[NYC-SE]

Congrats Kalispel. I've always liked the look of a white car but never had the gumption to buy one. Good luck keeping it clean!

[Kalispel]

Congrats Kalispel. I've always liked the look of a white car but never had the gumption to buy one. Good luck keeping it clean!

This is my second white auto. I had an manual Acura Integra Limited Edition back in the late 80's - white with OEM white painted alloy wheels also, and it was pretty tough to keep clean - especially those white wheels! :cry:

On a side note, I backed into a cactus while taking those pics earlier today, and it still hurts. :laugh:

[Kalispel]

Well, here are my first impressions after driving the 2015 SE 5-speed Manual for a bit this afternoon. I'm coming from a 5-Speed Manual 2000 Honda Accord EX Sedan (purchased new in 2000), so most of my 2015 Yaris observations will be in contrast to the car that I have become so accustomed to driving over the last 15-16 years.

DRIVING/EXTERIOR:

The 2015 Yaris clutch is really different than the one in the 2000 Accord - not bad different, just different. I'm guessing that basic clutch design has changed over the years, since my 2000 Accord clutch is stiff and requires active muscle effort to keep depressed. The 2015 Yaris clutch by contrast is super-easy to depress and hold down. As far as clutch feel goes, it feels fine to me upon release. Engagement feels smooth enough - though the accelerator pedal in the Yaris is super-sensitive and seems to go from off to on with the slightest pressure, going from 1K idle RPMs up to 2K+ RPMs in an instant. It will take some practice to get acclimated to that sensitive gas pedal, especially with heavier shoes/boots on (I drove it with bare feet today with my flip flops removed). I don't think that my 2000 Accord gas pedal is electronic, and just uses an old-school cable system that makes giving it just a little gas at start much easier. With all that said, I enjoyed driving the manual Yaris, and just have to get acclimated to the touchy accelerator dynamics that make creeping forward in first gear at lower RPMs from stop a bit more challenging.

As far as driving/handling dynamics go, not unexpectedly the SE felt firmer, tighter and sportier on the road than my Accord Sedan (which has a softer, more luxury-oriented feel to it). The SE was well-mannered, enjoyable to drive, straddled a good balance between sporty/comfortable, and inspired confidence on the road/corners.

Not surprisingly, the acceleration ability of the Yaris felt no different than the 4-Cylinder manual-transmission Accord Sedan, since both have similar horsepower to weight ratios. Even with the A/C on, I didn't feel like I was ever struggling to reach speed with my Yaris - it had just enough power (with one 175lb occupant) to be competently average in that regard, which is fine by me. Now, load the car up with 4 total people, and probably not so much, lol. It was the same deal with my Accord. No surprises here.

Exterior styling is a subjective manner, and I happen to like the "angry squirrel" look of the 2015 Yaris SE - though it did take a bit to grow on me. I'm neutral when it comes to the placement of the rear reverse lamp. It blends in nice enough on the white/silver Yaris, but does sort of stand out like a sore thumb on the other colors. I would probably choose the European or Japanese market 2015 SE/RS rear-end, if given the choice - but the USA version isn't bad either IMO. I happen to like the garnish trim piece over the license plate body-colored better than chrome, though it does perhaps remove some needed contrast on the rear-end styling. The lack of a rear exhaust tip on the 2015 SE is annoying, but can be remedied easy enough with an aftermarket piece, luckily enough (I have one ready to install now).

More to come later...

[nookandcrannycar]

This is my second white auto. I had an manual Acura Integra Limited Edition back in the late 80's - white with OEM white painted alloy wheels also, and it was pretty tough to keep clean - especially those white wheels! :cry:

On a side note, I backed into a cactus while taking those pics earlier today, and it still hurts. :laugh:

:Congrats :w00t::thumbup: !

White might be harder to clean....but it 'hides' scratches more effectively :thumbsup:.

[ern-diz]

Aside from exhaust tip, what are your short term planned mods?

[Kalispel]

Aside from exhaust tip, what are your short term planned mods?

Nothing too crazy initially.

- Exhaust Tip
- OEM Toyota VVT-i badge on rear driver's side to offset/balance Yaris badge on passenger side
- Small Vinyl die-cut 'TRD' white logo on upper passenger-side front windshield
- Tinted Windows - 35% sides/back, 3M crystalline tint front windshield (the sun is BRUTAL out here!!!)
- Protective UV/Bra 3M film on headlights
- Authentic TRD Manual Leather Shift Knob (the factory one is sort of boring/wimpy).
- Thin black rubber paint-protective rear license plate frame
- Elongated European style front license plate for gaping maw front grill (not sure which country graphic to go with yet - country-of -origin France perhaps?)
- I want a driver's side all-weather mat instead of carpet, so I will have to buy the entire set probably just to get the one mat that I want to use in the car, lol.

