shopping for my second yaris

[melhouse]

hello new friends,

i am yaris hatchback owner for the last 9 years, with the most steadfast, faithful 2007 hatchback rs, manual transmission. my most recent service was approx 327 000 km, and i had owned it since 4586 km. i have never ever been so happy with any car, ever. when i went shopping for that car, i literally went shopping for *that* car. 5 door toyota yaris hatch RS, standard transmission. it was true love.

sadly, last week (leading up to my 35th birthday, cheers) i struck the most giant raccoon on a 6 lane highway approx 20 mins from my home. amazingly, the car kept driving even after i pulled off at the next stop to duct tape up the bumper with no obvious signs of damage besides the bumper and undercarriage. but i was a little naive....

after noticing leaking coolant the next day, i drove it even further to a garage (still no warning lights on the dash indicating any problems). they wouldn't let me drive it home, due to the leaking coolant and also BTW the bent frame (!!!!).

so, i am devastated to lose the best little car i have ever owned, but i am also getting excited to go and test drive a used 2012 hatchback ce this week. i have not even been able to look at other used vehicles because i was so, so, so, so happy with my yaris experience (even if it was a magnet for break-ins, i lost count after number 7 or 8).

i am wondering if anyone here has noticed any big changeups from a driving/handling perspective moving up yaris generations? hopeful to prepare myself, just in case it's a bit different.

thanks in advance :)