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01-31-2012, 07:10 PM | #1 |
I've made a post!
Drives: Jeep Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: U.S.
Posts: 1
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How Well does the Yaris handle on dirt roads?
I am thinking about getting a Yaris because I drive many miles a day and the Yaris seems affordable but nice for a small hatchback car and I am looking for something with great MPG. There is one road I often drive on that is a dirt/clay road and when it rains hard, the road turns to mush in places for about a mile. People with small 2 wheel drive cars (Corollas, etc.) usually get through the road without being stuck but it can be difficult. I have driven down that road when it is muddy in a small car like an old Ford Escourt and when the road was really bad I remember just getting by without getting stuck. When the road was only sort of muddy I could get by in the Escourt whthout too much trouble. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Yaris on such a bad, muddy road. I figure with the skinny tires it might be easy to get stuck. I don't expect it to get through mud like a Jeep, obviously!
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01-31-2012, 07:31 PM | #2 |
Not quite a noob
Drives: e46 325 Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: edmonton
Posts: 1,408
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If you're worried, just get wide wheels.. it handles snow very well so presumably, equipped properly, it could do quite well.
I haven't drive in mud before though. |
01-31-2012, 07:46 PM | #3 |
ULTIMATE
Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA, CT
Posts: 13,460
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It's definitely all about the tires. The Yaris actually does extremely well traction-wise. Me plowing snow and pulling neighbors' cars out of snow banks with one is a great testament to that.
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01-31-2012, 09:07 PM | #4 |
2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how!
Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 2,333
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I did a dirt road last week that was slush/mud/water/ice, on stock tires that need replacing. It was pretty sketchy, but I imagine that some decent all weathers or even snow tires could help. Then again, there's always rally tires...
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02-01-2012, 05:09 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
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Here my Yaris on the Daulton Highway in Alaska.
A lot of its dirt.
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Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head |
02-01-2012, 08:31 AM | #6 |
Drives: 07 Yaris 3Dr HB Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 40
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Nice shots of Alaska country!
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02-01-2012, 03:02 PM | #7 |
Drives: Black Vitz Liftback Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 238
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19 miles of wash board sandy/small gravel in both directions-never again. the car shakes horribly over wash boards-barely able to go 10 mph. amazing the car held together the shaking got so bad before I slowed enough. short wheel base and front wheel drive did not like the gravel road in my situation.
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02-01-2012, 03:16 PM | #8 |
TRIM HUNTER
Drives: 2007 BLAZIN BLUE YARIS 3 DR Join Date: May 2006
Location: ROCKLAND COUNTY NY
Posts: 2,088
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mudguards might help with the kick up of rocks/mud....
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02-01-2012, 03:24 PM | #9 | |
Drives: '08 LB MT Bayou Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,671
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Quote:
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02-01-2012, 05:46 PM | #10 | |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
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Quote:
Put my Yaris in with 20 other Yaris and pick out the one driven to AK and back. You wont be able to tell.
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Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head |
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02-01-2012, 07:34 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2008 5 Door Liftback Auto Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 157
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they have something called "rough road package" for Yaris..always wondered what that was.
The suspension is kinda firm, but other than that I imagine it should be as well as other cars. With the advantage of being easier to push out when you get stuck due to low weight.
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1999 Honda Prelude Base 5 speed (summer driver) 2008 5 Door Liftback Auto |
02-01-2012, 07:43 PM | #12 |
2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how!
Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 2,333
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Ironically, there is less amplitude in the vibrations at higher speeds, despite the increase in frequency. I have always preferred to drive 40+ on dirt/gravel in any vehicle, unless there are big ruts or washouts.
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02-04-2012, 02:21 PM | #13 | |
Only Happy When it Rains
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Quote:
Then I had a Saab with good bad road tires where I could drive in any amount of dirt or snow or crap and I would never get stuck. So just buy tires that can handle the muck and the Yaris will do great.
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Colin Chapman disciple |
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02-04-2012, 03:37 PM | #14 |
Drives: 06 Yaris HB CE Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 501
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i can tell you once you get stuck even the slightest you won't be able to pull yourself out, this is the only thing i don't like about the yaris. i was stuck in sand once and snow once, but only one wheel from the front spins when i give it gas, the other wheel just stays motionless! if both wheels spin together I'm sure the yari would be able to pull himself out
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02-05-2012, 10:45 PM | #15 |
Drives: 2008 5 sp. LB Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idahoi
Posts: 268
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I live on a dirt road that gets mushy, icey etc. The Yaris is no better or worse then any other rig I've had. I certainly don't baby it, hell, it's a Toyota! Tires are the key, though nothing special, just good as I would have any other rig I drive on the same road. The low ground clearance, in deep snow, is an obvious problem, but that's why I have the '89 All-Trac!
The only negative is the back window gets really dirty quick, due to the aerodynamics. I don't care about that, that why I have side mirrors. Call it privacy glass....... |
02-10-2012, 05:55 PM | #16 | |
Drives: yaris 2 door hatch Join Date: May 2007
Location: hemphill texas
Posts: 193
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little car that can
Quote:
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02-10-2012, 07:40 PM | #17 |
DWEED
Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,161
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It does ok, however, I don't drive much in the dirt.
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02-11-2012, 07:55 PM | #18 |
Only Happy When it Rains
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that won't help. The Yaris has an open diff, buying a LSD would help that, but those are expensive.
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Colin Chapman disciple |
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