So I guess we won't be driving a Yaris...

[A1an]

In January we ordered our 2012 Yaris SE 5-speed in Blazing Blue Pearl. Filled out the paperwork, paid the deposit, etc.

We had to special order because, according to all the dealers we spoke with, Southeast Toyota only orders automatics for the dealers to have on the lot. Dealer said it typically took 3 months to submit the order to Southeast Toyota (they batch orders quarterly to Toyota corp) and then it would be about another month to deliver the finished product to our eager hands.

Today we get a call from our salesman stating Southeast Toyota REFUSED our order. He apologized profusely and stated the only manual transmission Yaris they would allow the dealership to order would be the 3-door base model. Great way to do business!

Although this dealership has been excellent, this overall experience along with our own experiences with other Toyota dealers in this area has really given us a bad taste for the brand. Toyota is making a great car but the company's network of dealers makes it impossible to buy the trim level we want. Very frustrating to say the least.

So we are taking our money to purchase our second choice...2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ with the turbo 1.4l.

[BEEF]

that sucks. I almost bought a 5 door with the 5 speed but it would have had to be ordered and it was right around the time of the earthquake and tsunami.

I ended up with a used 3 door 5 speed.

I can't get how the REFUSED the order. that is nuts. you'd think they wanted the money.

[A1an]

Probably for the same reason SE Toyota makes all of the dealers add in another $500 "Southeast Toyota admin fee" on top of dealer fees. It is all about the bottom line. Part of me thinks they saw the deal we were getting on the car and felt there wasn't enough profit for them to bother submitting the order for production.

[skuzzlebutt5]

man, that sucks. sorry dude. it's a great car though.

[A1an]

I'm bummed since I really like the new Yaris.

Interestingly enough my wife was starting to get cold feet about the car and was thinking about cancelling the order. So I guess this is working out for the best for her...

[fnkngrv]

Best of luck with the Sonic...looks like a hot little hatch coming from the GM stables for a change. Serious bummer on the Yaris though. The stealerships really are the weak point in the chain unfortunately and that is the part of the chain that is customer facing.

[Kal-El]

Although I also prefer a manual, I would have settled for an auto.

IMO, the car choice is more important than what transmission it has.

Are you that much against automatics?

[A1an]

Transmission is part of the car choice. I am not a fan of that 4-speed auto...particularly paired with that motor.

[CTScott]

Looking at a dealer inventory listing it looks like there are only two 5 door blazing blue 2012 MT SE's in the US. One is in Palo Alto, CA and the other in Greenly, CO. A "good" dealer would be able to get one from another area for you.

[skuzzlebutt5]

Magnussen Toyota in Palo Alto is whack. They didn't even consider matching or lowering the price of the SE I bought at Maita Toyota in Sacramento. Good luck trying to have them do anything for you!

[Altitude]

Ya. The way they structure their sales and what's available where sucks big time. Some dipshit in corporate decides what models will sell the best in a given region and then limits availability in said region only to those models.

It's practically not worth the time and effort to get a special order because they really don't want to do it. I had to settle for less than my optimal choice when I bought mine, but I really wanted a Yaris and figured I could add on the extras I wanted afterwards so that's what I did.

[chriskizi]

yeah that really sucks... :-/

[JumpmanYaris]

Chevy? What's that?

Get you a Honda

[kimona]

Originally Posted by A1an

Transmission is part of the car choice. I am not a fan of that 4-speed auto...particularly paired with that motor.

By far the most intelligent little automatic transmission (paired with that motor) I have ever driven!

[Jason@SportsCar]

It is amazing how poorly some dealers will operate when they believe they have a hot new item... And then a year down the road they wont be able to get them off the lot.

[Gearhd79]

well from what i know (not that much..lol) they only offer the 5spd in the base trim levels and I have been told that Americans do not want clutch vehicles. It is the younger demographic that overwelmingly buys automatics. I am a bit older (40's) and would only buy a small car with a 5spd but thats just me. The Fiat 500 will sell to the ones that have to have a 5spd with options. European market buyers love 5spd cars.

[Thirty-Nine]

The Yaris SE is available with a manual transmission. I've driven one for a week. It is not, however, available in all markets. I cannot get one here in Oregon. I can, however, get one in Sacramento, CA for whatever reason. I believe that is the closest place I can get one.

The Sonic with the 1.4t is a great little car. I've reviewed that one as well. Honestly, if I had to buy a car tomorrow, it'd be between a Yaris SE and a Sonic with the turbo.

FYI:
Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Review
http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...ltz-great.html

Toyota Yaris SE Review
http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...prisingly.html

And Kal-El, to me a transmission makes a huge difference. I won't buy a car with an automatic; it's a deal breaker.

[skuzzlebutt5]

At Maita Toyota right? Their prices are awesome!

Aw... I just checked. They use to have a manual SE for $15,488... now it's $17,488. Bummer.