2013 Vios - Let's hope Toyota brings it to N. America

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Not sure why Toyota is stalling the advancement in engine and transmission tech in the low end of their cars including the current gen Corolla - 4 speed auto? Come on Toyota. Should of been a 5-speed 5 years ago. Should be a 6-speed in the 2014 model.

No doubt it's one of the reasons the 3rd gen Yaris hatch has slow sales. People expect a 40mpg EPA number in these cars and Toyota missed the chance.

Yeah, I have no clue what Toyota is thinking. 4-spd gear boxes are not good for performance or fuel efficiency, imo.

[Lippitt]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Yeah, I have no clue what Toyota is thinking. 4-spd gear boxes are not good for performance or fuel efficiency, imo.

They surely know what's what, but they still don't bother putting at least a 5-spd in? Any idea's why, it looks like they just don't care?

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Lippitt

They surely know what's what, but they still don't bother putting at least a 5-spd in? Any idea's why, it looks like they just don't care?

There are actually some now that say having a stick instead of a slushbox offers more distraction. I actually attribute it to the perpetuation of laziness. I forced my daughter to learn stick and will also do so with my son. I personally feel that you are a better driver with a stick as you are more attuned to the vehicle.

[why?]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Yeah, I have no clue what Toyota is thinking. 4-spd gear boxes are not good for performance or fuel efficiency, imo.

Originally Posted by Lippitt

They surely know what's what, but they still don't bother putting at least a 5-spd in? Any idea's why, it looks like they just don't care?

It is cheaper to use old tech. Toyota earns very little selling these vehicles in the US. Almost no one would buy a $20k Yaris in the US, yet they can get that with all sorts of options overseas, because gas mileage is more important over there.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by why?

It is cheaper to use old tech. Toyota earns very little selling these vehicles in the US. Almost no one would buy a $20k Yaris in the US, yet they can get that with all sorts of options overseas, because gas mileage is more important over there.

Toyota is going to need to move production of the Yaris outside of Japan, at least for those sold in the west. There's too much cost cutting needed now just to offer the Yaris in the US. Building them in Mexico probably makes the most sense. Of course, that all depends on which existing plant could facilitate that. If they are going to invest billions in a new plant, that plant will have to build a lot more than just Yaris's.

[Lippitt]

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

There are actually some now that say having a stick instead of a slushbox offers more distraction. I actually attribute it to the perpetuation of laziness. I forced my daughter to learn stick and will also do so with my son. I personally feel that you are a better driver with a stick as you are more attuned to the vehicle.

I totally agree with you there, when the time comes i'll be teaching my son the same thing too!
Don't believe you can be much of a good driver without the stick tbh!

[why?]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

^^^^^

This subject makes me think about the drveway where my aunt and uncle live. They live in a high end country club community. My uncle is a good friend of the original developer and the developer let him pick out the lot he and my aunt wanted. Most of the original layout of the golf course was on flat land, with a few holes and a couple of dozen homes up a bit on a steep hill. The golf holes on the hill cut accross the side of the hill and the uphill side was barren land (filled in by houses and continuation of the streets many years later. My aunt and uncle live at the end of a long driveway that cuts across the hill just as the golf holes do. The driveway is the first driveway on the left after one starts up the steep hill. One of the golf holes is along the uphill side of the driveway and the 5 houses before my aunt and uncle's house are along the left side of the driveway. Those 5 houses look out on the street below and then more houses and more of the golf course beyond that. My aunt and uncle's house has a slight bit of the same view the other 5 do, but mostly looks onto the golf course (as it is on the golf course) and a perfectly centered view of one of tallest mountains in the SF Bay Area.

My aunt and uncle have lived there for decades and I lived within 10 miles of them for most of my life before movings to Texas. The neighbors are thus well aware of where I am going. I've also visited many times in the last 6-7 years, so the neighbors are well aware of my Yaris...................................I don't know if the 5 neighbors along the driveway resent anyone connected with the best located house at the end or if they think a Yaris is too plebian to be in their midst, but almost invariably (I'M GOING MY USUAL 'SO SLOW I'm about to stall' (maybe 5-7 MPH) with my stereo off as well) if any neighbors are standing in a personal driveway chatting when I drive by, one of the members of the group will stop and make a HAND MOTION FOR ME TO SLOW DOWN........ ....and it isn't a 55+ community.

I hate that. And those stupid yellow 'slow down' signs. I actually stopped the car and screamed and some one that did that to me. You should have seen that person, they never expect someone of my stature to climb out of the Yaris. It makes for wonderful reactions.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by why?

I hate that. And those stupid yellow 'slow down' signs. I actually stopped the car and screamed and some one that did that to me. You should have seen that person, they never expect someone of my stature to climb out of the Yaris. It makes for wonderful reactions.

You're right, that would be fun (in an anonymous situation). In that particular situation I just endured because if I did otherwise, my aunt would have been mortified. She is a dear, sweet person who treats me (in very good ways) more like a second son than a nephew (my departed mother was her sister and only sibling).

I know what you mean about people not expecting a tall, substantial guy to get out of a small car. I don't get that as much with my Yaris as I did with the last generation (2001) Suzuki Swift I had before my Yaris. I've never had anyone say anything about the Yaris being a clown car, but I did hear that term when I had my Swift.