Yaris...maybe a ce,but others overpriced

[tom_vilsack]

-gas peddle is too close to right console,also gas and brake peddles need to be further apart.
-middle gauges are silly,as they are ... need to be angled up and towards driver.
-poor use of heater knobs,3 knobs down console is poor use of space.
-ce/le interior blue dot texture is cheap looking, but textures are quality.
-front seats in 3 door model need adjustment to allow great leg room ... 5 door seats go further back.
-dash is made up of too much cheap looking plastic ... don't like idea of drivers glove box.
-manual windows are hard to raise and lower
-front end is very small ... maybe crash test show otherwise,but i would not want to have front end crash.
-sorry guys but ... still screams chic car

the yaris seemed to be very well made (its a toyota ... so this is a given) but apart from maybe buying the low end ce model (seemed good value) if you add up price of higher end models ,i would suggest your money would be better off spent on a new corolla or low end 06 civic (and no i don't own either)

[amykathleen]

it also sucks that you have to pay $2000 extra for the model with fold down rear seats. by the time you add a/c, auto transmission, and all the other necessities, you're looking at another $6000.

[EchoHoLiK]

That's a problem when in general some people have too high of expectations for a supposed economy subcompact, that saying of "you get what you pay for" still rings true no matter what car. It's only when you learned to live with the car for a while that you'll truely appreciate the underlying value that's hidden from the 1st impressions.

For anyone who dislikes the Yaris for whatever nit-picking reasons should really look elsewhere (Corolla or the subcompact equivalent from other brands). Personally, I find the EchoHatch that I'm currently driving to be a drive-and-forget car. Yes the interior plastics are cheap and easily scratchable (which I've already anticipated before purchasing); yes the centre-console is considered to be absurd for most (where I find it great after getting used to it); yes some might find manual windows to be hard to operate (I find it easy as hell, and no need to worry of any possible electrical-failure that yields malfunctioning windows, plus you can open them regardless whether the key is in the ON position in the ignition or not); and yes some finds it to look like a chic car (which is purely subjective) but I'd rather be caught dead in this than the Pontiac Wave.
But what I meant by drive&forget is the fact that I can twist the key and fire the car up all the time, without constantly having to worry about whether this car might not start the next time or what not, and checking the oil when you really don't feel lazy. Reliability, in my opinion, counts way way more than whether the plastics felt cheap (in manufacturing standpoint plastics ARE cheap) or whether people will laugh at you when you're driving a chic-looking-like car.
Add to that, the Yaris (and the previous EchoHatch) is really a driver's car. For most it'd just be the typical point-A-to-point-B vehicle that gets good fuel economy, BUT, for some of us it's PURE DRIVING ENJOYMENT from this inexpensive efficient package. The people that love to drive KNOW that the Yaris handles and drives awesome.

Keep in mind that this car is also considered a niche-product (kinda like the Smart car), and the people that don't and won't get use to small cars in general will not like it or learn to like it even if the car is draped in chocolate. Ironically, the apparent small size of this car, which lots of people will ignorantly see it as a crash "death-trap", is actually advantageous in terms of easy parking and zipping through traffic and narrow roads like no one in a Camry or bigger vehicles can. The small size hence the lightweight also yields shorter breaking distance than other cars, which means better passive safety. I never feel I'm in danger when driving the hatch, even alongside big gas-guzzling SUVs and semi-trucks or whatever, as long as you know what you're doing and you're conscious of everyone around you.
Driving knowledge and skills afford you confidence on the road, no matter what car it is.

[Ratko]

well put.

[amykathleen]

another yaris vent: on yaris.ca there's this character called uncle yaris. i dont find him attractive. he looks to me like some artsy fartsy 20-30-something year old who still lives with his parents, probably in their basement.

~Amy

[echo_hrs]

My review of my 2006 Copper Orange Mica RS Yaris, Package B, Lowering Springs, IMO a great value and simply the best sub-compact available in Canada:

Can't believe this car is the replacement (and the same price) for the Echo Hatch...It feels like a mini-Lexus...

It is unbelievable, super quiet, the stock engine and exhaust sounds much better; sports car like....The gearing is different...

Handles flat, smooth, insane amount of bump absorption compared to my 04 hatch...I haven't pushed it hard since I am driving with a disablilty...

It is huge inside compared to the Echo Hatch, and the 60/40 rear seat is trick in the RS with recline and forward/back for the passengers or more boot space and they fold flat...

You sit lower, and the RS seats are deeper than the old RS...

Sub floor in the hatch ...

Fit and finish is like a Lexus, the doors are thick and close heavily...

