Adventures with Yaris

[toad]

great pictures! it's almost like you took screenshots from a toyota commercial or something(but then toyota would had to do have done some actual ADVERTISING for the yaris - lol)!

the roof rack will definately add some more options to your adventures(bike, kayak, etc.), but be warned it will affect your mileage somewhat. i just installed a yakima rack on my echo and i've read here before it hurts smaller cars more than bigger ones. it's not really that big a deal, however, as the mileage is so good to begin with!

keep us updated with pics as you and the little guy have more adventures!

[devananne]

Originally Posted by toad

i just installed a yakima rack on my echo and i've read here before it hurts smaller cars more than bigger ones.

Have you been driving enough to notice how much it has affected it? I've heard it affects it as well, but I'm hoping it's just a few mpg and not from 37 down to 30 or so. I'm planning to get the "aerodynamic" bars from Thule, but I'm not sure how much that helps anyway.

[toad]

Originally Posted by devananne

Have you been driving enough to notice how much it has affected it? I've heard it affects it as well, but I'm hoping it's just a few mpg and not from 37 down to 30 or so. I'm planning to get the "aerodynamic" bars from Thule, but I'm not sure how much that helps anyway.

i think it's only a few mpg, but i'm not sure i don't drive my car very far each day and i don't own a scangauge so i can't give you any definate numbers. i've got the wind-deflector to cut down on the 'whistling' the bars made, but i've just got the regular 'round' bars and not aero ones.

obviously, i wouldn't keep a cargo box up there all the time! i do know these cars are tested extensively in wind tunnels to get the lowest coefficient of drag they can in a very competitive market. the slightest change to that 'forumula' can lead to noticeable decreases in fuel efficiency.

if you're just looking to haul bicycles or extra luggage i know they make hitch-mounted/trunk-mounted options. this would keep everything behind your car where it wouldn't affect aerodynamics so much! we have a hitch-mount bike carrier on the wife's yaris, but i wanted something for the echo that i could also take a canoe/kayak to the reservoir on. no other way to do that unless we bought a trailer and i don't have anywhere to store one of those.

[Killchain]