Is the Yaris a wreck monster? - Toyota Yaris Forums

regal · 07-09-2009, 03:19 AM

I've not had a wreck in 20 years until I bought my Yaris, then in 2 months 4 wrecks, one severe. The serevere accident was probably unavoidable (deer) but I really question the DBW and electronic steering. My sister rented a Yaris recently on a trip and had 2 near misses. There is just something about not having hydraulic steering that disconnects me from the road. What do others think have I just had a string of bad luck or should I look at yanking out that electronic steering?

RedRide · 07-09-2009, 03:37 AM

The electronic assist steering is still rack and pinion just like the hydralic assist.
You still have a direct mechanical conection and the electric is only an assist.

The reason manufactures are switching to electric is for better fuel economy. A power steering pump actually consumes more power than an ac compressor. So it is definately the future.

Granted the Yaris does tend to wander a bit but it is more likely due to the rear suspension.

The one thing I do have a bit of problem with is the DBW throttle. I like a driect cable connecton and when I "put the pedel to the metal" I want complete WOT right now.

regal · 07-09-2009, 03:52 AM

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

EVryone I know tells me to trade it in on something else. But I have the TRD suspension, scion wheels and it handles like a go cart, a thrill to drive that is addictive. I can't see a new car I would be happy with. Tempted to trade it in on a MR2 spyder, but it has the electronic steering too.

RedRide · 07-09-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

EVryone I know tells me to trade it in on something else. But I have the TRD suspension, scion wheels and it handles like a go cart, a thrill to drive that is addictive. I can't see a new car I would be happy with. Tempted to trade it in on a MR2 spyder, but it has the electronic steering too.

I haven't had that problem. My Yaris steers normally and centers its self.

BTW my other car is a Celica and it does handel much better of course.
I just accept the handeling limitations of the Yaris as is is not that kind of car.

twowheels · 07-09-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over.

You should have your alignment checked, particularly the caster angle, as my Yaris self centers just fine.

ddongbap · 07-09-2009, 05:47 AM

Get some stiff tires.

Bob Dog · 07-09-2009, 07:06 AM

Negative regal, I have avoided what might havebeen accidents in other cars. Lose the POS OEM tires.

Yaris Hilton · 07-09-2009, 07:29 AM

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

Forrest · 07-09-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

Ditto to above. No problems.

RedRide · 07-09-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

For what it is, I can live with the Yaris DBW.
I'm old school and the issue I have with the yaris BDW throttle is that it is not completly linear and at WOT it is reported that the max you get is 87% .

I fully understand that it is set up this way for fuel econmy and that is one reason why I bought the car.

wooverstone8 · 07-09-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

Same here.

GeneW · 07-09-2009, 10:06 PM

Yaris centers nicely. The car is VERY agile and very responsive. Before I learned to mind the car carefully I had partial lane changes from tiny gestures of my hands. Movements that take a sixteenth of a turn of the wheel to even start with a regular car will make the Yaris move fast in a given direction.

I had the car "hop" one time while using Mud and Snows on wet roads - I was going a bit too fast and the car get away from me on a fast stop. I caught it in time and don't do that any more.

Little or no hydroplaning at reasonable (under sixty miles an hour) speeds.

The car is VERY stable in snow. I've had to push it quite hard to make it "break" on skids. When it goes, however, it goes fast. You're on the rails and then you fall off in a hurry. There was little warning in some tests that I did, including a sudden drastic lane change while driving in freezing rain over snow - something that will sometimes ground your average car.

If you have accidents in the car it could be a combination of factors. I'd suggest slowing down first. Check your tire pressures and condition. Keep in mind that the Yaris does not have a mushy envelope, at least not in my experience. There is a crisp edge of stability and then a sudden sharp hard breakover.

Gene

SilverBack · 07-09-2009, 07:37 AM

What I don't get is why you put your toll ticket in a place where you have to reach down to get it. Just keep in the slot by e-brake so you'll never have take your eyes off the road.

And I agree a stock Yaris isn't meant to perform that well at WOT, though it'll still give you that nice little boost at mid-range

jambo101 · 07-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Havent had an accident in 45yrs of driving,since buying the Yaris 1 year ago i've had 2

JBIZZ · 07-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo101

Havent had an accident in 45yrs of driving,since buying the Yaris 1 year ago i've had 2

Sounds like you were due for one, accidents happen to everyone. I wouldn't blame it on the Yaris unlesss you think it's unlucky. I think other vehicles are more prone to hit the Yaris because it is not intimidating. One fix would be to make the car seem more aggressive. Maybe install a louder intake/exhaust & race stripes or something. I've almost been driven off the road a few times by dumb window licking drivers. Just remember the only car smaller than ours is the smart car. Be pleased you don't own one of those rediculous cars.