Interior has nice soft rubberized parts, and the dash is almost black looking, I'm sure if one adds protectant it will look black...Fabric is nicer, as are the black velour floor mats...

Glove boxes have nice press handles so they feel more substantial...

AC Controls don't feel cheap like the old ones...

RS has all amber stack, stereo, and Speedo, the Optitron guages are wicked...stereo images much better with 2 in the front and 2 in the rear...

Steering is electric, and as so more direct and super light, which in my current condition is very helpful...And it assists more at low speed...The leather steering wheel is fatter and seems to have a tiny outer diameter...

The car seems to have more torque throughout the midrange...I don't know if the acceleration is as good, but seat of the pants it sounds and "feels" quicker, more linear and sporty...Less thrashy and more like a sports car, rather than hopped up economy car...

The shifter is stiffer and more precise feeling compared to the Echo Hatch...

Now for the might as well get a Corolla argument...

ABS is not standard on the Corolla up here either, and requires a bundled upgrade similar to the Yaris RS to get it as well...

Comparing a stripped Corolla CE to a fully suited up Yaris RS is not a comparison...Add the same level of options and the car is $3000 more...

Yaris CE 13580
Corolla CE 16675

Comparing a Similarly Optioned Corolla to a fully suited up Yaris RS is $4500 more...

Corolla S, Sport Package (Body Kit, Stereo Upgrade, Power everything, Air Con ABS and EBD) - 23820
Yaris RS, Package B (Body Kit, Stereo Upgrade,Power everything, Air Con, ABS and EBD) - 19265

Then Add tax on the extra cost, and interest over the lease/finance term on top of this and you will be paying at least $6000 more...

Cheers

[REN69]

I'm with Echoholik.. you're buying a $16,000 Yaris, not a $60,000 Lexus... don't expect ultra high quality just because its a Toyota.

[amykathleen]

the yaris is a good looking car though.

question: are the echo's and yaris's all made in japan?

~Amy

[echo_hrs]

Right now the Yaris is made in Japan, the Yaris is also starting production in France for the european market, and I wouldn't be surprised if the new plant in Woodstock starts producing them as well in a few years...

[Tideland Prius]

Let's see. 5 years ago, $17,000 gets me a 2000 Corolla CE with power door locks and no A/C and manual transmission.

$17,000 now gets you a hatchback with Optitron gauges, ABS, A/C, power windows/locks/mirrors, colour-keyed handles and mirrors, blacked-out door frames, lotsa storage space and an economical engine. Also, it's an automatic.

[nmehes]

Originally Posted by amykathleen

it also sucks that you have to pay $2000 extra for the model with fold down rear seats. by the time you add a/c, auto transmission, and all the other necessities, you're looking at another $6000.

all Yaris have fold down rear seats......its the RS that has 60/40 splits.

[amykathleen]

whats the difference between fold down seatback and flat folding seats?

also, if i'm looking to buy a 2005 echo list price $14700, how much do you think the actually price i should pay is? i'm not good at negotiating, and so far i've only got them down $300. it's being sold at a rental place and has about 25k km.

~Amy

[echo_hrs]

You should be able to do better than that, if you are looking at a 2005 CE...Check http://www.autotrader.ca
My pristine garage stored (I was disabled last year so the car was literally stored for 12 months) 2004 5 Door RS, Alloys, A/C, Keyless and all Power Options, with 30,000 kms and many dealer installed TRD add-ons, sold earlier this year for $16,500...

$14,700 is quite steep if it's a 3 Door Hatchback CE, and if it was a rental you can't be assured it hasn't been driven hard...

[amykathleen]

the cars i were looking at are echo sedans. there's this one echo for 14,9 that's a 3 dr hatchback and they're asking the same price though.

it looks to me like some of the corollas are for a more reasonable price and they're year 2005 models.

i like autotrader and auto123. auto123 is better because you can narrow your listings more, but they dont have as many listings as autotrader.

~Amy

[roc]

Originally Posted by EchoHoLiK

the Yaris (and the previous EchoHatch) is really a driver's car. For most it'd just be the typical point-A-to-point-B vehicle that gets good fuel economy, BUT, for some of us it's PURE DRIVING ENJOYMENT from this inexpensive efficient package. The people that love to drive KNOW that the Yaris handles and drives awesome.

The small size hence the lightweight also yields shorter breaking distance than other cars, which means better passive safety. I never feel I'm in danger when driving the hatch, even alongside big gas-guzzling SUVs and semi-trucks or whatever, as long as you know what you're doing and you're conscious of everyone around you.
Driving knowledge and skills afford you confidence on the road, no matter what car it is.

That is 100% on the money. I love the way that my HB handles. It is the most "true" driving experience offered by Toyota in a long time......