test driving 07 yaris on Sun, quick questions

[rickc]

Hi Yall, I know it's not good etiquette to ask questions without reading every single post in a forum to see if it's answered but i just dont have time. If anyone can answer these ez questions i would appreciate it!

I drive 40,000km a year and need to upgrade my 2002 focus which just hit 200,000 kms and is falling apart (air cond just broke latest issue). so i'm looking at a 2007 yaris as a replacement.

1. Is it comfortable for long trips? if no can it be easily made more comfy? i already found a center armrest on ebay so im more concerned about the seat - i'm 5'10 and 200 lbs.

2. is it fairly easy to add aftermarket cruise control? this one is a manual 5 spd so i am aware of the safety issues involved.

3. i've read the body roll is considerable when cornering this car - any suspension upgrades/mods ppl have had good results with?

thanks!

[edmscan]

Hey ... I am from Edmonton, so nice to see you are from Alberta.

Re your questions. I have driven the Yaris for about 4000 km so far (just got my 2007 Yaris back in May). I am totally happy with the comfort as far as the front seats are concerned. The back seats are another story. They were very uncomfortable as I think that the headrests were in need of some removal or adjustment. I don't normally sit in the back seats .. so I haven't investigated the back seats further.

I am also about 5'10" and 200 lb .. and if you are the driver or passenger you are going to be just fine. No comfort problems other than what I have mentioned. (and that could be my fault .. as I don't know how to adjust the rear headrests.)

There is a thread here (see below) on adding aftermarket cruise. However I find that I can get better mileage doing it myself. But if you feel you really want cruise .. it can be done. Check out this thread .. http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...ghlight=cruise

Re body roll ... I have not found this to be an issue, but I have seen that lots of people seem to want to add some suspension parts. I'm sure someone will comment on this part of the Yaris, as this seems to be a popular mod.

Hope your test drive goes well ..

[junorico24]

It's comfortable enough on long trips. Just the noise you might want to get use

to. It is good around the twisty bits.It struggles a bit up hill with the A/C on.

Apart from that.It does the job.

[david_827]

body roll is an issue, but a rear sway bar will take care of the majority of it

[Klink10]

Rode in one from NC to Daytona for bike week. Would say the owner averaged 75-80 all the way. Had no problems with comfort. Mine is a 07 and I would take it anywhere. Check my garage for mods. Love the car and laugh at the dealer everytime I go in for my free cup of coffee.

[harda toenail]

Originally Posted by junorico24

It's comfortable enough on long trips. Just the noise you might want to get use

to. It is good around the twisty bits.It struggles a bit up hill with the A/C on.

Apart from that.It does the job.

I've never had problems up hill with a/c. Then again, I'm an incredibly slow driver and have no problem taking curvy hills in 2nd. Pulls on-ramps fine.

OP, they are fine cars but nothing special. Very cheap to own which is my biggest reason for owning one. Usually I have a project set up every winter to fix something substantial on my old car. Looking forward to a trouble free winter with my yaris.

[junorico24]

Originally Posted by harda toenail

I've never had problems up hill with a/c. Then again, I'm an incredibly slow driver and have no problem taking curvy hills in 2nd. Pulls on-ramps fine.

OP, they are fine cars but nothing special. Very cheap to own which is my biggest reason for owning one. Usually I have a project set up every winter to fix something substantial on my old car. Looking forward to a trouble free winter with my yaris.

I would agree.They yaris isn't anything special.What's special about it is how it's just good, I mean it's reliable and just does the job, but not spectacularly.I use to love how it handled when brand new.Gee it was a fun to throw around.
But I'm just happy to use it as an every day car.

BTW...What kind of classics do you have in the garage? I have 74 super beetle project.Which I might sell..

[Kar98]

Having recently purchased an 07 hatch myself, I would urge you to find an 09 instead. All kinds of goodies kicking in that model year, like multiple airbags and ABS. The base 07 Yaris is INCREDIBLY base.

[my2sense]

I just drove from Vancouver to Calgary in my 2007 RS 4dr and found it to be very comfortable. I have Tokico blues, M2 springs, 23mm rear torsion bar, and front strut bar and thought that they would make for a harsh ride but glad I was wrong. Handling was great too with these parts.

I know that the non-RS have different seats so I'm not sure if it would be as comfortable if you're looking at a non-RS Yaris.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by my2sense

I just drove from Vancouver to Calgary in my 2007 RS 4dr and found it to be very comfortable. I have Tokico blues, M2 springs, 23mm rear torsion bar, and front strut bar and thought that they would make for a harsh ride but glad I was wrong. Handling was great too with these parts.

I know that the non-RS have different seats so I'm not sure if it would be as comfortable if you're looking at a non-RS Yaris.

Sigh. I wish Toyota had seen to it that the RS = U.S. availability.

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Sigh. I wish Toyota had seen to it that the RS = U.S. availability.

Does this mean that there are no RS models in the US ?? If that is true . . this is something I didn't know. I have a 2007 RS 3 DR, and I love it as I have all the good features. (Love the power locks and power windows) The only thing that I wish my Yaris had was the immobilizer. Oh well .. can't have everything.

[b20vteg]

Originally Posted by edmscan

Does this mean that there are no RS models in the US ??

nope, the best thing we've got here is the se: http://www.toyota.com/yaris/trims-prices.html

[edmscan]

I don't know what all the RS has, all I know is that my car has pretty much everything that I want in a car. I really don't care much for some things like bluetooth, usb and cruise control (even though I have cruise control .. I just don't like using it as I feel that it gives me less control over the car).

[my2sense]

Originally Posted by edmscan

I don't know what all the RS has, all I know is that my car has pretty much everything that I want in a car.

The three drive-related advantages of the RS trim for me are:
1) Firmer, more supportive bucket seats
2) Thicker leather wrapped steering wheel
3) 15" alloy wheels instead of the standard 14" steelies

OP: So what happened? How did the test drive go?

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by my2sense

OP: So what happened? How did the test drive go?

OP looks like another register, make a post, then vanish forever type of guy.

[b20vteg]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

OP looks like another register, make a post, then vanish forever type of guy.

probably decided on another car

[junorico24]

Originally Posted by my2sense

The three drive-related advantages of the RS trim for me are:
1) Firmer, more supportive bucket seats
2) Thicker leather wrapped steering wheel
3) 15" alloy wheels instead of the standard 14" steelies

OP: So what happened? How did the test drive go?

Ah i have these..It's called YRS in Australia. The higher model has a body kit.

It's nearly 5 years old and still going strong, yo!!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

OP looks like another register, make a post, then vanish forever type of guy.

This ^^^^^