Should I buy an automatic?

[ktoyo]

What do you think of this deal? And should I buy an automatic?
I'd really like some comments. Thanks.

I found a 2007 Yaris liftback with 41,800 miles. I think it's an okay deal at $8,788. With taxes, delivery, etc. it comes to just under $10,500. With a $2,000 downpayment I can get 60 monthly loan payments around $170.

The thing is, it's an automatic. I wanted a manual black Yaris. I'm ready to compromise, because of price. Every time I find a manual black Yaris, it's out of state or more likely out of my price range.

I had dreams of a turbo (Blitz compressor) or engine swap on my Yaris. But the compressor is not for an automatic and (as I understand) an engine swap is difficult enough without having to match up to an automatic transmission. (Maybe a swap is still possible?) I do know I can do plenty of other modifications tho, (rims, CAI, sway bars, muffler, body kit, front seats, brakes, spoiler, take out the rear seats and install the nastiest audio system in NYC/LI... kidding... maybe).

Plus I gotta be truthful to myself. I'm not much of a mechanic. I might not get past rims. Hopefully I at least lower my ride. I'll compromise on the automatic, because there are still a lot of modifications I can do.

Well, I'm just putting the questions out there. If you want to comment on anything, monthly payments, the car, better deals, don't hold back. I intend to purchase on Saturday. (Or maybe today, Friday, if I get off from work in time.) I'd like your comments. Don't hold back.

I been dreaming of a Yaris since back in 2007. Should I keep on dreaming? (I'm stressing family out asking for rides to work. I'm probably going to get this little gas sipper.)

Here's the ride:
http://www.millenniumtoyota.com/vehicle.asp?v=821390

[1NZYaris1]

Why do you say , the Blitz S/C is not for an automatic ,
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/member.php?u=5696
This member is running a Blitz S/C on his auto Yaris.
and if you could ever catch him , he would be more than happy to talk to you about it
as far as price goes , it seems a little high , but as i don't live over there ,
thats just my thoughts from what i have read on here .
Best of luck with your purchase and welcome

[ktoyo]

Thank you!

Actually the NY prices I've been seeing are above $10,000. I think, I'm getting an ok deal. I'll do a little more price investigation.

I think the price is below 10k because the basic warranty is finished and the drivetrain warranty has only 2 years or 19,000 miles left. I do know the car still has a lien on it, that the dealership has to clear up before they sell. (Maybe the dealership is making loan payments? Could this be a repossesion? Hmm.)

Thanks for your comments.

[KCALB SIRAY]

I have an auto and a Blitz, no problems there.

[wiliker]

Check http://usedcars.overstock.com .That is where I found my car. Some also have free carfax reports. Just another option for you.

[thebarber]

not a bad deal

if you can live with your decision of an auto, why not go for it?

i don't think id finance a 3-4 year old vehicle for 5yrs though....you wanna be paying 170/mo when the car is falling apart?

[ktoyo]

Originally Posted by thebarber

not a bad deal

if you can live with your decision of an auto, why not go for it?

i don't think id finance a 3-4 year old vehicle for 5yrs though....you wanna be paying 170/mo when the car is falling apart?

I could buy the car cash today, but that's poor use of my money.

After 3 years, I'll trade it in.
Or after 3 years, I'll pay off the balance and...
I'll know how the car works and I'll repair the car at my leisure or...
I'll know how the car works and I'll do an engine swap.

This is really a project car. The more and more I think about it the more I realize that.

[Tamago]

you should not buy an automatic

[ktoyo]

Thanks guys. I was spurred on to research price. I searched autotrader.com and found a black automatic listed for $7,989, with 38,449 miles. A better deal indeed.

[Altitude]

If you can find a manual definitely go for that.

[ktoyo]

My Dad's telling me to chill. I just made a big purchase and I bring in the primary household income now. (Not to my Dad's house.)

But because I bought something I don't really enjoy, I really want my frickin Yaris to zip around in and enjoy. I want my Yaris. I'm already shopping for rims!

These:
Elbrus I04

or these:
Motegi SP10

(In my head, I'm fiending for some lowering springs. He doesn't realize I been thinking about a Yaris for years.)

[Yaris Hilton]

I'm perfectly happy with my automatic.

Then again, I have no interest in souping up my engine, modding suspension, wheels & tires or any of that stuff. I've built hotrods in the past and gotten it out of my system. It's a lot of work getting modified engines and powertrains to work decently, and they'll never be as flexible and reliable as the stock configuration that the huge corporations with nearly unlimited resources have spent years developing. Once you've got the hopped up configuration working, you can be obnoxious blasting off from traffic lights and such, but you've got to drive on the same roads with the same traffic and speed limits as everybody else, and you can't race around all the time before something's going to catch up with you, either the law or the laws of physics that make you more likely to crash. And you endanger others in the process. No matter what kind of horsepower you've got, if you have any sort of sense of responsibility and self-preservation, there's always some kid in an old Neon who's got less and will hold his foot to the pedal after you back off and beat you. Around town, sticking to the speed limits, I either catch up at the red lights with the boy racers, or if I've been watching and timing the lights properly, roll by them just as the light changes.

