Trying to Decide and Introduction

[peacemaven]

Greetings!

I am so glad to find you guys. I am in the market for a small, fuel efficient car. Here is my story.

Earlier this year my dad's 1986 Escort was totalled (he was fortunately okay), so we went around to replace his car. The Yaris was the best fit but my dad is baffled by new cars, so we sold him our 2006 Toyota Corolla (which is ultra stripped down with rolldown windows and manual locks!!). We also owned a used 1996 Cry-Slur Town and Country, so we bought a CRV thinking we should buy a replacement for the oldest vehicle. We looked at the Toyota Rav4, and the ride was better in the CRV for us. Now it is time to trade in the Town and Country we need another car that is its complete opposite. This time I want fuel efficiency to counterbalance the CRV. We simply cannot have two big vehicles. I do a short commute everyday which is mostly city. My hubby has a hour and half commute once a week. For long family trips the CRV is our pick, but everyday driving this new car would be our go to vehicle.

We looked at the Honda Fit and it was too cramped and tincan for us. We have tested the Honda Civic and really liked it but it is a different car than we imagined. It is a mini-crv. We have yet to test Hyundai Accent or Elantra. I tested the Yaris again and loved it. I loved it stripped down, but have grown used to bluetooth tech in my CRV. It is truely awesome to link my iPhone and stream radio stations from around the world and make calls on from my car. I think I am thinking an LE. My question would be how easy is it to make calls from the LE?
Is the SE worth the extra money when it approaches the cost of the base Honda Civic?

Having the CRV EX has gotten us used to luxury we were completely oblivious to before (we are the couple who LOVED rolldown windows and manual locks).
The civic is a more solid car as all of the Hondas are, but Toyota is more affordable and just as reliable. We love Honda and Toyota equally and it is usually up to the test drive and the price, plus something else that has no words.

I think that the Yaris charm is that it is so darn cute (do not tell this to my hubby as he will see it as a chick car, which is death to a car - so all he knows it is a mini-muscle car that is the story. Okay? Thanks.) and it is different from what we have had in the past. We do not to hybrid because we are not big drivers to get the return on investment. I think it has plenty of room.

I will test the Hyundai, but I think I am still leaning Yaris 5dr hatchback LE or the Civic LX. What your thoughts?


Peace

[richard_rsp]

Originally Posted by peacemaven

. It is truely awesome to link my iPhone and stream radio stations from around the world and make calls on from my car. I think I am thinking an LE. My question would be how easy is it to make calls from the LE?
Is the SE worth the extra money when it approaches the cost of the base Honda Civic?

Well, let me try and help. I have a 2012 Yaris 3-door L model (thats roll up windows, no cruise, no bluetooth, etc from the factory). Manual transmission.
I swapped out the radio and bluetooth mic from a wrecked LE model (VERY easy) and am enjoying using Bluetooth daily.

While receiving calls is VERY easy (push the call button to answer), calling OUT is more difficult. It requires setting up 'speed dials' (once) prior to moving. Accessing the speed-dial menu isnt the easiest thing to do while driving, and its questionable on whether its safer than just dialing on your phone. On my iPhone, I have a tendency to just voice dial if I need to call someone. (On my wife's Scion xD, it has a touchscreen which is MUCH easier to access the bluetooth). Given all that, the streaming audio from bluetooth is superb.

As far as whether the SE model is worth it - that is up to you. I chose the base of the base model; had they had an LE model with a manual transmission (not made in the US), I would have bought that, however the SE was out of my price range. I have since added the radio w/ bluetooth, wheels, and cruise control - all VERY easy to do and has made me happy with my decision.

It just depends on whats important to you... Cost vs luxuries (Leather steering wheel, wheels instead of hubcaps, disk brakes)

Hope that helps!

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by peacemaven

We love Honda and Toyota equally and it is usually up to the test drive and the price, plus something else that has no words.

^ This.

You know that both have near impeccable track records for reliability, longevity and value. It's going to come down to which vehicle satisfies the bulk of your desires, within your budget.

I see no mention of Kia. Personally, I wouldn't exclude them.

[peacemaven]

If I can replace the radio with a bluetooth system that would allow for streaming and making calls I think the L would be groovy.

Like I said I tested the L and loved it because it was so retro. If I Can get auto transmission and roll down windows - that with the bluetooth I would be psyched. It would be nice to have a car not completely depended on electronics.

