Toyota Yaris 1.5

[trinacriabob]

I was in NC and had rented a compact car for 4 days. I was hoping for a Cobalt or a Focus. No such luck...they were going to put me in an HHR or PT Cruiser. I told them I needed an 'effing trunk (I was firm, not rude). So I got a Yaris sedan.

This is a short review. There is little that is inspiring to say about this car.

It is the noisiest new car I've ever driven. It is a lawn-mower with a passenger car shell dropped onto it. To say that going from this car back into a 17 year old Regal with over a quarter of a million miles and feeling like one went from backpack cloth to velvet would about describe it. Shifts are rough, especially when throttled. The interior does not have many options for seat adjustments, which weren't comfortable to begin with, and the speedometer and indicators are in the MIDDLE of the dashboard... and NOT even angled toward the driver. Crazy. Especially on the freeway in rural areas, it was hard to monitor one's speed.

The only good things were: decent enough seating position and visibility and excellent gas mileage with the 1.5 liter (freeway mileage appeared to be 42 or 43 - that's on par with a Smart Car, and this is more usable).

The price I rented this car for was almost a "mistake." Therefore, I was able to drive hundreds of miles for 4 days for what a cab fare from downtown LA to LAX would have cost. So, I can't complain much. I wish I would have spent 4 days in a Focus instead. Oh well.

[trinacriabob]

Oh yeah, I forgot, I also got frequent flyer credit for the rental.

[MyerShift]

Pardon me, but what did you require a trunk for?

I myself would have gladly taken a PT or HHR over the Yaris.

My Golf V's hatch area, though slightly less accomodating than the Astra's, is quite commodious.

[Drew Dowdell]

Unless you specifically needed to lock the trunk and have the contents be hidden, I don't get the trunk issue with the PT Cruiser or HHR.

Turning down an HHR in favor of a Yaris sedan because you need a trunk is like turning down a TrailBlazer for a Malibu for the same reason.

[MyerShift]

Turning down an HHR in favor of a Yaris sedan because you need a trunk is like turning down a TrailBlazer for a Malibu for the same reason.

However, the Malibu would be much nicer to drive, hehe.

[Robert Hall]

Unless you specifically needed to lock the trunk and have the contents be hidden, I don't get the trunk issue with the PT Cruiser or HHR.

Turning down an HHR in favor of a Yaris sedan because you need a trunk is like turning down a TrailBlazer for a Malibu for the same reason.

Yeah, I'd take a hatchback over a trunk anyday in a small car. And hatchbacks usually have a cover over the rear area.

When I'm traveling for myself and need to rent a car, I try and avoid anything smaller than a midsize...I'm happy with a Taurus, Grand Marquis, or Town Car (which are the cars I've rented the most frequently over the last 6-8 years), or a Mustang convertible if I'm someplace fun in warm weather.

Edited February 22, 2009 by moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

However, the Malibu would be much nicer to drive, hehe.

Indeed. I've never driven a Malibu, but if it's like the V6 Aura I drove one could easily do worse.

I'm sure the HHR would have been a nicer drive than the Yaris.... but it doesn't sounds like that bar is set too high.

[regfootball]

yaris sells like mad and yet people won't buy astras. that alone makes me angry. to understand why i say that. astras and their discounts now can be cheaper than similar optioned yaris.

why anyone buys a yaris over a cobalt or focus, too...........

[Drew Dowdell]

yaris sells like mad and yet people won't buy astras. that alone makes me angry. to understand why i say that. astras and their discounts now can be cheaper than similar optioned yaris.

why anyone buys a yaris over a cobalt or focus, too...........

There's a sombrero on the hood.

[Satty]

Yaris' are dirt cheap. Out the door, they're priced like Aveos, not Cobalts.

[ocnblu]

I drove one 30 feet last week, an '07 sedan with 36k miles. At idle, the interior was a cacophony of buzzes.

[Paolino]

I drove one 30 feet last week, an '07 sedan with 36k miles. At idle, the interior was a cacophony of buzzes.

Love that word.

Haven't heard it in years.

[Robert Hall]

How about this: which would be worse to have to drive for a week coast-to-coast---a Yaris, an Aveo, a G3 (you'd have excitement!) or an Accent--about the lowest of the low I can think of for new cars.

I think I'd rather take a Greyhound bus coast to coast than drive one of those.

[Satty]

Low level Hyundais have a level of fit, finish and refinement rivaling new GMs that cost twice as much. That said, coast-to-coast in any compact would suck due to the lack of room.