[ktoyo]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

I'm perfectly happy with my automatic.

Then again, I have no interest in souping up my engine, modding suspension, wheels & tires or any of that stuff. I've built hotrods in the past and gotten it out of my system. It's a lot of work getting modified engines and powertrains to work decently, and they'll never be as flexible and reliable as the stock configuration that the huge corporations with nearly unlimited resources have spent years developing. Once you've got the hopped up configuration working, you can be obnoxious blasting off from traffic lights and such, but you've got to drive on the same roads with the same traffic and speed limits as everybody else, and you can't race around all the time before something's going to catch up with you, either the law or the laws of physics that make you more likely to crash. And you endanger others in the process. No matter what kind of horsepower you've got, if you have any sort of sense of responsibility and self-preservation, there's always some kid in an old Neon who's got less and will hold his foot to the pedal after you back off and beat you. Around town, sticking to the speed limits, I either catch up at the red lights with the boy racers, or if I've been watching and timing the lights properly, roll by them just as the light changes.

Yeah, I agree. Stock rules. Still I want something to put rims on and kinda "mash up" from the beginning. You could say "trick out", but my skillz may keep me on the low end.

You know in high school (90's) I wanted a Civic. I'm damn near 40 with no kids and no wife. If I don't buy what I want now, then when? This car is a symbol of some kind of late-adolescent-pre-mid-life event.

I'm not into racing, I've gotten that out of my system. (If I go fast, I don't calm down well. I'm the kind of person, who should use public transit.) STILL I just want something to "express my freedom and originality", even if I'm limited by a budget and have to copy a bunch of forum members!

[Yaris Hilton]

Go for what makes you happy!

[ktoyo]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

Go for what makes you happy!

I'm trying.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

I'm perfectly happy with my automatic.

Then again, I have no interest in souping up my engine, modding suspension, wheels & tires or any of that stuff. I've built hotrods in the past and gotten it out of my system. It's a lot of work getting modified engines and powertrains to work decently, and they'll never be as flexible and reliable as the stock configuration that the huge corporations with nearly unlimited resources have spent years developing. Once you've got the hopped up configuration working, you can be obnoxious blasting off from traffic lights and such, but you've got to drive on the same roads with the same traffic and speed limits as everybody else, and you can't race around all the time before something's going to catch up with you, either the law or the laws of physics that make you more likely to crash. And you endanger others in the process. No matter what kind of horsepower you've got, if you have any sort of sense of responsibility and self-preservation, there's always some kid in an old Neon who's got less and will hold his foot to the pedal after you back off and beat you. Around town, sticking to the speed limits, I either catch up at the red lights with the boy racers, or if I've been watching and timing the lights properly, roll by them just as the light changes.

Same here, and when I need the feeling of power and speed, I get my 450-lb sportbike out that has 50% more horsepower than my Yaris. Oh, and it's got a manual transmission as well!

[risamuels]

Having last Friday bought a 2007 automatic Yaris sedan, I agree with Yaris Hilton that modding is for the young (and the young at heart). I bought my Yaris for the mileage and for the hope that with 18k miles, it'll last me for ten years, a decade of not having to think about my car beyond normal maintenance. That's peace of mind at a great price ($8900).

[127.0.0.1]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

I'm perfectly happy with my automatic.

Then again, I have no interest in souping up my engine, modding suspension, wheels & tires or any of that stuff. I've built hotrods in the past and gotten it out of my system. It's a lot of work getting modified engines and powertrains to work decently, and they'll never be as flexible and reliable as the stock configuration that the huge corporations with nearly unlimited resources have spent years developing. Once you've got the hopped up configuration working, you can be obnoxious blasting off from traffic lights and such, but you've got to drive on the same roads with the same traffic and speed limits as everybody else, and you can't race around all the time before something's going to catch up with you, either the law or the laws of physics that make you more likely to crash. And you endanger others in the process. No matter what kind of horsepower you've got, if you have any sort of sense of responsibility and self-preservation, there's always some kid in an old Neon who's got less and will hold his foot to the pedal after you back off and beat you. Around town, sticking to the speed limits, I either catch up at the red lights with the boy racers, or if I've been watching and timing the lights properly, roll by them just as the light changes.

+eleventy

No issues with an automatic. TSome things to consider is, possibly a tranny rebuild with better clutch packs,
modified valves and solenoids, and an external tranny cooler with electric fans, if you want to build a Q-ship on an automatic...and not melt the tranny early and keep it as a daily driver....

I have had my fun racing motorcycles on the track for years, and blasting around on the roads in souped up micros...I got it out of my system for all the reasons stated above. Now I putz around in the 4runner or Yaris at normal speeds because 'fitting in' goes a lot further than 'loud music, fart cans, and 3fast3furious behaviour' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4rtXYgqaPQ