I was looking to buy a small car, mostly because parking is very limited where I live. Do you feel that the Yaris is as good or better than comparable cars, such as the Fit and Versa? Also, I was looking into the Yaris 5 door hatchback, since it is shorter than the comparable Yaris sedan. I would like the smallest non-luxury small car I can find, meaning expensive cars like the Mini and Smart are not ones I would be considering. I'm interested to hear your opinions.
Buying a Toyota Yaris
- Thread starter parimento1
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If you are looking at a new vehicle, you might want to consider one of these.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/
You'll have to check the specs but I'd bet the Versa is a foot longer than the Yaris.
An Aveo or Accent are pretty short too and should be very cheap new. I have heard not good things about the Fit's automatic if you are looking at automatics.
An Aveo or Accent are pretty short too and should be very cheap new. I have heard not good things about the Fit's automatic if you are looking at automatics.
Yes, the Ford looks good on paper, but I'd prefer not to buy first model year vehicles, due to potential for problems.
Yaris, fit, and fiesta are good choices IMO. I like the size and feel of the Yaris for a cheap little runabout car. I would avoid the Aveo (made by Daewoo) or accent if it were me. The Versa is a Renault and I would look into long term reliability of those cars. I haven't heard anything bad but I am cautious of any French car personally. The Chrysler/fiat 500 is due out pretty soon also which would be a fun car. Also VW polo rumors have been around forever but who knows if it will actually make it here.
If you don,t want a new model with potential first year bugs . Your looking at honda fit, accent.rio, versa, suzuki. These are the smallest models you can get at a decent price new. Myself i have a rio which i bought used, so far i am happy with it. Its the rio5 it has a lot of room when the seats are folded down. The ride is decent for a small car, good gas mileage , only real problem is i find it noisy on the highway, so i just turn the music up louder.
If you do buy a Yaris, make sure you buy the one with a "Power Package", you will be happy that you did for a long time!
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: parimento1
Yes, the Ford looks good on paper, but I'd prefer not to buy first model year vehicles, due to potential for problems.
It is a car that has been produced in Europe for some time IIRC, so it really isn't "new". Just new to US.
Yes, the Ford looks good on paper, but I'd prefer not to buy first model year vehicles, due to potential for problems.
It is a car that has been produced in Europe for some time IIRC, so it really isn't "new". Just new to US.
We bought a Yaris (automatic 3-door hatch) for my wife a couple years back. It's a fine commuter car, but nothing terribly remarkable. Out of all the subcompacts we test drove I liked the gearing on the Yaris the best. My wife was a big fan of it's simplified gauge cluster in the center and the interior storage cubbys. I don't remember a lot of details from the other test drives, but I remember being underwhelmed by the Versa even though it had about 20% more horsepower (although the slimy dealership ended up closing the door on that option). The Fit was a step above the Yaris in cargo space and interior but at the time pricing on them was insane. I think they wanted around 3K more for a comparable model that still didn't have keyless entry (although it was a 5-door compared to the 3-door Yaris). The Accent was a close contender but bottom line prices ended up being pretty close between the Accent and the Yaris, and the trans gearing and interior sold us on the Yaris.
If we had to do it again now we'd probably be looking at either the 5-door Yaris (wasn't available when we bought), the Fiesta, or the Mazda2. I still haven't driven either of the last two though, so YMMV.
If we had to do it again now we'd probably be looking at either the 5-door Yaris (wasn't available when we bought), the Fiesta, or the Mazda2. I still haven't driven either of the last two though, so YMMV.
You may want to reconsider the YARIS . We have an '08 and 2010 with head gaskets that have identical oil leaks ( # 1 cylinder ). Just got the '08 back for the fix and there's some issues with it . Was told by the service manager that they're sending the head cylinder gasket to TOYOTA for possible defect . Give the MAZDA 2 (1.5 ltr.) or the FIESTA (1.6 ltr.) a try . The SCION XD ( 1.8 ltr. same as COROLLA , MATRIX ) may be a better choice . Give the FOCUS ( 2.0 ltr. ) a test drive too. It's a shame we're having these problems because we like the way they handle , ride , etc.. The automatic '08 sedan has been averaging near 41 m.p.g. the past 7 fills ( 38 m.p.g. overall average for past 3 yrs. ) . The 2010 3 door with auto has been averaging 39 m.p.g. overall for the summer. Good luck on your quest . Let us know on your decision .
