Looking at the 2007 Yaris

[EngineerBoo]

We've been thinking about buying a compact car and my wife stopped in at our Toyota dealer and test-drove one. She really liked it.

The salesman gave her some crap about the reason the sticker price was actually about $500 higher than the MSRP...he told her the Yaris was a "hot" car right now so they charge more for it and DON'T work with you on the price.

So I'm also looking at some other small cars and see some real good prices on Saturns and even that new Ford compact car. (I forgot the name but the seats look a lot nicer than the Yaris.

Are you Yaris owners happy with it? Did your dealer work with you on the price? Have there been any problems with the new model? (I guess it's only new in America, huh?)

Thanks!

Rick "Boo"
Monument, Colorado

[tearin]

I don't own a Yaris but i've seen a few before and it's alot nicer than many compacts out there I don't know about any new Ford compact car unless it's the Focus which is not new that car has been around since the beginning of the 2000s. But if your considering an alternate to a Yaris the new Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio are also good but if you want something more upscale the brand new 2007 Hyundai Elantra is a good choice it should be priced low considering it's a Hyundai, but it won't be avaiable until fall and it's very spacious if you look at the specifications of it.

[Tankota]

MSRP on my Yaris S-Sedan was 16,870 and I got it for 16,200 - and it was only the second fully loaded s-sedan to ever come into the area, and the first in Flint Mica.. very much in demand - So it's BS, some dealers are just trying to make a quick buck instead of good customer relations. I tend to think those same dealers are going to rape you on repairs and parts, and anything else they can.. walk away from them and go to another, and be sure to warn off others of that dealer. I rather drive a bit more to get one from an honest dealer that respects their customers and realy wants your buisness rather than trying making a few extra bucks off you.

[wlfpck]

Doesn't the xA and xB have the exact same engine? Like exact same layout and everything so parts should swap over fine?

sry to hijack your thread

your wife could settle with the xA?

[x_enginerd]

Rick, I have about 5k miles on my Yaris (Hatchback) and it has performed well. I have had no problems at all, and enjoy driving it more than my Honda Accord. Gas is over $4.00/gal in Canada, so fuel economy was important in my daily long distance commuter. In this respect, my Yaris has been fantastic. I have achieved near 40MPG regularly. I have also driven my Yaris through the Rocky Mountains with a few passengers/gear and have had no problems or issues.

I have read of a current shortage of the new sub-compacts ( yaris, fit, etc) available so dealers are of course overcharging. Still I think an overpriced Yaris is still a far better deal than a hugely discounted Ion ( for a good reason - it is crap!). I was lucky enough to get my Yaris during a promotion ($500 off) and haggled a few hundred off as well.

If you consider the Yaris further, insist on a length test drive ( >hr). I think the seats are the weak link in the Yaris. More side support is required for the driver's seat. I am tall ( 6'5"") so I had to put a padded seat cushion on the seat to be comfortable. Not a major inconvience, but something to consider.

I also considered the hyundai and kia as well during my shopping. I am betting on Toyota's better reputation for quality and resale with my Yaris. The Honda Fit is also a great car, and the upcoming Nissan Versa should also be good value. I would wait a few months for a more buyer-friendly environment to realize itself. Happy shopping!

[stuts]

Hey X_enginerd what Yaris do you have again the LE or the RS because the RS seats should give you more support also $4 a gal dude I am in Ontario and the highest I have seen it is like $1.06 Liter it should not be more expensive in Beef country Alberta (by the way tuff break with the Oilers ) anyways EngineerBoo which one are you looking to get the Sedan or the Hatch??????? the Dealerships do not make dick all on these cars when it comes to money because they are the entry level so there is never any playing room unfortunitley luckey for me I got a Gas return thingy also a Student thing so saved me a couple hundred unfortunately the U.S. does not get the Five door hatch but I own a five door hatch and I’m lovin every minute in this car it is wonderful to drive and fun also amazing on Gas that is one of the biggest reasons to get it over the other cars by the way the Nissan Versa is poop also the fit/Fugly is even Stickier poop worst

[x_enginerd]

Stuts, $4 / gallon is approx. $1 / litre. I was converting for our American friends. My Yaris is the 5dr LE , manual.

[EngineerBoo]

Thanks for the info. Oh, I just saw a hatch Yaris today, at a dealership. (We like visiting the lots on Sunday because no naggy salespeople are all over you.)

I like the Yaris EXCEPT for them putting the speedo in the middle of the dash...what the heck are they thinking??

We looked at the Saturns, Kias, Fords, Toyotas, and Scions. I like the Scions but my wife wasn't too impressed with it. (She did love the Solaras, though, until she saw the price!)

She's going to save a couple thousand and I'm going to give her $3,000 so she can get the she wants so it won't be for a few more months.

I can see why Ford is going bankrupt...they are asking WAY too much for all of their vehicles...

Boo

[trueblue]

Hey Boo, I am the proud owner of a Pacific Blue 4-dr sedan Yaris as of yesterday, so I'll share my experience.

I test drove one a couple of weeks ago and loved it. That model didn't have the power options I wanted, however. I called around and only found one within a 50-mile radius on the lot with everything I wanted, except it was one of the colors I really didn't want.

