buying a Yaris, what to look for? - Toyota Yaris Forums

localkineguy · 06-25-2011, 08:51 AM

Hi Everyone,
I'm sick of my current car giving me problems and I'm looking to get a basic Yaris so keep me afloat for the next 4 years. The main one I'm looking at is a 2008 Yaris with 89,000 miles, manual trans, manual windows & locks, 2dr hatch. Is there anything in particular that I should keep an eye out for regarding this car? Are there particular weak points or signs of bad use that I should check for? Thanks and I look forward to joining the community

ilikerice · 06-25-2011, 10:03 AM

From the top of my head. The usual stuff. Check the oil, try pulling the cap off and looking inside. Look for sludge build up.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...t=35115&page=2
this thread is what a couple guys here have.

Only other thing I can think of is look for coolant residue from the water pump. I read quite often that the bearings go bad premature and will sling coolant around. Look on the bottom of the hood and firewall. Look for signs of coolant getting slung around like a wind mill.

ONly think i can think of right now.. hope this helps and others. good luck and welcome to yarisworld

DMZ · 06-25-2011, 11:10 AM

If the maintenance has been kept on schedule, there should not be any problems with it. If it looks like it has had "hard" use, be wary.

What is the asking price?

localkineguy · 06-25-2011, 04:36 PM

Asking price is $8,000 for ~90,000 miles. I got these replies too late but I did pop the hood and didn't notice anything obvious. The guy who's selling it works at a motorcycle shop so...I guess it's not manly enough for him :P

Kiteless · 06-25-2011, 05:13 PM

Hey I have basically that same car but its an 07. My car has 92k miles on it and the only problem I have had is the door windows rattle a little and the light behind the top dial in the climate control does not always come on unless I tap it. I have done all upkeep at tje dealership and the car has been flawless. Clutch is also in super good shape, but I am very easy on my gear shifts and do my best to rev match as I shift and not quick shift. Its just not setup for that. Still a lot of life left in a Yaris with 90k miles on it if it has been well taken care of.

- J

nemelek · 06-25-2011, 06:59 PM

Get proof that the oil has been changed every 5,000 miles.

fj40dave · 06-26-2011, 01:30 AM

My front brake caliper was dragging @ 74k mi.....but otherwise, my Yaris has been perfect.
I have 80k on it now.

ps: I will sell ya mine for 7,500 :)

localkineguy · 06-26-2011, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemelek

Get proof that the oil has been changed every 5,000 miles.

You think that if the guy didn't do regular oil changes that's a deal-breaker?

Flipper_1938 · 06-26-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by localkineguy

You think that if the guy didn't do regular oil changes that's a deal-breaker?

Yep.

Pacquiao · 06-26-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by localkineguy

Asking price is $8,000 for ~90,000 miles. I got these replies too late but I did pop the hood and didn't notice anything obvious. The guy who's selling it works at a motorcycle shop so...I guess it's not manly enough for him :P

You're willing to pay 8K for a Yaris that has 90K miles on it?

Why not pay 13K for a brand new 3 door base hatch?

localkineguy · 06-26-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacquiao

You're willing to pay 8K for a Yaris that has 90K miles on it?

Why not pay 13K for a brand new 3 door base hatch?

1) I don't have $13k & quick build on the Toyota.com site says a new one is $15.5k anyway.
2) KBB puts the car between $7,600 and $8,200

Edit: price came down to $7,600 and he has service records at Toyota dealerships. I'm going for it

Flipper_1938 · 06-26-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacquiao

You're willing to pay 8K for a Yaris that has 90K miles on it?

Why not pay 13K for a brand new 3 door base hatch?

90,000 miles should not be an issue if it is a good car that hasn't been wrecked and has been maintained. My echo was still a great car at 318,000 miles (I took it cross-country at over 300,000 miles...no issues).

localkineguy · 06-26-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

90,000 miles should not be an issue if it is a good car that hasn't been wrecked and has been maintained. My echo was still a great car at 318,000 miles (I took it cross-country at over 300,000 miles...no issues).

Whoa, two thumbs way up for hitting the big 3 number...sounds like you got a diesel engine in there...literally

fj40dave · 06-26-2011, 09:12 PM

When you get the new (used) Yaris ... let's see some pictures here!

Flipper_1938 · 06-26-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by localkineguy

Whoa, two thumbs way up for hitting the big 3 number...sounds like you got a diesel engine in there...literally

Nope, it was a normal gas burner.

