Advice?! May Purchase a 2007 Liftback - Toyota Yaris Forums

kuessemir · 07-23-2013, 07:25 PM

Hello Everybody,

Please forgive me if I'm not in the appropriate forum. I am seeking advice and opinion regarding a potential purchase of a 2007 Liftback with the power package and a manual transmission. I currently drive and ancient Corolla and am in need of a new car. I looked at and test drove an '07 with 91,000 miles. I already know the price is mpre than reasonable at $7,000.00. There are a few items that flagged my attention upon viewing the car in person. 1) I asked the dealer if to his knowledge the car had ever been in an accident; he checked the carfax and informed me that indeed it had a collision in 2012 though, he said there was no indication on the report of any frame damage, airbag deployment or anything major. I inspected the crumple zones, underside and engine bay. Nothing caught my attention. 2) Upon starting the car, after all of the warning lights went away, the "main. req." light remained illuminated for the duration of the test drive. I know some cars will alert you if an oil change is neccesary. I dont know if this is the case for the yaris or if the "main. Req." light could also indicate faulty O2 sensors or other problems. 3) Fifth gear was particularly difficult to engage. I felt what seemed to be resistance, as if it was stuck in wet cement. I don't know the nature of the shift action in the Yaris and have no other experience to compare it to except my old Corollas which, is sloppy and loose by comparison. 4) The rear drums were a bit noisy, likely due to rust that has potentially built up in the hubs/drums...this would not be surprising due to upstate NY winters.

Other than all these trifling details, the car drove as what I would perceive as "very well". There was no suspension noise and all the power functions operated as one might expect. Please inform me if there are any areas that are deserving of closer inspection if you are so aware.

I know this is a lengthy request, but I very much appreciate the opinions of enthusiats with knowledge of this car and I hope to avoid a costly mistake. To clarify, the dealer was very respectful and courteous as I called attention to these concerns. The degree of their accomodation remains to be seen, as I have not actually purchased the car.

Thank you for your time.

CTScott · 07-23-2013, 08:47 PM

The maintenance required light is for the oil change.

Did the airbag light come on with the ignition and then go off after a couple of seconds? The reason I ask is that post collision people will sometimes internally tape over the light, rather than repairing and replacing all o the necessary SRS parts.

My three are all automatics, so I can't comment on the 5th gear issue.

kuessemir · 07-23-2013, 10:42 PM

Hi CTScott, thanks for you quick reply :-)
Wow, I can't believe you have three!

Yikes! I always worry about things like that...ie, removing dash bulbs and taping over indicators and the like. Yes, the airbag light did illuminate when starting. Unfortunately, I cannot remember if it turned off after the engine started.

I'll need to investigate.

Fifth gear did not seem normal. I don't think "quicksand-like gear shifting" would be a very sellable feature for a new car...though, I could be wrong since I've been out of the market for so long.

In youtube videos I always thought the Yaris motor sounded like a sewing machine; though, after driving one I can't say that's what I would liken it to. It didn't sound quite as refined as a Singer in person, quite a bit more raspy/warbly.

Anyway, thanks for your idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

The maintenance required light is for the oil change.

Did the airbag light come on with the ignition and then go off after a couple of seconds? The reason I ask is that post collision people will sometimes internally tape over the light, rather than repairing and replacing all o the necessary SRS parts.

My three are all automatics, so I can't comment on the 5th gear issue.

kuessemir · 07-30-2013, 11:24 PM

All Done! Bought the car. Thanks for your thoughts :-)

Killchain · 07-31-2013, 02:05 AM

Then I say, congratulations and welcome aboard.

mirapatec · 07-31-2013, 09:32 AM

Now, when do we get pics? Also, please share your observations and opinions after a few days of ownership. I, for one, am interested. Welcome!

nookandcrannycar · 07-31-2013, 10:34 AM

Welcome

!

yougojay · 07-31-2013, 01:59 PM

With the 2014 models out soon, your 2007 has about 13,000 a year, that's not bad...ESPECIALLY with some of the ginormus mileage totals some of the people here have put on their YariSEZ

Read around here, you should probably change the gear oil in your manual transmission - folks here have said numerous times that it makes a BIG difference in the way the tranny operates !!!