Haven't decided when to go for a different 16" alloy wheel design that I like better. Either later this year, or sometime next year. I also want a TRD rear sway bar (if it fits), just not sure when exactly yet.

Also, I wonder how the car would look with a blacked-out roof, instead of white. I've seen some European cars with that, and it looked sharp on white car with tinted windows. Just a random thought.

[Kalispel]

:Congrats :w00t::thumbup: !

White might be harder to clean....but it 'hides' scratches more effectively :thumbsup:.

:thumbup:

[bronsin]

There are some folks on this forum who say they know how to drive a MT yet their MT Yaris ate its clutch.

I suspect the on/off throttle control has something to do with this.

So....look out! :eek:

:biggrin:

[Kalispel]

My first daily commute to work in my Yaris went smoothly today, and I am already adjusting to the sensitive/light "modern electronic" gas peddle (wearing dress shoes today). shifting was smooth/precise, and I had much better control over the RPMs starting out from a stop than I did yesterday on my initial drive. I am really glad that I held out, and jumped through all the numerous hoops of securing an elusive manual 5-Speed SE Yaris from another state, versus settling on an automatic locally. This little car is a pleasure to drive. :wub:

I will post my overall main pro's and con's about the vehicle thus far, later today.

[Kalispel]

There are some folks on this forum who say they know how to drive a MT yet their MT Yaris ate its clutch.

I suspect the on/off throttle control has something to do with this.

So....look out! :eek:

:biggrin:

Yeah, modern clutch longevity is a real worry for me. I have never had a factory clutch fail on me in 35+ years of driving 1982-2000 model year Honda Manuals - even at 200K miles on the clutch. I hope to have similar luck with my Yaris. :bow:

[ern-diz]

Nothing too crazy initially.

- Exhaust Tip
- OEM Toyota VVT-i badge on rear driver's side to offset/balance Yaris badge on passenger side
- Small Vinyl die-cut 'TRD' white logo on upper passenger-side front windshield
- Tinted Windows - 35% sides/back, 3M crystalline tint front windshield (the sun is BRUTAL out here!!!)
- Protective UV/Bra 3M film on headlights
- Authentic TRD Manual Leather Shift Knob (the factory one is sort of boring/wimpy).
- Thin black rubber paint-protective rear license plate frame
- Elongated European style front license plate for gaping maw front grill (not sure which country graphic to go with yet - country-of -origin France perhaps?)
- I want a driver's side all-weather mat instead of carpet, so I will have to buy the entire set probably just to get the one mat that I want to use in the car, lol.

Haven't decided when to go for a different 16" alloy wheel design that I like better. Either later this year, or sometime next year. I also want a TRD rear sway bar (if it fits), just not sure when exactly yet.

Also, I wonder how the car would look with a blacked-out roof, instead of white. I've seen some European cars with that, and it looked sharp on white car with tinted windows. Just a random thought.

Very cool. Wheels would def be my first thought.

In respect to the black tops, my bro in law has a black hood, roof and trunk on his BMW 3 series. Looks really good.

[3rdSEman]

Really nice and stands out in white... you'll like the somewhat tauter dynamics of the SE.

He he - now that you've driven the car a few miles, just picture how you would have felt if you had ordered an automatic transmission : \

May I suggest peeling the dealer adhesive label on the trunk while it's fresh ?

Congrats...

[nookandcrannycar]

May I suggest peeling the dealer adhesive label on the trunk while it's fresh ?

:eek: I haven't done this yet :redface: ( I've had my car for 1 year + 1 day). Any idea as to how to 'coax' it to peel or at least peel a bit without damaging the paint ?

[Kalispel]

Really nice and stands out in white... you'll like the somewhat tauter dynamics of the SE.

He he - now that you've driven the car a few miles, just picture how you would have felt if you had ordered an automatic transmission : \

May I suggest peeling the dealer adhesive label on the trunk while it's fresh ?

Congrats...

Yep - I peeled the dealer adhesive off later the same day, after taking those pictures. It peeled off pretty easy by hand out here in this heat, but I still need to get some sticky residue removed from that area when I go to wash/wax/detail it this weekend. I'm surprised it wasn't more baked on, considering this car sat unwanted on the dealer lot in Colorado for over 6 months before I bought it. The dealership didn't even try to negotiate/haggle when I low-balled them a price - they just said yes and sent the paperwork. I guess they were glad to be rid of the 2015, before the 2016 models roll in soon. No love for the Yaris - especially the manuals. :frown:

[Kalispel]

:eek: I haven't done this yet :redface: ( I've had my car for 1 year + 1 day). Any idea as to how to 'coax' it to peel or at least peel a bit without damaging the paint ?

