Yaris sales hit new low...

[Onwrdigo]

The "Yaris" is Toyota's Mini. It is just not as "exciting or eye popping" as the Mini. But they drive similar. (But any Yaris rides much, much better and has less rattles and it is a hell-uv-a lot more reliable) Heck, I even compared my Yaris to an old 320i I used to own. So similar in some characteristics in the driving experience. But the Mini's are plagued with problems of every kind. Engine, transmission, interior quality, ride comfort..."very" expensive regular maintenance and repairs. My boss' wife just took her 2012 Mini Base in for an oil change at the Dealer and they said her brakes also showed wear and needed adjustments at 25K miles. She called her husband as she felt there was nothing wrong with them and he talked with them as well and they both ok'd it based on what the service writer said. ""$900 Dollars"" later she was out the door. No thanks Mini. Hope the poor sap on here who is getting a Mini right now is "really, really" in love with his new Mini; he is going to have to be to overcome the obstacles he obviously has ahead of him.

Case in Point: There is even an almost "brand new & Beautiful'' 2014 Mini on the Used Car lot of my Toyota Dealership. When I asked a sales rep friend about that, they said "It has 2,600 miles on it and they traded it for a new Corolla S . "Not sure why". Bet I can guess.

But Toyota has just abandoned the Yaris in many respects. Have not seen a Yaris in any Toyota commercial for at least two years now, not even a magazine advertisement.

Yet in the recent "New 2015" Car Mag editions, they all mention the redesign/refresh of the 2015 Yaris. "Car and Driver" had the biggest write-up, touting the new front-end, interior and said they are ok with leaving the old engine and transmissions in it as they are almost "enjoyable"...which is a lot for those auto editors to say with the Yaris' old school set-up. Others mentioned the "stiffened structure, tuned-up suspension and new steering" as well.

I am really curious about (and will check-out) the 2015 Yaris whether Toyota advertises it or not. Oh, and one more thing; in "no way" will I ever consider Mazda again after two nightmare experiences with two products and 4 dealerships trying to get things repaired that should have never given trouble in the first place in the first 20k miles. Wost dealership experiences "ever" in my driving-life. So with that, I will not be considering a 2016 or 2017 Yaris built by Mazda in Mexico.