Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Toyota Yaris CE three-door

[vjokhoo]

When will Toyota realize that this is no longer the 80's in Canada any longer. The days of almost everything remotely convenient as an paid for option are gone. I recall when a basic radio and cheap floor mats were an option with Honda and Toyota. Inside manual mirrors should be basic without question.

I guess when people stop buying their products?

So the author also said "My brother-in-law jokingly dubbed this car the “third-world export” model, a statement he’s sufficiently well-travelled to make, having lived in a few developing countries."

Well I'm from one of those third-world Caribbean countries and was shocked a few years ago when I moved to Canada and realised that cars were being sold without power windows and air condition. In my country we did away with that stuff and almost all new cars have those features plus electronic side mirrors.

[sacrat]

An interesting argument why the Prius c makes a much better buy over time than the Yaris can be found here

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/04/review-2012-toyota-prius-c/#more-438839

[JohnM]

Good point on the Prius C.  I certainly was smitten with that car in a short test drive and maybe if you include all of the options, it looks reasonable compared to the Yaris.

Factor in fuel efficiency and financially at least, it is a clear winner.  Also the NHV levels have to be a distinct step down.

Cheers,
John M.

[johngenx]

Given the value of the Prius C, we might have bought one instead of the Corolla.  I've been seeing more and more, and the pricing is why.

[ajay]

Consumer Reports gives the Yaris a fail

http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/2454/yaris-the-only-toyota-to-fail-consumer-reports-test

[jaari]

Pathetic car, had one for a day @100 kmh it could not match my sonatas milage. The Yaris avg 7.2 the Sonata 6.5 why do people buy these ??

[Oldsguy]

I have never really understood the appeal of the Yaris but just saw one fresh off the lot with temporary tags and was surprised to see Toyota had spent some cash applying some chrome trim to the thing. Seems misdirected given the functional items that are missing from this model. However I guess they are clearly going after the segment that still believes that if it has a Toyota badge on it then it must be the best in class.

[Solstice2006]

I have never really understood the appeal of the Yaris but just saw one fresh off the lot with temporary tags and was surprised to see Toyota had spent some cash applying some chrome trim to the thing. Seems misdirected given the functional items that are missing from this model. However I guess they are clearly going after the segment that still believes that if it has a Toyota badge on it then it must be the best in class.

About 6 years ago I owned a 1998 Toyota Tercel (3rd owner), car was 10 years when I bought it.  I was going back to college in Hamilton, after getting laid off, and wanted an affordable vehicle, that was reliable, and cheap on gas.  It had over 180k when I bought it for around $2500.  Sounds like quite a bit for a 10 year old vehicle, with 93 hp, and 180k.  But I remembering averaging 6.5L/100km.  Something very few cars could do, especially under $3000.  I used it in the city during the week, and commuted to Toronto to visit my girlfriend.  The saving grace was that it was stick, passing cars on the highway was fine, somewhat loud, only when passing.  Sold the car 2 years later for $1800 with over 220k, only thing I had to do was oil changes, brake adjustment, and buy some used 14" tires for $200.

My point is, these vehicles have a purpose.  At that time, there was no domestic vehicle that even came close to the relability or fuel economy of that car.  I used my moms Ford Escort a few times at the time, that thing was felt unsafe going over 115km/h, and in a snowstorm, forget it!  Also, resale value sucked.  Only thing that was close was maybe a Honda Civic, which was still more money, and bigger, and more to insure.

Nowadays, there is more subcompact competition, and larger vehicles are using more efficient vehicles.  But cars like the accent, the fiesta, the sonic, versa, yaris, fit, and mazda2 are good as a second vehicle in a family, or for someone who is single, who doesn't want a car with a big footprint.   

If they didn't serve a purpose, why would other manufacturers bring more subcompacts, like the fiesta, mazda2, the sonic.  Still missing something from Chrysler, I don't count the Fiat, little more premium like Mini, and VW Beetle. 

[dirtyjeffer]

my wife had 1998 Toyota Tercel when i met her...it was a leased car and when it came time to replace it, we ended up with a Focus...the Tercel was a decent little car, but man, was it "basic" (especially compared to now).

[whaddaiknow]

my wife had 1998 Toyota Tercel when i met her...it was a leased car and when it came time to replace it, we ended up with a Focus...the Tercel was a decent little car, but man, was it "basic" (especially compared to now).

  My wife was driving a 1997 Toyota Tercel 5-speed manual when I met her. Was it ever basic. Was replaced by a new 2005 Toyota Echo which was almost as bare-bones (I grew to dislike it very quickly). Decent car in its own right but HUGELY overpriced. But wife found it "cute" and wouldn't look at anything else 

[Fobroader]

Guy at work had one of these horrid little things he bought brand new about 5 years ago. Not only did the thing sound like a tin garbage can to be in, he had all sorts of electrical gremlins in it. I found it weird that the had so many issues with it but the car itself was inexcusable. Loud, under powered, rode like a big wheel, the interior was horrid, bad seats, crap stereo......I honestly couldnt believe that he walked into a dealer and bought it brand new.