No side airbags on liftback in US?

[rxb]

The New York City Toyota dealer I've been talking to insists that Toyota simply does not manufacture Yaris liftbacks with 5 speed manual with the option of side airbags. Can anyone demonstrate otherwise, and point me to where or how I can buy one?

[Exlotusboy]

Based on my experience with Toyota's distribution, your dealer may be correct - although you may still be in luck. Unfortunately, Toyota likes to save costs by distributing only a few different option combos on lower-margin vehicles. The Yaris is one of these low-margin vehicles. In other words, it's very hard (basically impossible) to pick-and-choose individual options.

I checked the Greater New York Regional website for Toyota.com, and the Yaris liftback is indeed only listed as an automatic, and with only two option combos. Based on this info, your dealer may be correct. On the other hand, the Midwest Regional website for Toyota.com (where I am) also only lists the automatic for the liftback... and I was able to get a manual liftback through my dealer.

The bottom line is that you probably can get a Yaris liftback with a manual tranny and airbags, but your dealer will have to turn over some rocks. This is the problem - since the dealer isn't making much profit, his motivation to do the legwork is low. You may find that, in order to get the airbags, you may have to buy other "packaged" options that you didn't want to get. Such is the joy of the Toyota low-cost distribution setup. Either hammer the dealer to get what you want or find another who will. The configuration you want is out there...

Sorry to write a boook on this, but I've met others that didn't know this. Just thought I'd share.

[rxb]

Thanks - I appreciate the informative reply. When I went online at the Toyota website to chat with a Yaris "expert" I was told at first that the liftback isn't even being distrubuted at all in the US with a manual 5-speed. Once I offered evidence to the contrary the expert did a little homework and corrected that statement. But basically I wasn't told anything except that different regions get different models - which is one part of what you just said. I'm thinking of waiting a couple more months and seeing if things change with the availability. I've read some speculation about how this is affected by the problem of in-house competition with the Scion xA - and that's why there's no 4-door liftback Yaris. I wonder if the 2007 xA will be borrowing anything from the Yaris. Another reason to wait a couple months.

[Exlotusboy]

I think you may be proven right in your decision to wait. As with any new car model there are always those who simply "have to have it now" and will deal with the costs/problems -- I admit to being one of those folks.

As supply catches up with demand for the Yaris, you'll be in a better position to get exactly what you want. Toyota may even increase the option package variety, although this hasn't been their style. During this summer, though, gas price concerns/new model hype/short supply will all conspire to keep Toyota firmly in the driver's seat on the Yaris.

Be advised that even if supply does increase, a low profit margin on the Yaris won't allow dealers much room to discount.

EDIT: I agree that a four-door Yaris hatch might steal xA customers, and that I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. As for the '07 xA, I'd expect still further parts commonality; the primary difference (I think) between the two is the power steering pump. Currently, the Yaris has an electrically-powered pump and the xA has an engine-driven pump -- although I have not been able to confirm this.