Handling vs EG Civic - Page 2 - Toyota Yaris Forums

gaffo · 03-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

Never liked what my Civic's seats do to my lower back.

It sounds like the Yaris is a platform with potential, thats mainly what I wanted to know before a drop $12k on a new car. My first cars were BMW's and they handle great but the quality and reliability was always a nightmare. I swear in 15 years my civic never stranded my once. But it needs so much work (all new bushings, wheel bearings, clutch, cylinder head) that it is time for a new car.

Germans can't make a reliable car - never could figure out how they got such a good rep.

Dad had two POS Porches - fell apart every two weeks

Buddy's got a VW beetle - total POS, broke all the time.

Seems German cars are no better than the POS british cars of old (like the one I own and fixed every two weeks for 8 long long years).

................

but Italian, French and Brit cars were never known to be reliable - unlike German cars. What's the story there?

BLAZINBLUEVITZ · 03-07-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

and the spaghetti bar!

which one i have both

regal · 03-08-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffo

Germans can't make a reliable car - never could figure out how they got such a good rep.

When I was into German cars I had to have 2 daily drivers because I was invariably always working on one of them. My father only drove German cars when I was growing up and I thought it was normal to have to work on your car all the time. After I bought this Honda it was like being on vacation, only things it has needed in 135k miles is belts, waterpump, and an exhaust. Bought the SS exhaust on ebay for $150.

MUSKOKA800 · 03-09-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

I am asking a lot of questions because $12k is a lot of money to spend and when I buy a car I keep it for at least 15 years. Its a big commitment.

After 15 years I have to get a new car. My 93 Civic is lowered with a Koni suspension and 15" alloy wheels. I live in a hilly area with very curvy roads. The civic just cuts thru the turns and handles like a dream. I am the type of driver that will take a car to its limits not in 150 mph straight aways, but I like 40 mph sharp bends. I have been known to go into the ditch with a car that doesn't grip and handle properly. I grew up on BMW's but they have way to many quality issues so I switched to Honda.

Unfortuantely Honda no longer makes a light (2200 lb) 2-door. So I have been studying the Yaris. Lowered a little with Koni springs/shocks I would imagine the Yaris could be a good handling car, or would I be dissapointed coming from a wishbone car?

Sadly, Koni ignores Toyota for some reason.
But...lots of other quality components are readily available.

cleong · 03-09-2009, 02:52 PM

Koni did make shocks for the NCP13 Yaris/Vitz/Echo. Unfortunately that doesn't fit the NCP91 Yaris.

Thirty-Nine · 03-09-2009, 04:16 PM

There are a variety of suspension options for the Yaris, though, especially if you decide on a set of full coilovers. Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of aftermarket shock absorber options out there other than the TRDs and Tokico HPs. However, again, if you decided to go the coilover route, you will have more more choices, although, of course, they're a bit more pricey.

regal · 03-14-2009, 02:12 PM

Well I sold the old Civic for $1500 today, pretty sad time for me. But I have a new Yaris and I am going to put the $1500 toward TRD shocks, Eibach Springs, TRD Rear Sway Bar, and 15" rims that look good on a white car. I have a gut feeling that this will transform the Yaris, right now driving the stock suspension is just uninspiring. The Yaris is such a solid light weight chassis , there has to be some potential. I like a car to handle like a go-cart. This boatiness has to go.

kurokoma-kun · 03-14-2009, 03:59 PM

I think you're on the right track regal. My own car was not stock for long, but I can still remember thinking it was like driving a bathtub full of water

The rear sway bar alone helps a lot imo. Lowering the center of gravity helps handling even more.

What wheels are you thinking of?

regal · 03-15-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurokoma-kun

What wheels are you thinking of?

Not sure yet, I think it is hard to find wheels that look god on a white car.

largeorangefont · 03-15-2009, 11:50 AM

Get the Tokico struts and save yourself $100.

You are right. It will be like a new car after you get the suspension on it. Don't worry it will probably be better than your Civic.

regal · 03-17-2009, 10:06 AM

I decided to test my new car a little today. The car in stock form seems to handle better the harder you push it. The soft bounciness on a 20 mph sharp turn turns firm when I take the same turn at 45 mph. I think this thing really has potential to out do the EG Civic, if I can only figure out which wheels to start with. Either XB factory 7 spokes or Maxxim Assaults.

SailDesign · 03-17-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

I decided to test my new car a little today. The car in stock form seems to handle better the harder you push it. The soft bounciness on a 20 mph sharp turn turns firm when I take the same turn at 45 mph. I think this thing really has potential to out do the EG Civic, if I can only figure out which wheels to start with. Either XB factory 7 spokes or Maxxim Assaults.

HOW long did it take you to actually try the car out instead of just witching about it?

Sheesh!

regal · 03-17-2009, 11:26 AM

I'm 38 years old and this is my first new car, yes I had a little paranoia about running her off the road. I've had some cars that were downright dangerous at cornering , but this thing is very capable.

SailDesign · 03-17-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

I'm 38 years old and this is my first new car, yes I had a little paranoia about running her off the road. I've had some cars that were downright dangerous at cornering , but this thing is very capable.

Hah! I'm 53 (actually, 54 today!) and this is also my first new car ever. Nice feeling, no?

