Is the Yaris outdated?

[bad]

Originally Posted by UTVitz

Check fuelly.com, about the only cars that beat the Yaris is the Prius and just barely the Smart Fourtwo. Most of the 40MPG cars are not actually achieving it and their owners are asking each other why they don't get the posted MPG on their forums.

The Yaris is very current with available technology for a 1.5 liter. Coil over ignition, variable valve timing, electronic throttle. I can't imagine what Toyota could have come up with for the 2012 yaris? Other than the 1.2 which will be coming in the IQ and the 1.8 that is in the corolla there are not any other gas choices. Diesel is nice, but costs quite a bit more per gallon and the engine is more expesive to build.

He makes the best points. I will add that if you look at forums of other cars like the fit you will find that more expensive problems happen. -- If it weren't for yarisworld.com I would probably still be trying to figure out what car to buy. The Yaris apparently only usually has an alternator or water pump go bad. And on this forum you'll be able to figure them out for cheap.
AND the yaris has a low low initial cost compared to most vehicles. AND the yaris had a chain instead of a belt which is good because if the belt breaks on an Aveo your engine is really messed up. You could use this forum to do what ever you wanted to a base model yaris for sure. This website kicks ass.

[Flipper_1938]

Change for the sake of change (and something to see in Motor Trend) is not the best way to do things. Automakers have proven that they sometimes have a hard time making simple things work. Cramming cars full of high tech is a recipe for long term durability issues.

Overall, Toyota still seems to build a reliable car. The biggest gripe I have with the latest batch of Toyotas is styling. Several models got uglier in the redesign. I don't care for the flat noses and high hoods that the seem to be sticking on everything.

Second biggest gripe is the feeling of cheapness that is the result of cost cutting. The plastic clutch pedal is a fine example. It just doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling that it will last 20 years and go a million miles. See through paint/half-ass painted parts in the wheelwells and through the lower grill opening piss me off too.

I have been a Toyota owner since 1991, but the love of everything Toyota is not as strong as it once was.

[RedRide]

^
Yeah, There is much more profit in more expensive cars.

IMO, Toyota marketing has always had much to be desired as they always seem to completly ignore one model(s) or another.

[Yury]

"Toyota is not as strong as it once was."

I hear this statement on forums on pretty much any make. And, in part, I agree. For instance my prelude is build more thoroughly when it comes to little things than current hondas. Those rattle all over the place. (but, don't burn oil like preludes:)). The level of redundancy when it comes to clips and fasteners is definitely greater and everything lines up well even though the car is old.

In regards to Yaris, though, I find that this is the right kind of cheapness if you will. Yes, plastics are basic, but everything fits well and works well. I'd rather see than pseudo-stylish interiors with uneven gaps and loose parts. That just annoys me.

Overall I find that current models are more build to sell than work well and last long.

[rick996]

All cars become out of date soon after you buy them . My 2010 just had it's 2 year birthday without costing me anything except for routine maintenance . It was up to date when I bought it with air bags, stability control, etc. When I buy a car I buy it to drive until it's worth $50 for scrap . With just a few mild hypermileing techniques (following cars don't even realize I'm doing anything) I am consistently averaging 42 to 43 mpg (summer) . The only technology that was old, the timing chain, is a benefit . I hear on this site that the brake pads/shoes are long lasting too. This will probably be the last car I own.

[TLyttle]

Seconded, Rick...

[Hi mpg]

I traded in a Jetta Sportwagen tdi for my Yaris. I like it for it's simplicity. Good mileage, cheap maint. cost, and I love the timing chain, instead of a belt. I would love to get the diesel version. I had the chance to drive a diesel Landcruiser in Canada and it was amazing. Toyota has a freat reputation with their diesels.

[racerb]

I'm looking to buy a Yaris because it reminds me of a VW Beetle or Opel Cadet from the '60s, just a good simple and practical car. As some of the others have said, new technoligy is great but not always needed. My wife recently took delivery of a 2011 F-150 (her company vehicle) with the Ecoboost V-6, which Ford claims to get 22 mpg. Well the best mileage we've acheived with this thing has been 18.8 on a round trip to Savannah Georgia about 600 miles total. On most trips my 2001 Tundra V-8 gets an average of 20 mpg on the interstate and normally 15-17 towing my open car trailer.

