Hi all!

[DevilGirl]

Originally Posted by SpaceShot

Soon you will have an interesting choice. Do you go for the performance mods and make the Yaris a little street cruiser to rival the Lancer? Or do you go for efficiency and move up from 25 Mpg all the way to 45 Mpg highway?

I'm thinking efficiency. This will be my commuter car. I drive 100 miles round-trip daily, mostly highway, well, turnpike really. (500 miles a week, 2000 a month, approx 25,500 a year, if I take a week vacation). The initial mods would be tinted windows and possibly pinstriping. Oh, and a tach. Not sure if I wanna try to get the OEM cluster, or an AM tach. I know how to drive stick (learned on a 87 Wrangler), just never owned one myself. So a tach would be helpful for me to get accustomed to the car quicker, but I can manage without it (just that darn first gear launch thing).

Thankfully I have a boyfriend who is wonderful with cars, and even before I signed paperwork for it, was already thinking of ways to make it more efficient while still having plenty of power. Trying to rival his 09 Jetta Sportwagen TDI (yeah I know, fuel efficiency yes, power, no). (The low-end torque on the TDI is amazing! It threw my head back many times while he was playing around in it.)

Personally, I am glad to be rid of my Lancer. I'm not into the whole street racing thing (at least not with my own cars). I've gone through a 97 Escort, 00 Escort, and a 02 Saturn SL2 prior to the Lancer.

I was deciding betwen the Fit and the Yaris. I liked the look and feel of the Yaris more than the Fit, but like the better safety features on the Fit. Then he (boyfriend, who was pointing more towards the Fit for ride comfort, space, and safety) sat down and compared the gear ratios, and found that the Yaris is geared more for highway, where the Fit is geared more for slower or around town driving. After that, he changed his mind, stating that "if you're doing highway driving mostly, go with the Yaris, if you're doing more city driving, go with the Fit".


Anyone on this forum from around the NE PA area? I'm curious how the car will handle in the snows we get around here, as well as with the crazy traffic on 78, 22, or 476.

(Oh, and a many thanks already to those posting on this forum, for the information regarding DIY and average MPG based on conditions, driving style, and maintenance. Greatly helped in making my decision as to which car to go with.)

[PreciousPups4U]

Welcome DevilGirl. Great to have more females on the site. You will LOVE the Yaris. We now have 3, yes 3 in our family. Got mine first, 2008 Bayou Blue LB auto (could not find a manual anywhere) last May. Then got a 2008 Blazing Blue LB manual for husband 3 months later when he wrecked the old cavalier. My son-in-law purchased a 2009 Absolutely Red LB manual a few months ago to replace his very, very old honda.

They are great little cars. Have had no problems at all.

Again welcome. There is lots of info here or just ask questions. The guys and girls are great and will help you any way they can.

[kurokoma-kun]

Originally Posted by DevilGirl

I'm thinking efficiency. .. The initial mods would be tinted windows and possibly pinstriping. Oh, and a tach.

Welcome DevilGirl

If you're thinking efficiency, consider a Scangauge. It has several gauge functions including tach (rpm reading). It also has a lot of tools to aid fuel economy, as well as a "trouble code" reader to help diagnose engine conditions. Search around here, lots of threads with feedback on it.

[cheeseman]

Gratz! I just got my 5dr too! That will be my commuter car as well (90 miles round-trip to work).