Kiteless · 06-27-2011, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

Nope, it was a normal gas burner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40dave

When you get the new (used) Yaris ... let's see some pictures here!

Yeah 300K+ miles is amazing!

Mos def wanna see some pics of your new (used) Yaris after you get it. Sounds like a good deal to me!

localkineguy · 06-27-2011, 11:01 AM

It'll just be a standard blue two door hatchback...no frills, not even power windows/locks. This has got to get me through graduate school :P

ilikerice · 06-27-2011, 11:27 AM

It will do just that =)

AND MORE!

06-25-2011, 08:51 AM	#1
localkineguy Drives: 2003 Mazda Protege5 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 13	buying a Yaris, what to look for? Hi Everyone, I'm sick of my current car giving me problems and I'm looking to get a basic Yaris so keep me afloat for the next 4 years. The main one I'm looking at is a 2008 Yaris with 89,000 miles, manual trans, manual windows & locks, 2dr hatch. Is there anything in particular that I should keep an eye out for regarding this car? Are there particular weak points or signs of bad use that I should check for? Thanks and I look forward to joining the community

06-25-2011, 05:13 PM	#5
Kiteless Drives: US 2007 Yaris Liftback 5MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Union City, CA - U.S.A. Posts: 205	Hey I have basically that same car but its an 07. My car has 92k miles on it and the only problem I have had is the door windows rattle a little and the light behind the top dial in the climate control does not always come on unless I tap it. I have done all upkeep at tje dealership and the car has been flawless. Clutch is also in super good shape, but I am very easy on my gear shifts and do my best to rev match as I shift and not quick shift. Its just not setup for that. Still a lot of life left in a Yaris with 90k miles on it if it has been well taken care of. - J __________________ 2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback Base 5 Speed. Mods: Netz/Vitz/RS badging, RS style spoiler, RS replica tails, Tenabe NT210 Springs, Tokico Blue Struts, Team Dynamics 14", fogs(Arrived), JDM HKS Exhaust.

06-25-2011, 06:59 PM	#6
nemelek DWEED Drives: 3DR 2008 Metorite Metalic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,161	Get proof that the oil has been changed every 5,000 miles. __________________ Making a decision without following it with an action is still a fantasy.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
NEWS: TOYOTA REVEALS ALL-NEW YARIS SEDAN AT 2006 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW	VitzBoy	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	7	09-20-2023 07:50 AM
Looking at buying a 2003 Yaris	TonyBee	UK	8	03-31-2011 06:53 AM
Thinking about buying a 07 yaris sedan	brg88tx	New YARIS Purchase Forum	14	06-28-2010 11:57 AM
Buying Yaris	stepish	Australia	14	01-20-2009 10:11 AM

06-25-2011, 10:03 AM	#2
ilikerice Drives: 2010 black yaris Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 2,868	From the top of my head. The usual stuff. Check the oil, try pulling the cap off and looking inside. Look for sludge build up. http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...t=35115&page=2 this thread is what a couple guys here have. Only other thing I can think of is look for coolant residue from the water pump. I read quite often that the bearings go bad premature and will sling coolant around. Look on the bottom of the hood and firewall. Look for signs of coolant getting slung around like a wind mill. ONly think i can think of right now.. hope this helps and others. good luck and welcome to yarisworld

06-25-2011, 11:10 AM	#3
DMZ Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 130	If the maintenance has been kept on schedule, there should not be any problems with it. If it looks like it has had "hard" use, be wary. What is the asking price?

06-25-2011, 04:36 PM	#4
localkineguy Drives: 2003 Mazda Protege5 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 13	Asking price is $8,000 for ~90,000 miles. I got these replies too late but I did pop the hood and didn't notice anything obvious. The guy who's selling it works at a motorcycle shop so...I guess it's not manly enough for him :P

06-26-2011, 01:30 AM	#7
fj40dave Drives: '08 HB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Allyn Posts: 71	My front brake caliper was dragging @ 74k mi.....but otherwise, my Yaris has been perfect. I have 80k on it now. ps: I will sell ya mine for 7,500 :)

06-26-2011, 09:12 PM	#14
fj40dave Drives: '08 HB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Allyn Posts: 71	When you get the new (used) Yaris ... let's see some pictures here!

06-27-2011, 11:01 AM	#17
localkineguy Drives: 2003 Mazda Protege5 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 13	It'll just be a standard blue two door hatchback...no frills, not even power windows/locks. This has got to get me through graduate school :P

06-27-2011, 11:27 AM	#18
ilikerice Drives: 2010 black yaris Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 2,868	It will do just that =) AND MORE!