I'll take the Yaris any day, good mileage, great reliabilty, and it's a Toyota above all!!

racerb

[roadrunner]

Originally Posted by nemelek

The Yaris is economical car. I bought it for the fact that it would get me from point A to point B as cheaply as possible over the next 15 years. More modifications means a higher price tag. Toyota has done a poor job in selling the Yaris. The dealers try to steer you into more expensive cars while on the lot. If there was a bigger demand Toyota might put more effort into the US market.

I agree with you on all points. Depreciation is also good on the Yaris. In the past 55,000 miles, my 2007, 5 speed, hatchback has needed tires, two wiper blades, one front light bulb, and some oil changes that I did. Amazing car, and inexpensive too. I am very pleased in what this small car has cost me.

[TLyttle]

Oh no!! My 07 sedan had another failure! First it was a faulty fuel gauge, I no longer trust it. Then the other day the airbag came on, the dealership diagnosed it as a "spiral cable failure", and ordered the part. Cost? "No cost sir, we will repair it under warranty." On a 4 year old car??? Wow.

Keep on chirping about "outdated" or "uninspiring", I am one of the reasons that the Yaris keeps its resale value; it is my car, and will be for a long, long time.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by racerb

I'm looking to buy a Yaris because it reminds me of a VW Beetle or Opel Cadet from the '60s, just a good simple and practical car. As some of the others have said, new technoligy is great but not always needed. My wife recently took delivery of a 2011 F-150 (her company vehicle) with the Ecoboost V-6, which Ford claims to get 22 mpg. Well the best mileage we've acheived with this thing has been 18.8 on a round trip to Savannah Georgia about 600 miles total. On most trips my 2001 Tundra V-8 gets an average of 20 mpg on the interstate and normally 15-17 towing my open car trailer.

I'll take the Yaris any day, good mileage, great reliabilty, and it's a Toyota above all!!

racerb

Amen Brother!

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by TLyttle

Oh no!! My 07 sedan had another failure! First it was a faulty fuel gauge, I no longer trust it. Then the other day the airbag came on, the dealership diagnosed it as a "spiral cable failure", and ordered the part. Cost? "No cost sir, we will repair it under warranty." On a 4 year old car??? Wow.

Keep on chirping about "outdated" or "uninspiring", I am one of the reasons that the Yaris keeps its resale value; it is my car, and will be for a long, long time.

Amen Brother!

[sickpuppy1]

FYI, I've been told that safety features like seatbelts, the airbag wiring and such HAVE to be functional for the life of the car unless its due to a wreck or abuse. We had a like 98-99 camry wagon for awhile, which had the motorized seatbelts that you didnt have to undo, it would move out of the way. Well in the mid 2005-6 area the motor went bad.Toyota covered it because its a basic safety system and has to be functional per goverment mandate......no charge!

[Nanook]

I'm not sure if the engine would warrant a 6spd. It may not be strong enough to hold a higher gear. What I would like to see though is an AWD version brought to America.

[Yar Is Word]

Originally Posted by Nanook

What I would like to see though is an AWD version brought to America.

Before Yaris and before ECHO there was...

Tercel AWD!

http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/4064413

[Captain Slow]

diesel? ugh.

I'll take my peppy little gasoline engine that still gets 30mpgs in the city. compared to 99% of the other cars made in the last decade that is an incredible number ;)

[rick996]

Originally Posted by Yar Is Word

Before Yaris and before ECHO there was...

Tercel AWD!

http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/4064413

And before Yaris and before ECHO there was...

The Justy!

[TLyttle]

Justy?? Hawww... Wasn't the Tercel before that? We still see them around here, godknowshowmany miles on them, still running just fine. Bodies ain't what they used to be, just like my mom's Corona: without the corrosion, I think most Toyotas would still be on the road...