From what I read on the internet, you just heat it up with a blow-dryer (or the blazing hot AZ sun) and then take something like a drivers license to get the edge started, and then just peel it up.

[bronsin]

Yeah, modern clutch longevity is a real worry for me. I have never had a factory clutch fail on me in 35+ years of driving 1982-2000 model year Honda Manuals - even at 200K miles on the clutch. I hope to have similar luck with my Yaris. :bow:

I deal with the on/off throttle on my 09 with AT by letting off the brake and letting the car roll forward with the engine idling. Once its rolling the throttle may be advanced smoothly.

Maneuvering in a tight space is tricky however!

Perhaps some version of this can be applied to a MT.

[IllusionX]

I always peel that sticker off the day I get the car. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be too mean if I peeled it off on the lot before leaving. Lol



Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[nookandcrannycar]

From what I read on the internet, you just heat it up with a blow-dryer (or the blazing hot AZ sun) and then take something like a drivers license to get the edge started, and then just peel it up.

:thumbsup: Thanks. My silver '14 is the first car I've ever owned (most purchased new) that has had one of these 'dealer ad :rolleyes:' stickers. I guess I've just been lucky.

[Kalispel]

:thumbsup: Thanks. My silver '14 is the first car I've ever owned (most purchased new) that has had one of these 'dealer ad :rolleyes:' stickers. I guess I've just been lucky.

The dealer one on my Yaris was some sort of cheap die-cut rubbery clear plastic with imprints of letters/graphics on them - not the type that I am used to seeing. It peeled up pretty easy. The ones on some of my older cars were made of pin-stripping type material and once they baked on in the sun, they were a nightmare to remove, since they broke apart so easily into little pieces if you tried to peel it up.

[nookandcrannycar]

The dealer one on my Yaris was some sort of cheap die-cut rubbery clear plastic with imprints of letters/graphics on them - not the type that I am used to seeing. It peeled up pretty easy. The ones on some of my older cars were made of pin-stripping type material and once they baked on in the sun, they were a nightmare to remove, since they broke apart so easily into little pieces if you tried to peel it up.

I thought about what you wrote about it coming off pretty easily in the Phoenix heat.I've been to all of the 40 largest cities in the U.S. except Charlotte (the airport doesn't count :biggrin:) and Phoenix has got to be #1 for the consistently highest Summer heat index, followed by Houston, DFW, and San Antonio battling each other pretty evenly. I figured what worked for you might work for me. I let the car bake in the sun for about three hours. I then did two important time dependent errands...making sure I parked in the sun. I then sat down behind the car and scraped with my nail I had recently trimmed. The last T and the only A in TOYOTA came off very easily. I was so encouraged, I scraped off the rest of the letters very quickly. The letters came off easily, but I did this so fast, gummy residue was stiill left behind. I tried spit and a cloth. Didn't help. I took the small cloth and walked to a nearby business and rinsed and soked the small cloth. I came back and wiped again. Still didn't help. I decided to go to Fred Haas Toyota and ask someone there. I drove up (a half hour before service and parts close) and they had just finished putting cones up so no more people could get in line. I parked and walked into the service writer's building. One of the service writers suggested using any road tar, etc removal product from a chain auto parts store...and after removal. put a bit of wax on that area.

I went to the parts department to see if they had a TRD plate frame (wanted to get rid of the one with the same Florida dealer name as the lettering I just removed). They didn't have a TRD plate frame, but they gave me a 2 pack of metal Fred Haas frames :thumbsup:.

I decided to do a bit more research on the internet re paint friendly 'gummy residue' solutions. Eventually I found a detailing article that claimed either Windex or WD-40 would work and not damage the paint. I was about a block away from a Wal-Mart, so I decided to see if the 'Windex' in the trough at their gas station was strong enough. Nope, not strong enough...didn't help. I went home and grabbed some Windex. That worked. All the residue and the 'dirt' on top of the residue disappeared. Later, in different light, I saw something I hadn't seen before. The best way to describe it is that the stenciling baked on an EXTREMELY faint clear hologram of the previous lettering. It can only be seen at a distance of 18" or less, and only in certain types of light and at very limited angles. I'm very pleased with the results....won't 'nag' at me at all :thumbsup:.

Perhaps my story will help someone else (:thumbsup:) who procrastinated (:redface:) re removing such lettering.

[nookandcrannycar]

^^^^^ Obviously, this isn't an actual hologram...that's just the best way to describe the appearance.

