19 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
The Yaris Works Hard for the Money
Date of Review: Jun 13, 2007
The Bottom Line: Great budget car with excellent gas mileage. However, increased vigilance necessary to avoid potential fatal accidents. Great for a commuter.
Overview
I purchased this car after driving my father's Camry for most of my life. I got fed up with the poor gas mileage on the camry. I was deciding whether to buy a Corolla or the Yaris. Both cars are similarly equipped and have similar MPGs. The Corolla has a long history and name recognition. If I needed to re-sell the car, it appears that Corolla would have an easier time to sell than a Yaris. While the Yaris was a more or less a revamped Toyota Echo. The Yaris did have a good reputation in Europe.
I eventually chose the Yaris over the Corolla for the following of reasons
1) the Yaris had a nice look,
2) Assuming that Toyota does not change the Yaris' body, it will be the first car in the series,
3) The Yaris had a MP3 player which eliminates carrying excess CDs in my car. I was notorious for getting my CDs scratched because I keep them in my glove compartment.
4) the Yaris had a slightly better MPG rating.
I bought the Silver Yaris fully loaded in October 06.
When I started driving, there were some similarities to my father's Camry but there were obvious differences. I had no problem getting onto the freeway. However, I was not able to pass up slower drivers without really pressing down on the gas pedal. When you press all the way down on the gas pedal, the car makes a zippy loud noise. It almost sounds like the Yaris is having a heart attack. When driving the on the freeway, there was no problems driving on the fast lane. Even driving at high speeds, the yaris can keep up with the big boys. However, accelerating is pretty slow.
Safety
The breaking system works really efficiently. That is really important because this car is really small. I have gotten really nervous when I am driving next to 18 wheeler trucks and SUVs. This car can feel unsafe at times. When an 18 wheeler truck rushes by the Yaris, the wind actually shakes the whole car. It can be a scary experience. Also, when the wind is blowing hard, the Yaris can feel unstable. It feels as if the car is going to be blown away. I have also been a more conservative driver because if you get hit in the Yaris, who knows if I would survive? I have driven on long road trips with the Yaris from LA to Vegas with no problems.
Entertainment
The MP3 player has been a joy on those long trips. You can put mp3s onto a CD with about 200 or more songs. When you play CD's the song title shows on the radio screen. However, when you play Mp3's, there are no song titles displayed.
Gas Mileage
The gas mileage has changed during the course of owning the Yaris. Originally, I was receiving about 32 MPG in Los Angeles city driving. A few months later it rose to about 36 mpg. Six months later, I been driving mostly freeways only from Los Angeles to Riverside about one hour nonstop and get 40 mpg. I typically drive at the speed of traffic in Los Angeles which can be 75-80 miles per hour. I know I can get a better MPG, by consistently driving 65 miles per hour. Also, my trunk is filled with a golf bag and clubs which may also decrease my gas mileage potential.
Trunk Space
This car surprisingly has an adequate amount of trunk space. I am able to fit two full sets of golf clubs and even one golf pull cart into the trunk with no problems. The second pull cart had to be put into the backseat.
Comfort
The car seats are comfortable for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, the seats seem hard. These seats don't have much cushion on them. The seat does provide good support for your back. There is adequate leg room in the front and back. The car is roomy enough to fit 5 people of average size with no problems. The car does not seal off external noise well. You can easily hear the outside wind and easily feel the bumps on the road.
Sex Appeal
The Yaris sure lacks the appeal of a sporty BMW or a rugged 4x4. It does get glances from people, probably due to the unique body design. But, the Yaris probably looks the nicest among the other cars in its class such as the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, and Chevy Aveo.
Subjective Experience
Overall, the driving experience with the Yaris has been satisfactory. I often get envy from my co-workers because they drive gas guzzlers. They are often surprised about the MPG as well as the cost of the car. However, the car is really suited for frugal folks like me. It does not have the razzle and dazzle and it is not for taking to a upscale restaurant for valet parking. But this car gets the job done and is a work horse. During the 6-7 months, I have not have any problems with it. I can also rest assured because of Toyota's track record of quality vehicles.