If we're to replace radio with a bluetooth system, what would you recommend for a 2012 yaris L hatchback?

Thanks,
Peace

[peacemaven]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

^ This.

You know that both have near impeccable track records for reliability, longevity and value. It's going to come down to which vehicle satisfies the bulk of your desires, within your budget.

I see no mention of Kia. Personally, I wouldn't exclude them.

We can never buy a Kia as long as they have Red LED panels as my husband is red/green color blind and the red doesn't register. Otherwise I would be all over the Kia Soul in a heartbeat.

[richard_rsp]

Originally Posted by peacemaven

If I can replace the radio with a bluetooth system that would allow for streaming and making calls I think the L would be groovy.

Like I said I tested the L and loved it because it was so retro. If I Can get auto transmission and roll down windows - that with the bluetooth I would be psyched. It would be nice to have a car not completely depended on electronics.

If we're to replace radio with a bluetooth system, what would you recommend for a 2012 yaris L hatchback?

Well, if you want to stay with a Toyota part (instead of an aftermarket CD player/bluetooth), you can use the headunit out of a 2012 LE or SE Yaris (probably as well as any 2012 Scion - they appear to have the correct connections). This is what I did.

The difficult part in doing this, is getting hold of the bluetooth microphone. I could not find a part number, nor did I have any help from our local Toyota dealer (they didnt have a part number either). I had to source a wrecked 2012 Yaris LE and had the wrecking yard pull it for me.

If you get all the parts together, installation is very easy.

Otherwise, there are many different aftermarket options. You could likely find multiple opinions in the "In Car Entertainment" section of this forums.

Maybe this helps?

[BEEF]

a member here (CTScott) is very good with part numbers and things of that nature. If he can't find the part number for the microphone, nobody can.

if you are seriously considering this as an option, you may want to send him a message. he shares information very freely and is an awesome asset to this forum.

I have a relatively bare bones model. mine is a 3 door with manual. it does have power windows and locks. I would have rather had manual windows and locks but I bought used, you get what they have. I love this little car and the aftermarket is growing for it. if your husband wants a little performance to go along with the economy car, microimageonline.com caters to us quite readily.

[peacemaven]

Thank you for your help. I am thinking aftermarket. I wish the system available in Hondas (bluetooth + in wheel av/phone controls were standard in every car as safety features.

[peacemaven]

Originally Posted by BEEF

a member here (CTScott) is very good with part numbers and things of that nature. If he can't find the part number for the microphone, nobody can.

if you are seriously considering this as an option, you may want to send him a message. he shares information very freely and is an awesome asset to this forum.

I have a relatively bare bones model. mine is a 3 door with manual. it does have power windows and locks. I would have rather had manual windows and locks but I bought used, you get what they have. I love this little car and the aftermarket is growing for it. if your husband wants a little performance to go along with the economy car, microimageonline.com caters to us quite readily.

The reason we tend to buy new and lean towards dependable Toyota and Honda is that we have zero mechanical acumen. We are highly talented at software, organization, research, and jeopardy questions, but being handy in the house or car is hopeless. Just reading about installing stuff makes me dizzy. This why I have so much respect and awe for people who have mechanical skill.

Peace

[richard_rsp]

Originally Posted by BEEF

a member here (CTScott) is very good with part numbers and things of that nature. If he can't find the part number for the microphone, nobody can.

if you are seriously considering this as an option, you may want to send him a message. he shares information very freely and is an awesome asset to this forum..

CTScott and I have already been trying to figure out that part number for the bluetooth microphone when I was doing the swap. It's just not there.

Originally Posted by peacemaven

Just reading about installing stuff makes me dizzy. This why I have so much respect and awe for people who have mechanical skill.

Ok, thats understandable. I just wanted to throw it out there as an option.

From what it is sounding like, I would recommend the LE model. A) it already has the bluetooth stuff; B) It has other nice features like Keyless entry, power mirrors, and adjustable height drivers seat.

Realistically, it isnt that much more expensive than an 'L' model with Auto transmission (~$780). Even though it has power windows, its not loaded with many more electronic gizmos than the base L model...

Hope it helps!

[otterhere]

You might also want to consider the Mazda2 hatchback; "zoom-zoom"! I got this as a rental car while mine was in the shop and fell in love with it (new in 2011; bought my Yaris in '08). Comes in the coolest grasshopper green color! But sticking with Yaris...