Yaris sales hit new low...

[The Limo 2]

ONWRIGO hit it on the head for why I own a Yaris instead of some other car. Something simple, reliable and easy to maintain and repair.
Roy

[why?]

Originally Posted by matti

Are you saying you want the Yaris to have the same features it has now for <$15k, or would you be willing to pay more for more features?

I'm saying to be competitive the Yaris needs to start near $10k, like it did when it came out. The strength of the Yen is the main thing that is killing Yaris sales.

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Which features that other cars in the class have do you wish the Yaris had (or think the Yaris should have) ?

Direct Injection, a 6 speed manual and a modern at least 6 speed automatic. Automatic stop start when you come to a light. All tech that would help gas mileage and should come on all modern vehicles. Other things not mentioned, but that is blamed on all auto manufacturers who have focused on hp so much and have not really tried for better gas mileage.

Originally Posted by Onwrdigo

I can understanding wanting more compared to the competition.
Thing is, the Yaris seems to have everything except a Moon Roof, standard alloy wheels across the range, variable delay front wiper and an intermittent rear wiper and an armrest ( I bought a square, black "pleather" pillow to put in-between the front seats and it is way more comfortable than any armrest I have come across.)

Then again...

We have all the safety stuff: ABS, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist, 9 airbags including seat bottom and knee airbag and more.

A "spare tire is standard" instead of a "kit" that almost all the other competition had instead. Kia wanted $300 bucks for me to add a spare tire and jack to replace the kit. Fiat wanted about the same. And for my beach trips, I am able to pack a lot of items around that tire and still close the lid even before I start packing the cargo area.

We have outside temp reading, instant and overall mileage readouts, miles to empty, Bluetooth phone hook-up, plug-in for devices.

We also have a cool little feature of being able to roll-up the power windows after the ignition is shut off.

Interior lights will shut off after a few hours if you leave them on accidentally...at least mine does. I don't recommend testing this. It happened once to me. I was like "whoa, that is cool".

I am glad we have the old 4-speed automatic...it is proven, bulletproof and shifts way better/smoother than any of the others that had more modern transmissions. "And", I am averaging 37 m.p.g. on pure highway driving at 70-75 m.p.h. with a/c on; almost the same as those 6-speed automatics. Go drive a Focus/Fiesta, you will be shocked how bad those transmissions act.

If direct-injection makes a car better, yet sounds as bad as it did on first start-up and driving the first few minutes (at least on the Rio), you can keep it. Give me the old-school Yaris. I have owned many types of cars.... 1 Ford, 6 VW's, 2 Isuzu's, 2 BMW's, 1 Saturn, 1 Jeep, 2 Mazda's, 2 Toyota's, 1 Scion. My Yaris handles hills and has a power to weight ratio better than most of them. Believe or not, it reminds me of the "good" traits" my BMW's had in many ways. I still have my '05 Scion xB with 95,000 miles on it and it has been "amazing" in reliability with the same engine and transmission as our Yaris'. I know one guy with an '06 xB that has 340,000 miles on it and he has only replaced the water pump and oil pan gasket besides the regular maintenance. That engine is still quiet and that auto transmission still shifts smooth-as-new. To me, "Old-School" can have some really nice advantages. I like "longevity and proven reliability" that goes with the old-school Yaris....That was one of the top reasons I bought it.

And the maintenance schedule is just dang-awesome. It is so easy and cheap to do.

Personally, I think it is a hell-uv-a-deal....and not all, but "some" dealers will deal on them. I got almost two grand off the sticker of my brand new Yaris LE with 5 miles on the odo. It had been on the lot for only 4 days.

But I "do" respect those who want more''''.....All of us will always want more of something in some way.

Peace''

The safety stuff is garbage. It only adds weight and unneeded complexity. It is also federally mandated because apparently we are too stupid to be able to actually drive ourselves. Airbags are weapons, and there is no real correlation to safety above the actual injuries they cause.

So you get 37 mpg on the highway and think that is good? It is not. I get around 45 driving in stop and go traffic on roads with a max speed limit of 50 mph. And I don't mean to pick on you specifically, but a modern automatic transmission could probably get what I do without a sweat.

Toyota does not really want to sell the Yaris. They don't want to let everyone know it could get gas mileage just as good if not better than a Prius. They don't want to put any money into really making it better, it has used the same transmission and engine since the Echo.

Now I love my Yaris, and I probably will keep it forever, but I would not buy another one unless Toyota shows it really wants to give the US what it gives other countries, and it does not try to protect the Prius for some idiotic reason.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by why?

needs to start near $10k, like it did when it came out.

I'm assuming (from a U.S. perspective only, of course) that you mean when what we call the ECHO first came out ? The base pice on the 07 5M USDM 3-door was at least 11k+, IIRC.

The strength of the Yen is the main thing that is killing Yaris sales.

I agree.

Direct Injection, a 6 speed manual and a modern at least 6 speed automatic. Automatic stop start when you come to a light. All tech that would help gas mileage and should come on all modern vehicles. Other things not mentioned, but that is blamed on all auto manufacturers who have focused on hp so much and have not really tried for better gas mileage.

Good points. The only one of those that matters to me personally is the 6-speed manual (which of course the Yaris has in other markets ).

federally mandated because apparently we are too stupid to be able to actually drive ourselves.

()

So you get 37 mpg on the highway and think that is good? It is not. I get around 45 driving in stop and go traffic on roads with a max speed limit of 50 mph. And I don't mean to pick on you specifically, but a modern automatic transmission could probably get what I do without a sweat.

