Yaris sales hit new low...

[JudgeM]

What I find odd for many of the markets especially US is the spec of the Yaris. You get the same 1nzfe engine, 4 speed auto or 5 speed manual. This is already 10 years old technology. While in europe they get 6 speed manuals, dual vvti engine, multi mode transmission, traction control etc.

Even that may not be enough, you pit it against things like the fiesta that has 5 speed auto(i think) 1 liter turbo engine that will own our yaris 1.5.

What I love about Toyota was all the new tech they brought to the car (esp late 80's) but now they seem to be saturating especially on the low end cars. I am disappointed to see the new VIOS which looks beautiful still have the same 1NZ-FE and 4 speed auto.

Its easy to see why now for new buyers they will not go down the yaris/vios route when the competitor offer much better spec'd car for similar price.

[matti]

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

I'm with you.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

+100. While I might buy a car in a different segment for the technology or the driving experience, what matters to me when buying a car in this segment is what matti wrote above. People make decisions within other segments for 'emotional' and 'trendy' (among other) reasons. IMO, putting a lot of weight into such factors in this segment is nonsensical.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

This pretty much sums it up. It still amazes me reading a lot of the experiences here. ZERO regrets with this car.

[Flipper_1938]

Yep. The whole reason I bought a Yaris is that I had an ECHO. That car was the most functional CAR that I have ever been around. Great mileage, great reliability, incredibly durable interior (still cleaned up and looked new after 318,000 miles), great value...overall an amazing car for $12,000 roll up windows and all.

I'm hoping the Yaris will treat me the same although my carpet at 100,000 miles shows more wear than the ECHO did at 318,000

[yougojay]

I read things now and then at the Mini, Fiat 500, Fiesta, Spark, etc. forums out there. Some real horror stories. No thanks.
I would imaging you can get new carpet, pieces or a 'Kit' to replace. I did it once, in my '72 Chevelle Convt. - it was totally easy, and completely transformed the way the interior looked (really made a difference)

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by yougojay

I read things now and then at the Mini, Fiat 500, Fiesta, Spark, etc. forums out there. Some real horror stories. No thanks

See post #85 .

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by yougojay

I read things now and then at the Mini, Fiat 500, Fiesta, Spark, etc. forums out there. Some real horror stories.:

yeah, I lived some of that. when the JD Powers Initial Quality study came out and Fiat was dead last, as one would expect the fangs came out, with the general jist being that those surveys aren't using sound research methods, blah, blah, blah....does anyone think if Fiat had been near the top that owners would have found a problem with the survey methods.

those of us not drinking the kool aid saw it for what it was......the not too surprising result of the marriage between Fiat and Chrysler.

[Absolutely Red 12]

Originally Posted by yougojay

I read things now and then at the Mini, Fiat 500, Fiesta, Spark, etc. forums out there. Some real horror stories. No thanks.
I would imaging you can get new carpet, pieces or a 'Kit' to replace. I did it once, in my '72 Chevelle Convt. - it was totally easy, and completely transformed the way the interior looked (really made a difference)

I bought a Mini!!!

Seriously, the issues are with the R53 models, that had engine issues.

The R56 LCI has majorly improved, and the 2014+ F56 has a true BMW designed motor.

But I do hear that I need to sell it before the warranty runs out!!

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by Absolutely Red 12

I bought a Mini!!!

Seriously, the issues are with the R53 models, that had engine issues.

The R56 LCI has majorly improved, and the 2014+ F56 has a true BMW designed motor.

But I do hear that I need to sell it before the warranty runs out!!

Cool!
Seriously, It's a crap shoot with any car you buy. I do believe (generally) some car models are a lot more reliable than others.
They are beautiful cars, I wish you good fortune with it!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by JudgeM

when the competitor offer much better spec'd car for similar price.

My friend gave me a ride to the airport on Tuesday morning (starting before 5 am) for a 7 am flight...Houston to Charlotte to Tampa to pick up my new Yaris. My friend has a PT Cruiser with just over 155,000 miles on it. She drives that car harder than I have ever seen any woman drive any car. When I arrived in Tampa, Enterprise gave me a Fiesta as my one way rental to get to the dealership (they have a location about 4 miles from the dealership). The Fiesta had about 35,000 miles on it. OMG, what a POS. That thing sounded as if it would fall apart any minute. Comparing it to my friend's PT Cruiser, one would think the PT Cruiser had the 35,000 miles, and the Fiesta had not just 155,000 + miles, but 500,000 + miles.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

My friend gave me a ride to the airport on Tuesday morning (starting before 5 am) for a 7 am flight...Houston to Charlotte to Tampa to pick up my new Yaris. My friend has a PT Cruiser with just over 155,000 miles on it. She drives that car harder than I have ever seen any woman drive any car. When I arrived in Tampa, Enterprise gave me a Fiesta as my one way rental to get to the dealership (they have a location about 4 miles from the dealership). The Fiesta had about 35,000 miles on it. OMG, what a POS. That thing sounded as if it would fall apart any minute. Comparing it to my friend's PT Cruiser, one would think the PT Cruiser had the 35,000 miles, and the Fiesta had not just 155,000 + miles, but 500,000 + miles.

