Love hate 2008 lift back - Toyota Yaris Forums

Signats · 05-28-2021, 08:03 AM

Picked up a lowish mileage (81k miles) 2008 lift back last week, loved it in the city and on county roads.....but hated it on the interstate. It was all over the place at any speed over 70mph.

The car just drifted all over it's lane, and it got blown around by wind and the wind wash from the other cars and trucks on the road, and it plain did not feel safe.

A google search quickly pointed out the YW forums and thanks to all the favorable posts regarding the rear sway bar, I went ahead and got the TRD one for my car and installed it yesterday.

This is a (rare) product that works as advertised, and I'm super impressed with the way my car now cruises down the turnpike, the speed limit here is only 65 but the "pack" goes anywhere from 75 to 80 mph and my car now feels comfortable keeping up and dicing through the trucks.

Yesterday was also very windy with gusts up to 20mph and the wind did not knock me around either.

In the city the handling became flatter (much less body roll) and more precise, the car is a sweet little city go-kart, so I liked it there as well.

Great in the city, feels like a normal sized car on the freeway, only downside is the cost which seems kind of high for a metal bar.

All in all I'm super happy with this car now that it is working like it should have from the factory.

mannycheckers · 05-28-2021, 09:40 AM

I agree. The rear swaybar has been one of my most satisfying upgrades to the vehicle. I also recommend getting the TRD shocks and springs to further increase handling.

bronsin · 05-28-2021, 12:35 PM

Sounds like a really good thing to do to your car if you own A Yaris.

And the wind gives you a problem.

Having driven Volkswagen beetles in the 70s Driving a Yaris and the wind is a piece of cake!

ern-diz · 05-28-2021, 03:32 PM

I don't have any bars but I noticed similar results from changing wheels and tires. The factory steelies and donut like tires had me bouncing around on the freeway. Larger, wider wheels really sat the car down for me.

Signats · 05-28-2021, 04:16 PM

Tires are next, the ones on it now are made of vinyl I think. Going to keep the stock 15" steel wheels for budget reasons.

*kimona* · 05-28-2021, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Signats

Tires are next, the ones on it now are made of vinyl I think. Going to keep the stock 15" steel wheels for budget reasons.

To eliminate highway wander, choose a non-aggressive tread design with a wide continuous centre rib.

bronsin · 05-28-2021, 06:08 PM

I always wondered work for donuts on the car Would handle like it if you could get them for cheap.

05-28-2021, 08:03 AM	#1
Signats Drives: 2008 hatch Join Date: May 2021 Location: Roseburg, OR Posts: 6	Love hate 2008 lift back Picked up a lowish mileage (81k miles) 2008 lift back last week, loved it in the city and on county roads.....but hated it on the interstate. It was all over the place at any speed over 70mph. The car just drifted all over it's lane, and it got blown around by wind and the wind wash from the other cars and trucks on the road, and it plain did not feel safe. A google search quickly pointed out the YW forums and thanks to all the favorable posts regarding the rear sway bar, I went ahead and got the TRD one for my car and installed it yesterday. This is a (rare) product that works as advertised, and I'm super impressed with the way my car now cruises down the turnpike, the speed limit here is only 65 but the "pack" goes anywhere from 75 to 80 mph and my car now feels comfortable keeping up and dicing through the trucks. Yesterday was also very windy with gusts up to 20mph and the wind did not knock me around either. In the city the handling became flatter (much less body roll) and more precise, the car is a sweet little city go-kart, so I liked it there as well. Great in the city, feels like a normal sized car on the freeway, only downside is the cost which seems kind of high for a metal bar. All in all I'm super happy with this car now that it is working like it should have from the factory.

05-28-2021, 12:35 PM	#3
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	Sounds like a really good thing to do to your car if you own A Yaris. And the wind gives you a problem. Having driven Volkswagen beetles in the 70s Driving a Yaris and the wind is a piece of cake! __________________ Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head

05-28-2021, 03:32 PM	#4
ern-diz View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Liftback Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CA all day Posts: 3,794	I don't have any bars but I noticed similar results from changing wheels and tires. The factory steelies and donut like tires had me bouncing around on the freeway. Larger, wider wheels really sat the car down for me. __________________ On Instagram On Wheelwell

05-28-2021, 06:08 PM	#7
bronsin Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 4,790	I always wondered work for donuts on the car Would handle like it if you could get them for cheap. __________________ Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head

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05-28-2021, 09:40 AM	#2
mannycheckers Drives: 2009 Yaris 2dr Liftback Join Date: May 2019 Location: NYC Posts: 58	I agree. The rear swaybar has been one of my most satisfying upgrades to the vehicle. I also recommend getting the TRD shocks and springs to further increase handling.

05-28-2021, 04:16 PM	#5
Signats Drives: 2008 hatch Join Date: May 2021 Location: Roseburg, OR Posts: 6	Tires are next, the ones on it now are made of vinyl I think. Going to keep the stock 15" steel wheels for budget reasons.