Yaris - do you find it comfortable on long trips?

[Yar Is Word]

Have you considered a Corolla?
Comfort and good gas mileage.

[360cubes]

Originally Posted by Yar Is Word

Have you considered a Corolla?
Comfort and good gas mileage.

I have, but by the time I option it the same as a Yaris it's $5K more to buy it here in Ontario. As it's primarily for the wife during the week I won't be driving it much...except on long trips. She's also new to driving which is another reason why I'm looking at the Yaris. I'm waiting for her to make up her mind.

I looked around at a used Tercel, but my head hit the door jamb when I tried to get in, so I walked away from that. The Yaris is 4-5" taller and I have no issue getting in or out of it.

Originally Posted by Ed_

I replaced the stock radio with one with bluetooth for hands free phone. It also has UBS connection which allows me to run my iphone (ipod) using radio controls, over 1800 songs so I don't need satelite. Satelite is cool, but ipod is even better. 4 Boston speakers are awesome. I like my toons

I have an iTouch 16GB with FM transmitter that I use. Ha. My Garmin Nuvi 360 has MP3 capability but you can't amplify it into the vehicles sound system...and the speaker that it does have is terrible for playing tunes. I do like the iPod though. I use it to gain internet access at hotels as well...no need for a laptop!

Originally Posted by NJBob

I put on 300+ miles in a day and have no complaints. If you're used to luxury cars you're going to see a difference. That goes without saying.

Actually, I don't care much for luxury cars. My Durango R/T is about the closest I've come to owning anything 'luxurious'. When I define 'luxury', I look at it in the terms of things that are in or on the vehicle that you may never use, but are there just in case you change your mind. I bought it to tow the landscape and cargo trailer...it's the farthest I've ever gone to treat myself. Luxury cars aren't worth the money. Aluminum frames are the worst, as a simple bit of corner frame damage can cost $20K just to fix, as compared to $2-3K on a comparable steel vehicle. I like to keep most things simple. Perhaps when I turn 80 in 54 years (if I make it that long), a $150K import might be right up my alley. A full electric Dodge Viper! Whoopdy Doo.

Originally Posted by wiirenet

Be prepared for the sway when you go really fast. First time I went above 80, in my yaris or any car was during my 8 hour drive and omg, did it sway.. but also when you're going a regular speed like 55, it sways a bit too.

Also, I've never had or driven cruise control so I guess I don't know what I'm missing! I never care that I don't have it.

I've already been shopping around for aftermarket cruise control systems. Toyota's factory installed unit is almost the same price so I might just tack on the $400 for the option, as I won't drive a vehicle long distance without cruise. As for sway, I don't travel more than 75mph on US Interstates. I like setting the cruise on all my vehicles around 110km/h or approx. 70mph. If time is of utmost importance I might speed a bit and set it at 76!

Originally Posted by SpaceShot

I put on 125 miles/day and I do find the seat bottom a little flat after an hour. I simply got some padded seat covers from PepBoys and that seemed to help.
Someday I'll take the time to get some Scion XB seats from a salvage yard and put them in. Just that little bit of extra side and front bolster on the Scion seats seems to make a difference for me.

I did put in the aftermarket cruise control on a Saturday afternoon and it helps when we go on vacation trips. We have driven over 6-1/2 hours at stretch without any difficulty.

The Yaris has the same HP to weight ratio as some V6 vehicles. Off the showroom floor its not a racer or a super economy car, but you can tune it in either direction.

Do you (or does anyone else know) if the front seat covers are removable, or are they glued onto the foam? I'm asking because Ebay had some 12V heated seat inserts on sale again. However, if the seat material is glued directly onto the foam inlay then it won't work out.

Which aftermarket cruise control setup did you go with? The ones that I can find are all in the US, cost about $250, but after I factor in exchange and customs it works out to the same price as a factory Toyota unit

The Yaris has a better HP to weight ratio than my '99 Taurus does.

Yaris (auto trans, approx.) 2450lbs / 106HP = 23.113lbs/HP
Taurus 3740lbs / 145hp = 25.793lbs/HP

Again, thanks for all the replies guys. I know the only way to know for sure is to test it for myself, but the dealer won't let me until I sign on the bottom line. With any luck the wife will make up her mind if she wants to get the vehicle or not. I've been taking her out for lessons in my larger Taurus, but the front end needs a lot of work as an alignment can no longer cure the problem. I just can't bear to put more money into it...so we'll see!