Anyone jump in the wheel well of your plane while you were in Charlotte?
Granted, the Fiesta was a rental car. People do not take care of their own cars, let alone a rental car. Many people make it a POINT to beat on rental cars! Looked at a Fiesta briefly at a local dealer. Sure, it was OK, brand new, but never seriously considered one. After all these years, I have become so disappointed in the old "Big 3"
Decades of Toyota, Toyota, Toyota reliability, runs, no problems, etc. OK, I give UP, I WANNA TRY ONE! That's how I got here.
I am really easy on cars. Sure, there's a good chance I could have purchased a Fiesta or Fiat 500 or Spark & had good luck with it, but told myself, nope, not doing it. Had Fords, many GM products, gotta try a Toyota.
I know I made the right decision - I guarantee I will have this car until I croak, or some idiot totals it, or some idiot totals it with me in it and I croak Any of the above!

Forums are a good place to read what people are saying about cars.
I did some pretty extensive reading at some of these forums. Reading about Yaris (& Echo) lots of praise & LACK of issues. I understand, more volume sold, more people crabbing about problems.

I absolutely LOVE the looks of the Fiat 500 - there is an owner of one who works at the CVS by my house. It is a light-ish green opaque, Just wonderful looking. Have never been all over, hands on with one, maybe I should check one out sometime. It is so cute & good looking to me, the color choices are awesome.
Dang, I want to hug it and take it home and sleep in the garage with it on the concrete floor and offer it a Cookout 1/2 pound cheeseburger & fries, and kiss it all over. It's all that a small, fun to drive car should look like...It looks GREAT!
But you know what? It's a F I A T - Not getting sucked into that.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by yougojay

Anyone jump in the wheel well of your plane while you were in Charlotte?
Granted, the Fiesta was a rental car. People do not take care of their own cars, let alone a rental car. Many people make it a POINT to beat on rental cars! Looked at a Fiesta briefly at a local dealer. Sure, it was OK, brand new, but never seriously considered one. After all these years, I have become so disappointed in the old "Big 3"
Decades of Toyota, Toyota, Toyota reliability, runs, no problems, etc. OK, I give UP, I WANNA TRY ONE! That's how I got here.
I am really easy on cars. Sure, there's a good chance I could have purchased a Fiesta or Fiat 500 or Spark & had good luck with it, but told myself, nope, not doing it. Had Fords, many GM products, gotta try a Toyota.
I know I made the right decision - I guarantee I will have this car until I croak, or some idiot totals it, or some idiot totals it with me in it and I croak Any of the above!

Forums are a good place to read what people are saying about cars.
I did some pretty extensive reading at some of these forums. Reading about Yaris (& Echo) lots of praise & LACK of issues. I understand, more volume sold, more people crabbing about problems.

I absolutely LOVE the looks of the Fiat 500 - there is an owner of one who works at the CVS by my house. It is a light-ish green opaque, Just wonderful looking. Have never been all over, hands on with one, maybe I should check one out sometime. It is so cute & good looking to me, the color choices are awesome.
Dang, I want to hug it and take it home and sleep in the garage with it on the concrete floor and offer it a Cookout 1/2 pound cheeseburger & fries, and kiss it all over. It's all that a small, fun to drive car should look like...It looks GREAT!
But you know what? It's a F I A T - Not getting sucked into that.

