And another stupid question...

[otterhere]

You guys just won't believe me when I say I'm mechanically clueless, but...

I bought 14" hubcaps because my invoice, the paper that was taped to the window (I bought it new), states that my 2008base (stock model, whatever that means) Toyota Yaris 3-door liftback has 14" wheels, but they DON'T FIT...

Turns out that only 15" hubcaps fit my wheels.

How did THAT happen???

[WeeYari]

I think I've seen it mentioned that part way through the 2008 model year, base became available on 15" steelies. Maybe yours was built during the transition period, and paperwork didn't quite jive with the actual car. I could very well be wrong on this, but for some reason a bell is going off.

Do your tires actually have 1??/??/15 stamped on their sidewalls?

[otterhere]

Not sure; gotta check! But the 14" cap was definitely too small; looked at the underside of one of the others and, sure enough, 15"... This car is just weird in many ways...

[Deathegg]

Look again on the window sticker. I have a '10 hatch, with stock 14" wheels listed in the "standard equipment" - but in the options section it has the optional 15" listed, and I do in fact have 15" wheels.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by Deathegg

Look again on the window sticker. I have a '10 hatch, with stock 14" wheels listed in the "standard equipment" - but in the options section it has the optional 15" listed, and I do in fact have 15" wheels.

I'll do that; thanks! And yes; the tire itself is stamped "15." Now to return the 14" hubcaps I bought (sigh)!

[solarVitz]

Originally Posted by otterhere

I'll do that; thanks! And yes; the tire itself is stamped "15." Now to return the 14" hubcaps I bought (sigh)!

dont be discourage when u bought the wrong part for your car as u can always return it. lesson learned. next time just check your parts to make sure it is the right one to buy first before u make the purchase and u can always ask here first for yaris information as a lot of us have the knowledge of our cars. goodluck to u bro and have a nice day with your yaris. ^.^

[otterhere]

Thanks, solarVitz!

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by otterhere

Thanks, solarVitz!

BTW: did you drop your Yaris? Looks good! $300 plus parts, but would probably be worth it to be happier with its appearance and handling...

[solarVitz]

Originally Posted by otterhere

BTW: did you drop your Yaris? Looks good! $300 plus parts, but would probably be worth it to be happier with its appearance and handling...

I was on megan coilovers on that pic. I sold my coilovers awhile ago and decided to just cut my stock springs. My car is lowered the same as my friends which he had the tein lowering springs. The ride was ok and i dont mind the bouncing of the car when i ran into any dip or pot holes.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by solarVitz

I was on megan coilovers on that pic. I sold my coilovers awhile ago and decided to just cut my stock springs. My car is lowered the same as my friends which he had the tein lowering springs. The ride was ok and i dont mind the bouncing of the car when i ran into any dip or pot holes.

Okay, so (one question seems to lead to another here)...

What do you mean by "cut your stock springs"?

I'm telling you, I can barely put gas in the car; clueless...

[solarVitz]

Originally Posted by otterhere

Okay, so (one question seems to lead to another here)...

What do you mean by "cut your stock springs"?

I'm telling you, I can barely put gas in the car; clueless...

i cut the coils from my stock springs so my car will be lowered when i install the cut springs on.

[cali yaris]

Cut springs means he physically cut coils from them to make them shorter. In general, the ride is not as good with this method, but it's FREE!

u can always ask here first for yaris information as a lot of us have the knowledge of our cars.

^ YES

[BEEF]

I got flamed pretty hard when I said something about cutting springs.

[otterhere]

Estimates all in: $465 for parts and labor to "drop" my Yaris; decision? Learn to love it.

[BEEF]

1.5 has a set right now he is selling for $60 + shipping (would assume about $100 all together). you could find a friend (even a female) and jack up the rear of your car using your jack and your friends jack (from their car) and just do the back. the back is really easy. loosten two bolts and then things virtually fall out. see how you like just the back. if you like it, keep it. if you don't, just reverse the motions.

if you feel confident in doing that to the back, myabe try tackling the front. that is a bit more involved but still not that bad.

up to you but a lot better than almost $500

[matti]

Serious questions: does the car drive differently when you drop it? Or do you drop it just because you like the look?

[otterhere]

They say it handles better, but you feel the bumps more. I hate to admit, for the first three years I thought someone had "jacked up" my car, especially in the back; have always hated seeing the undercarriage/springs from the back and on the sides, how ridiculously tall it is for a "subcompact" (as tall as some SUVs or vans), and the awful "soft" handling; I feel like I'm riding a hippity-hop, and the first thing I did in it was hit a curb and lose a hubcap! I'd love to drop it, but prolly not at nearly $500...

Others who've done it (and there are plenty of them) can tell you more, or see the archived threads.

[BEEF]

Originally Posted by matti

Serious questions: does the car drive differently when you drop it? Or do you drop it just because you like the look?

it has a stiffer feel depending on the spring rate, I went with the rear sway bar a the same time so the ride is a lot stiffer and body roll has all but gone away. I have friends that autocross and am thinking about it.

the springs themselves are relatively cheap at $150-$225. this is also a mod that you can do yourself with basic hand tools and one specialty tool (that you can BORROW from advance via loan-a-tool program).

not everyone is confident enough to do it themselves and thus the labor charge to have them put on.