Can Toyota Still Manage to Build an Awful Car? - LA Times Article

[Pars]

Why is it that only the US Yaris is getting all the bashing, while everywhere else in the world, the car is being praised? Perhaps Toyota is putting a handicap on the options/accessories to make room for the Scion.

Well, if the Yaris isn't selling in the States, it just means more for us Canadians.

[spkrman]

Originally Posted by BailOut

Do some people really believe you have to have a 5,000 pound SUV just to pick up the milk?

Sadly.... some people do!!!!!

I'd say maybe 5% of those with giant SUV's have a practical use for them.

I like simplicity, the less stuff there is, the less to BREAK!!!! A proven reliable platform, plenty of space for most folks... what more do you really need?

I do have to agree, though, the yaris once "equipped" doesn't seem as much of a value once compared to the fit and such... or even the scion XA (when it was available).

I like the car, and I've spent many an hour of a long highway journey in it, and I fully intend to drive it until the wheels fall off - which should be a very long time from now

[stuffy]

well said bailout,

the article is primarily about brand-bashing, which he alludes to himself. he apparently has a chip on his shoulder concerning toyota's success.

[Bretsuaz]

I find it humorous that Toyota is always the benchmark. That really tells the whole story. Obviously, they build superior vehicles. It is no wonder they are so successful.

Im not sure if this article was really about the Yaris. He seemed to spend more time bashing Toyota for their success, and somewhat predicting a decline. Something I just dont see happening.

I think well see alot more of this in the future, especially with the US automakers now on life support.

[Pavel Olavich]

I love my Yaris, but in truth it does not handle that well...it is bouncy at freeway speeds....kind of floaty...but not the worse I've experienced.

[daq421]

So here is what I wrote to the Author of that Review:
.................................................. .................................................. .......

Sir,
I am the owner of a Yaris 4 door coupe, And while I recognize your Auto review was related to the 3 door, to which some of your complaints are specifically related. I find I'm motivated to respond anyway.

It seems you have completely missed the point (and the boat) when it comes to the Toyota Yaris. As I mentioned I have one of these great cars and after putting 11,000+ miles on it I love this little car. It's (unlike the puffed up and over featured behemoths of some car manufacturers) a simple and fun car. And that's really the point. The Yaris is wonderful for it's simplicity, mileage, and low maintenance needs not it's flash. As a reliable and economical choice, in this era of rapidly climbing fuel costs, the Yaris shines. Further, having driven this car for months (using it for both daily commutes and lengthy vacation driving), I wonder at your low opinion of it's road abilities. The car is not fast, this is true, but it has never failed to get me comfortably and quickly around in traffic or nimbly slice around the curves in the local back roads. I have to ask, what were you asking the little car to do? Drag race?

I suggest you take a Yaris on as a daily driver for a month or two, try the 4 door, then rewrite your review. I pretty much guarantee that after really getting to know this reliable, nimble, fuel efficient, and fun car you'll have a change of heart.

-Peter



--
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"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
-Mark Twain
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[foober]

My brother in law and sister will only buy american. (they have a jeep and GMC). And his cars are always breaking down. He's been through three cars in 10 years while I've had my one toyota tacoma.

My litttle brother went good gas milage car like I did last year. He bought a honda hybrid. And they've already got a recall on it to check a switch. But he's also very discouraged about the milage. He was hoping for at least 50 miles to the gallon. He's getting almost 40 miles to the gallon.

And my little yaris is doing great. And i'm getting 37+ miles per gallon at half the price of these big luxury cars that are always breaking down.

[Pavel Olavich]

Originally Posted by foober

My brother in law and sister will only buy american. (they have a jeep and GMC). And his cars are always breaking down. He's been through three cars in 10 years while I've had my one toyota tacoma.

My litttle brother went good gas milage car like I did last year. He bought a honda hybrid. And they've already got a recall on it to check a switch. But he's also very discouraged about the milage. He was hoping for at least 50 miles to the gallon. He's getting almost 40 miles to the gallon.

And my little yaris is doing great. And i'm getting 37+ miles per gallon at half the price of these big luxury cars that are always breaking down.

You cannot hold it against Honda because of one recall...this is not fair, especially since Toyota gets recalls too. Just accept the truth: Honda & Toyota make great cars.

And the fact that your bro gets less MPG then he expects really doesn't mean much as we don't know his driving habits, etc....

Honda & Toyota both make great fantastic cars...and they take turns eclipsing each other every year, model depending of course.

[sam07yaris]

i see more yaris owners on the road than with the fit and the versa..... ftw!!!!


and to add that.... i have not yet seen any hot girls in the fit and versa..... bwaahaaaaaa ftw again!!!!