[Kalispel]

I went out this morning around 8am and did a couple things to my Yaris. It is supposed to get up to 113+ today here in Phoenix, and it was hot as hell even at that time in the morning. :frown:

I installed the polished stainless-steel exhaust tip, the VVT-i badge, and cleaned the dealer sticker gunk off the lower hatch lid. I am going to try and get up around 5:30am tomorrow and wash/wax/detail her, since she will need a good coat of quality wax on her in this weather. Here are some pics of the work thus far:

http://oi60.tinypic.com/107801g.jpg

http://oi60.tinypic.com/23h0ksh.jpg

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2mmd3d3.jpg

http://oi61.tinypic.com/o90kqq.jpg

In case anyone is interested:

The Toyota Part Number for the VVT-i badge is 75443-06151. It is quality metal construction with the same adhesive backing as what is on the OEM Yaris and SE badge.

The exhaust tip was a great fit on the 2015 Yaris, and is a 'Superior 28-6201 2 1/2" x 6" Stainless Steel, Slant Bolt-On Exhaust Tip' that I found on Amazon for around $22. The intake is 2" and the outlet is 2.5" - just the right size IMO.

Oh, and just for the fun of it, I put this decal on my upper passenger front window. It is small, but I like it.

http://oi60.tinypic.com/hty9nn.jpg

[Kalispel]

Also put a small white TRD decal on the inside gearbox. Sorry for the fuzzy, sun-drenched pic...

http://oi59.tinypic.com/1zb5hxs.jpg

[nookandcrannycar]

:thumbsup: Great job of getting the dealer decal off. I was so used to looking at mine, that that area seems a little 'naked' now......but I'm VERY glad I'm no longer giving free advertising to my dealer in Florida. While I was looking for the TRD plate frames (and got free dealer ones from my LOCAL dealer as a consolation), I saw that my local dealer has one TRD badge left for $12.95. I think I'm going to pick that up tomorrow and put it where the dealer decal used to be :laugh:.

[BLKHILLSGUY]

Have you used the cup holders yet? I'm curious how they might hold a bottle of water, or in my usual case a Venti Starbucks drink. Not crazy about the placement, but if they work well I'd be happy.

[Kalispel]

Have you used the cup holders yet? I'm curious how they might hold a bottle of water, or in my usual case a Venti Starbucks drink. Not crazy about the placement, but if they work well I'd be happy.

The dual front cup holders aren't very large, and seem suited for things like the regular-sized bottles of water or a small/medium-sized fast food drink. I had a tall/skinny 16.9 FL OZ standard-sized bottle of water in there a few days ago and it fit easily enough. I haven't tested it yet, but they don't visually appear to be large enough to hold a "big gulp" type cup very well - though that would fit in the larger one between the two front seats.

I ordered one of the OEM Toyota "lid/hinged ashtray cups" to fit into the rear cup holder between the seats, as a change holder. I will also test-fit it to the cup holder in the door and the dual ones in front of the gear box - and if it fits in those locations also I may order at least one more for extra concealed/removeable storage (one dedicated to pennies only at least, since I prefer to keep those separate and roll them into 50 cent rolls towards gas-money as they build up).

-

[Kalispel]

I normally work 7 days per week (56 hours/week, 8 per day), but decided I'm going to start taking one Sunday off every month in order to wash/wax/detail my Yaris. Gotta keep her protected as much as I can from the brutal Arizona sun/heat. :wink:

I got up at 6am this morning and managed to get her fully wash/waxed/detailed, inside and out, but I tend to be a pokey cleaner just like I am a pokey "speed limit" type driver most of the time, and the sun was killing me by the end around noon or so.:frown: I am also sort of OCD about details, so washing/waxing/detailing takes me longer than it should. But on the bright side, it gave me a chance to examine literally every aspect of my Yaris and get to know it better. :thumbsup: I'm sure I will be feeling a sunburn tomorrow, lol.

The more I drive this car, the happier I am with my choice to get it. The only must-do things I have left to do ASAP is install a license plate frame/protective backing when I am able to get my tag, and then get the windows tinted/shielded appropriately (including some street-legal 3M Crystalline protective tint for the front windshield). I also ordered a 'Covercraft UV11265SV UVS100 Silver Heat Shield' (custom fit for 2012+ Yaris front windshield) to help prevent the sun/heat from coming through that monster-sized front windshield when it is parked at work, etc.. The dark cloth seats in the SE heat up pretty toasty when the sun is hitting them directly through the windows.

