Ciao, Yaris!

[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.