Ciao, Yaris!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Well, I loved my Yarises for 6 years, but the times they are a'changin' and the Fiat was calling my name.

Did the cost of your insurance increase with the Fiat? Yarisworld member DMZ just posted a link from an insurance website (with IIHS results) that lists the 5 most dangerous cars as rated by the IIHS, and the Fiat 500 is #1.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Did the cost of your insurance increase with the Fiat? Yarisworld member DMZ just posted a link from an insurance website (with IIHS results) that lists the 5 most dangerous cars as rated by the IIHS, and the Fiat 500 is #1.

Actually, my insurance went down, because the FIAT has ESC, which the 2009 Yaris doesn't. That site with it's story of the Fiat being the most unsafe is actually listing the picks for most unsafe "to be a passenger in". apparently, it's a Fox News (Faux News) story, paid for by mfrs of big chunky SUVs designed to make people buy bigger cars. An "info-mercial" in print. The 500 in fact gets a 5-star safety rating from IIHS, but "insurer.com" tries to cover that fact by sounding like IIHS themselves, which they aren't.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Actually, my insurance went down, because the FIAT has ESC, which the 2009 Yaris doesn't. That site with it's story of the Fiat being the most unsafe is actually listing the picks for most unsafe "to be a passenger in". apparently, it's a Fox News (Faux News) story, paid for by mfrs of big chunky SUVs designed to make people buy bigger cars. An "info-mercial" in print. The 500 in fact gets a 5-star safety rating from IIHS, but "insurer.com" tries to cover that fact by sounding like IIHS themselves, which they aren't.

Interesting. Please keep us posted with the MPG you're getting when you have a chance .

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Interesting. Please keep us posted with the MPG you're getting when you have a chance .

Will do. So far, on my second tank, I'm getting almost exactly what the Yaris did for my usual commuting run mixed with weekend chores. The first tank was a bit less than normal, because i was "playing" in Sport mode... It tightens up the throttle response, but also gives the steering more feedback. My personal thought was that the steering was deader, and certainly heavier, and the extra sensitivity from the throttle is not worth that.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by SailDesign

Will do. So far, on my second tank, I'm getting almost exactly what the Yaris did for my usual commuting run mixed with weekend chores. The first tank was a bit less than normal, because i was "playing" in Sport mode... It tightens up the throttle response, but also gives the steering more feedback. My personal thought was that the steering was deader, and certainly heavier, and the extra sensitivity from the throttle is not worth that.

About an hour after my post #37 I looked up the Fiat 500 on cars.com and there were 31 customer reviews. Quite a few of those customers are getting 40+ MPG combined (what I normally enjoy in my Yaris) and only one person is suffering manufacturer defects that I don't think would ever happen with Toyota. I just can't get past the source of the engine -- coming from a company that is 60% owned by a group (the UAW pension fund) that was handed that equity by a government that was flipping the bird at the bondholders and ignoring the rule of law. The bailout itself stirs the same feelings in me. If execs at Fiat ever decide to use an engine for the USDM that is not made by Chrysler LLC (or GM), and the repair record turns out to be reasonably close to a Toyota, I'd consider a 500. People I feel are wonderful people will disagree with me re avoiding the engine source and why I feel that way. Good people will sometimes disagree.

P.S. Feeling the way I do will probably save me money in the long run....picking up a Corvette book If I see one I like, rather than buying an actual Corvette. But I'd rather not feel the way I feel, and have a federal government that I feel would be more of a source of pride.

[david_827]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Did the cost of your insurance increase with the Fiat? Yarisworld member DMZ just posted a link from an insurance website (with IIHS results) that lists the 5 most dangerous cars as rated by the IIHS, and the Fiat 500 is #1.

weird, the IIHS just named the fiat 500 as a top safety pick for MY 2013

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by david_827

weird, the IIHS just named the fiat 500 as a top safety pick for MY 2013

I think SailDesign's post #33 does an excellent job of debunking information from the site that Yarisworld member DMZ found.

I recently had a chance to sit in the most inexpensive Fiat 500 model/trim level, and it also didn't have any options. I think the interior is very well thought out and looks more expensive than the price point. I also feel it is a great value feature wise (if you don't need the extra passenger and cargo room a Yaris provides) --- lots of standard features for that price point. In looking at the interior and under the hood, one thing concerned me -- the engine compartment is so tight I fear that it might be very time consuming to work on, driving up such costs. I will be interested in hearing about what MPG SailDesign and other owners get, and what mechanical problems they have (two things that are very important to me). It would be easier to find a parking space for and easier to fit into my garage than a Yaris.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by david_827

weird, the IIHS just named the fiat 500 as a top safety pick for MY 2013

Exactly.