Not sure where to start (2009 yaris)...

[tomato]

Not to add any fuel to the fire or anything but IMO, I really REALLY think the Fit handles better overall. I don't know how to explain it, it just does. The clutch (shifter) works like knife in butter. Acceleration is lightning fast, even when you're in lower gears (very important for city driving with bits of freeway, hills and what not, like in the SF Bay Area).

I'm no mechanic, I'm just an idiot consumer driving stock cars, but I've been driving for a lot of years, and I'm telling you, if you take a stock base Yaris and a stock base Fit for a test drive, you will notice a big difference in handling.

It's not about power windows or power anything, it's just the handling and the driving experience overall. Can't explain it.

It's in the

Again, I didn't say I don't enjoy my Yaris

peace

[427chev]

Originally Posted by tomato

Not to add any fuel to the fire or anything but IMO, I really REALLY think the Fit handles better overall.

The Fit doesn't handle better than a Yaris equipped with TRD shocks, springs and the rear bar, though the Fit most certainly handles better than a stock Yaris.

I had the dealer install those before I took delivery; it set me back $1,240 (including parts, labor and 4 Toyota mudguards).

That chewed into the "bang for the buck" factor, though, as did the stereo and speakers I had installed.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by 427chev

The Fit doesn't handle better than a Yaris equipped with TRD shocks, springs and the rear bar, though the Fit most certainly handles better than a stock Yaris.

Keep in mind that I was comparing stock and stock.

If you only spent a grand or so at the dealership, then it's really not so bad.

Is the "rear bar" the same thing as a "sway bar" ? can you tell the difference?

[427chev]

Originally Posted by tomato

Keep in mind that I was comparing stock and stock.

If you only spent a grand or so at the dealership, then it's really not so bad.

Is the "rear bar" the same thing as a "sway bar" ? can you tell the difference?

Yes, I was referring to the TRD rear "swar bar," which is more properly referred to as an "anti-roll bar."

I had the shocks, springs and rear bar installed when the car was brand new and prior to taking delivery.

I have owned a lot of nice handling cars (1LE Camaro, Z51 C6 Corvette, Sentra SE-R (first gen.), Mazda Speed 3) and am VERY impressed with what the TRD components did to this Yaris. It is very well balanced, doesn't have a hint of float, squat or dive yet still rides quite well. The car's limits are a lot lower than those of the Camaro and Corvette (in particular) because I am running the OEM wheels and tires on the Yaris and because the Yaris is also far less powerful.

Still, a Yaris equipped with the TRD suspension can be a surprisingly fun and satisfying car to drive.

[roxy1]

the manaul transmission fit will never make up for its one fatal flaw. the gearing on it is ludicrous. when i test drove it, i was dumbfounded that it was spinning 3400 rpms at 70 mph. it had grown tiresome on my 20 minute test drive. its loud and buzzy. it ruined what would have been a sure sale for me. additionally, the profile of the new fit is as ugly as a car could get, like a little chunk of metal pulling a big long glass bubble behind it. still, i could have forgiven its ugliness if not for the gearing.

i think small hatchbacks are made to be driven with a stick and im hoping the next batch of subcompact hatches (focus/polo/et al...) will have better gearing in their manual trannies.

[427chev]

Originally Posted by roxy1

the manaul transmission fit will never make up for its one fatal flaw. the gearing on it is ludicrous. when i test drove it, i was dumbfounded that it was spinning 3400 rpms at 70 mph. it had grown tiresome on my 20 minute test drive. its loud and buzzy. it ruined what would have been a sure sale for me. additionally, the profile of the new fit is as ugly as a car could get, like a little chunk of metal pulling a big long glass bubble behind it. still, i could have forgiven its ugliness if not for the gearing.

i think small hatchbacks are made to be driven with a stick and im hoping the next batch of subcompact hatches (focus/polo/et al...) will have better gearing in their manual trannies.

What's kind of RPM is a 5 speed Yaris spinning @ 70MPH

Mine doesn't have a tach, but I guarantee it's close to 3,400 RPM and may even be higher.

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by 427chev

What's kind of RPM is a 5 speed Yaris spinning @ 70MPH:...................but I guarantee it's close to 3,400 RPM and may even be higher.

i think people w/ a scangauge have reported 3050-3100 rpms at 70 mph in the manual yaris.