Test Drove a 2009 Today...

[CrazedEpidemic]

Since it was my first car I got used to it on my first drive. I didnt even really care or was stunned when I test drove it.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

Are you sure it's angled? Something slightly different in the '09s? '06-'08 is dead flat. Prior years (Echo) had it turned toward the driver.

I just went and looked... perhaps you're right, maybe it's just that the passenger is looking at it from the other side & at freeway speeds it's nearly straight up, amplifying the effect.

[MadMax]

I actually prefer the center-mounted console. I hate the fact that in every other car I own I can only partially see the speedometer and tach because of the steering wheel. The console should be either moved up and closer to the windshield, or in the middle like the Yaris.

Cheers! M2

[Yar Is Word]

You can adjust your seating position any way you like and not worry about having the steering wheel block the view to your gauges.

[SilverBack]

Only took me about a minute to get used to it in the daytime, but 3 whole days to get used to it at night. Something about having a dark empty space behind the steering wheel just seemed kinda weird at first. Now I wouldn't have it any other way.

[id3379]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

You'll also love the added glove box in front of the steering wheel. Passengers see me rest my morning Breakfast sandwich and hash brown in there, and are just amazed by some of the ingenious features of this car.

i wish my sedan had that glove box in front of the steering wheel :(

i don't know why they didn't add it

[mastaofdisasta]

i actually hate driving a car with normal gauge setup, my gf's dodge neon trips me out harcore, and the crv's in the family, all seem so impractical now because oif the gauge setup

[andruboz]

if you like a speedo in front of you, try mounting your gps on the left or get a scangauge and leave one of the 4 parameters set on speedometer.

i find there is a few mph of 'parallax error' due to the speedo placement , but like motorcycles the error is to the minus so its trying to save you a speeding ticket.

[jambo101]

Welcome to the forum Johnstevensthat center mounted dash wont bother you for long if at all.i've been looking through steering wheels for 45yrs and it took no time at all to adjust to the central positioning.

[Pars]

I didn't have any learning curve. I had my portable NAV mounted to the centre of the windshield and was already used to focusing on mid-dash well before I got the Yaris. I no longer have my Yaris, traded it in for a Rav4 about a year ago, but given a choice, I'd still prefer centre for the console.

[Vinsanity]

it bothered me for a day or two. it better that way so we can see everything in front.

[johnstevens]

Okay, then. I've leased a 2009 Yaris. It's the base automatic. The value over the Honda Fit was just better and it came down to numbers. Toyota won my money by having the better deal in a recession. Plain and simple.

After about a week of driving I've got some good AND bad:

I can fit this guy F@#@ing ANYWHERE. ANYWHERE! It's that small and maneuverable. Simply Amazing!

The stock lights leave something to be desired. The headlights, I think, need to be swapped out for something brighter. I'm really not wild about the interior lights not turning on when you open the door. Double that for no automatic overhead lights. It gets dark at night!

I absolutely hate the fact that the lights don't turn off automatically. My ten year old truck had this feature and I've got to re-learn to make sure my lights are off. That just boggles my mind, and should be a standard feature.

The gas mileage is simply incredible. Coming from a small pick-up 10 year old truck? AMAZING!

The center dash is driving me nuts. I understand why it was designed that way, but that doesn't change the way I feel. Time will tell. I wish the whole thing was just digital, speed and all. That might make the change a tad more palatable. Any aftermarket solutions available?

The handling is excellent in the rain. I haven't tested it yet in Ohio snow but I'm full of confidence.

The view is INCREDIBLE when driving. Seriously? It's almost like a video game I can see out the front and sides so well. That said?

The small back window, with washer leaves something to be desired.

More as I drive...

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by johnstevens

I'm really not wild about the interior lights not turning on when you open the door. Double that for no automatic overhead lights. It gets dark at night!

Are your switch settings on the lights themselves in the correct position.

[wiirenet]

Originally Posted by johnstevens

I absolutely hate the fact that the lights don't turn off automatically. My ten year old truck had this feature and I've got to re-learn to make sure my lights are off. That just boggles my mind, and should be a standard feature.

Don't want to hijack your thread but this would be useful to you too if someone answered-
Is it possible to mod a car somehow to turn off the headlights automatically?
I can't even count the times I've left my lights on in my current car and had to get jumped.. twice in the past month... I was really hoping getting a new car I could get one that automatically turns off.. but my heart is really set on the yaris.

[HTM Yaris]

In the Yaris , when you leave the lights on and remove the key from ignition ,an alarm sounds

[wiirenet]

Ohhh that is wonderful news for me!! Haha. Ty.

[westgl]

Damn it! I have too many new cars, But once I test drove it and had to have it, more money than brains I suppose, This car is fun to drive. As soon as I get into a new car I look at how easy it is to see out of the car,(blind spots) This car is easy to see out of. It makes a great city car, It has supprisingly good pick up for such a small car, It handles pretty good for a small car as well. I like the fact that it sits high and has good ground clearance. It is comfortable inside, the seats, seat you high and provide comfort and support as well as leg room, the center console/emergency brake does not intrude into the drivers zone like some of my other cars. The 3door has a interior light that comes on when the either the door is opened or you can manually turn it on, it also has two map lights.

G

[Astroman]

12 minutes for me. Much prefer it now, as I can make a quicker glance and get my eyes back on the road.