Hippity-Hop?

[otterhere]

Anyone out there old enough to remember this kid's toy from the late 60s/early 70s? A big rubber ball you'd sit on, grabbing the handle, and bounce up and down and all around. That's what the ride in my 2008 Yaris feels like.

Bought it "new" at year's end for a really good price; was totally sold on Toyotas, and wanted the smallest car I could find, so didn't even consider anything else. Test drove only one Yaris sedan before having this one sent to me to purchase and THOUGHT I liked the way it drove.

But have been very uncomfortable with my hatchback, for some reason. Interior feels too "roomy," I can't reach things, way too much space above my head, and the handling... Feels like I'm bouncing all over the highway and about to take off; steering wheel feels like it's going to bounce right out of my hands. Feel like I'm riding WAY too high (and, in fact, the springs are mostly visible under the car in the back; almost looks and feels "jacked up").

Way taller than any other hatchback in this class. Why?

I love how it looks, love the center console, love Toyotas.

But hate the ride! Anyone else have a similar experience?

[RningOnFumes]

Hmm, well first make sure your struts are okay.

Explain what you mean about the steering bouncing? It's not supposed to bounce as you're describing.

Then I can say that I know what you mean, the ride is soft and plushy. It's normal for this car to do such things and to get pushed around in the wind. I and others have compensated for this by lowering the car on stiffer springs and stiffer struts.

As for Taller, all new gens have gotten up in height, just go compare most cars to their previous gens.

[otterhere]

I don't mean the steering wheel literally bounces out of my hands; it's just that the overall ride is "bouncy" and unstable-feeling. In my former car (Suzuki Swift), I felt very low to the ground and like the car was really gripping the road; this one feels like, well... Riding a Hippity-Hop!

So I should have my mechanic examine my struts???

Is it normal to see so much of the springs and muffler???

[RningOnFumes]

Yes, I think it's normal to see that much hardware, you should check the YW threads with pics. The stocks ones are a bit high.

Not necessary on the mechanic check but if it's more bouncy and loose than what others with our cars say it is, then something might be wrong? But that's subjective until you've been in another yaris for comparison. Simple check for the struts, go to the front or back of the car. Push down on it with your weight and let go. If it comes back up and stops after a very short time, the struts are good. If you the car bounds up and down and doesn't stop appropriately......struts bad?

lol...older video:

You Tube

You Tube

[otterhere]

I'm barely 100 pounds wet, but will try; thanks!

[RningOnFumes]

LOL...you're tiny! Maybe find one of your chubby friends to help, make sure they don't sit on it.

[Stevo_Echohb05]

also check your tire pressure, you might be low