CONSUMER REPORTS : MARCH issue reviews '09 YARIS .

[gid]

Along with AVEO' , FIT , VERSA , and SUZUKI SX-4 for '09 . This is from the " what to look for in next issue " section from the February issue received by mail today a month in advance . We should receive the March issue at the end of next month. Could be interesting . ANTICIPATION !!! A real nail biter .

[41magmag41]

How about a link and not just a notice that its out?

[auxmike]

Yeah, CR hates Yari. They also used to trash the Saturn S series (great) cars too.
They would always gush over the (unreliable) VW's though.....
Take their opinions with a grain of salt.
I will buy that issue though, sounds like a good "shootout" comparo....

[GeneW]

I saw a 2009 at the Dealership. Comes standard with six airbags and ABS. I'm sure that the Communist Union will give it a passing grade, provided that Toyota didn't jack up the price to help pay for the "safety" equipment.

Hey, maybe this year they'll even mention that a chimpanzee with a set of channel lock pliers can change the oil in a Yaris?

Shoot, if I could locate a set of smooth jaw Channel locks (they usually have serrations in the jaws that would damage the oil pan bolt) I'll try it myself just for grins.

Gene

[rningonfumes]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I saw a 2009 at the Dealership. Comes standard with six airbags and ABS. I'm sure that the Communist Union will give it a passing grade, provided that Toyota didn't jack up the price to help pay for the "safety" equipment.

Gene

Agreed.

I have a feeling they'll reluctantly giving a "Recommend" check mark this year for the new safety features.

[andru47]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I saw a 2009 at the Dealership. Comes standard with six airbags and ABS. I'm sure that the Communist Union will give it a passing grade, provided that Toyota didn't jack up the price to help pay for the "safety" equipment.

Hey, maybe this year they'll even mention that a chimpanzee with a set of channel lock pliers can change the oil in a Yaris?

Shoot, if I could locate a set of smooth jaw Channel locks (they usually have serrations in the jaws that would damage the oil pan bolt) I'll try it myself just for grins.

Gene

Correct me if I am wrong but, I am counting 8 air bags standard in my '09 Yaris. 2 frontal, 2 side curtains, 2 side (in the seats), and 2 rear side curtains.

[ToddR]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Hey, maybe this year they'll even mention that a chimpanzee with a set of channel lock pliers can change the oil in a Yaris?

Gene

Wouldn't a monkey wrench be more appropriate?

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by ToddR

Wouldn't a monkey wrench be more appropriate?

You'd need a pair of them. A little one for the oil pan and a big one for the filter. Would work...

Gene

[auxmike]

Anyone here drive the Versa? It appears to have like 122hp I think. Must move pretty good.
I did'nt have time to search too long for a car + my Dad is a diehard YOTA man, so off to 3 Toyota dealers we went! Glad I did, it's better looking than that Versa anyday...

[KCALB SIRAY]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Anyone here drive the Versa? It appears to have like 122hp I think. Must move pretty good.
I did'nt have time to search too long for a car + my Dad is a diehard YOTA man, so off to 3 Toyota dealers we went! Glad I did, it's better looking than that Versa anyday...

I had one as a rental when my Yaris was in the body shop after the old lady hit me (long story) while I was parked. It had the pickup but really lacked the handling to go with it. Even punching the gas, the lag time was about a second and a half until the computer told it to pump it. The cabin noise level was high as well, more so than ours.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Anyone here drive the Versa? It appears to have like 122hp I think. Must move pretty good.
I did'nt have time to search too long for a car + my Dad is a diehard YOTA man, so off to 3 Toyota dealers we went! Glad I did, it's better looking than that Versa anyday...

It's a Nissan.... Nissan is the enemy. Odd, I have to watch Nissan pilots like hawks on the road. They're pretty self absorbed, almost as bad as Escalade pilots.

Gene

[Latka]

Originally Posted by GeneW

It's a Nissan.... Nissan is the enemy. Odd, I have to watch Nissan pilots like hawks on the road. They're pretty self absorbed, almost as bad as Escalade pilots.

Gene

That is a good pile 'o nonsense you've got going there.

