looks like no one is willing to give you any advice. I cannot say anything about the Yaruis either, but I can say asomething about its predecessor. I hav a Echo and it is a great car, not only with regard to the great gas mileage but also regarding the interior room, it is quite roomy and should be able to take 4 riders without any problems, preferably the hatchback. I did know a young man at our Church who had a Yaris and took 3 very large friends on a trip in his Yaris and did not have any issues. If the Yaris is typical of any Japanese product they are always improving. The Yaris should be a good choice.

Vic

 

Hello, yeah all quite on my post. I'll have to go out and drive them. I'm 45 and most likely will get a sedan automatic, of whatever it is I get. Yaris, Civic and even will drive the festiva, as I have read good reviews on them.
You know, if I can get a couple hundred K miles outta anything, (drivetrain AND body...not rusting out) and around 14,500, I'll listen. My tacoma has 178K and only last wk replace the muffler (not the pipe). Just a decision to make and don't want to go wrong...Take care Vic

 

I believe the Toyota will have retained its value far greater than the Ford. The toyota also has a reputation for very long service. I have read some of the Echo mileage up to 700,000 kms and it is common to reach 250,000 kms. I know that Ford has come a long way with its qulity control, but I still think that Toyota is the best value over the long term. I am not a salesman by the way. Facts are facts.

Vic

 

I hear ya, i'm no saleman either...and I love my tacoma...what has me concerned...is is toyota is taking out of their quality, to cut cost. One of my interests, would be the guage/quality of the metal. One of the neat things about my 95 tacoma, (indiana snowy weather) is there is only a tiny bit of surface speck rust, which I have containted. Nothing has gone through...the frame is still excellent. I would pay 1 dime for something with less quality of metal...I'm one to get something, and have it last at least 2 decades. Guess I have alot to contemplate, as with whatever it is I drive. My thread...so I'll "mention"...I'll quiz a ford salesman, along with Civic and of Course the Yaris. I want longevity in powertrain and body.
(i saw where civic was rated #2, on a large review board) I'll let you know what I come up with. Let me know..ifyou know anything about the guage of toyota's metal. DM

 

The Yaris will be a very reliable commuter for at least 300K, Some drivers over 300lbs find it a bit tight but other than that Sedan or hatch and what color and options, if you can get a better deal on the Corolla go for it as to me they are almost identical cars in the sedan version.....

 

The Yaris is a decent car. At the Toyota dealership I work at we have seen a number of them come in during the winter months (salt on the roads) with defective rear wheel speed sensors. You used to be able to buy the sensor but now you have to buy the complete hub. It's about $700 to replace it now...

 

For that reason alone if living in a snow/salt area I'd stay away from an ABS car from the early years, according to the TSB the years affected are 2007-2008 up to a certain VIN, unless you want to clean the sensors yearly or shell out the money to replace the hubs and wiring. 2007's also have a camshaft timing gear assly and an ECM reflash TSB out... there are a bunch of other TSB's posted on yarisworld...

We had a front wheel bearing go early on, at about 5000 miles. Since then just regular maintenance along with cleaning the ABS wheel speed sensors...

 

My main complain about my '05 Echo hatch is the very cheap plastic interior.

 

Mine came with silver accents all over dash and doors, with leather wheel and shift boot it looks and feels better. Best car I ever had!

 

Yaris is a very good car and can most easily go for over 200,000 miles. 4 door Hatch, if you can afford it is the way to go

 

Make Sure You Have Enough Leg Room

My wife and I have a 07 5-door Yaris and it has been great. Make sure you have enough front leg room. Both my wife and I find that our right leg has to be held at a slightly uncomfortable angle when highway driving. Cruise helps a lot.

The car does not get superior fuel economy to a 1.8l Corolla so, if you can swing it, get a Corolla. The front leg room is worse in the 03-08 Corolla, which is why we sold ours. Plus the steering wheel is to far away. We regretted selling the 2000 Corolla we had to buy the 03.

I have driven a 10 Corolla and both these driving position issues have been addressed.

 

I owned a 2007 manual Yaris an 2010 automatic Corolla. One thing I don't like about the manual in both cars is that they rev 250 rpm more than the automatic at highway speed. In my case, and maybe yours it would be the automatic. Both cars get about the same mileage per gallon on the highway. Corolla 50 and yaris maybe 52. But that's at 90 km/h. If you drive faster, lets say 115 or 125 km/h, then the yaris forces more and will take more gas, while the corolla wont take much more since it's more powerful, so both will do the same mileage per gallon at higher speeds. Both cars are great. The Corolla is bigger and more powerful. I noticed that the difference in price of the basic Yaris sedan and basic Corolla sedan is only 460$ here in Canada. And when you sell the car you'll get that back, so I'd go for the Corolla if I were you, unless you prerfer the look of the Yaris.

I loved the Yaris though and would get another one if the price was something like 2500$ less than the Corolla. The hatchback is maybe 1000$ less than the sedan if you prefer the hatchback, then the difference in price makes it more interesting. Otherwise, they are about the same price.

 

Only 460$ difference......

You get much more for your money with the Corolla !!!