Cheers to many years of trouble free operation!

Now, I've always wanted to use this smilie:

LOL - Here's mine in the garage 10 days ago, hee...hee...hee...

kuessemir · 07-31-2013, 05:38 PM

Thanks everyone!

I'm excited! I love it. After a 17 year old Corolla, the Yaris seems eerily quiet. I will start off with an observation of the Yaris I made shortly after it showed up in the showrooms and one that I maintain as true having now made the plunge....god the seat kills my back. To be fair I think I have a fabergé spine.

Here are my impressions now having lived with the car for a few days (these impressions are shaped through comparison to my previous Corolla and Jeep).
The storage compartments are tremendous and wonderful. I knew my initial temptatiom would be too fill them all up, but I've so far tamed the urge. The engine is so freaking quiet...I've been in cars that have cost two to three times as mich that weren't as quiet...and this is important to me because I slog down the expressway ( come fall) commuting to school. At the end of a long day with a migraine, the Corolla wasn't exactly relaxing. The stock shift action is smooth and drama free ( I dont have expreience with preformance shifters). The small things are highly pleasing too, ie the auxiliary audio input jack, electric windows/mirrors, overhead map lights, and very versatile rear seats.

I do have a few issues I'm in the process of resolving and the previous owner wasn't hygiene oriented, but I'll have it shaped up to my liking soon enough. I'll elaborate more and post some pics after I finish making dinner. Thanks for the thoughts!

kuessemir · 07-31-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killchain

Then I say, congratulations and welcome aboard.

Thank you Killchain

jayeh · 07-31-2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

The maintenance required light is for the oil change.

Anyone know if my '08 canadian model have a maintenance required light?

CTScott · 07-31-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayeh

Anyone know if my '08 canadian model have a maintenance required light?

No. For whatever reason only we down here get it.

kuessemir · 07-31-2013, 09:23 PM

I'm in the process of making a spreadsheet of maintenance to do and maintenance that has been done. In addition a list of possible low cost improvements/refinements. I'll share it when I'm done.

jayeh · 07-31-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

No. For whatever reason only we down here get it.

Wasn't it some kind of fuel economy related thing? Same with the TPMS?

CTScott · 07-31-2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayeh

Wasn't it some kind of fuel economy related thing? Same with the TPMS?

I believe that is correct.

07-23-2013, 07:25 PM	#1
kuessemir New Owner, Longtime Fan Drives: 07 LB-Red-Manual-Power package Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 16	Advice?! May Purchase a 2007 Liftback Hello Everybody, Please forgive me if I'm not in the appropriate forum. I am seeking advice and opinion regarding a potential purchase of a 2007 Liftback with the power package and a manual transmission. I currently drive and ancient Corolla and am in need of a new car. I looked at and test drove an '07 with 91,000 miles. I already know the price is mpre than reasonable at $7,000.00. There are a few items that flagged my attention upon viewing the car in person. 1) I asked the dealer if to his knowledge the car had ever been in an accident; he checked the carfax and informed me that indeed it had a collision in 2012 though, he said there was no indication on the report of any frame damage, airbag deployment or anything major. I inspected the crumple zones, underside and engine bay. Nothing caught my attention. 2) Upon starting the car, after all of the warning lights went away, the "main. req." light remained illuminated for the duration of the test drive. I know some cars will alert you if an oil change is neccesary. I dont know if this is the case for the yaris or if the "main. Req." light could also indicate faulty O2 sensors or other problems. 3) Fifth gear was particularly difficult to engage. I felt what seemed to be resistance, as if it was stuck in wet cement. I don't know the nature of the shift action in the Yaris and have no other experience to compare it to except my old Corollas which, is sloppy and loose by comparison. 4) The rear drums were a bit noisy, likely due to rust that has potentially built up in the hubs/drums...this would not be surprising due to upstate NY winters. Other than all these trifling details, the car drove as what I would perceive as "very well". There was no suspension noise and all the power functions operated as one might expect. Please inform me if there are any areas that are deserving of closer inspection if you are so aware. I know this is a lengthy request, but I very much appreciate the opinions of enthusiats with knowledge of this car and I hope to avoid a costly mistake. To clarify, the dealer was very respectful and courteous as I called attention to these concerns. The degree of their accomodation remains to be seen, as I have not actually purchased the car. Thank you for your time.