I own two Nissans, and I'm quite happy with them. That being said, I'm going to get a Yaris as well.

[thebarber]

Originally Posted by PK198105

no its not, more expensive yes better nope. its pretty much the same (except maybe for trunk space) the rest is at par with the Yaris

i don't know...the interior of a fit is a lot nicer than the yaris...

Originally Posted by eTiMaGo

the versa is bigger and heavier and really should be compared to corollas/civics, not yaris/fits, IMO

Originally Posted by ddongbap

That Versa weighs more than the Yaris.

agreed. 1.8L and 2700-ish lbs....close to a gen1 matrix/vibe

Originally Posted by auxmike

Anyone here drive the Versa?

drove one when they first came out...my wife really wanted one, but i didnt like that the back seats didnt fold anywhere CLOSE to flat. and the rear hatch tapers a lot at the bottom hampering your ability to cram large items in the back. but, for what its worth, the 6 speed was awesome.

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I really like the Fit but comparison testers seem to conveniently forget about the significant price premium. A Fit Sport auto is $17,580 w/destination.
Toyota gives you a Corolla or Scion xB for that price. And nobody wants a base Fit as they just don't look right at all.

I know that Fit and Yaris are supposed to compete in the same segment but Honda doesn't seem to be able to build a basic car anymore. They need a car that starts below $12. Heck, an Accent and Versa start with a base of $9,990. Let's see how great a Honda would be for that price! Suddenly, they wouldn't look so great.

honda just builds what people buy....sure, the price point of a yaris is lower, thre are barely ANY yarisworld people with a base base yaris. i see a lot w/ power windows and door locks, a/c, etc. im sure that most get w/i the ballpark of a fit pretty quick.

frig, even i didnt get a TOTALLY base model - - i sprang for the B package w/ a rear wiper, power mirrors, 4 speaker stereo, and rear mud flaps, lol

Originally Posted by ddongbap

Come on guys. Don't kid yourselves. I love my Yaris regardless. But stop thinking its the best damn car in the world.

The Fit is a better car overall.

^^^true story.

Originally Posted by PK198105

Fit looks like a minivan

ya, the new one is pretty tall....but its nicer than an 09 yaris...

Originally Posted by Kal-El

No one ever said the Yaris is the best car in the world but there are certainly reasons we all bought it instead of the Fit.

What was your reason?

my wife didnt like the driving position in the 07 fit...

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by Latka

That is a good pile 'o nonsense you've got going there.

I own two Nissans, and I'm quite happy with them. That being said, I'm going to get a Yaris as well.

Everyone loves a Nissan, until they buy parts for one, or get stuck behind one.

Gene

[gid]

we would get the '09 PONTAIC VIBE ( Matrix ) before the VERSA , SX-4 , or AVEO' . We just test drove a 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic last weekend . Very impressed with both . You can get the 5 speed for little over $15,000 and the automatic for around $16,500 . These have plenty of standrad safety and comfort features that are usually add ons for other manufacturers , including TOYOTA ( YARIS , MATRIX , etc. ) .

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by gid

we would get the '09 PONTAIC VIBE ( Matrix ) before the VERSA , SX-4 , or AVEO' . We just test drove a 5 speed manual and 4 speed automatic last weekend . Very impressed with both . You can get the 5 speed for little over $15,000 and the automatic for around $16,500 . These have plenty of standrad safety and comfort features that are usually add ons for other manufacturers , including TOYOTA ( YARIS , MATRIX , etc. ) .

Next door neighbor owns one. They're a Toyota with some extra options. Made at the GM/Toyota NUMMI plant at Fremont. He loves his Vibe.

Gene

[gid]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Next door neighbor owns one. They're a Toyota with some extra options. Made at the GM/Toyota NUMMI plant at Fremont. He loves his Vibe.

Gene

new '09 automatic VIBE that's loaded can be had for $15,999 the M.S.R.P. is $19,480 . There's an additional $1,000 off if you are currently leasing a vehicle . We seen it in a regional paper . Amazing . Very tempting to trade in the '08 Liftback . Probably wouldn't get squat for a trade with those discounts . TRICK OF THE TRADE , literally .

[ddongbap]

That Versa weighs more than the Yaris.