Pretty shortsighted review...

[Brady Holt]

Hi,

It seems a few people misunderstood the point of the review. I wasn't trying to say that it doesn't make sense to buy an economical car, but that the value of the Yaris's strongest point -- its gas mileage -- is diminished when the price of gas is suddenly cut in more than half.

As noted in the review, compared to quite a few other economy cars, the Yaris isn't very inexpensive. You pay extra for the extra gas mileage. But a few extra miles per gallon accounts for relatively little extra fuel usage when gas consumption is already low. Even if gas were to return to $5/gallon, the Yaris would achieve relatively small fuel savings over slightly less fuel-efficient but much less expensive competitors.

[mfratt]

Originally Posted by Brady Holt

Hi,

It seems a few people misunderstood the point of the review. I wasn't trying to say that it doesn't make sense to buy an economical car, but that the value of the Yaris's strongest point -- its gas mileage -- is diminished when the price of gas is suddenly cut in more than half.

As noted in the review, compared to quite a few other economy cars, the Yaris isn't very inexpensive. You pay extra for the extra gas mileage. But a few extra miles per gallon accounts for relatively little extra fuel usage when gas consumption is already low. Even if gas were to return to $5/gallon, the Yaris would achieve relatively small fuel savings over slightly less fuel-efficient but much less expensive competitors.

Am I the only one who likes the Yaris because its an ultra-light, short wheelbase, fun little car? 35+ MPG is a big bonus, but thats hardly the only reason I'm gonna buy one.

Plus, whats wrong with $18 fill-ups that will go 400 miles, with gas at its current prices...and if goes back up to $4+, while everyone else will be paying $70-100+ at the pump, Yaris owners will still be paying < $50, and go further on that tank than most cars on the road. In the mean time, gas being low doesn't mean it makes financial sense to go out and buy all the Navigators and Escalades again...

[Brady Holt]

Originally Posted by mfratt

Am I the only one who likes the Yaris because its an ultra-light, short wheelbase, fun little car? 35+ MPG is a big bonus, but thats hardly the only reason I'm gonna buy one.

Plus, whats wrong with $18 fill-ups that will go 400 miles, with gas at its current prices...and if goes back up to $4+, while everyone else will be paying $70-100+ at the pump, Yaris owners will still be paying < $50, and go further on that tank than most cars on the road. In the mean time, gas being low doesn't mean it makes financial sense to go out and buy all the Navigators and Escalades again...

Having driven both the Honda Fit and the Yaris, the Fit sounds more like what you're describing. The Yaris is certainly maneuverable, but not as agile at speed.

To your other point, it's not as if the only two vehicles on the road are the Yaris and a large SUV. There are other small fuel-efficient cars whose owners will pay similar amounts for their gas, and many of them outdo the Yaris in some other ways, like refinement or purchase price or warranty coverage.