07-23-2013, 08:47 PM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	The maintenance required light is for the oil change. Did the airbag light come on with the ignition and then go off after a couple of seconds? The reason I ask is that post collision people will sometimes internally tape over the light, rather than repairing and replacing all o the necessary SRS parts. My three are all automatics, so I can't comment on the 5th gear issue. __________________

07-31-2013, 02:05 AM	#5
Killchain Drives: '10 Yaris LB Polar White Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 248	Then I say, congratulations and welcome aboard. __________________

07-31-2013, 09:32 AM	#6
mirapatec View User's Garage Drives: 2012 Yaris L, 2020 Yaris LE HB Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Georgia, U.S.A. Posts: 211	Now, when do we get pics? Also, please share your observations and opinions after a few days of ownership. I, for one, am interested. Welcome! __________________ 2012 Toyota Yaris L and 2020 Toyota Yaris LE HB

07-31-2013, 01:59 PM	#8
yougojay 25, 550 MILES! View User's Garage Drives: Yaris L Coupe Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: East End Posts: 500	WELCOME! With the 2014 models out soon, your 2007 has about 13,000 a year, that's not bad...ESPECIALLY with some of the ginormus mileage totals some of the people here have put on their YariSEZ Read around here, you should probably change the gear oil in your manual transmission - folks here have said numerous times that it makes a BIG difference in the way the tranny operates !!! Cheers to many years of trouble free operation! Now, I've always wanted to use this smilie: LOL - Here's mine in the garage 10 days ago, hee...hee...hee... Attached Images Last edited by yougojay; 07-31-2013 at 02:01 PM. Reason: I spelled GINORMUS wrong - A combination of gigantic & enormous; shockingly big.

07-30-2013, 11:24 PM	#4
kuessemir New Owner, Longtime Fan Drives: 07 LB-Red-Manual-Power package Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 16	All Done! Bought the car. Thanks for your thoughts :-)

07-31-2013, 10:34 AM	#7
nookandcrannycar Drives: 2('14+'07)MT 3d ,wHandCrWndws! Join Date: May 2009 Location: S.MontgomeryCnty,TX(HoustonMSA) '07=BayouBlue=300,125miles=OrigOwnr '14=ClassicSilvr=29,059miles Posts: 4,839	Welcome !

07-31-2013, 05:38 PM	#9
kuessemir New Owner, Longtime Fan Drives: 07 LB-Red-Manual-Power package Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 16	Thanks everyone! I'm excited! I love it. After a 17 year old Corolla, the Yaris seems eerily quiet. I will start off with an observation of the Yaris I made shortly after it showed up in the showrooms and one that I maintain as true having now made the plunge....god the seat kills my back. To be fair I think I have a fabergé spine. Here are my impressions now having lived with the car for a few days (these impressions are shaped through comparison to my previous Corolla and Jeep). The storage compartments are tremendous and wonderful. I knew my initial temptatiom would be too fill them all up, but I've so far tamed the urge. The engine is so freaking quiet...I've been in cars that have cost two to three times as mich that weren't as quiet...and this is important to me because I slog down the expressway ( come fall) commuting to school. At the end of a long day with a migraine, the Corolla wasn't exactly relaxing. The stock shift action is smooth and drama free ( I dont have expreience with preformance shifters). The small things are highly pleasing too, ie the auxiliary audio input jack, electric windows/mirrors, overhead map lights, and very versatile rear seats. I do have a few issues I'm in the process of resolving and the previous owner wasn't hygiene oriented, but I'll have it shaped up to my liking soon enough. I'll elaborate more and post some pics after I finish making dinner. Thanks for the thoughts!

07-31-2013, 09:23 PM	#13
kuessemir New Owner, Longtime Fan Drives: 07 LB-Red-Manual-Power package Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 16	I'm in the process of making a spreadsheet of maintenance to do and maintenance that has been done. In addition a list of possible low cost improvements/refinements. I'll share it when I'm done.

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