[Intrepidation]

How about this: which would be worse to have to drive for a week coast-to-coast---a Yaris, an Aveo, a G3 (you'd have excitement!) or an Accent--about the lowest of the low I can think of for new cars.

I think I'd rather take a Greyhound bus coast to coast than drive one of those.

I've been on Greyhound. never again. That being said the Accent would be my choice.

[Robert Hall]

I've been on Greyhound. never again. That being said the Accent would be my choice.

I've never been on a Greyhound, but I do want to do the coast to coast drive eventually.

I've some pretty long drives (1000 miles +), both by myself and with others--driven from San Jose, Ca to Denver ('04 Impala), Ann Arbor, Mi to Colorado Springs via Chicago (87 Mustang GT), Ann Arbor to Boston (87 Mustang GT), Cleveland area to Boston (Mustang GT), Ann Arbor to Baltimore (Mustang GT) , Pittsburgh area to the Florida Keys (Mustang GT, Ford Escort), but never all the way across country.

[Intrepidation]

Longest road trip so far was the 4,000+ mile round trip in the Intrepid through 20 or so states.

[Robert Hall]

Logest road trip so far was the 4,000+ mile round trip in the Intrepid through 20 or so states.

Sounds like fun.. I want to go out and search for America sometime...take a few weeks in June or September, a V8 convertible, a laptop, a cell phone, a bit of luggage, a good map and a GPS. Just drive to all the places in the lower 48 I've wanted to go to but haven't been to yet..

[Intrepidation]

Sounds like fun.. I want to go out and search for America sometime...take a few weeks in June or September, a V8 convertible, a laptop, a cell phone, a bit of luggage, a good map and a GPS. Just drive to all the places in the lower 48 I've wanted to go to but haven't been to yet..

Yeah, it was a blast. 4 people and a fully loaded trunk, driving almost non stop...all I had to do was change a light bulb after the trip.

[gm4life]

I would have taken the HHR and run... But no suprise the Yaris is a small ugly car, and now I think even less of it.

[regfootball]

Yaris' are dirt cheap. Out the door, they're priced like Aveos, not Cobalts.

last trip to the toyota lot i recall, the yaris' were all best priced in the 15k plus range with some near 17. when i say this, i am talking with neccessary options like power windows and locks, and ABS, and air.

[regfootball]

How about this: which would be worse to have to drive for a week coast-to-coast---a Yaris, an Aveo, a G3 (you'd have excitement!) or an Accent--about the lowest of the low I can think of for new cars.

I think I'd rather take a Greyhound bus coast to coast than drive one of those.

the accent is not bad. i do prefer it to the elantra in fact.

[Robert Hall]

the accent is not bad. i do prefer it to the elantra in fact.

Ok..there's probably a Kia version of it that's even cheaper and nastier, though. Rio?

Edited February 23, 2009 by moltar

[Intrepidation]

the accent is not bad. i do prefer it to the elantra in fact.

+1

[regfootball]

i give hyundai credit, they are trying to be toyota with more benefit and they are on their way to doing exactly that. toyota should be worried. the accent is a good car and better than yaris and offers much more value for less money. this is why toyota should be very afraid. now that people buy hyundais as an alternative to lexus, i can see how hyundai may really start to eat toyotas lunch from the bottom end also.

[MyerShift]

i give hyundai credit, they are trying to be toyota with more benefit and they are on their way to doing exactly that. toyota should be worried. the accent is a good car and better than yaris and offers much more value for less money. this is why toyota should be very afraid. now that people buy hyundais as an alternative to lexus, i can see how hyundai may really start to eat toyotas lunch from the bottom end also.

Aside from ongoing concern regarding GM in general, I find it very exciting that Hyundai has the potential, quality, new innovative and, I feel, brave products and desire to topple Toyota.

[gm4life]

Aside from ongoing concern regarding GM in general, I find it very exciting that Hyundai has the potential, quality, new innovative and, I feel, brave products and desire to topple Toyota.

I agree it hurts Toyota then its good for GM.

[SAmadei]

How about this: which would be worse to have to drive for a week coast-to-coast---a Yaris, an Aveo, a G3 (you'd have excitement!) or an Accent--about the lowest of the low I can think of for new cars.

I think I'd rather take a Greyhound bus coast to coast than drive one of those.

Your forgetting about the $9995 Versa, the current winner in the race to the bottom.

I agree with DF, I'd rather take the front seat out of the G3 and drive it across the country from the back seat than go Greyhound.

