Anyone driven the Scion iQ ?

[edmscan]

Has anyone here driven the Scion iQ ? I think it is an interesting vehicle .. and would maybe consider getting one (if something was to happen to my Yaris).

Any info or comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Billiam]

I sat in one, but did not drive it. It is an interesting vehicle, for sure. What would kill it for me is the CVT. At the least Toyota should offer a proper manual gearbox....IMO.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Billiam

I sat in one, but did not drive it. It is an interesting vehicle, for sure. What would kill it for me is the CVT. At the least Toyota should offer a proper manual gearbox....IMO.

I agree, but I would imagine a target market for this car would be people who would strongly identify with edmscan's statement that he hardly ever goes out on the highway. Many of those people, especially in metros with really impatient drivers (who want you 'off the dime' yesterday when the light turns green), would likely welcome the CVT over a manual.

Oh, on a somewhat related bent, I heard an interesting blurb the other day re a subject (among several) discussed on a single Yarisworld thread a few months ago. A few days ago I was listening to an AM news and talk station in the car and the reception was spotty. I didn't catch the woman's name, nor the URL she gave, but it seems she has a regular programming spot (self sponsored?) at the station. I imagine the point of the blurb was to drive traffic to her website (which would likeley have any program days and times). The blurb contained just one focus of information (that was part of a previous Yarisworld discussion), namely how long a car needs to have the engine turned off at a stoplight to make turning the engine off worth it. She says 10 seconds. She then went on to explain potential savings re this for the average consumer.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

The blurb contained just one focus of information (that was part of a previous Yarisworld discussion), namely how long a car needs to have the engine turned off at a stoplight to make turning the engine off worth it. She says 10 seconds. She then went on to explain potential savings re this for the average consumer.

I dont believe it. 10 seconds of fuel at idle is really small.

I would want more than a persons like thats word.

When auto stop/start came out its was poo pooed by people who should know.

Me I want the truth!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I dont believe it. 10 seconds of fuel at idle is really small.

I would want more than a persons like thats word.

When auto stop/start came out its was poo pooed by people who should know.

Me I want the truth!

I don't know if she's right or wrong...I just thought I'd pass the info along...that some might find it interesting. I wish I had been driving in an area with better reception. Then I'd likely have caught her name. Thinking back on the articles I've come across re this I find (as stated in that old/previous thread I was referring to --- which you posted to if I remember correctly) the assertion of 30 seconds most credible. The larger point that about half of us were trying to make on that old/previous thread was that whatever that number of seconds is, the average time stopped at most stoplights would be enough to make turning the engine off a fuel saving proposition.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I dont believe it. 10 seconds of fuel at idle is really small.

I would want more than a persons like thats word.

When auto stop/start came out its was poo pooed by people who should know.

Me I want the truth!

I heard the blurb again last night, this time more clearly. The URL of the page on her website where her claim resides is http://005f787.netsolhost.com/blog/?p=438 and the website is TheCarLady.com. Her name is Lynn Beckwith, and ASE certification is displayed. Don't know if she's right or wrong, just FYI.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by edmscan

Has anyone here driven the Scion iQ ? I think it is an interesting vehicle .. and would maybe consider getting one (if something was to happen to my Yaris).

Any info or comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

I sat in one at an auto show and didn't like it. The only appeal I see is the flexibility re parking. In the U.S., given how parking spaces are sized and the available alternatives, I can only see a benefit in parts of Boston, NYC, San Francisco and possibly parts of Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles (and I've been to every city in the U.S. over 500k in population, except Charlotte). Re your neck of the woods, I do remember parking being an issue when I stayed in Old Strathcona. If you go there, and other neighborhoods with similar parking, I can see why the IQ would appeal to you. How much of your thinking re the IQ is motivated by your dislike of the looks of the 3rd generation Yaris () ?

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I sat in one at an auto show and didn't like it. The only appeal I see is the flexibility re parking. In the U.S., given how parking spaces are sized and the available alternatives, I can only see a benefit in parts of Boston, NYC, San Francisco and possibly parts of Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles (and I've been to every city in the U.S. over 500k in population, except Charlotte). Re your neck of the woods, I do remember parking being an issue when I stayed in Old Strathcona. If you go there, and other neighborhoods with similar parking, I can see why the IQ would appeal to you. How much of your thinking re the IQ is motivated by your dislike of the looks of the 3rd generation Yaris () ?

I saw it advertised on tv .. and thought it was an interesting car. I checked it out .. and thought, hmm. I think I would probably like a standard (as I have never driven an automatic). Maybe when I go to the dealer next I will check it out. (My preferred local dealer is also a Scion dealer). But being honest .. there is no way I would get rid of my Yaris as it is just the nicest car I have ever owned.

But right now .. being winter it is really really hard keeping my Yaris clean. There is just nothing I can do about it .. cause if I wash it, within 15 min it would look the same. So I am going to be washing my Yaris only when it is really bad during the winter. I cannot wait for spring .. and really winter is still a few weeks away.

Oh .. and I do like the looks of the 2nd Gen .. the 3rd gen doesn't excite me much and that single wiper just kinda creeps me out.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by edmscan

I saw it advertised on tv .. and thought it was an interesting car. I checked it out .. and thought, hmm. I think I would probably like a standard (as I have never driven an automatic). Maybe when I go to the dealer next I will check it out. (My preferred local dealer is also a Scion dealer). But being honest .. there is no way I would get rid of my Yaris as it is just the nicest car I have ever owned.