I'm keenly aware of how people treat rental cars and attitudes toward the vehicles used in that type of arrangement. One of my points was that my friend's driving = the same effect as a constant beat of renters on a rental car. Given that, the mileage is the significant difference, and the feeling of the condition of each car is so different that looking at it from a 'switching mileage perspective' (35,000 and 155,000 on the other car, not the car that mileage is on) isn't enough of a difference...that's why I made the point of 500,000 + miles, rather than 155,000. If a racecar driver beat that Fiesta for the 35,000 miles, it still shouldn't feel as bad as it did.....and I want to like the Fiesta (Ford is the only Big 3 manufacturer and or brand I would consider re how they approached their business during the financial crisis vs. the others). On principle, I'd never again buy a UAW made vehicle, so that limits the Fords as well (but not the Fiesta ). I can see planning to buy a car that doesn't have bulletproof reliability if you have at least one more vehicle than number of drivers in the house, and if at least one of those vehicles has bulletproof reliability. Considering my location and use, buying a Mini Countryman ALL4 would be a complete waste. However, I think it is a vehicle that inspires tremendous passion and, other than reliability, hits all the marks. If I was in CTScott's shoes (enough room in the garage, living in an area where the winter weather makes the thought of buying an AWD vehicle a very logical proposition, and the mechanical knowledge to prevent being taken to the cleaners on repairs/or to do them yourself, and a surplus vehicle (well, I am in those shoes)), I'd probably be motivated to buy one (as he has). IIRC from one of his posts in the tires/wheels/etc section, tomorrow is supposed to be the big day...the dealer told him his Mini should be ready for delivery on Moinday.

[yougojay]

I completely get what you were trying to say regarding the miles and the rental treatment & the way your friend drove those hard 155,000 miles. Yes, why does the Fiesta feel like that after 35,000 miles & the PT feels BETTER after 150,000+ miles? Gotta wonder.
Mini's are absolutely awesomely cool looking! I'll bet they are a blast to drive. I'll bet you I could go out tomorrow and find one, take it home from the dealer & in a few hours and be completely freakin' in LOVE WITH IT.
But, my gut feeling is that if I kept it for years it would become a money pit. I'll go with my gut
We can ALL justify a car purchase of any make or model! Believe me, I've done it myself & have been fortunate enough to have reliable service in those cars, whew!
I think certain people have a passion for cars & driving, it's a good thing.
Yes, Scott is getting a Mini, I read a post a few days ago him trying to sell the wheels & tires from the one he is trading in (I believe) Sell them to a willing buyer & get the buyers stock wheels and tires. Good idea. I'll have to go look for that post again. I hope he was successful - I think he was getting some AWD extended version, they make 5 or 6 models now.
He'll have a ball with it I'm sure - I gotta go check out the Mini website now, it's been awhile!

[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.

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by Onwrdigo

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.

I really wanted to like Mazda, but I just keep hearing negative experiences with their dealerships and vehicles.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Onwrdigo

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.

I love your posts and think you are a great addition to the forum, but I have to disagree with you re the above, for several reasons . If this forum is any indication (and I think it is), I imagine he could overcome any obstacle put in front of him better than 99.9999 % of the U.S. population. He is specifically buying the the Mini Countryman ALL4 (an AWD vehicle). I live in a region that doesn't have inclement winter weather. YOU live in a region that doesn't have inclement winter weather that really hinders vehicles too much (except in the mountains of NC). People buy AWD and 4WD vehicles where I live (and where you live), but they are for the most part buying something they are going to rarely if ever need (the only exceptions I can think of would be mudding in both regions, a job that demands a 4WD vehicle (both regions), and winter driving in the mountains of NC). However, HE lives in Connecticut...and having an AWD vehicle available would make sense throughout the winter. His posts indicate that he doesn't put a lot of miles on his vehicles. I believe his daughter will be the third driver in his household. He's shopping for a first generation Scion xB for his daughter. He has a street legal red Yaris and a street legal blue Yaris. He's trading in the red Yaris for the Mini Countryman ALL4. When he adds the Scion xB for his daughter, he will have at least 5 street legal vehicles (a blue Yaris, a Toyota Tacoma, a Celica convertible, the Mini Countryman ALL4, and the Scion xB) for 3 drivers. I can't imagine there is anything mechanical re his Yaris that he doesn't know how to do himself...and I'm sure that would stand him in good stead in that realm re other vehicles. My point is that any issues that come up with the Mini aren't going to be much of an obstacle for him. Also, that he will put the AWD to good use during those Connecticut winters.

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.

I agree. Last week a member of the sales team (at the dealership in Florida where I purchased my new Yaris) handed me a PRINTED accessories brochure specificall for the 2014 Yaris. I think this is the only PRINTED Yaris specific information I've ever seen re the 2014 (coming directly from Toyota).

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.

I will check out the 2015 irrespective of promotion (or lack of it) as well, even though I just purchased a 2014.

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.

Having just driven a Mexican built Fiesta rental with 35,000 miles on it ...taking into consideration that it was a rental....the above doesn't surprise me at all.