Yaris sales have completely tanked

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by roxy1

Americans are buying plenty of hatchbacks. the Honda fit is selling 4500-5000+ per month and it is in need of an update.

The Fit isn't a hatchback. It's a mini-minivan.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by Altitude

The Fit isn't a hatchback. It's a mini-minivan.

Exactly! I looked at the Fit, it was exactly a mini-minivan & I could not stand it.

I REALLY wanted to see a Scion iQ in person when I went to the Toyota/Scion dealer where I ended up buying.
They had ONE iQ that was there for 200 & something days, they finally sold it. I also wanted to see a Yaris there, they had ONE 5 door in Black Sand Pearl - I was pretty set on getting a Toyota by this point.

I am glad the iQ was gone, was looking at the cute factor, but as I thought about it was not keen on NO spare (that could be taken care of, tho) The CVT Transmission seemed iffy, but I am easy on cars...hmmmm

I was dead-set on fuel economy & a reliable point A to point B car. We walked over to the Yaris and the salesguy got the key. Looked it over for quite awhile, saw how easy it was to change the oil & tranny fluid, filters, etc. Really loved the simple interior and especially the dash - the seats were/are great. Test drove it a bit, yeah, this will work.
I realized this is a decent sized small car, sheesh, I wonder how small the iQ would have looked compared to this? I was hooked, lets get a red 2 door automatic basic 'L' model, perfect!

He got a 3 door coupe in absolute red from another dealer in NC, and we picked up the car in 2 days.

The more I drove it the more I fell in mad love with this little car. I had read about the proven engine/transmission combo on this car, it was a Toyota, it will be awesome.
I joined the forum here the day we decided to get it, my birthday April 9 and the more I read here, the more I knew it was the right decision

We looked at a Fiesta, read about all these problems it had - big turn-off
I love the looks of the new Fiat 500, but it's a FIAT. Went to the Fiat 500 forums on the web & sure enough - problem after problem after problem!
Electrical issues, paint issues - no way, not getting sucked into this car with the fun to drive cute factor that will hit me.
I am sure a lot of folks have had good luck with their 500s, that is great, not going to take that chance here.

VERY glad we got this Made in Japan Toyota Yaris. I am not concerned whatsoever aboth the decision - it will last forever. The way it runsthe way the controls workthe way it shiftsthe way it engine brakesthe way the wiper worksthe way the stereo jams

Seriously thinking about getting a 2nd 2013 Coupe as a 'spare' before it's too late!

[Shinare]

Simple answer: more/actual competition in the subcompact class.

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by Shinare

Simple answer: more/actual competition in the subcompact class.

pretty much. yes.

15 years ago we had very few quality choices in the subcompact class, especially hatchbacks. now I can go buy a fit, versa, accent, fiesta, yaris, sonic...or if I want to go smaller a 500 or a mini.....and im not going to worry that it will be a rustbucket POS in 5-6 years.

choice is good...for us.

[junorico24]

Originally Posted by roxy1

pretty much. yes.

15 years ago we had very few quality choices in the subcompact class, especially hatchbacks. now I can go buy a fit, versa, accent, fiesta, yaris, sonic...or if I want to go smaller a 500 or a mini.....and im not going to worry that it will be a rustbucket POS in 5-6 years.

choice is good...for us.

THIS...

Kia Rios are selling like hot cakes right now.Ford fiesta is continuing to sell.Mazda 2, not so much.But from what I see.There is a hell a lot of Mazda 3,Toyota Corollas, Ford Focus and SUV everywhere.Mid to large vehicles. Maybe people still view roomier and bigger cars as a better option. And like you said there's always something newer and better every time.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by junorico24

always something newer and better every time.

Better = In the eye of the beholder.

[bronsin]

I would not call a Ford Focus or Fiesta a quality choice!

But I would go look at them!

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I would not call a Ford Focus or Fiesta a quality choice!

But I would go look at them!

By JD Powers definitions they are a "quality" choice.

"Quality" is a word to describe the first 30 days.

"Reliability" is the word to describe the rest of the vehicles life.

The Yaris does not have superior quality, it has superior reliability.

The game playing by marketing/advertising guys is almost criminal in my opinion.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

By JD Powers definitions they are a "quality" choice.

"Quality" is a word to describe the first 30 days.

"Reliability" is the word to describe the rest of the vehicles life.

The Yaris does not have superior quality, it has superior reliability.

The game playing by marketing/advertising guys is almost criminal in my opinion.

^^^^^ This

[kuessemir]

I am new to the Yaris scene; however, may I say that I recently rented a 2012 LE and there were a few dissappointing aspects.