I sold my old car quickly, so couldn't wait a really long time. One dealer a ways away found only TWO in a five-state area that had everything I wanted (automatic, power options, side air bags), and she said she could trade the one they had on their lot with one of those, but I'd have to wait a few weeks at least. Another dealer much closer had one on the boat on its way, and with a $500 deposit, I could "hold" it.

Even in a pre-sale situation, he sold it to me at $500 over invoice. Granted, MSRP isn't that much more, but still, it made me feel like he valued me as a customer and wanted to do everything he could to make me happy. I worked solely with the Internet manager (this dealer was a preferred dealer on Edmunds.com, FYI) and I've never had a smoother buying experience. I went in, gave him my $500 check, he called me yesterday to say the car was in, we did the paperwork, and that was that.

FWIW, I drove a Saturn Ion and there's no comparison to the Yaris. I drive mostly city driving and it's peppy and feels tighter than the Ion did, if that makes any sense, and my kids are SO comfortable in the back - lots of room for such a small car!

So far, I love the car, although granted, I haven't taken it on the freeway yet or driven in the rain and all of that. We couldn't afford a bigger, luxury car, though, and anyway, gas mileage was extremely important to me. No longer do I have to spend $55.00 a week at the pump - yay!!!

[ECHOKnight2000]

Hey EngineerBoo, I don't own a Yaris but I can tell you this...its one of the best buys as far as reliability, fuel economy and price. Like others have said don't go the dealer wanting more than msrp-that is a load of crap, you deserve better. Don't get Ford, not only does the Focus get worse milage but its dated and not too reliable...I've also heard Ford not backing their cars as far as warranty...generally speaking. Don't get a Saturn, not the greatest, of course if you go on the Saturn or Ford forums they'll say the opposite But I think its common knowledge that Honda's and Toyota's are better built. I wouldn't touch the FIT, sure it maybe versatle and cargo room but its overpriced and an ugly outdated design...as for Nissan Versa...don't get me started...that car is supposed to compete with the Yaris and FIT but it seems it more for a compact segment (the latter is Sub-compact). I read news that Nissan had to bring down their milage numbers so their worst that others in this class. Well I'd say go with what others have said, including the non-Yaris owners But I wish you luck and keep us posted!

[stuts]

Originally Posted by x_enginerd

Stuts, $4 / gallon is approx. $1 / litre. I was converting for our American friends. My Yaris is the 5dr LE , manual.

K got ya on the converting thing so you have the LE EH same as me just to let ya know the RS has tougher seats a little more of what you would want personally I like a little cushion

[stuts]

Originally Posted by EngineerBoo

Thanks for the info. Oh, I just saw a hatch Yaris today, at a dealership. (We like visiting the lots on Sunday because no naggy salespeople are all over you.)

I like the Yaris EXCEPT for them putting the speedo in the middle of the dash...what the heck are they thinking??

We looked at the Saturns, Kias, Fords, Toyotas, and Scions. I like the Scions but my wife wasn't too impressed with it. (She did love the Solaras, though, until she saw the price!)

She's going to save a couple thousand and I'm going to give her $3,000 so she can get the she wants so it won't be for a few more months.

I can see why Ford is going bankrupt...they are asking WAY too much for all of their vehicles...

Boo

Hey EngineerBoo don’t let the speedo in the middle make your decision on getting the car only an idiot couldn’t get use to it being in the middle the speedo is put their for two reasons one to cut costs (world car) second its safer because you don’t have to look down and take your eyes off the road

[Pelonetillo]

Originally Posted by Tankota

MSRP on my Yaris S-Sedan was 16,870 and I got it for 16,200 - and it was only the second fully loaded s-sedan to ever come into the area, and the first in Flint Mica.. very much in demand - So it's BS, some dealers are just trying to make a quick buck instead of good customer relations. I tend to think those same dealers are going to rape you on repairs and parts, and anything else they can.. walk away from them and go to another, and be sure to warn off others of that dealer. I rather drive a bit more to get one from an honest dealer that respects their customers and realy wants your buisness rather than trying making a few extra bucks off you.

Was that the total cost "out-the-door?" Or is $16,200 excluding tax & license and all that other stuff? What was the grand total? And if it was only $16,200, what dealership and salesmen. Hook me up!

[bigb00]

personally i couldnt be more happy with my yaris.. and other then silly things like the speedometer/tacometer being in the middle and the cd player having too much silver on it.. i haven't really heard anything BAD about a yaris.
In fact, my boyfriend who just bought a 03 grand am is seeing how great the yaris is.. and is thinking of selling his fully loaded grand am for a yaris because of gas and reliability.

[Tankota]

Originally Posted by Pelonetillo

Was that the total cost "out-the-door?" Or is $16,200 excluding tax & license and all that other stuff? What was the grand total? And if it was only $16,200, what dealership and salesmen. Hook me up!

$16,200 was before taxes, etc. My total came out to something like $18,300 with taxes and lic, including the Toyota Extra Care warranty for 6 year/100,000 miles, $0 deductable. They gave me a real good deal on the warranty too. I got it from Symes Toyota in Pasadena, California. They were a great dealer to buy from, I was in and out with the car in 45 minutes. Probably helped that I knew everything ahead of time (invoice price, etc) and knew exactly what I wanted, and they picked up on that, and didn't try any sales stuff. Heck I showed the salesman the vehcial, it's so new I knew more about it and the options than they did.. Might help him on the next sale!