[GTSRacer]

I own a Red RS 3dr Hatch. The RS package replaces the silver trim inside with glossy black plastic trim. The white vents are replaced with black vents. The seats are made of a sporty black fabric, and it has the fold flat seats in the back. I believe that if Toyota USA sent all of these reviewers an RS model, they would have little to complain about. The materials feel much better, and the little chrome trim on the door handles give the feeling of sporty luxury. In addition, I believe that Toyota USA made a huge mistake by not offering ABS as an option. IMHO Toyota USA was trying to bury this car, because of the poor reception for the Echo, and had little need for the Yaris except to fill a price point. They then saw the demand for this great little car, and still don't know how to market it.

Compare the reception that the Yaris got in Canada. Toyota Canada launched a full media blitz on the Yaris, with smart ads, making the Yaris cool to young males such as myself. They gave the Yaris a sport package and made options such as ABS available to multiple trim levels.

Toyota USA could learn a bit from Toyota Canada's marketing of this fine car.

TM

[boris13]

Originally Posted by GTSRacer

I own a Red RS 3dr Hatch. The RS package replaces the silver trim inside with glossy black plastic trim. The white vents are replaced with black vents. The seats are made of a sporty black fabric, and it has the fold flat seats in the back. I believe that if Toyota USA sent all of these reviewers an RS model, they would have little to complain about. The materials feel much better, and the little chrome trim on the door handles give the feeling of sporty luxury. In addition, I believe that Toyota USA made a huge mistake by not offering ABS as an option. IMHO Toyota USA was trying to bury this car, because of the poor reception for the Echo, and had little need for the Yaris except to fill a price point. They then saw the demand for this great little car, and still don't know how to market it.

Compare the reception that the Yaris got in Canada. Toyota Canada launched a full media blitz on the Yaris, with smart ads, making the Yaris cool to young males such as myself. They gave the Yaris a sport package and made options such as ABS available to multiple trim levels.

Toyota USA could learn a bit from Toyota Canada's marketing of this fine car.

TM

I agree -- the US market DOES need an "RS"-type model in the liftback, with a sport suspension, better tires, better trim, tach/gauges, spoiler, power windows/locks, the 60/40 seat, standard ABS, side airbags, and an upgraded sound system. Maybe in a couple of years...

(By the way, ABS IS an option in the States.)

[GTSRacer]

(By the way, ABS IS an option in the States.)[/QUOTE]

All of the reviews make ABS sound unavailable.

- really a shame

I think too they want to find something wrong with Toyota, and its very difficult.

[ChinoCharles]

Huge communities of enthusiasts containing thousands of members from all over the world from all walks of life don't spring up over automaker failures. Toyota has lost touch? I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

[Nutzoids]

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

So lets Flood his email and tell him!

[Pavel Olavich]

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

Huge communities of enthusiasts containing thousands of members from all over the world from all walks of life don't spring up over automaker failures. Toyota has lost touch? I know 3,000 people that would tell him he's wrong.

Well, I hear ya, and I too love my Yaris, but you need to understand human nature....just because there are 3,000 or 30,000 Yaris lovers on a site, does not necessarily mean that this is proof of it being a great car.

When people buy something, they will defend that product no matter what, regardless if it is a good product or not. Not talking about everyone, but most people are irrational in this way.

Don't get bothered by bad reviews of our fine car...who cares what others think? What matters is what you think!

And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.

[ChinoCharles]

Originally Posted by Pavel Olavich

Well, I hear ya, and I too love my Yaris, but you need to understand human nature....just because there are 3,000 or 30,000 Yaris lovers on a site, does not necessarily mean that this is proof of it being a great car.

When people buy something, they will defend that product no matter what, regardless if it is a good product or not. Not talking about everyone, but most people are irrational in this way.

Don't get bothered by bad reviews of our fine car...who cares what others think? What matters is what you think!

And don't just pick on auto journalists....to be fair, even Yaris owners (some of them) are also irrational....actually calling the awesome Honda Fit trash, and such...this irrational stupidity is no better then the attitudes of some auto journalists.

I love my Yaris, but for the record, I think the Fit is a better car, but I didn't want to spend the more $$ to get it. No regrets having the 2007 LB for me however.

You'll argue anything, won't you?

[Pavel Olavich]

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

You'll argue anything, won't you?

Go to college young man...it's called discourse, debate, discussion....didn't they have that in high school?

[ChinoCharles]

Originally Posted by Pavel Olavich

Go to college young man...it's called discourse, debate, discussion....didn't they have that in high school?

Isn't arguing for the sake of arguing more of an elementary school thing?