Now go play some more

CASTREX · 03-17-2009, 02:36 PM

Just a little advise while picking new wheels.

The underpowered 1NZ-FE will greatly benefit from a lightweight wheel.

There are some economical choices within the 11-12lbs weight range on 15 size.

And some nice tire options on 195-55-15

Don't overlook the rubber... if you are looking for that go kart handling, the rubber is really important.

Split · 03-17-2009, 02:44 PM

i think with all the bolt-on rigidity bars, and some coil-overs it would outhandle your civic. Technology has progressed since 1993. Same goes for the Honda Fit.

CASTREX · 03-17-2009, 06:53 PM

^^^
The OP already got himself a brand new Yaris....

mrbond · 03-17-2009, 11:43 PM

Yeah, the Yaris definitely has potential. The Tein Yaris was able to pull a 1.01g skidpad. Granted, it had a shit ton of suspension and frame rigidity modifications, but still.

03-09-2009, 02:52 PM	#23
cleong Parallel Parking Pro View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 1.5 Manual Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 590	Koni did make shocks for the NCP13 Yaris/Vitz/Echo. Unfortunately that doesn't fit the NCP91 Yaris. __________________ Leong's NCP91 Toyota Yaris E Hankook V12 Evo 195/55/15 on Buddy Club P1 replicas 15x7 ET +38 Stebel horns, Philips Silvervision turn indicator bulbs TTE Lowering Springs, Camber bolts TRD Blue brake pads Fujitsubo Super Wagolis axleback exhaust DC Sports header

03-09-2009, 04:16 PM	#24
Thirty-Nine Small cars are a big deal View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3,144	There are a variety of suspension options for the Yaris, though, especially if you decide on a set of full coilovers. Unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of aftermarket shock absorber options out there other than the TRDs and Tokico HPs. However, again, if you decided to go the coilover route, you will have more more choices, although, of course, they're a bit more pricey. __________________ Subcompact Culture: The Small car blog

03-17-2009, 02:44 PM	#34
Split Drives: 2008 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Edmonton Posts: 393	i think with all the bolt-on rigidity bars, and some coil-overs it would outhandle your civic. Technology has progressed since 1993. Same goes for the Honda Fit. Last edited by Split; 03-18-2009 at 03:44 PM. Reason: missed a few posts while writing mine..

03-17-2009, 11:43 PM	#36
mrbond View User's Garage Drives: 2008 meteorite hatchback Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 960	Yeah, the Yaris definitely has potential. The Tein Yaris was able to pull a 1.01g skidpad. Granted, it had a shit ton of suspension and frame rigidity modifications, but still. __________________ - HOOOEY! That's one tahny little cawr! What the heck kinda toy is that? - A Toyota Yaris - A whut Yaris?

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03-14-2009, 02:12 PM	#25
regal Drives: 09 Yaris 3 Dr White LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 432	Well I sold the old Civic for $1500 today, pretty sad time for me. But I have a new Yaris and I am going to put the $1500 toward TRD shocks, Eibach Springs, TRD Rear Sway Bar, and 15" rims that look good on a white car. I have a gut feeling that this will transform the Yaris, right now driving the stock suspension is just uninspiring. The Yaris is such a solid light weight chassis , there has to be some potential. I like a car to handle like a go-cart. This boatiness has to go.

03-14-2009, 03:59 PM	#26
kurokoma-kun Drives: 2007 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: my own little world Posts: 1,256	I think you're on the right track regal. My own car was not stock for long, but I can still remember thinking it was like driving a bathtub full of water The rear sway bar alone helps a lot imo. Lowering the center of gravity helps handling even more. What wheels are you thinking of?

03-15-2009, 11:50 AM	#28
largeorangefont Break'em off some. View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris LB, 04 Cobra Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: So Cal, OC Posts: 854	Get the Tokico struts and save yourself $100. You are right. It will be like a new car after you get the suspension on it. Don't worry it will probably be better than your Civic.

03-17-2009, 10:06 AM	#29
regal Drives: 09 Yaris 3 Dr White LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 432	I decided to test my new car a little today. The car in stock form seems to handle better the harder you push it. The soft bounciness on a 20 mph sharp turn turns firm when I take the same turn at 45 mph. I think this thing really has potential to out do the EG Civic, if I can only figure out which wheels to start with. Either XB factory 7 spokes or Maxxim Assaults.

03-17-2009, 11:26 AM	#31
regal Drives: 09 Yaris 3 Dr White LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 432	I'm 38 years old and this is my first new car, yes I had a little paranoia about running her off the road. I've had some cars that were downright dangerous at cornering , but this thing is very capable.

03-17-2009, 02:36 PM	#33
CASTREX Who said Yaris was slow? View User's Garage Drives: Yaris T-Sport 2008 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 1,287	Just a little advise while picking new wheels. The underpowered 1NZ-FE will greatly benefit from a lightweight wheel. There are some economical choices within the 11-12lbs weight range on 15 size. And some nice tire options on 195-55-15 Don't overlook the rubber... if you are looking for that go kart handling, the rubber is really important.

03-17-2009, 06:53 PM	#35
CASTREX Who said Yaris was slow? View User's Garage Drives: Yaris T-Sport 2008 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 1,287	^^^ The OP already got himself a brand new Yaris....