Considering Yaris vs. Elantra

[voodoo22]

One thing to consider if you do a lot of highway driving at higher speeds is the handling of the two cars.

You will find the Yaris does not handle so well at highway speeds, on uneven surfaces or crosswinds. Although it's better for the sedan vs the hatch, this is definitely an important thing to compare between the two cars before you buy. I never go over 55 mph and find the handling good enough, but a couple times a crosswind has nearly blown me out of my lane.

If you stick at 55mph; like you state; you will get about 45-50 MPG in the Yaris auto. I am unfamiliar with the Hyundai, but can guarantee you will not come close to that with the Elantra AT.

[scape]

like you said, the elantra is better build quality; tbh the corolla might be a closer match of comparison shopping-- notwithstanding, i still like my yaris ;D
but highway driving does get a bit hairy sometimes, this car is so light (and the hatchback is so tall!)

[businezguy]

Originally Posted by scape

like you said, the elantra is better build quality; tbh the corolla might be a closer match of comparison shopping-- notwithstanding, i still like my yaris ;D
but highway driving does get a bit hairy sometimes, this car is so light (and the hatchback is so tall!)

I've basically decided that saving $50 per month on gas is more important then the significantly better interior/design of the Elantra. I believe the Elantra would be about 20% less efficient in gas then would be the Yaris (despite EPA estimates stating only a 10% difference).

I really want to be hitting the high 40's to low 50's in this vehicle. I'm looking forward to saving some serious $$$ so I have more money to spend on myself.

[businezguy]

So I just sent in a counter offer on a 2008 Yaris sedan this dealer still has in their lot. Obviously I'll get a better deal for that car then I would a '09 model, and my last attempt at getting more from the dealer is to have free bluetooth installed.

Anyway, I am expecting the offer to be accepted, and I just looked everywhere and realized that I have lost my driver's license after coming back from vacation in Florida. I'm so pissed! I have no idea where my birth certificate and marriage license are, and I doubt I'll find them over the next couple of days.

Now I'm trying to figure out, do I need to have my driver's license to buy a new car? This is so ridiculous!

[Goose]

I'm not sure if you'll get in "the high 40's to low 50's" on the highway with the Yaris. Although people have posted that they've gotten above 40MPG highway, you'll be happier if you set your expectations at around 40MPG.

The Yaris is one of the best values on the market. Although Hyundai has been making great strides lately, their lower resale value tends to wipe out any savings up front. I recently dumped a new Genesis Coupe for another Yaris due to poor customer service from Hyundai - although your experience with Hyundai might be better. Based on my experience, I think Toyota has more advanced powertrains than Hyundai, too.

Based on your storage requirements, you may have to create some storage for change, etc because the Yaris sedan doesn't have many storage areas in the dash. Check the storage gadget section of your local auto parts store - you can find many things (like ashtrays) that can be used to store change for the commute.

EDIT: I'm not sure about needing a driver's license to buy in PA, but I'll bet you'll need to have it (especially if you're going to finance).

[businezguy]

I'm actually going to pay cash, so I'm not sure I'll need it. Obviously I'll need it so when/if I get pulled over I don't get a ticket, but I don't want to let it hold me back from making a purchase.

As for MPG, I was able to average 34 MPG in a 2002 Ford Focus ZTS. This is a car that is supposed to only get 29 MPG highway, and only 25 MPG combined, and believe me with today's EPA estimates, the MPG should really be lower then that. I should also add that this car has had issues with overheating, and really needed a tune up lately (I was getting more like 36 MPG last year around this time).

I have very high expectations for the Yaris, and would be very disappointed if I got less then 45 MPG. I am willing to drive very conservatively to get the best milage I can.

[AlexNet0]

I have very high expectations for the Yaris, and would be very disappointed if I got less then 45 MPG. I am willing to drive very conservatively to get the best milage I can.

if you are willing to follow the fuel economy forum and hypermiling tips to the letter, then expect 45+.

Drive normally, and expect 35-42.

Try to drive fast, get 30.

All are better than most vehicles

[supmet]

Originally Posted by scape

the elantra is better build quality

Look up some resale values on similar toyotas and hyundais with similar miles. Hyundai doesn't know the meaning of the word quality.

[businezguy]

Originally Posted by voodoo22

One thing to consider if you do a lot of highway driving at higher speeds is the handling of the two cars.

You will find the Yaris does not handle so well at highway speeds, on uneven surfaces or crosswinds. Although it's better for the sedan vs the hatch, this is definitely an important thing to compare between the two cars before you buy. I never go over 55 mph and find the handling good enough, but a couple times a crosswind has nearly blown me out of my lane.

If you stick at 55mph; like you state; you will get about 45-50 MPG in the Yaris auto. I am unfamiliar with the Hyundai, but can guarantee you will not come close to that with the Elantra AT.

I'm sure this is the case, and I'm sure the Elantra would not be effected nearly as much as the Yaris, so I'll keep that in mind. But it also occurs to me that having had to drive the Ford Explorer for the past couple of weeks I ran into that issue once. Nothing like driving a tall, huge box. It's quite possible the Ford Explorer would be worse in that respect then the Yaris.

When I do a test drive, I'll have to try going 65 MPH on the highway. It's not like I plan to stick to 55 MPH ALL of the time.

[id3379]

Originally Posted by voodoo22

One thing to consider if you do a lot of highway driving at higher speeds is the handling of the two cars.

You will find the Yaris does not handle so well at highway speeds, on uneven surfaces or crosswinds. Although it's better for the sedan vs the hatch, this is definitely an important thing to compare between the two cars before you buy. I never go over 55 mph and find the handling good enough, but a couple times a crosswind has nearly blown me out of my lane.

If you stick at 55mph; like you state; you will get about 45-50 MPG in the Yaris auto. I am unfamiliar with the Hyundai, but can guarantee you will not come close to that with the Elantra AT.

The sedan does not do well when there's alot of wind on the highway too, it gets scary at some points with stock sus/wheels.