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I shop this segment constantly. I'm 6'-1" 230 LBS.
The yaris 3door is roomy and comfortable in front (no giant console hitting/intruding on your right knee) and has decent back seat room for short hops. The engine is fantastic with the 5speed. Easy to get 37-42 MPG without trying. It's Manual Trans has tall gears so the engine does not ovverrev on the highway. I would avoid the 5 door due to high (relative) price and go for the 3 door. The ride is good but the handling/tracking is mediocre at best. -
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The Versa is Much more roomy and comfortable (great seats!) than just about anything in this 10-13K $ price class. Iwould agree that the reliablilty would be suspect given just the apparent under hood quality is lacking. The engine seems to be Noisy and makes only average power and fuel mileage.
The Kia rio5 sport hatch is a well screwed together machine but the engine is gutless although smooth(disregard rated HP) and the shifter seems designed with the classic VW BUG mystery gates. The car feel "feminine" to me. That ssaid, the Rio Handles much better than the Yaris or Versa - VERY very good personality and go for it handling attitude. 20 more HP on tap would make it irresistabe. The rio ranks near the top in most comparos and is well though of around the globe.
I would love to drive the Fiesta. I caution that If you cant get a well optioned car for under 12k out the door in this class I wouldnt shop it or buy it. Dealers near me sell base Altimas and Camry for $16,700 as price leaders. My 36K mile used yaris is for sale for 8500
The yaris 3door is roomy and comfortable in front (no giant console hitting/intruding on your right knee) and has decent back seat room for short hops. The engine is fantastic with the 5speed. Easy to get 37-42 MPG without trying. It's Manual Trans has tall gears so the engine does not ovverrev on the highway. I would avoid the 5 door due to high (relative) price and go for the 3 door. The ride is good but the handling/tracking is mediocre at best. -
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The Versa is Much more roomy and comfortable (great seats!) than just about anything in this 10-13K $ price class. Iwould agree that the reliablilty would be suspect given just the apparent under hood quality is lacking. The engine seems to be Noisy and makes only average power and fuel mileage.
The Kia rio5 sport hatch is a well screwed together machine but the engine is gutless although smooth(disregard rated HP) and the shifter seems designed with the classic VW BUG mystery gates. The car feel "feminine" to me. That ssaid, the Rio Handles much better than the Yaris or Versa - VERY very good personality and go for it handling attitude. 20 more HP on tap would make it irresistabe. The rio ranks near the top in most comparos and is well though of around the globe.
I would love to drive the Fiesta. I caution that If you cant get a well optioned car for under 12k out the door in this class I wouldnt shop it or buy it. Dealers near me sell base Altimas and Camry for $16,700 as price leaders. My 36K mile used yaris is for sale for 8500
wow a 2010 with HEADGASKET issues, that is a very serious problem for such a new car. How'd you know there was something wrong? Oil in coolant?
Found the leaks while doing my oil changes . Have been monitoring it for past few months . Just oil leaking from the exposed M.L.S. head gasket of the #1 cylinder to the outside on the backside of the engine between the timing chain cover and the exhaust manifold . I clean with windex ( amazing stuff ) and then recheck every 100 mis. or so . As for coolant leaking interanlly into the # 1 cylinder is beyond me . If you do get a 2010 YARIS , there's a $500 rebate from TOYOTA to you and the dealership or 0% financing for 60 months . You should be able to get the $500 rebate ( no money out their pockets , re-imbursed by TOYOTA corp. ) and a discount from the dealer of $500 > $800 or up to $1,000 dealer discount along with the 0% for the 5 years . Maybe you'll have better luck with the YARIS than us . The YARIS sales are down at this time , so use it to your advantage . GOOD LUCK .
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JHZR2
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I compared a yaris and a civic back to back for about two weeks each around the state of california. The Yaris won in my view over the civic for a wide variety of reasons. I posted a review of this in the vehicles section.
The fit disappoints in terms of its hwy fuel economy, though this may have changed. I had a yaris sedan, the fit may be more utilitarian... Need to test both to see which you prefer. Both manufacturers have their pros and cons.
Id recommend MT for either.
The fit disappoints in terms of its hwy fuel economy, though this may have changed. I had a yaris sedan, the fit may be more utilitarian... Need to test both to see which you prefer. Both manufacturers have their pros and cons.
Id recommend MT for either.
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