What percentage or fraction of your ability to do the above is attributable,do you think, to the fact that you've removed your rear seating area, and other items . Even if I could squeeze a couple more MPG out of an automatic over the same car with a manual, I'd still want the manual (as long as the model in question isn't really heavy) knowing I could push the car and compression start it in a pinch if I needed to do that.

They don't want to let everyone know it could get gas mileage just as good if not better than a Prius.

Yep +++ .

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by The Limo 2

ONWRIGO hit it on the head for why I own a Yaris instead of some other car. Something simple, reliable and easy to maintain and repair.
Roy

Yep. I echo () those sentiments. *


* (yes Bronsin, I know it's ECHO not echo ).

[Lost4Kate]

i was in for an oil change, 110K, and asked to look at a new yaris. The largest toyota dealer in rochester does not have a yaris on the lot, has to be ordered.

they say the prius c is better. I sat in one, there is 2 inches less headroom. I actually can rub my head on the ceiling

sucks,

before my yaris, i was a die hard saturn owner

toyota is getting like GM, just wants to sell more expensive cars

[Flipper_1938]

I personally don't want stop-start or direct injection. Neither of those technologies are proving to be trouble free.

I really would prefer my existing yaris didn't have ABS (ASB= Anti-Stop Brakes)

A 6 speed manual trans would be nice though.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

I really would prefer my existing yaris didn't have ABS (ASB= Anti-Stop Brakes)

One thing I am not looking forward to with a newer Yaris.

[matti]

I can say that I don't care if the Yaris has an old "non-tech" engine and transmission. I don't care if the technology is 30 years old: if it works and is proven to be durable, that's all I care about. I could not care less about having a "more modern" drivetrain if it would cost me more.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by matti

I can say that I don't care if the Yaris has an old "non-tech" engine and transmission. I don't care if the technology is 30 years old: if it works and is proven to be durable, that's all I care about. I could not care less about having a "more modern" drivetrain if it would cost me more.

However, the 6-speed manual would be worth it to me if = +++ MPG and the +++ MPG paid for the increased cost by the 100k mile mark. If the increased cost wasn't paid for until the 150k mile mark, better 'manners' might still make the 6-speed manual worth the cost.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by matti

I can say that I don't care if the Yaris has an old "non-tech" engine and transmission. I don't care if the technology is 30 years old: if it works and is proven to be durable, that's all I care about. I could not care less about having a "more modern" drivetrain if it would cost me more.

I think the current 1.5L and 4-speed automatic transmission are brilliant! I wouldn't change a thing.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Lost4Kate

i was in for an oil change, 110K, and asked to look at a new yaris. The largest toyota dealer in rochester does not have a yaris on the lot, has to be ordered.

The two Toyota dealerships closest to me are Fred Haas Toyota World and Gullo Toyota. Yesterday, I stopped by both of them. Fred Haas Toyota World is the #1 Tundra dealer in the world, and (overall) the #2 Toyota dealer in the United States (Longo Toyota in El Monte, California is #1). Fred Haas Toyota World had one Yaris....an SE with an automatic transmission. I didn't see any Yarii at all at Gullo.

they say the prius c is better

Better as in more profit for them.

[Superfly]

The lack of models on the sale floor has to be the first killer. No one is going to buy the Yaris if it is not there. Then all the competitors offer incentives, slightly lower MSRPs and more modern "conveniences". Plus Toyota has so many incentives for the Prius C and the Corolla. The Yaris is really in a rough spot.

However, the biggest problem probably deals with the people most likely to buy the Yaris. We all want cheap, lightweight fuel-sipping strippers that will last 1 bagillion miles without incident. I can imagine it is difficult for TMC to push for more research and development investments if they know most US Yaris buyers are going to be around once for the initial purchase and then ten years later for a newer model. Shoot, most of us don't even visit the dealer for anything more than the oil changes. Realistically, I just don't see a simple solution for improving Yaris numbers which sucks because it is simply a sweet ride.

[Ryze268]

Toyota should have made RS spec Vitz/Yaris come with a 2ZZ from factory, I think would definitely have a good amount of supporters.

[JudgeM]

What I find odd for many of the markets especially US is the spec of the Yaris. You get the same 1nzfe engine, 4 speed auto or 5 speed manual. This is already 10 years old technology. While in europe they get 6 speed manuals, dual vvti engine, multi mode transmission, traction control etc.

Even that may not be enough, you pit it against things like the fiesta that has 5 speed auto(i think) 1 liter turbo engine that will own our yaris 1.5.

What I love about Toyota was all the new tech they brought to the car (esp late 80's) but now they seem to be saturating especially on the low end cars. I am disappointed to see the new VIOS which looks beautiful still have the same 1NZ-FE and 4 speed auto.

Its easy to see why now for new buyers they will not go down the yaris/vios route when the competitor offer much better spec'd car for similar price.

[matti]

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

[kimona]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

I'm with you.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

+100. While I might buy a car in a different segment for the technology or the driving experience, what matters to me when buying a car in this segment is what matti wrote above. People make decisions within other segments for 'emotional' and 'trendy' (among other) reasons. IMO, putting a lot of weight into such factors in this segment is nonsensical.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by matti

One of the things that appealed to me was the "low-tech" 1nzfe engine. It has been proven bombproof (you know what I mean!) and that's what I care about. If it was 100 years old, it wouldn't matter to me. If it works well and is durable, that's all that matters to me.

I may be in the minority, though. I don't buy vehicles for their technology or driving "experience." I buy a car to cheaply get from point A to point B, while hoping to get some serious reliability and longevity out of the vehicle.

This pretty much sums it up. It still amazes me reading a lot of the experiences here. ZERO regrets with this car.