I used to take Greyhound back and forth from New York City to Atlantic City every week... I did this because the final cost after the casinos give you money back is about $9-$11 bucks... which wouldn't cover the tolls to do that in a car one way... plus I don't have a place to park in NYC. I feel the NYC<->AC route is Greyhound's worst. It is the most disgusting way to travel. The buses stink, have lousy temperature control and break down. The seats are stained and ripped. The fellow passengers stink, are loud and rude. The bus drivers are mostly ignorant and on a power trip. There is no leg room and the inconsiderate jerk in front of you thinks it is his god given right to recline the seats onto your knees for three hours.

After nearly throwing a few passengers off the bus via the window at 75 mph, I started taking NJ Transit... a relative limo service.

To go from NYC to Los Angeles, it costs $220 and 3 days of your life. If you value your time at $5/hr that total is $400. If makes flying look good.

My point... people lake to compare cars to greyhound because they've never done it. Once you've done it, you would rather take a 3rd world taxi cab across the country than Greyhound.

[daves87rs]

Aside from ongoing concern regarding GM in general, I find it very exciting that Hyundai has the potential, quality, new innovative and, I feel, brave products and desire to topple Toyota.

Agreed.

And the Versa is not too bad...

[trinacriabob]

Unless you specifically needed to lock the trunk and have the contents be hidden, I don't get the trunk issue with the PT Cruiser or HHR.

Turning down an HHR in favor of a Yaris sedan because you need a trunk is like turning down a TrailBlazer for a Malibu for the same reason.

To hide the luggage. There are way too many rental vehicles that don't allow for completely hiding belongings that it perplexes me. And for those cars that are SUPPOSED to have the cover or retractable vinyl pull, most of the time it ISN'T there. So I have to go back to the counter to get a passenger car.

Edited February 24, 2009 by trinacriabob

[trinacriabob]

Yeah, I'd take a hatchback over a trunk anyday in a small car. And hatchbacks usually have a cover over the rear area.

When I'm traveling for myself and need to rent a car, I try and avoid anything smaller than a midsize...I'm happy with a Taurus, Grand Marquis, or Town Car (which are the cars I've rented the most frequently over the last 6-8 years), or a Mustang convertible if I'm someplace fun in warm weather.

Read preceding post.

I, too, like traveling around in a luxo-boat when I'm on vacation. I'm still waiting for the day they (1) make a mistake, or (2) run out of cars and are forced to upgrade me several notches...to a DTS!

[trinacriabob]

Love that word.

Haven't heard it in years.

Yeah, great word.

Our friend ocn is more articulate than he lets on...

[regfootball]

Agreed.

And the Versa is not too bad...

the versa i drove was horrible. cobalt is far better. FAR BETTER

[Intrepidation]

Your forgetting about the $9995 Versa, the current winner in the race to the bottom.

I agree with DF, I'd rather take the front seat out of the G3 and drive it across the country from the back seat than go Greyhound.

I used to take Greyhound back and forth from New York City to Atlantic City every week... I did this because the final cost after the casinos give you money back is about $9-$11 bucks... which wouldn't cover the tolls to do that in a car one way... plus I don't have a place to park in NYC. I feel the NYC<->AC route is Greyhound's worst. It is the most disgusting way to travel. The buses stink, have lousy temperature control and break down. The seats are stained and ripped. The fellow passengers stink, are loud and rude. The bus drivers are mostly ignorant and on a power trip. There is no leg room and the inconsiderate jerk in front of you thinks it is his god given right to recline the seats onto your knees for three hours.

After nearly throwing a few passengers off the bus via the window at 75 mph, I started taking NJ Transit... a relative limo service.

To go from NYC to Los Angeles, it costs $220 and 3 days of your life. If you value your time at $5/hr that total is $400. If makes flying look good.

My point... people lake to compare cars to greyhound because they've never done it. Once you've done it, you would rather take a 3rd world taxi cab across the country than Greyhound.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I, too, like traveling around in a luxo-boat when I'm on vacation. I'm still waiting for the day they (1) make a mistake, or (2) run out of cars and are forced to upgrade me several notches...to a DTS!

Funny almost every time we've rented a car they've bumped us up because they've run out of cars (Be it midsize or fullsize)... Mostly we've rented DTSs, Devilles, Lucernes, Town Cars and Crown Vics, even though we reserved Grand Ams, Fusions etc. When they do fill the reservation we asked for usually end up with an Allure.

[trinacriabob]

Mostly we've rented DTSs

When they do fill the reservation we asked for usually end up with an Allure.

