|
11-21-2011, 08:27 PM | #19 | |
Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
if im giving up utility i should get stellar mileage. id bet my left arm the '12 yaris (MT) will have a greater advantage over the iq in hwy mileage than the estimates indicate. |
|
11-22-2011, 02:27 AM | #20 | ||
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
Quote:
It's the same reason the dumb FourTwo also doesn't get the MPGs it "should" in the eyes of many consumers. I'm just grateful that we live in times of so many choices when it comes to small cars. I'm not exactly living in Europe (Renault Twingo Sport, please), but the C, and especially the B-segment are really heating up here in the U.S., and I'm enjoying the show. For the better part of 20 years here, many small cars were usually just the breadcrumbs of the manufacture's efforts, and it showed. It showed in sub-par handling, rubbery gear changes, shoddy interior fit-and-finish, inhuman ergonomics, and general poor refinement. These were the times of the Cavalier and Tempo, dark times indeed. Now these companies have to fight to the death, designing great small cars for us in the U.S. Europeans take it for granted, they have dozens of choices in just the B-segment, as one example. Now, we are getting a taste of quality small cars and we are loving it. One time the consumer wins, so savor it while it lasts. |
||
11-22-2011, 04:54 AM | #21 | |
Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
i had a 2012 fiat 500 for 5 months. unbelievably vault like and very refined on the highway. i had the manual which is rated the same as the yaris at 30/38. for the whole 4200 miles i had it my real mpg was 44.2. even the drivers on the fiat forum who dont try much are getting 40+ with the mt. the auto on that car is another story..not efficient at all. what killed it for me was the center shift pod, which keeps the drivers right knee from being able to splay out to the right at all. basically your knee is smashed against it all the time. i convinced myself id get used to it but i never did. (i got a ridiculous purchase price from carmax and they proceeded to try to sell it above msrp, dropping the price every few weeks until they finally sold it). a secondary concern was that the studio that was supposed to open (which would have been the closest to me at 88 miles) decided to back out. sales have been tanking the last 2 months as well, which makes me wonder if they will be able to expand their already thin dealer network at all. i feel like what keeps the iq from great numbers is the transmisiion, engine, and gearing choice more than its body shape. |
|
11-22-2011, 05:11 AM | #22 | |
Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
now: (in no particular order) ford fiesta fit accent chevy sonic (yes, i think it will prove to be a decent car) yaris mazda 2 versa (not my thing but still a good car) fiat 500 mini i ended up with the veloster as my main car, and as much as i love it i dont want to spend $18-$19k on a second car. |
|
11-22-2011, 10:17 AM | #23 | |
Drives: 3 Door HB Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 13
|
HB's/Wagons & small minivans all the way!
Quote:
3 Doors look the sharpest, and I think it's too bad that we don't have more 3 door choices here - like the Mazda2 or the Sonic (3D sold in other markets). After the HB choices of the early 90's, they faded away, and it was danged hard to find a good HB in N. America. So glad now that we are given these new choices. I hope to see even more models, like the Renault Modus'es/Nissan Note, Mazda Verisa, Nissan Micra, VW Up, and all the small Japanese minivans like the Honda Freeds, Toy. Sienta, and Nissan NV200. Last edited by sushiic; 11-22-2011 at 10:40 AM. |
|
11-22-2011, 10:38 AM | #24 |
Drives: 08 Yaris sedan auto / Fit auto Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: northeast
Posts: 2,897
|
The 2012 MAZDA 2 has been trimmed 220 lbs.. That should get better gas mileage as well . Test drove the 5 speed manual and the clutch is the easiest I've encountered so far . The shifting was smooth as silk .
Last edited by Hershey; 11-22-2011 at 11:25 AM. |
11-22-2011, 12:38 PM | #25 | |||
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
I like what the 500 represents, and I test-drove a Sport w/5-speed like 6 months ago. It was brilliant fun, if a bit too cute for me. That and they were demanding $18k for a stripper Pop model. Um, no thanks. I know the dealers had to spend $1-3 million to design their snobby "studios", but I should not have to pay $3k over sticker for a stripper model. there are too many other cars, even 5-doors, reluctantly, that I would sooner chose than an $18k A-class car. If Fiat really wanted success with the 500, they would sell a stripper w/5-speed for $15k. The Sport would be $16k, and the Lounge would be $17k. The real margin would be in accessories. Alloy wheels, Abarth parts, etc. But now they have half a year's supply collecting dust on lots, and they wonder why, with an unknown brand in the U.S. Also, we need some TwinAir for the next fuel price spike. I know this sounds contradictory to my earlier statements, but I would get in line if Ford brought their Ka over. I know it is basically a re-skinned 500, and built by Fiat, but if they gutted the Fiat engine and tranny and put in, say, the new 1.0 3-cylinder turbo EcoBoost and a manual, I would be in heaven. I would have it all: fuel economy, quirkiness, the fun-to-drive factor that the 500 had (and it was great fun to drive!), but with Ford reliability and a huge dealer network. Plus the sweet jellybean styling without looking too cute. Ah, if only... Quote:
At least there is the superficial impression that 3-doors have sporting pretensions, versus 5-doors that don't often share the same sleek lines. Also, the Mazda 2 is the best-driving, best-shifting car in the B-segment right now, and I've driven them all except the new Sonic. Quote:
But if it's not offered as a 3-door (which it won't be, because Mazda NA hates us, apparently), it's off the table for me. Want to feel pain? Google "Mazda 2 3-door hatchback", and bask in the sadness that we are deprived of such a cleanly-styled little car. I even loved the interior, and would gladly have bought the Touring in the bright metallic green (w/5-speed) for the $17k sticker with no haggling. But no 3-door for the U.S. market... Mazda and Ford both broke my heart with their omission of 3-doors in this market. At least Toyota is staying faithful to those of us that desire more choice in body style. |
|||
11-22-2011, 01:00 PM | #26 | |
Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
i think its a really fun car and a good value IF the dealer network holds up and the reliability is at least average....and you can be comfortable in it. it is not a good value, however, if one needs some utility. i dont think the mazda 2 will have the skyactiv engine for 2012 though the mazda 2 gets it. otherwise id be looking at the mazda 2. i would think if they shaved that much weight off the mazda 2 they could increase the epa estimates from 29/36....but i dont see any changes there. |
|
11-22-2011, 01:08 PM | #27 | ||
Drives: 3 Door HB Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 13
|
Quote:
Quote:
I drive AT - too bad these little hatches (including Yaris) all seem to have unimpressive AT's. |
||
11-22-2011, 01:13 PM | #28 | |
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
Call me a coward, but with that much cash on the line, I'll bet on the "safe" bet: Toyota/Mazda/Honda et. al. I seem to remember Fiat being chased out of the U.S. market with torches and pitchforks back in the 1980's, fun-to-drive and beautiful cars like the Spider and X 1/9 notwithstanding. I should know, my first car was a '79 2000 Spider. The less said about that jalopy, the better! |
|
11-22-2011, 01:19 PM | #29 | |
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
For the same money, I could have a pretty nicely appointed Focus (If I wanted one, that is...). It doesn't look good for Fiat. It looks really ugly out there, but it's entertaining to watch. |
|
11-22-2011, 11:13 PM | #30 |
Drives: 08 Yaris sedan auto / Fit auto Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: northeast
Posts: 2,897
|
" Don't forget the new SkyActiv engine for 2012, should boost their MPGs as well . "
Was looking at a MAZDA 3 sedan with the SkyActiv in the showroom . Very impressive . $20,000 kills it . Have seen the MAZDA 2 Sport with the 5 speed manual for $13,900 . That I like . |
11-22-2011, 11:56 PM | #31 | |
Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: michigan
Posts: 642
|
Quote:
|
|
11-23-2011, 02:26 AM | #32 | |
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
I didn't read that advertisement for the new 2 losing over 200lbs. until just now. I love Mazda, a mass-market enthusiast brand, that just happened to win LeMans in '91 against such giants as Mercedes. I love their obsession with shaving weight, even on their cheapest car, the 2. I'll be in my bunk. Just start building the 3-door in Mexico, Mazda! Just build the freaking car...nevermind. I'm sold on the Yaris, anyway. But the 2 has the best steering I have ever sampled in an economy car. You can steer with one finger above 5mph, and the gearbox is indeed as someone else above commented: "like silk". Sorry. I get angry sometimes. I'm better now. |
|
11-25-2011, 01:59 PM | #33 | |
Drives: 3 Door HB Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 13
|
Quote:
It's cheaper than Yaris, probably more fun (I didn't actually test drive)... But ya, why is it only 34 mpg (AT) highway, when the new Kia/Ford/etc. subcompacts are getting 40 mpg?? That is another big thing against the Mazda2. Being a former Protege driver, I have a special interest in the Mazda2. And Mazda seems to be the one big Jap. company that isn't resting on their laurels and pumping out sub-standard, overpriced "bestsellers" subject to massive recalls! Besides offering 3D, the Yaris's new backside, flatter-than-Mazda2 cargo load floor, lighter interior fabric, and gorgeous Lagoon Blue make it my top choice. I'd like to see Hyundai bring over their I20 too - looks similar to Mazda2, but not quite as sharp. |
|
11-25-2011, 08:50 PM | #34 | |
Drives: 2012 Yaris 3-door w/5-speed! Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 273
|
Quote:
|
|
11-26-2011, 08:03 AM | #35 |
Nothing beats a Toyota!
Drives: 2013 Yaris 5 dr liftback Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 564
|
Back in 91 I bought a Mazda 929S. Cost a fortune and was junk. I realize things have changed, but I would never gamble again on a Mazda. Too many connections and parts that they share with Ford. Until I buy a Toyota that gives me headaches, I will stick with what works!
You can rave about Mazda all you want, but I would never buy one!
__________________
Big Dave Indianapolis, IN Synthetic Oil....its in my car.....for at least 10,000 miles! |
11-26-2011, 09:38 AM | #36 |
Drives: 08 Yaris sedan auto / Fit auto Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: northeast
Posts: 2,897
|
I've been seeing some 2 owners claiming to be getting 40+ with 5 speed manual . Others have been averaging around 35 . About the same as most YARIS owners .
Last edited by Hershey; 11-27-2011 at 09:42 AM. |
|
|
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 |
Scion 2012 looks a yaris | libraryelf | General Yaris / Vitz Discussion | 15 | 09-01-2011 08:48 AM |
WANTED Info on 2012 yaris colors and options | kenjan1970 | New YARIS Purchase Forum | 0 | 08-22-2011 05:20 PM |
I want to know what is the speed, acceleration and gas mileage of my Yaris | kidman | General Yaris / Vitz Discussion | 13 | 05-08-2007 04:10 PM |