I sympathize with your concern. Although I'm not experienced in the Yaris e-steering experience, I get the same numb/disconnect feeling from driving the Gen5 Camry.
I think if you're settling for an 08 Yaris liftback, I guess you just have to live with it and learn to use it. There're some here that didn't like the e-steering (and the e-throttle), whereas others have gotten used to it, and actually preferred it now that they're used to it. So it's hard to say. Perhaps a different set of tires will do the trick? It'd be great for other Yaris owners to chime in.
I drive a 05 Echo hatchback (same as "liftback" but it's the Yaris's previous generation that was sold only in Canada), and I don't think you can buy one in the States (but you can still get the regular Echo sedan). Although you can buy the equivalent of that which are the Scion xA and xB (the 1st gen). Mine is a 5-speed manual with just regular power-steering, and this little car is full of feel. If you can get past the Echo's look, it's truly a driver's car.
So my advice to you is that, if you can't see yourself living with the e-steering of the new Yaris, maybe have a look at the older Scion xA or xB (since you can't get the Echo hatchback there), or even the Echo sedan if you don't mind a sedan and if you get past the looks.
I reckon though it's a "matter of time" thing. It'd be something that you'll learn to live with and get used to. It's hard to judge at this point when only test driving it for a few miles. For me, I can drive the Gen5 Camry pretty well after having "learned" the steering's numbness, and sometimes I even quite liked the "disconnectness" when driving on rough roads where you don't want to feel everything from the road. So it's hard to say.
Good luck on your decision.
I think if you're settling for an 08 Yaris liftback, I guess you just have to live with it and learn to use it. There're some here that didn't like the e-steering (and the e-throttle), whereas others have gotten used to it, and actually preferred it now that they're used to it. So it's hard to say. Perhaps a different set of tires will do the trick? It'd be great for other Yaris owners to chime in.
I drive a 05 Echo hatchback (same as "liftback" but it's the Yaris's previous generation that was sold only in Canada), and I don't think you can buy one in the States (but you can still get the regular Echo sedan). Although you can buy the equivalent of that which are the Scion xA and xB (the 1st gen). Mine is a 5-speed manual with just regular power-steering, and this little car is full of feel. If you can get past the Echo's look, it's truly a driver's car.
So my advice to you is that, if you can't see yourself living with the e-steering of the new Yaris, maybe have a look at the older Scion xA or xB (since you can't get the Echo hatchback there), or even the Echo sedan if you don't mind a sedan and if you get past the looks.
I reckon though it's a "matter of time" thing. It'd be something that you'll learn to live with and get used to. It's hard to judge at this point when only test driving it for a few miles. For me, I can drive the Gen5 Camry pretty well after having "learned" the steering's numbness, and sometimes I even quite liked the "disconnectness" when driving on rough roads where you don't want to feel everything from the road. So it's hard to say.
Good luck on your decision.