Things I liked:
The seat fit my back better
The interior finishing was more pleasing (textures and colors)
Rear seat room and flat floor
Excellant visibility
There was a spare tire

Things that dissappointed me:
The automatic's droning and laziness is a severe letdown. It was sloppy, unrefined, and required inconsistent throttle input
No rear seat light (headliner lamp)
Automatic fuel economy never surpassed an average of 31.7 with mostly highway
Lack of interior storage compartments
Ugly aftermarket look-alike stereo with digits unreadable in sun

Now, I know some of these things are subjective, but I feel these are not huge aspects to address in order to increase Yari level of competitiveness.

Is there a forum that would be more appropriate for this type of evaluation? Do you think any of these aspects may be impacting sales #s? What are your thoughts?

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by kuessemir

I am new to the Yaris scene; however, may I say that I recently rented a 2012 LE and there were a few dissappointing aspects.

Things I liked:
The seat fit my back better
The interior finishing was more pleasing (textures and colors)
Rear seat room and flat floor
Excellant visibility
There was a spare tire

Things that dissappointed me:
The automatic's droning and laziness is a severe letdown. It was sloppy, unrefined, and required inconsistent throttle input
No rear seat light (headliner lamp)
Automatic fuel economy never surpassed an average of 31.7 with mostly highway
Lack of interior storage compartments
Ugly aftermarket look-alike stereo with digits unreadable in sun

Now, I know some of these things are subjective, but I feel these are not huge aspects to address in order to increase Yari level of competitiveness.

Is there a forum that would be more appropriate for this type of evaluation? Do you think any of these aspects may be impacting sales #s? What are your thoughts?

31.7 mpg with an auto on the hiway definately not impressive. But also highly unusual for this car.

I LOVE the stereo sound in my Yaris but also note the unreadable digits.

I have no problem with my automatic transmission. Perhaps something was wrong with yours?

I put the Yaris tumbling sales down to the fact that the vast percentage of the car buying public are morons!

[kuessemir]

Originally Posted by bronsin

31.7 mpg with an auto on the hiway definately not impressive. But also highly unusual for this car.

I LOVE the stereo sound in my Yaris but also note the unreadable digits.

I have no problem with my automatic transmission. Perhaps something was wrong with yours?

I put the Yaris tumbling sales down to the fact that the vast percentage of the car buying public are morons!

You may be right about there possibly having been a problem with it...I mean it was a rental car afterall. Also, I tend to agree with you about the "morons" part, hehe. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your car. I dont believe these aspects would put me off from purchasing one, I would still feel mich more confident with my purchase than with, say, a chevy spark.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by kuessemir

You may be right about there possibly having been a problem with it...I mean it was a rental car afterall. Also, I tend to agree with you about the "morons" part, hehe. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your car. I dont believe these aspects would put me off from purchasing one, I would still feel mich more confident with my purchase than with, say, a chevy spark.

Yes a balky transmission would explain the mpg. Although even in a rental it should work!

If my water pump leaks again I swear Im going to Mazda!

Are you listening Toyota?

[Septembersrain]

I test drove way too many cars.
I was sick to death with them.
I thought I'd never find one I really liked.
One that I liked AND that was reliable that is.

Then got a Yaris as a rental while my Kia was in the shop.. A G A I N.

and I was hooked.
Seriously, I love this car.

Only other one I genuinely liked was the Scion xD.
Until I noticed it had no way to adjust the driver seat.
Yesterday, I saw a really short ladies head barely peeking over her dash board in an xD.
That's when I realized... I was really glad I got the Yaris instead.

Edit: I laughed really.. REALLY hard at that lady. More than I should of probably. XD <--- Now I understand.

[gollygirl1]

I like the simplicy of the Yaris - I got the 2013 YR model - so I don't have cruise control etc - or the GPS but I felt I don't really need those features anyway - I am still old school and carry a referdex in the boot or google addresses/directions.

I would have liked Alloy wheels though.

But overall I like the look of the dash as it is clean and uncluttered. And the fuel economy is amazing - that in itself is worth the switch from a bigger car to this for me.

It is a pretty spunky little car to own.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by gollygirl1

I like the simplicy of the Yaris - I got the 2013 YR model - so I don't have cruise control etc -

Cruise control is built into the cars computer. All you need to do for cc is add the stalk. On my 2009 you can add cc for ten dollors for resistors and switches.

Do a search or perhaps someone will put you on to the information.

I am too old to know how to search.

[bronsin]

Alloy wheels are nice until you dent one then have to pay $400 for a single new one!

I got a steel wheel for my sons ECHO for $35 brand new a few years ago and they can be had in junk yards for less than that.

They go round and round just like alloys amazing!

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Alloy wheels are nice until you dent one then have to pay $400 for a single new one!

Screw factory alloys, better to buy aftermarkets anyway. You can buy a whole set of 4 for less than $400. Much better looking and unique.