Well, you know I like the Allure.

However, I'm really curious about what it's like to drive around in a DTS?

[G. David Felt]

:smilies-38096: Driving around in a DTS is a fun Float ride from your favorite Arm Chair. That is why I do not have a DTS but do have the Escalade, SRX and CTS as they both are fun driving machines. My dad loves his DTS and the Float ride.

Most people if you have a reservation and fly in late morning will end up with an upgrade as by then the low end autos are almost always rented out.

Yaris is a death trap on wheels, I am surprised it actually is allowed to be sold. One of Toyota's worst vehicles they have ever made. Course to me everything they make is crap as it is too small, all plastic and I have yet to really find a quality Toyota that was comfortable.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Well, you know I like the Allure.

However, I'm really curious about what it's like to drive around in a DTS?

We've rented a couple... a Blue 2007 with buckets and a Chromaflair 2006 with the bench seat, I have to say I preferred the 2006 with the bench seat. To the people who say that you should just get a Lucerne CXS because it's cheaper and pretty much the same, I really disagree. We've had a 2006 White Diamond Lucerne CXS rental as well and I just think that the interior is better on the DTS on the quality side, and I also think it rides better. I wish that all models had real wood, but they've made the faux wood look better by fixing a darker, walnut burl faux wood instead of the stuff they used in 2006-2007 which was too lightly colored, even so the genuine dark walnut is a must-have option IMO. The DTS has to be my favorite current GM car, and it was a real treat on the highway, the 2006 we rented took us to Edmonton and back- it was completely flawless. The digital speed readout was a nice touch.

Edited February 25, 2009 by vonVeezelsnider

[regfootball]

my dad likes his DTS. I was like, meh. too relaxed for me.

Edited February 25, 2009 by regfootball

[trinacriabob]

The DTS has to be my favorite current GM car, and it was a real treat on the highway, the 2006 we rented took us to Edmonton and back- it was completely flawless. The digital speed readout was a nice touch.

What kind of gas mileage does the DTS deliver on a full-highway run, such as the one to Edmonton? (Converted into American, not km/liter)?

(I love the DTS in Ice Blue Metallic with gray buckets and the base Luxury Group 1, or whatever it's called, has MORE gadgets than I will ever need).

[G. David Felt]

What kind of gas mileage does the DTS deliver on a full-highway run, such as the one to Edmonton? (Converted into American, not km/liter)?

(I love the DTS in Ice Blue Metallic with gray buckets and the base Luxury Group 1, or whatever it's called, has MORE gadgets than I will ever need).

:smilies-38096: I can tell you on the Run from Seattle to Sun City California to visit my Grandpa, my Dad's DTS averaged 24 miles per gallon. I consider that pretty good, around town he gets abot 19 or 18 miles to the gallon. The northstar is a sweet engine.

[vonVeezelsnider]

We got 28 US MPG Hwy from Calgary to Edmonton at 110KPH.

[trinacriabob]

We got 28 US MPG Hwy from Calgary to Edmonton at 110KPH.

Thanks von and dfelt...both respectable mpgs...and I presume the A/C was turned on for the Cali trip!

[G. David Felt]

Thanks von and dfelt...both respectable mpgs...and I presume the A/C was turned on for the Cali trip!

Yup My Dad, Mom and I all get warm when it gets above 65 so the AC was on the whole way. Even up and over the Grape Vine when we headed into LA to visit some other relatives it did great, no slow down or problems at all.

[regfootball]

my dad says that everyone he knows with a DTS northstar gets high 20's on the highway.

[daves87rs]

the versa i drove was horrible. cobalt is far better. FAR BETTER

[daves87rs]

my dad says that everyone he knows with a DTS northstar gets high 20's on the highway.

It's easy do to....I ragged on one and still got 25...

[regfootball]

versa is cheap and tinny. the shifter is ok but the chassis does not feel solid. power is down compared to the cobalt. believe it or not, cobalts interior is nicer than the versa. cobalt feels much more solid overall. versa has cheap interior which on the used one i drove with 13k on it, already felt like it had 50+ k miles on it. versa might be selling, but look too at owner comments on how 'reliable' versas are.

cobalt really is a better car than the versa.

i wonder if people are really aware how unrefined some of the powertrains are in this class of car. the cobalt has a very good engine by comparison to lots of cars you can buy for equal price.

[Satty]

The Cobalt starts some $4,000 higher than the Versa. And the Cobalt isn't that pleasant a car.

[ocnblu]

Hehe, what do you get with a $9995 Versa? NOTHING