But right now .. being winter it is really really hard keeping my Yaris clean. There is just nothing I can do about it .. cause if I wash it, within 15 min it would look the same. So I am going to be washing my Yaris only when it is really bad during the winter. I cannot wait for spring .. and really winter is still a few weeks away.

Oh .. and I do like the looks of the 2nd Gen .. the 3rd gen doesn't excite me much and that single wiper just kinda creeps me out.

I left the Barnes and Noble at The Woodlands Mall last night about 15 minutes before they closed (I had been checking out their travel book section). The Barnes and Noble is open for another hour after the mall closes, so there were very few people around. I was walking on the sidewalk that is between the South side of the Barnes and Noble building and the little intra-parking lot feeder road and an IQ drove down the little feeder road. I was amazed by how quiet it was. If I'd been blindfolded, I might have thought a Prius had driven by.

[yariseggvvti]

When I work in Toyota, I went for test drove one. It sucks!!!!!! Dont let the mileage fool you 36-37 with 94hp. Its not particle and cost more than Yaris. I push it very hard and when i switch lane. I almost lost control. I went krazy with my Yaris with no problem at all.

[DeathBeard]

At least it can support camber plates

[edmscan]

I found another thread ...

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35608

which is very detailed. Still a car that I would like to look at, and maybe take for a spin. I think that it may be a fun car.

[bronsin]

I have driven an iQ and for $100 I'll tell you everything I know!

OK OK here is the dirt from my perspective....

It drives like a big car. Its roomy for the driver and after 15 minutes it doesnt feel like youre in a mini car about to die.

Theres a little space under the hatch more than a Smart. You might be able to get a weeks groceries in there.

The acceleration isnt too great but tis adequate. I drive like an old lady and couldnt care less how fast I go.

The inside is too busy stylewise. They charge too much for this car and try to make you think its worth it by fancy schmancy gegaws on the dashboard.

Pathetic!

The ride is softer and more compliant that a Smart. The Smart has a stiff suspension! Way to stiff IMO.

Heres something I would ask others. When I dive it I forget to check out something I wanted to. Idont like my AT because it doesnt slow down like a manual does when you take your foot off the gas. Makes you use the brake which wears out pads faster and makes the car less controlable in bad weather. Could be a problem!

But I FORGOT to take my foot of the gas and see how the CVT does when you do that. Anyone have anything they can tell me whose driven a CVT?

Basically my take is its not worth it when you can have a Yaris for the same or less money.

I think it should have the 1 liter (or less) engine, get 45 mpg in town minimum, and costs less than oh 12 g's.

I dont want the abusive interior and exterior styling either! Phooey!

Id buy one tomorrow if it did!
Just my 02!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I have driven an iQ and for $100 I'll tell you everything I know!

OK OK here is the dirt from my perspective....

It drives like a big car. Its roomy for the driver and after 15 minutes it doesnt feel like youre in a mini car about to die.

Theres a little space under the hatch more than a Smart. You might be able to get a weeks groceries in there.

The acceleration isnt too great but tis adequate. I drive like an old lady and couldnt care less how fast I go.

The inside is too busy stylewise. They charge too much for this car and try to make you think its worth it by fancy schmancy gegaws on the dashboard.

Pathetic!

The ride is softer and more compliant that a Smart. The Smart has a stiff suspension! Way to stiff IMO.

Heres something I would ask others. When I dive it I forget to check out something I wanted to. Idont like my AT because it doesnt slow down like a manual does when you take your foot off the gas. Makes you use the brake which wears out pads faster and makes the car less controlable in bad weather. Could be a problem!

But I FORGOT to take my foot of the gas and see how the CVT does when you do that. Anyone have anything they can tell me whose driven a CVT?

Basically my take is its not worth it when you can have a Yaris for the same or less money.

I think it should have the 1 liter (or less) engine, get 45 mpg in town minimum, and costs less than oh 12 g's.

I dont want the abusive interior and exterior styling either! Phooey!

Id buy one tomorrow if it did!
Just my 02!

I also don't like the location of the radio. I agree with you though, if it got 45 mpg + city (and even more highway) and cost less than 12k, I'd consider it.

[SpaceShot]

I test drove one that my friend bought before and after the purchase.
She chose the iQ over the Yaris for the style and the built in bluetooth.

The iQ has a much more solid driving feel than I expected. I think it must have a lower CG than the Yaris.
It is initially a little un-nerving that from the driver's view, the car isn't any longer than it is wide. You can make a U-Turn on any street.

I like the hood seal along the front edge, and will add that to my Yaris. I didn't care for the feel of the CVT around town. It feels a bit sluggish for an automatic, but I am used to my manual. Also to be seen if that changes after break-in. My friend's opinion is that the CVT is not sluggish at all.

[junorico24]

I would rather purchase the new VW UP than that junker.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by junorico24

I would rather purchase the new VW UP than that junker.

[edmscan]

I really cannot comment on the iQ as I haven't seen it at the Scion dealer yet. I will formulate an opinion when I have checked it out.

Thanks for all the comments so far.