Pretty shortsighted review...

[mfratt]

Originally Posted by Brady Holt

Hi,

It seems a few people misunderstood the point of the review. I wasn't trying to say that it doesn't make sense to buy an economical car, but that the value of the Yaris's strongest point -- its gas mileage -- is diminished when the price of gas is suddenly cut in more than half.

As noted in the review, compared to quite a few other economy cars, the Yaris isn't very inexpensive. You pay extra for the extra gas mileage. But a few extra miles per gallon accounts for relatively little extra fuel usage when gas consumption is already low. Even if gas were to return to $5/gallon, the Yaris would achieve relatively small fuel savings over slightly less fuel-efficient but much less expensive competitors.

Am I the only one who likes the Yaris because its an ultra-light, short wheelbase, fun little car? 35+ MPG is a big bonus, but thats hardly the only reason I'm gonna buy one.

Plus, whats wrong with $18 fill-ups that will go 400 miles, with gas at its current prices...and if goes back up to $4+, while everyone else will be paying $70-100+ at the pump, Yaris owners will still be paying < $50, and go further on that tank than most cars on the road. In the mean time, gas being low doesn't mean it makes financial sense to go out and buy all the Navigators and Escalades again...

[Brady Holt]

Originally Posted by mfratt

Am I the only one who likes the Yaris because its an ultra-light, short wheelbase, fun little car? 35+ MPG is a big bonus, but thats hardly the only reason I'm gonna buy one.

Plus, whats wrong with $18 fill-ups that will go 400 miles, with gas at its current prices...and if goes back up to $4+, while everyone else will be paying $70-100+ at the pump, Yaris owners will still be paying < $50, and go further on that tank than most cars on the road. In the mean time, gas being low doesn't mean it makes financial sense to go out and buy all the Navigators and Escalades again...

Having driven both the Honda Fit and the Yaris, the Fit sounds more like what you're describing. The Yaris is certainly maneuverable, but not as agile at speed.

To your other point, it's not as if the only two vehicles on the road are the Yaris and a large SUV. There are other small fuel-efficient cars whose owners will pay similar amounts for their gas, and many of them outdo the Yaris in some other ways, like refinement or purchase price or warranty coverage.

[Carrot Top]

Having had a rental to drive for the past week as my Yaris is being repaired from the minor accident we had, I LOVE, LOVE this car more than before! The rental was a Mazda 6 and I didn't like it. The seats were too low and I kept hitting my head on the door frame... it drove like a big Olds. Even my kids couldn't wait til we got our car back. The Yaris is so roomy and easy to manouver in and out of traffic and even though gas has come down, so what. I am still saving money compared! Everyday, I am so happy with having purchased our Yaris.
I often wonder when someone "reviews" a car, how can they really tell what the car is all about. You need to drive it day in and out for months. We have had our Yaris for 7 months and are completely thrilled with it!

[floydisrock]

Originally Posted by pz's yaris

I bought my Yaris before gas went up and the Yaris' popularity sky rocketed. I wanted a small, economical car that I knew would last forever. I got exactly what I was looking for: a very reliable car, a payment that's inexpensive, all the options that I wanted and nothing more, and no matter what great gas mileage and a cheap fill up. I could have gotten a more expensive, fancier car...but with that comes higher payments, higher insurance, a bigger gas tank and just higher maintenance all around. My car isn't a status symbol for me...it's something to get me around from point A to B (as mentioned before!). :)

+1
you forgot good looks.