Is the Yaris outdated?

[daf62757]

Here is a question for you. Is the Yaris outdated? Seems like there are many other models....some much larger....that give you equal to if not better than gas mileage.

I bought my Yaris for a specific purpose to drive back and forth to Chicago and wanted a car that gave me great mileage. Hyundai, Kia, GM, and other car makers have quickly closed the gas mileage gap and overtaken the Yaris.

So that begs the question, is the Yaris outdated? The 2012 new generation model is basically the exact engine and transmission(s) of the earlier generation and no difference in mileage. I was hoping that Toyota would give us a smaller gas engine or even, I dare to say, a clean diesel engine that could produce some super mileage.

I would trade my 2009 model in for a diesel Yaris.

Any thoughts?

[WeeYari]

Not just the Yaris. Toyota has pretty much gone stale across all of its offerings.

[Chuck G]

The "tried and true" nature of the Yaris is a good thing.
Look at the problems Ford is having with their new vehicles.

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by Chuck G

The "tried and true" nature of the Yaris is a good thing.
Look at the problems Ford is having with their new vehicles.

True, but atleast they are investing in technological advancements. If tried and true was the status quo, we'd all still be driving inline 6s with a 3 speed automatic.

[Chuck G]

Agreed, I'm just not going to be one of their Guinea pigs.

[Still Learning]

A diesel would be pretty cool. I imagine the gas mileage would be similar to a Jetta diesel, if not better.

[digitalrain]

For me the Yaris drivetrain is now outdated, but it also still has one of the best MPG for a gas engine.

The 2005 Echo is the only car that I've known that got far better than the EPA numbers on the side window. Even the 2nd gen Yaris gets better than the EPA numbers despite being heavier.

This is an economy car, and saving money is the number 1 goal. I had my Echo for 7 years and didn't spend even a cent on repairs over the years. IF I got a new direct injection engine with much better power but so so reliabilty I don't know if it'd be worth it. It would have to put a serious smile on my face every time behind the wheel if I had to pay for repairs.

On the whole Toyota needs to step up their game big time in order to get me to buy a new Toyota next time around. Looks like it's going to be a SKy-Activ Mazda unless Toyota finds some magic passion!

[thebarber]

the least that toyota could have done with the new yaris is offer a 6spd

[digitalrain]

Yeah for sure, on the manual and auto side of things. They just put up the prices on the Toyota.ca web site for the 2012. The 2012SE is cheaper than the outgoing 2011RS, they had to save coin somewhere or almost everywhere in order to do that. Too bad it had to be the entire power train that got UN-upgraded.

Mazda Sky-Activ is where it's at and going to be for the next few years... Engine, gear box, chassis and body improvements in balanced proportions.

Originally Posted by thebarber

the least that toyota could have done with the new yaris is offer a 6spd

[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.

[daf62757]

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.

I agree the diesel is more expensive, both in fuel and production cost, but if the cost benefit side of it means more MPG that is better per mile than the current 1.5L gas engine, then I would be willing to spend the extra to get the extra.

Additionally, diesel engines usually last longer although when talking about Toyota engines, its probably a wash because they last so long as it is.

I am not saying the current Yaris is bad. It is very dependable, reliable, cost efficient, and an excellent value. What I am saying is that Toyota has not advanced fuel mileage to keep track with the industry. Also, the US gets crummy Toyota options compared to the rest of the world. They might cost more, but the options are what sells cars!

No matter who bad the other car makers are, they still can find nifty options that keep people in their show rooms and buying the options!

[Buddy Fan]

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.

I agree. Most of these new 40mpg cars are not approacing that number, but a lot of the Yaris owners are meeting or exceeding that number. Part of the lure of the Yaris for me is that I could buy it and keep it for 10 years or more with (hopefully) just maintenance - cheapish parts with little or nothing to break. Having a reliable car that's cheap to run is the only way I'll ever get the Cadillac I've been dreaming about since I was 25.

[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.

[TLyttle]

Something new for the sake of something new? The only reason for me to replace my Yaris would be if I wore out my present Yaris. Somehow, I just don't think I will live long enough to do that...

If I end up with another vehicle, it will be something that I build myself; however, I know it will not be anywhere as efficient or as durable as the Yaris. Lots of things I don't like about it, but for the bucks, it is as good as it gets.

[Gogogordy]

The Yaris is built to exact a particular price point, keeping things like 6 speeds out of the picture is the only way to achieve that, primary goal.

I've certainly had pricier, sexier, and more exciting cars but the Yaris appealed to me for it's simple "goodness", low cost of ownership, and of course Toyota (still, IMO) reputation for legendary durability.

So far delighted with my selection, and plan on a 10 year relationship with mine...something that's only happened once before in my vehicular realtionships. That was with a Vespa, another legendary vehicle which I swore I'd never sell. I sold it for another Vespa which will be in my possession for 6 years in January.

[RedRide]

The latest sales figures (2010 vs 2011) indicate that Toyota is loosing its market share in the US to US manufactures and has has now fallen substantially below Ford, GM and Chrysler.
Meanwhile, Hyundai/KIA and Nissan are now gaining a bit of US market share.

It would appear that Toyota resting on its laurels somewhat and relaxing quality controls a bit has cost them dearly.

BTW, even Honda's market share in the US has gone down a bit but, not as much as Toyota.

[TLyttle]

Too bad about your lusting after a Cattletruck... The closest I ever go to one was the '53 Ford I had with a 365 Caddy engine/trans. It was fun, but the saddest people to see it go (to my ex-wife!!) was the local gas station. I could drive my Morris for a whole month on what that pig burnt in 3 days and have a LOT more fun doing it!