New Yaris owner

[Yarisgirl1964]

Hi all....I am a breast cancer survivor....my old car which was a 2000 Volvo took me through my journey, however it was dying fast. So I did some research and found my Yaris. It's cute and I NEEDED it.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Yaris. Mine is a Sedan, any things for me to look out for my ears are open.

[Exiwolfman]

Welcome and nice to meet you

sent from my S4 on Mars

[WeeYari]

Welcome.

There have been a few recalls so make sure that they've been addressed. Not serious recalls, but still.

On a 2008 there are 3 primary things to watch out for.

- the voltage regulator within the alternator. There is a problematic corrosion issue. If it is starting to go, you will notice intermittent triggering of the battery light in your gauge cluster

- water pump. Watch for pink spray on underside of hood

- control arm bolt. They have been instances of it corroding a snapping, prompting Toyota to issue an extended warranty for that part. Your car unfortunately is past the warranty extension period.

Other than that, just enjoy it.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

Welcome.

There have been a few recalls so make sure that they've been addressed. Not serious recalls, but still.

On a 2008 there are 3 primary things to watch out for.

- the voltage regulator within the alternator. There is a problematic corrosion issue. If it is starting to go, you will notice intermittent triggering of the battery light in your gauge cluster

- water pump. Watch for pink spray on underside of hood

- control arm bolt. They have been instances of it corroding a snapping, prompting Toyota to issue an extended warranty for that part. Your car unfortunately is past the warranty extension period.

Other than that, just enjoy it.

^^^^^ This.

My 2007 Yaris is a year older than yours, and in almost 300,000 miles I've only had two repairs (as opposed to regular or preventative maintenance). One repair was replacing the front wheel bearings at about 110,000 miles, and the other was replacing the alternator (problematic as mentioned above) at about 159,000 miles.

Fortunately, I'm still on my original water pump.

As a preventative measure, I has my control arm bolts replaced (parts about $15.00 total, and a local shop put them in for me for under $30.00, IIRC)

.....and Welcome !

[Kalispel]

Isn't there also a sensor on the 2007-2008 Yaris that isn't shielded properly (was fixed on 2009+ models), is easily corroded by salt and such, and can cause ABS/brake issues?

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

Isn't there also a sensor on the 2007-2008 Yaris that isn't shielded properly (was fixed on 2009+ models), is easily corroded by salt and such, and can cause ABS/brake issues?

IDK . My 2007 doesn't have ABS, brakes are still original, and it hasn't really been exposed to road salt. The OP's location within the U.S. = ? Her Yaris may or may not have been exposed to a lot of salt.

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

Isn't there also a sensor on the 2007-2008 Yaris that isn't shielded properly (was fixed on 2009+ models), is easily corroded by salt and such, and can cause ABS/brake issues?

Now how could I have missed that one. Yes, make that 4 things.

If you do live in an area of the States where road salts and brine are used in the winter, then you could be exposed to this issue with the rear ABS brake sensors. If you're in the sunny south, consider yourself exempt. Same goes for the control arm bolts.

[Yarisgirl1964]

Thank you all for your replies!! How nice! I am in the states New Jersey in fact...LOTS of brine and salt but I do not think my Yaris has ABS brakes.

[wufai]

Welcome Yarisgirl1964, Hope you like your Yaris. Funny thing my car history is similiar to yours, Last car was a 1989 Volvo 240 until I made the switch for a 2007 Yaris sedan.

[Freestylin]

Welcome! Enjoy your 400 miles/tank. :)

[Yarisgirl1964]

I'm liking my Yaris so far..however, the gas pedal is a bit touchy. Like it's hard to go from a dead stop to go. Does anyone know what I mean? Is this common?

[Yarisgirl1964]

Originally Posted by wufai

Welcome Yarisgirl1964, Hope you like your Yaris. Funny thing my car history is similiar to yours, Last car was a 1989 Volvo 240 until I made the switch for a 2007 Yaris sedan.

How are you adjusting from the Volvo?

[aspro]

Welcome and congrats on beating breast cancer. My mom went through it and beat it and it wasn't easy - always good to hear another success story. Enjoy your yaris, they can pretty much do it all except make you dinner. Oh and your display picture is a hatch back yaris. You sure you have a sedan?

[aspro]

Oh and you came to the right place for info. Yaris world has probably answered every question there is about the yaris. Probably answered them 3 or 4 times over. So, you are in good hands.

[why?]

Originally Posted by Yarisgirl1964

I'm liking my Yaris so far..however, the gas pedal is a bit touchy. Like it's hard to go from a dead stop to go. Does anyone know what I mean? Is this common?

Yea it is annoying, it is because of the drive by wire system, they totally missed smooth take off and shifting by a country mile.

There are controllers you can buy if it really bugs you, but eventually you will mostly get used to it.

[Yarisgirl1964]

Originally Posted by aspro

Welcome and congrats on beating breast cancer. My mom went through it and beat it and it wasn't easy - always good to hear another success story. Enjoy your yaris, they can pretty much do it all except make you dinner. Oh and your display picture is a hatch back yaris. You sure you have a sedan?

Thank you aspro....I know my profile pic isn't my exact car...I changed it to my actual car...

[Yarisgirl1964]

Originally Posted by why?

Yea it is annoying, it is because of the drive by wire system, they totally missed smooth take off and shifting by a country mile.

There are controllers you can buy if it really bugs you, but eventually you will mostly get used to it.

OK, good, so there's nothing wrong with it...I can get used to it....Thanks!!

[wufai]

Originally Posted by Yarisgirl1964

How are you adjusting from the Volvo?

My 1 advice when getting through the first winter in a snow covered area.... Drive carefully and get winter tires!

Yaris is super light compaired to any Volvos and without winter tires the car skids and slides all over the place even in 5cm of snow. Winter tires makes the world of difference.

Other than that I spend most of my car money on improving my car rather than fixing my car.

Also remember to fill up the car with 87 octane gas, no more need to using expensive premium gas.

If I were to go back and do one upgrade for my car it would be tinting the windows. The AC is not the Yaris strongpoint and tinited windows can really help getting the car cool quicker.