I'm putting together a pretty comprehensive list of likes and dislikes about my 2015 Yaris SE and will post it later this week, after I drive it for another week to work. Interesting enough, some of my initial observations about the car, such as the sensitive gas-pedal, are non-issues now that I am accustomed to it. I was just used to having a heavier foot with my 2000 Accord and the older cable-driven accelerator mechanics, so it was a shock the first time I drove my 2015 Yaris.

-

[nookandcrannycar]

don't visually appear to be large enough to hold a "big gulp" type cup very well - though that would fit in the larger one between the two front seats.

Don't remember if the 'larger one' is exactly the same on the '15 and the '14, but the larger one between the seats on the '14 is one of the better differences from the 2nd Gen Yaris, and it also holds a big gulp type cup pretty well. The best one on my '14 re holding a coffee cup is the holder directly between the seats (the one directly in front of the '2 lit/big gulp' holder).

[BLKHILLSGUY]

Have you attempted to make phone calls via the Bluetooth yet? How is the sound and ease of use? Can the caller hear you without a problem? That's been a big worry for me because the Avalon Limited works so well.

[Kalispel]

Have you attempted to make phone calls via the Bluetooth yet? How is the sound and ease of use? Can the caller hear you without a problem? That's been a big worry for me because the Avalon Limited works so well.

Don't laugh, but I don't use a smartphone, and have never even used bluetooth devices. I just keep a basic old-school LG (w/slide-out qwerty-keyboard) cellphone around for basic texting purposes and emergency phone calls on-the-go. :tongue:

Hey, what do you expect from someone who would rather have crank windows than power windows. :rolleyes:

It would be nice to be able to stream my (desktop computer) Pandora Radio stations (on a good carrier plan) from a smartphone app to my car stereo though. That is the main reason I might pick up a smartphone in the near future. :laugh:

-

[nookandcrannycar]

Don't laugh, but I don't use a smartphone, and have never even used bluetooth devices. I just keep a basic old-school LG (w/slide-out qwerty-keyboard) cellphone around for basic texting purposes and emergency phone calls on-the-go. :tongue:

:thumbsup:I also have an old school Verizon LG non smartphone (w/slide-out qwerty-keyboard) for infrequent calls. I do have an AT&T 4G Windows smartphone that replaced a Huawei 3G Android. I had the old SIM card trimmed so it would fit in the Windows phone.....but I purposely don't have a data plan. Once I have the time to utilize them properly, I plan to get both a Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows phone (41 MP camera) and a Lumia 1520 Windows phone (6" screen) off of eBay or Amazon. If I ever decide to have a mobile data plan, a Straight Talk hot spot with 4GB of data for $40 to use over 60 days appeals to me. An acquaintance has a Lumia 1020 and is in the process of adding 700 CDs to the Microsoft Cloud. He tells Cortana (Microsoft's answer to Apple's Siri) to play 'Blah Blah Blah' (from one of these CDs). Blah Blah Blah is located in the cloud, is retrieved, and moments later 'Blah Blah Blah' is playing on his Lumia 1020.

Hey, what do you expect from someone who would rather have crank windows than power windows. :rolleyes:

:thumbsup: +1. So much so, that I flew to Florida (only a slight ding to the miles I have built up in my account) to get a new manual '14 because I knew the hand crank windows were being eliminated for 2015.

It would be nice to be able to stream my (desktop computer) Pandora Radio stations (on a good carrier plan) from a smartphone app to my car stereo though. That is the main reason I might pick up a smartphone in the near future. :laugh:

:laugh: Nooooo for me (personally). I'm afraid if I got started with that I'd be (with Pandora in the car) like some notorious texting while driving people are about their texting while driving :eek:.

[Kalispel]

Yesterday I received the OEM Toyota "lidded ashtray cup" (#74101-AE010) that I ordered, since I need additional "covered" storage options in my 2015 Yaris for coins. It is shorter/shallower than I thought it would be, but of good quality. It is clearly designed to rest in one of the smaller dual cup holders in front of gearbox, and the raised, molded rubber ring on outside body edge ensures tight, snug rattle-free fitment there. It can also be fully-placed into the bigger "rear" cup holder behind emergency brake, between the seats, though it is engulfed by that cup-holder, with a very small bit of open airspace around cup, as it sits loosely on the felt bottom of that holder. Even then, the rubber sides of cup ensures no rattling in that larger holder if it does shift that tiny fraction of an inch during movement. The cup does NOT fit into the side door cup holders. I will probably order one more, so that I can have one for pennies alone, and one for everything else. :thumbsup:

I just got around to rolling all the change that was stored in my old Accord, and it added up to almost $50, lol. Over $10 alone in pennies. Needless to say I paid for my first tank of gas today ($24) in all rolled coins. :clap:

-