Having doubts about buying a Yaris now

[Nigal]

This is simply the result of buying an economy car. There are going to be compromises when buying a $12K car and body integrity is usually the first thing. After 35,000 miles my car has a nice collection of chips and dings. But that wonderful little engine will live forever!

[grampi]

I'm going to check with some paint shops to see if they can spray on either more coats of a more durable clearcoat, or some other type of sealant/protectant. Even if it costs a few hundred bucks, it would be worth it to protect the factory paint.

[clayky]

I've got 11k on mine and no chips yet. This paint is much better than my last car, a Nissan.

[Black Yaris]

Originally Posted by clayky

I've got 11k on mine and no chips yet. This paint is much better than my last car, a Nissan.

not saying a whole lot there guy

[clayky]

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

not saying a whole lot there guy

Sure I am, everyone else on here is griping about the paint right out of the showroom....must be a LB issue.

[sherryberry]

all I had before my yaris were nissans. I never had any paint issues with nissans.. just durability.. ability to last a while and some performance issues.

[Nigal]

My dream Nissan...

[fnkngrv]

I picked up my S on June 9 06...I have 15k on it and many of the months were winter even...I have not one chip on the front end. I have inspected the car as well as a professional detailer friend of mine (I am going to be silly and enter it in a wax and shine show)....he said that for a daily driver he is amazed.

[naossoan]

Originally Posted by nsmitchell

The paint chips easily, but that is only skin deep. Get some of that 3M film applied to the front and that will easy your worries. The car under the paint is great though. Plus you will save money on it all over the place. Payments, gas, insurance, reliability. Don't let paint make or break the deal. My paint still looks as good as any other car I ever had. Some folks may live near or on gravel roads that can tear the paint up fast.

How hard is it to apply that film? Could I do it myself? I have a silver car so chips and stuff aren't relaly that noticable, but if I can apply that stuff fairly easily I would like to.

[grampi]

Originally Posted by clayky

Sure I am, everyone else on here is griping about the paint right out of the showroom....must be a LB issue.

To imply the paint quality of the sedan is somehow better than that of the LB is just ridiculous.

[birdman]

CR is so corrupt. They cant have conducted a thorough test on the Yaris or they would have given it the high marks that foreign reviewers give. American reviews are generally poor for these fine cars. This car wasn't designed for the American market so it's only natural that many Americans cant appreciate them. Especially the LB's. If you need proof regarding the owner satisfaction levels then you've come to the right place. This fabulous website wouldn't be here if people weren't happy with their choice.

[Billiam]

Holy old thread Batman!!!

Clear......*ZAP*......we have a pulse!!

[swidd]

I'm approaching 70,000 miles, and the paint looks just fine, still lots of shine after a detail/wax job - which I haven't always taken care to perform regularly. There are a few chips on the front, but no more severe than on any other car, and it only detracts from the looks when viewing the vehicle up close.

I drive defensively/go slow/stay far back, and I hit the brakes hard if a dirty truck/dumpster trailer pulls in front of me.

[Twistoffate0817]

I don't think your going to find a car in the segment of vehicles you are shopping in with perfect paint...

My Yaris has not experienced the paint chipping that others complain about. I did buy it for the MPG though, which is around 41.6 right now :)

[M4One]

Purchased in 2006. No problems with paint except for when a couple of trucks passing by each other smashed their mirrors together and the shards flew onto my hood causing a couple of minor chips.

I did apply a paint protection when I bought it and have reapplied a few times since.

[why?]

grave digger! lol. fun stuff.

[jollyfreak]

I have my car since 2008 and i have abt 25K..
Absolutely no problems.
Its a great little fun car. I liked the looks of a 08 3dr liftback..
I test drove to find out how smooth and solid it was....
Also like the visibility you have on the road.. there are numerous other +ves that made me buy this car. I dont regret it.

and abt the paint.. no problems at all.. i just wash just with water no soap or anything.. it looks great.

[bkrownd]

Originally Posted by birdman

CR is so corrupt. They cant have conducted a thorough test on the Yaris or they would have given it the high marks that foreign reviewers give. American reviews are generally poor for these fine cars. This car wasn't designed for the American market so it's only natural that many Americans cant appreciate them.

Not corrupt, just American. I sense that the auto reviews are made to address typical American perceptions and interests, and since I'm not a typical American I have to read between the lines and filter all that stuff out. None of my relatives would ever purchase the same car I did.