Yaris Hilton · 07-19-2009, 11:01 PM

After 45 years of driving, you're getting to be one of those geezers everybody worries about being on the road.

Tamago · 07-09-2009, 09:49 AM

regal just needs to learn how to drive

and lose those shitty Champion or champiro or whatever tires...

and get a real alignment....

ROCKLAND TOYOTA · 07-09-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

regal just needs to learn how to drive

and lose those shitty Champion or champiro or whatever tires...

and get a real alignment....

that or just realize its not the shitty civic he's used to driving and welcome to 2009.....

07-09-2009, 03:19 AM	#1
regal Drives: 09 Yaris 3 Dr White LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 432	Is the Yaris a wreck monster? I've not had a wreck in 20 years until I bought my Yaris, then in 2 months 4 wrecks, one severe. The serevere accident was probably unavoidable (deer) but I really question the DBW and electronic steering. My sister rented a Yaris recently on a trip and had 2 near misses. There is just something about not having hydraulic steering that disconnects me from the road. What do others think have I just had a string of bad luck or should I look at yanking out that electronic steering?

07-09-2009, 03:37 AM	#2
RedRide Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 1,502	The electronic assist steering is still rack and pinion just like the hydralic assist. You still have a direct mechanical conection and the electric is only an assist. The reason manufactures are switching to electric is for better fuel economy. A power steering pump actually consumes more power than an ac compressor. So it is definately the future. Granted the Yaris does tend to wander a bit but it is more likely due to the rear suspension. The one thing I do have a bit of problem with is the DBW throttle. I like a driect cable connecton and when I "put the pedel to the metal" I want complete WOT right now. Last edited by RedRide; 07-09-2009 at 03:56 AM.

07-09-2009, 07:37 AM	#13
SilverBack Joey View User's Garage Drives: '14 Scion xD 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: El Monte, Ca Posts: 3,529	What I don't get is why you put your toll ticket in a place where you have to reach down to get it. Just keep in the slot by e-brake so you'll never have take your eyes off the road. And I agree a stock Yaris isn't meant to perform that well at WOT, though it'll still give you that nice little boost at mid-range __________________ Formerly owned Met-Met. '07 Yaris LB 5-speed. A forum post should be like a skirt: Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep things interesting. "I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem." -Hank Hill

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07-09-2009, 03:52 AM	#3
regal Drives: 09 Yaris 3 Dr White LB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 432	its seams to have trouble self centering, there is like none. Reach down to pick up your toll ticket and you wander 2 lanes over. EVryone I know tells me to trade it in on something else. But I have the TRD suspension, scion wheels and it handles like a go cart, a thrill to drive that is addictive. I can't see a new car I would be happy with. Tempted to trade it in on a MR2 spyder, but it has the electronic steering too.

07-09-2009, 05:47 AM	#6
ddongbap Banned Drives: yw calls me douche and racist. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hay Posts: 2,183	Get some stiff tires.

07-09-2009, 07:06 AM	#7
Bob Dog DARK PHASE OF THE MOON Drives: 07 liftback Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: the Boondocks, NC Posts: 993	Negative regal, I have avoided what might havebeen accidents in other cars. Lose the POS OEM tires.

07-09-2009, 07:29 AM	#8
Yaris Hilton Half a Bubble Off Plumb Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA Posts: 1,593	No problem with my steering, throttle, or OEM tires.

07-09-2009, 10:06 PM	#12
GeneW Banned Drives: 2008 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,034	Yaris centers nicely. The car is VERY agile and very responsive. Before I learned to mind the car carefully I had partial lane changes from tiny gestures of my hands. Movements that take a sixteenth of a turn of the wheel to even start with a regular car will make the Yaris move fast in a given direction. I had the car "hop" one time while using Mud and Snows on wet roads - I was going a bit too fast and the car get away from me on a fast stop. I caught it in time and don't do that any more. Little or no hydroplaning at reasonable (under sixty miles an hour) speeds. The car is VERY stable in snow. I've had to push it quite hard to make it "break" on skids. When it goes, however, it goes fast. You're on the rails and then you fall off in a hurry. There was little warning in some tests that I did, including a sudden drastic lane change while driving in freezing rain over snow - something that will sometimes ground your average car. If you have accidents in the car it could be a combination of factors. I'd suggest slowing down first. Check your tire pressures and condition. Keep in mind that the Yaris does not have a mushy envelope, at least not in my experience. There is a crisp edge of stability and then a sudden sharp hard breakover. Gene

07-09-2009, 09:45 AM	#14
jambo101 Drives: yaris 08 sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 1,286	Havent had an accident in 45yrs of driving,since buying the Yaris 1 year ago i've had 2

07-19-2009, 11:01 PM	#16
Yaris Hilton Half a Bubble Off Plumb Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA Posts: 1,593	After 45 years of driving, you're getting to be one of those geezers everybody worries about being on the road.