Getting ready to buy a 2007 Yaris hatch

[Type456]

Originally Posted by CTScott

$6K is actually a good price for a low mileage Yaris. The Yaris is about 10 years newer than the Honda would be, so you would likely have a bit more reliable of a vehicle if you went with the Yaris.

I haven't come across any one owner Yaris with that mileage in that price range. I'm sure they're out there, but in my area anything under $7K is around 100K+ miles or is an ex rental fleet car.

How durable/reliable is the automatic transmission in a Yaris?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Type456

I haven't come across any one owner Yaris with that mileage in that price range. I'm sure they're out there, but in my area anything under $7K is around 100K+ miles or is an ex rental fleet car.

How durable/reliable is the automatic transmission in a Yaris?

The AT in the Yaris seems to be solid. The only failure I have seen/heard of thus far was one on a Yaris which had been totaled in its prior life, rebuilt and shipped overseas to an unsuspecting buyer.

[Type456]

Originally Posted by CTScott

The AT in the Yaris seems to be solid. The only failure I have seen/heard of thus far was one on a Yaris which had been totaled in its prior life, rebuilt and shipped overseas to an unsuspecting buyer.

That's good to hear. From what I've read it seems pretty reliable. I know it'll vary based on driving conditions, but I wonder what the life expectancy is for the auto.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by Type456

That's good to hear. From what I've read it seems pretty reliable. I know it'll vary based on driving conditions, but I wonder what the life expectancy is for the auto.

Never heard of any problems with the automatic since I've been on this forum. On a personal note, I think the Yaris 4 speed automatic is a brilliant piece of work... absolutely the best automatic I have ever driven; in fact, I like it better than the 6 speed auto in my newer Camry!

[jack black]

Originally Posted by kimona

I think the Yaris 4 speed automatic is a brilliant piece of work... absolutely the best automatic I have ever driven; in fact, I like it better than the 6 speed auto in my newer Camry!

I wonder why you say this?
I don't doubt it, but curious.
BTW, I like your avatar.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by jack black

I wonder why you say this?
I don't doubt it, but curious.
BTW, I like your avatar.

Because... it upshifts and downshifts very smoothly and flawlessly... without hunting. Gear ratios and shift points are excellent. 4th gear is great on the highway with the little 1.5L. Gas mileage is outstanding. And, if you're not afraid to really get on the accelerator, its performance will surprise you.

[Klink10]

Originally Posted by kimona

Because... it upshifts and downshifts very smoothly and flawlessly... without hunting. Gear ratios and shift points are excellent. 4th gear is great on the highway with the little 1.5L. Gas mileage is outstanding. And, if you're not afraid to really get on the accelerator, its performance will surprise you.

Throw in a throttle controller and add a little sport. I don't regret my choice for automatic at all.

[jack black]

Originally Posted by kimona

Because... it upshifts and downshifts very smoothly and flawlessly... without hunting. Gear ratios and shift points are excellent. 4th gear is great on the highway with the little 1.5L. Gas mileage is outstanding. And, if you're not afraid to really get on the accelerator, its performance will surprise you.

I hear you. When I drive my 07 AT Yaris, one thing that is very different from similar cars with AT is how the tranny shifts up or down only when absolutely needed and not more. Few downshifts when gas pedal is pressed moderately. It actually reminds me old style hydraulic logic AT action when gear depended solely on speed, unless one pressed gas to the max and then it would downshift. I'm thinking this is limiting unnecessary shifts for durability. When I dropped the pan to replace fluid and filter at 66,000 miles, there was little clutch debris in the Yaris AT's pan. Small fraction comparing to Corolla when I did a similar service at 60,000 miles. Now, there are some technologic differences that can additionally account for the debris difference in Yaris:
Throttle by wire
Full flow AT filter
WS synthetic fluid
etc.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by kimona

Because... it upshifts and downshifts very smoothly and flawlessly... without hunting. Gear ratios and shift points are excellent. 4th gear is great on the highway with the little 1.5L. Gas mileage is outstanding. And, if you're not afraid to really get on the accelerator, its performance will surprise you.

Does your Yaris have a tach? I don't know if I would have had a markedly different experience driving a 2013 LE 4-speed Auto rental this week, but having a tach would have been nice .

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by Type456

That's good to hear. From what I've read it seems pretty reliable. I know it'll vary based on driving conditions, but I wonder what the life expectancy is for the auto.

On the road since November 2005, 203,000km, one fluid change, still feels and performs like new.

[Type456]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

On the road since November 2005, 203,000km, one fluid change, still feels and performs like new.

Good to hear!

[jack black]

Originally Posted by Type456

I haven't come across any one owner Yaris with that mileage in that price range. I'm sure they're out there, but in my area anything under $7K is around 100K+ miles or is an ex rental fleet car.

Didn't you say you found one at $6k range?

[Type456]

Originally Posted by jack black

Didn't you say you found one at $6k range?

Yep, the one I found is a one owner car for $6K with only 49K miles. I was referring to the area inventory of cars; any Yaris in the $7K and under range has around 100K miles.