Goodbye center guage cluster-you will be missed....

[Kal-El]

Kinda beating a dead horse here, but the fact is, is that Toyota lost countless sales in many cases just because of center mounted gauges.

Anyone who enjoys reading reviews, and other/competing car forums knows that one of the most complained about things with the Yaris has been the gauges. I've never read a professional review that didn't complain about them. Most importantly, I've read so many instances where people who've discussed their buying process and eliminated the Yaris from contention because of the placement of the gauges. They said they just couldn't get past that "flaw". The sale went to Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, and elsewhere. All because Toyota wanted to save money switching from left and right hand drive configurations.

For the record, I don't mind them. In fact, I don't care either way where they are.

Toyota's new money saving mistake is dropping the sedan. Now most of those sedan buyers will find homes in other makes. Way to go Toyota.

When will they realize that you can't "save money" by selling half the vehicles you would have if they offered what the majority wants. Usually Toyota is a master at this, but with these two examples, they totally missed the mark.

[Altitude]

^^

I can't imagine the issues with the center cluster was a functional one. It's just that it was so different that some people won't even consider it. Shame on them.

I'm confident that if the people that decided against the car simply because of the center cluster had actually driven the car for a while, it wouldn't be an issue.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by Altitude

I'm confident that if the people that decided against the car simply because of the center cluster had actually driven the car for a while, it wouldn't be an issue.

I agree; it took a little while to get used to glancing to the side instead of down every now and then to check my speed and for any idiot lights. The only issue now (sometimes) is when switching cars; I need to briefly reacquaint myself to having the cluster in front of the steering wheel. But that only takes a block or two of driving...

[jpmck03]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

... Toyota lost countless sales in many cases just because of center mounted gauges.

Anyone who enjoys reading reviews, and other/competing car forums knows that one of the most complained about things with the Yaris has been the gauges. I've never read a professional review that didn't complain about them. ...

I think the worst part about these professional reviews was this:



The Mini Cooper has a center mounted speedo, and there are a lot of reviews gushing about how sporty and unique it is... meanwhile Toyota does the same thing and it's a distracting disaster!



/end rant.

[SilverBack]

Originally Posted by jpmck03

The Mini Cooper has a center mounted speedo, and there are a lot of reviews gushing about how sporty and unique it is... meanwhile Toyota does the same thing and it's a distracting disaster!



/end rant.

It's not the position of the gauges that the Mini grabs people's attention. Look at the overall design styling and history of the brand.

[jpmck03]

Originally Posted by SilverBack

It's not the position of the gauges that the Mini grabs people's attention. Look at the overall design styling and history of the brand.

I think my main point is that the Yaris always managed to get bad reviews over the center gauge cluster, which I always thought was a moot point.

A lot of it stemmed from the annoyance of reading that it's soooo distracting and dangerous to look at it; and that you have to take your eyes off the road to see the speedo. Which I always hated because well, with a speedo behind the wheel you have to look down to see your speed. That and no one ever complains that side or rear-view mirrors are dangerous because you aren't looking at the road when you glance at them...

I could go on, but I'd slowly ramble on for far too long... :

[charles nelson]

I put my ScanGauge II display in the middle of my drivers glove box. It not only gives me my mph but also mpg, rpms, plus engine temp. I missed having a tach on my Yaris...so I permanently added the SG II.