Auto vs. Standard Transmission for a Yaris

[white_rabbit]

I'm shopping around for a used Yaris right now; currently I drive an automatic, but I'd really like to learn stick, and from what I've heard, learning on a Yaris wouldn't really be that difficult.

Now, that being said, my parents are trying to dissuade me saying that I shouldn't get a manual because if I ever need a new clutch it's at LEAST $1000 CAD to fix. I am not sure how accurate that is for a Yaris or even how often a clutch needs replacing if you drive correctly/fairly conservatively. Basically they think that a manual would need more repairs more often, and my goal is to have a car that is easy and cheap to maintain.

What say you, Yaris drivers?

What other pros and cons are there to your standard transmission Yaris?

[Billiam]

I think everyone should know how to drive a manual. That said, I certainly don't think everyone needs to drive a manual. What type of driving do you do? Lots of stop-and-go? If so, an auto might serve you better. There no way to predict how long a clutch will last...though I would think 100K miles if driven easily.

Both of our Yaris are autos.....though mine was more because I was having trouble finding a 4-Door LB in a manual tranny. But I certainly don't regret the auto, as it's quite smooth and responsive. Toyota did a nice job spacing the auto's gears...with first and second being rather short and third and fourth being taller. This yields both a little pep around town and great gas mileage on the highway.

[white_rabbit]

It's not a huge amount of stop and go where I live, not in terms of traffic jams or anything, just normal city driving.

I test drove an automatic Yaris and I did love the way it responded, but like that with a manual I can get better gas mileage (though a lot of people say that with the Yaris the difference is pretty negligible).

I was also just wondering if there was any truth to how expensive it is to replace a clutch?

[arabianobsession]

Even with the normal abuse a clutch will take with a new driver learning on it, it won't fail that quickly. They are built to take a certain amount of abuse.

That being said-the clutches on both my Mustang and my husband's Nissan Maxima are original, with 156k and 144k miles respectively. Unless you abuse the clutch excessively for long periods of time or one is installed incorrectly, it shouldn't fail prematurely.

The cost to replace a clutch is fairly expensive if you can't do it yourself. The part itself is about $150-$200, depending on where you get it, but the biggest cost is labor. The clutch basically takes place of an automatic's torque converter, which sits between the engine block and transmission, and in order to replace it, you have to pull one or both of them out, plus other parts as necessary to pull it out.

[1086 Francis 2]

manual transmissions are generally more robust and lower-maintenace than automatics. my wife learned to drive stick on our '10 yaris.

[Zembonez]

Learning to drive a stick is nothing. In a few days you will be driving like you always knew how. I take it that the parents don't know how to drive a stick?

[white_rabbit]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Learning to drive a stick is nothing. In a few days you will be driving like you always knew how. I take it that the parents don't know how to drive a stick?

Nope! Both my parents know how to drive stick, they just are more inclined towards luxury in their vehicles over practicality.

[1086 Francis 2]

IMHO, learining how to drive stick is one of the best things you can do if you care about cars and driving, especially driving... spiritedly. It gives the driver more control, and forces him (or her) to pay attention to the car and driving rather than the cell phone and Big Mac. Automatic transmissions encourage careless driving.
also, an automatic doesn't respond as well to modifications, and generally uses more gas, and that's not an opinion.

[denman]

Chalk me up on the stick side. I like to drive my car and like the bit of better gas mileage. Both AT and 5 spd are very reliable, but ATs are very expensive when things go wrong and clutches are less costly to replace than most AT work. My clutch is original at 200k km with my daughter having driven the first 130k kms and me the rest. I personally think there's more "feel" with the 5 spd for minor wheel slipping on black ice altho I have no comparison to base that on. Lots of good opinion on both sides of this one, ... good thread

[engine1CD]

Manual is more cheaper for servicing than Automatic. But time consuming while you drive than A/T ......

[jambo101]

Manual transmission will give you a week or two of warning when the clutch will need replacement, at a private mechanics garage the job should be under $500 and should only need replacing once in the life of the car.
Automatics transmissions usually give no warning, they just dont work one day, cost under $2000 at a private garage,may or may not last the life of the car.

Which type to use for me would depend on how much rush hour traffic i was subjected to, automatics are really convenient in 30-60 minutes of stop and go traffic.

[texasrolla]

Automatic anything is going to be more expensive to buy and to fix and break sooner.

My old mother drives a stick. If granny can do it, so can any healthy young person.

But it's really moot. Pretty soon, manufacturers will stop making sticks because of cost cutting. And sticks will be extinct like manual steering. And you won't be able to buy one even if you want to.

[ECHOKnight2000]

^^^You hit it on the head. The cost of the clutch argument is a moot point. Especially with the complexity and compterized autos out there, I can't imagine how pricey they would get.

If you are really determined and know (as much as you can) that you can see yourself with living with a manual daily, then get it. From what I hear the Yaris transmission isn't bad but not that great, kinda clunky. But that's subjective.

I'm in the same boat or similar. I'm not the greatest with a manual, I know what to do, I just have to apply it. I have a Failmatic and regret it ever sense. But I will have to live with it till my next car. But like you I'm determined to get a manual and really be good at it. Obviously keep in mind newer cars I'm guessing can take more abuse on the manual and what not. Not to say you purposely do it.


Best of luck and get what you want! Don't live in regret like me!

[texasrolla]

I don't like Yaris with stick, and I own one. The throttle lag in the electronic throttle really messes up my timing sometimes. I've stalled the engine a few times because I let out the clutch too fast. The Yaris is different from all the other stick cars I've driven. The computer is too obtrusive to the driving experience. This is my first Toyota with a stick. My previous sticks were old Hondas and Nissans, and they were much better feel, probably, because they didn't have computers interfering. I would trade my stick Yaris today for an auto, in less than a heart beat.

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by texasrolla

I don't like Yaris with stick, and I own one. The throttle lag in the electronic throttle really messes up my timing sometimes. I've stalled the engine a few times because I let out the clutch too fast. The Yaris is different from all the other stick cars I've driven. The computer is too obtrusive to the driving experience. This is my first Toyota with a stick. My previous sticks were old Hondas and Nissans, and they were much better feel, probably, because they didn't have computers interfering. I would trade my stick Yaris today for an auto, in less than a heart beat.

I heard that was a big issue with the Yaris on the Yaris forums. There are threads on that. Its the electronic throttle control and there's a hesitation. Something I wouldn't want when I have to go quick or turn in quick when in a turn lane. Scary!!! I'm not into that computer stuff either (on cars). Some of its nice but if you are a driving enthusiasts or even the fact it intrudes so much it can be counter productive and endanger you. Ironic!

Also you said automakers are cutting costs by taking manuals out, I think its the opposite, I don't think it costs them much for manuals its the autos but obviously they sell a lot more. Its sad indeed. Manuals will be around but they are becoming more and more niche'.