Hey Yaris owners, How do you like it?

[yartrix]

I want to buy a second car for myself and let my wife have the Matrix. How do you like you Yaris. Opinions on road noise, handling, engine performance and any others welcomed.

Thanks.

P.S. I am interested in 5 door LE with B package 5 speed.

[wantamr2]

Originally Posted by yartrix

I want to buy a second car for myself and let my wife have the Matrix. How do you like you Yaris. Opinions on road noise, handling, engine performance and any others welcomed.

Thanks.

P.S. I am interested in 5 door LE with B package 5 speed.

Coming from a MR2 Turbo the car felt gutless at first but it seems quicker than a new corolla. Excellent commuter car, VERY spacious for such a small car. Looks very cool and only would require rims like the ones pictured below. Having used a tank of gas yet but I am at 370km at half.

[alohaYaris]

How much is Yaris in picture lowerred, and what size tires/rims, thanx

[Tideland Prius]

whew, those are nice rims! Looks like 17s to me.

I test drove a Copper Orange Mica 5-dr LE Package "B with auto. It was a fairly good test drive. The seats are a bit high (seems higher than in the Echo HB) but visibility is excellent. The A pillar is much narrower than on my Prius. One dislike is that there's no gear indicator on the dash so me, not being used to gated shifters yet, found it hard to find reverse lol. I tried parallel parking it. It was super super easy. Engine's a bit noisy under hard acceleration but not particularly intrusive.

[echo_hrs]

I'm reposting my review from a few weeks ago...

My review of my 2006 Copper Orange Mica RS Yaris, Package B, Lowering Springs:

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...

Oh yeah, and the colour is stunning...

[Tideland Prius]

echo_hrs, I saw it under cloudy skies in the rain. It still looked bright. I can't imagine it under a nice summer's day.

[Ninja7]

5 door Vitz I seen this past May in Japan.

[wantamr2]

Originally Posted by alohaYaris

How much is Yaris in picture lowerred, and what size tires/rims, thanx

Sent im. They are eibachs and 17's

[MRQtwinturbo]

i still prefer the overall look of the echo instead....

[REN69]

I like the Echo myself too.. don't get me wrong the Yaris is nice.. but the Echo looks hotter IMO

The Yaris looks like one of those crazy looking south american animals.. the capibara.

[neach]

After having the car for 3 days, must say i'm completely in love with it.

Its much roomier than it looks - i'm 6'4, and have tons of leg and head room.

Drives beautifully, feels solid as a rock, and we keep finding new things every day - various little storage compartments, etc.

Stock stereo isnt even that bad, all things considered.

I'll let you know when i find something i dont like.. hehe.

well, only gripe is that we didnt get power locks (didnt care about power windows or ac, or even keyless entry for that matter, so didnt get the upgraded package), and its a pain to have to lock the hatch with the key all the time - i'm sure there's gotta be an auto-lock feature somewhere..

[samsonite]

Growing to love the Yaris...but last year's echo just as good imho (CHEAPER TOO IF YOU CAN FIND ONE)

First test drive felt gutless but after awhile, must admit, pretty zippy.

I've had it now for three weeks and here is my updated driving impression in order of most important

PLUS
- Front Sport Seats (most excellent)
- Parking
- Heater
- Tinted Glass (nice light green)
- Glove compartments (three of em)
- Split Seats on my RS - only wish they didn't force you to buy RS to get em
- Mileage (I do mostly city so I get only 450 km avg per tank, how the hell you folks squeeze 600 a tank is a miracle unless you are doing highway with a manual!)

MINUS
- Tires...Toyota should be ashamed as I've slid twice already...nuff said-read these:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireReviews..._reviews2.html
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey....jsp?type=HPAS
- Rear Headrest (understood they were designed to save space but if passengers forget to put em back down they block view)
- Speakers
- Interior lighting (boring amber reminds me of my old tercel)
- No Interior trunk release
- Honkin huge key - I like the separate remote fob better

Th..th..that's all Folks!

[Tormentius]

I've had my RS since Oct 19th and, to date, the only complaint I have is the lack of an interior trunk release. Everything else is excellent.

[Cal_Y]

Just picked up a totally base CE today, manual everything that can be. First impressions of 100k: That few milliseconds it takes for the electronic throtle to respond threw me off at first (stalled it a couple of times - and I grew up driving a 3/4 ton ford manual everything!) The clutch pedal is a little higher (as in closer to the arm that holds it) than I'm used to with all the other cars I've driven. I like having the pedal under the ball of my foot - but I find I have to use my toe to push it or I don't dissengage the clutch enough (should note I have fairly big feet - size 11 men).

Driving position is way higher than my old car so that is novel - and nice in traffic. Quite amused at looking down on most other cars. Indeed, from the inside it almost feels like a mini-van (especially compared to my old GEO Metro.)

Lack of trunk release is indeed disappointing, but livable. Speed is pretty good but not a "sports" car - then again, a sports car is a different beast. Very quiet, excellent room and creature comfort. Not bad stereo, not great either but again livable. At least the car is quite enough to listen to the stereo at highway speed without cranking it up.

One last complaint - now I have to buy more "stuff" to put in all the cubby holes in this car. I mean really - seven cup holders in a two door? Three good size "glove boxes" and numerous other holes for junk?

Overall, I'm very happy. All the "complaints" are more a 'raise one eyebrow' response than any kind of disapointment. This will suit my needs very well. As long as the issues aren't like having a lover whose "quirks" are what you like at first - but grow to despise.