Persuade me to buy a Yaris!

[swidd]

Uhm if you're sure you're okay with the small-car lifestyle aspect, i.e. you can't haul firewood and large furniture, only small grocery purchases at a time; no large family or soccer practice hauls, and you will get no respect from Republicans (unless you fit up to ~40" of gun in the Yaris trunk), then check out the competition and see if spending more on Ford Focus/Fiesta, Mazda 2/3, Audi A3, or Mini Cooper would be worth it do you. There you'll have leather and wood and almost-as-good MPG. The Yaris is only the leader when considering what you get for your money; best fuel economy in economy class, lowest maintenance cost for the lowest initial purchase price.

For the plastic, search the microimage forums for great ideas with carbon fiber wrap, paint, dye, suede cover etc. Looks like <$300 in other parts will go a very long way modding the handling, brakes, gear throw etc. I've tried to buy parts for sale off this website to save cash.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by swidd

Uhm if you're sure you're okay with the small-car lifestyle aspect, i.e. you can't haul firewood and large furniture, only small grocery purchases at a time; no large family or soccer practice hauls, and you will get no respect from Republicans (unless you fit up to ~40" of gun in the Yaris trunk), then check out the competition and see if spending more on Ford Focus/Fiesta, Mazda 2/3, Audi A3, or Mini Cooper would be worth it do you. There you'll have leather and wood and almost-as-good MPG. The Yaris is only the leader when considering what you get for your money; best fuel economy in economy class, lowest maintenance cost for the lowest initial purchase price.

I think unless the OP has more than 2 kids, he should be fine living with a sub-compact car. The Yaris, especially the liftback, can haul a crap load of stuff. More than enough space for most situations. People always bring up the part about hauling furniture or lumbar but on that rare occasion, you rent a truck or have it delivered (most stores deliver furniture, appliances, ect. for free). Why own a big truck for that rare occasion when you need to haul a huge load but commute everyday at 18 MPG with no load.

And yes, the Yaris is the lowest cost to own vehicle you can buy. This is factored when you combine purchase price, MPG, maintenance, reliability, parts, and insurance. The only cars that come close is a base Accent and Versa. They can't beat the Yaris mpg and reliability though. As my sig points out, I've got 105,000 miles and have not needed a repair yet. THAT'S cheap to own.

BTW Swidd, many conservatives own small cars including myself. That's a silly generalization. We own them for economical reasons not environmental reasons knowing that "global warming" is a massive hoax.

[TONIZZLE]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

A yaris.... because you can do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNuCuQxMG6k

Nice vid. I wonder what fitment that is.

Originally Posted by swidd

Uhm if you're sure you're okay with the small-car lifestyle aspect, i.e. you can't haul firewood and large furniture, only small grocery purchases at a time; no large family or soccer practice hauls, and you will get no respect from Republicans (unless you fit up to ~40" of gun in the Yaris trunk), then check out the competition and see if spending more on Ford Focus/Fiesta, Mazda 2/3, Audi A3, or Mini Cooper would be worth it do you. There you'll have leather and wood and almost-as-good MPG. The Yaris is only the leader when considering what you get for your money; best fuel economy in economy class, lowest maintenance cost for the lowest initial purchase price.

I like what Ford has done with the Fiesta. Especially with the optional body kit and Euro spoiler. The Mazda 3 looks good too. But these are maybe an extra $5K above the Yaris.

Originally Posted by carnageehw

I don't understand this. You can save money on financing the Yaris since the 4runner is paid off?

Lets say you get a 09 yaris for 11,000, and you finance it for 3 years. That's a 305 monthly payment over paying nothing per month for the 4 runner.

If you drive 10,000k a year, you'll save 800 bucks? What about when you factor in the monthly cost of the Yaris, compared to a car that's paid off?

Other things to consider:
1)Your car obviously has more cargo room that the Yaris, especially a hatch. How important is that to you?

2)Are you selling your 4 runner? That should make a decent dent in the Yaris cost.

3)Test drive the car a bunch of times. It's seats don't adjust that much, and it's sensitive pedals are going to be really, really different than the car you are used to, especially if you have been driving it since 99.

That's what I meant. I would be paying money to finance a Yaris vs. pocketing that by keeping the 4Runner. The 4Runner would be a trade-in. I did notice the seats when I was test driving. Seems like there's one adjustment missing.

Originally Posted by Kal-El

I think unless the OP has more than 2 kids, he should be fine living with a sub-compact car.

No kids, but I plan to someday. Which makes me wonder if I do get the Yaris I may need to trade-in again for a more family friendly car.


Lots of knowledgeable ppl in this forum. This is going much better than my post in the 4Runner forum. By this time the 4Runner members were getting pretty hostile.

[carnageehw]

Originally Posted by TONIZZLE

No kids, but I plan to someday. Which makes me wonder if I do get the Yaris I may need to trade-in again for a more family friendly car.

I had a sedan, not the 5 door hatch like you want, so I don't really know how different it will be, but I had a rear facing child seat in the back for a while, and I was decently comfortable. If you're a huge guy, or like the seat really far back, it would get annoying.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by TONIZZLE

Nice vid. I wonder what fitment that is.



I like what Ford has done with the Fiesta. Especially with the optional body kit and Euro spoiler. The Mazda 3 looks good too. But these are maybe an extra $5K above the Yaris.



That's what I meant. I would be paying money to finance a Yaris vs. pocketing that by keeping the 4Runner. The 4Runner would be a trade-in. I did notice the seats when I was test driving. Seems like there's one adjustment missing.



No kids, but I plan to someday. Which makes me wonder if I do get the Yaris I may need to trade-in again for a more family friendly car.


Lots of knowledgeable ppl in this forum. This is going much better than my post in the 4Runner forum. By this time the 4Runner members were getting pretty hostile.

I have an Xterra and my two Yaris. The Xterra is on moth balls until gas comes back down (or for the occasional lumber yard run). As others have said, it's hard to compare the two types of vehicles, other than by MPG comparison.

The Yaris can haul an amazing amount for its size. I have two kids, so the 5 door liftback is more practical than a 3 door would be. We find that the Yaris works out well for family trips and the kids' sports.