2007 3door, 188k miles. $2400 out the door

[RobDiesel]

So I am about to pull the trigger on a Yaris. Manual trans.

I found this locally at one of those little mom & pop dealerships in the sketchy part of town;

2007, 188K miles. "runs great" and the guy told me it needs front and rear bumper cover. They're asking $2K which comes out to $2400 with taxes/fees/plates.

That's all I know.

From reading here, it appears that it CAN have a few issues;
- ABS wheel sensors (lights in dash when they fail?)
- voltage regulator corrossion in the alternator (lights/charging warning when it fails?)
- water pump failure (splotches under the hood is an indication?)
- lower control arm bolts (uuhh.. sloppy steering?)

I don't know what sort of labor/cost I look at to fix these things, but none of the parts look that expensive (including the bumper covers - assuming that's all it needs), even the faded headlights seem to be pretty cheap to replace with new OEMs.

So is there anything else I should consider? I'd like to ensure this is road-worthy pretty much immediately.

Timing chain is "lifetime", correct?
At 188000 miles, the clutch should have been replaced at some point already.

Ideas? Thoughts? Comments? Hints?

[Exiwolfman]

take it to a Toyota and have it looked over would be best idea.

[CrankyOldMan]

I'm inclined to believe that it's a salvage title, or it has at least been in a significant accident. Hint: needing new bumper covers may indicate structural damage in places you can't easily see. Doesn't necessarily have to go to a Toyota dealership, but it should at least go to a mechanic you trust.

[Kar98]

If it's any consolation, the 2007 will not have any problems with the ABS sensors. Because ABS wasn't even an option that year. And having just gotten OUT of a 2007 manual hatch with less miles than that, I wanna say you have to be seriously masochistic getting INTO a nigh a decade old Yaris with that many miles.

[RobDiesel]

Weeeell, so I looked at it today and came to a couple of conclusions;

1, Hot DAMN that's a fun car to drive! Far more feel-good to drive than the brand new Versa I drove Monday.

2, I'm passing on this car!
It had a massively cracked windshield. It had pieces torn out of the bumper covers. The air bag light was on.

I opened the hood and saw bent radiator supports and stuff, so I think they hit something big that ripped the bumper cover and bend the support. There was a vague nervousness in the steering - like you sometimes get with bad tires. I suspect more things are bent than I can see.

Anyway, THIS car isn't for me, but I am DEFINITELY keeping my eyes peeled for a cheap, manual Yaris! What a hoot!

[Kar98]

Whereabouts in Texas are you?

[MadMax]

Keep looking. Lots of Yarii in Texas that are less of a risk. No reason to jump on that "deal" unless all you have is $2400 to spend...

[RobDiesel]

I'm in San Antonio. Since I'm looking for a CHEAP car first and foremost, I am not entirely opposed to a high mileage one, but as I'm planning (at least until I found myself giggling like an idiot flogging this thing around) on selling it in a month or two when I get bored, I am not looking for a pristine $5000 car.

It looks like they get pretty damn nice around that $5000 range, but ideally I'd want something around... $3K? High miles, reasonably clean. Some scratches and stuff would be fine.

[dogsridewith]

Kar98: What problems got you out of the 2007 manual hatch?
(2007 manual hatch high miles reliability parts problems 1NZ-FE)

[junorico24]

You are correct 2007 was a fun car to drive too bad i sold mine to my brother.:redface:

[MadMax]

I'm in San Antonio. Since I'm looking for a CHEAP car first and foremost, I am not entirely opposed to a high mileage one, but as I'm planning (at least until I found myself giggling like an idiot flogging this thing around) on selling it in a month or two when I get bored, I am not looking for a pristine $5000 car.

It looks like they get pretty damn nice around that $5000 range, but ideally I'd want something around... $3K? High miles, reasonably clean. Some scratches and stuff would be fine.

I am in San Antonio as well, and work with a guy who picked up a nice 2008 Yaris hatch for about $3600. It did have a fair number of miles on it (150K), but it was in great shape and had a lot of extras on it.

They are out there, just be patient and keep looking! Here are a few off CraigsList...

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/5684163030.html
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ctd/5684016729.html
http://corpuschristi.craigslist.org/cto/5684164536.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/5728783115.html