US Yaris to be imported from France ?

[tk-421]

How about bad roads? I've heard much more expensive cars than ours get rattles because of potholes. Is lame German manufacturing to blame because of this?

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by tk-421

How about bad roads? I've heard much more expensive cars than ours get rattles because of potholes. Is lame German manufacturing to blame because of this?

Exactly...road conditions can play a huge part in how quiet a car is. So do mods...like stiffer springs, plus-size wheels/tires and even temperature. The guy who lives in a hot climate for most of the year will complain less about interior pops and creaks than the guy who lives in a cooler climate...or at least one that gets cold in the winter.

According to CR interior noises are the number one complaint for all makes and models across the board.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Billiam

Exactly...road conditions can play a huge part in how quiet a car is. So do mods...like stiffer springs, plus-size wheels/tires and even temperature. The guy who lives in a hot climate for most of the year will complain less about interior pops and creaks than the guy who lives in a cooler climate...or at least one that gets cold in the winter.

According to CR interior noises are the number one complaint for all makes and models across the board.

Your assertion about the climate makes quite a bit of sense to me re N.A.---re why I wouldn't have creak and rattle issues and those in a cold climate in the U.S. would. However, could this be the case for MRPJ? Does the climate really differ enough in parts of England to make that case? I don't think so, but I could easily be wrong on that particular point. If MRPJ has always lived in the same climate within England, climate might not be a point he'd be consciously aware of (the roads would be something he'd be aware of and I think would have mentioned had they contributed to his experience). In addition, if MRPJ's experience does not include any appreciable difference in climate, then he is comparing his Yaris experience to other cars within that climate---his 'apples to apples'. The climate differences between regions is an interesting point that you bring up and I'd be interested to know other points of view re climate making a difference re rattles and squeaks.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by tk-421

How about bad roads? I've heard much more expensive cars than ours get rattles because of potholes. Is lame German manufacturing to blame because of this?

I think this is definitely a plausible answer to my question. I've driven on a fair number of roads in England (as well as all over the U.S) and I'd have to say, in my experience, that on average the roads are better in England. However, that is just my experience and the particular roads that MRPJ drives on might be crap and be causing his Yaris to creek and rattle, although he doesn't mention this as an issue for him.