RS vs LE handling question

[WeeYari]

The only difference is the RS came equipped with beefier tires. No changes to stock suspension or steering ratios and feedback over the CE/LE.

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

The only difference is the RS came equipped with beefier tires. No changes to stock suspension or steering ratios and feedback over the CE/LE.

Well, there we have it. Thanks, WeeYari.

[radu1976]

Originally Posted by 06YarisRS

Well, there we have it. Thanks, WeeYari.

Not very clear for me yet !
I have on my '09 LE the RS rims with 185 tires from my first '06 RS - for summer driving - ... if there's a difference from switching the winter tires 175 on steelies with 15' summer alloys , then it's very minimal as I don't feel any difference !

The difference is handling was clearly in my case : 07 RS vs 09 LE.
Obviously it wasn't a difference like BMW 3er vs LEXUS/TOYOTA but it was kinda of a difference '06-'07 Accord vs '05 Camry SE or almost such a difference . I have had 2 Accords , '06 2.4L manual and '07 V6-6speed .

Maybe I got a stiffer than normal steering on my '07 RS .
A too old power steering fluid cannot be to blame for that as our cars have an electric power steering
Wonder if adding a rear sway bar will make me feel my actual LE like the old '07 RS ; at least in tight turns less body roll as steering obviously won't change

Like a minor adnotation , it seems that my Yaris LE engine started to break it.
With my previous RS cars and the actual LE until a few months ago my summer fuel economy used to be between 5.6 and 6.2 l per 100km. Always checked very accurate by overfilling the tank up to maximum allowed . Winter was usually between 7 and 8l/100km depending on the quantity of snow and temperature.

The actual 'new reality' with much less cars on the streets cannot be blame for my newer fuel economy as I noticed a clear improvement about 4 months ago when the old normality was in place.
Starting with FEB I started to have fuel economy of around 6l/100km which was unusual for winter time. Then I constantly got under 6l/100km although the temps were around 0C .
The engine had 210k at that time.
My last fuel economy recorded was a new 'personal best' :)) : 5.4l/100km so 43.5 mpg beating my old personal best of 5.6l/100km which I recorded it for several times.

So apparently this Yaris engine broke in after 210,000 km.
The old Yarises were sold with 200k respectively 150k on odometer .
So far I always wanted to have a lower car mileage to be sure about the reliability in the field of deliveries but having for so many years Yarises I realized that my fears were not realistic.
Instead of paying more for low mileage Yaris I am gonna keep this car forever as apparently the fuel economy is improving , there are virtually almost no bad things which can happen - maybe the starter will fail one day as it happened to my RS at 170k but back then I was at the beginning and I was turning off the engine more often - , oil consumption is next to nothing at 300-400 gr for 10,000km always using syntetic -
Plus that the clutch - LUK , german brand - replaced at 170k still feels like new after 55k+ done and definitely better , springier than the original one.
for this amazing reliable little city car !

[radu1976]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

The only difference is the RS came equipped with beefier tires. No changes to stock suspension or steering ratios and feedback over the CE/LE.

I kept driving my 09 LE on 15' alloy RS rims from the previous sold RS and 15' steel rims too in the winter and the steering is soft , very soft !
100% Steering ratio is different in RS vs the LE !
At least in my 2 cases , 3 years ago and ... today comparison ! The difference is VERY CLEAR ! RS is a much more enjoyable car

[kevinj93]

I'm not sure about Gen 1 or 2, but there are definitely 2 different steering racks for the Gen 3.

The Australian version is listed with a different steering ratio to the rest of the world. Australia lists as 1:12.8 ratio, with 2.69 turns lock to lock. The other listing says 1:14.3 ratio, with 3.02 turns lock to lock.

There are also slightly different wheel alignment settings listed for different tyre sizes.