Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

cmeisenzahl · Feb 2, 2006, 10:33 AM

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005...yota_yar_1.php

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006...yota_yar_2.php

http://toyota.com/

Tardbus · Feb 2, 2006, 10:39 AM

Kinda fugly. Still better than GM though. If you really want to help the earth, quit buying new cars. Most cars just need simple maintenence to get on the road if htey're currently broken, and any car can theoretically last forever as long as you replace what needs replacing.

cmeisenzahl · Feb 2, 2006, 10:42 AM

Some good points TB. ;-)

Not out to save the earth, just get good gas mileage adn reliability in a low-priced car.

Tardbus · Feb 2, 2006, 10:47 AM

Hrm. Then I suggest a used honda or toyota. Much cheaper, and better for the environment. Let people who don't give a **** perpetuate the unending disposable automotive society we live in.

mdc · Feb 2, 2006, 11:21 AM

I like the sedan model, and if it actually comes out at the $10,200, this very well might be my next car.

volcano · Feb 2, 2006, 11:31 AM

You'd think it would get better mileage - my '05 Corolla gets the same city mileage and better highway mileage, and it's bigger. Not to mention, the sedan version looks strikingly similiar to the Corolla.

But at least it's replacing the Echo.

jasonsRX7 · Feb 2, 2006, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Tardbus

any car can theoretically last forever as long as you replace what needs replacing.

But then you're constantly messing with it and that gets annoying. I could have kept putting motor after motor in my RX7, but the annoyance of having to get it worked on was greater than the enjoyment of having the car. If it can't go at least three years without doing anything but oil changes and tire rotations, I wouldn't have it.

As far as the hybrids, other than the ones which look identical to their non-hybrid counterparts, they're all fugly

Why don't they make decent looking hybrids?

scottiB · Feb 2, 2006, 11:45 AM

The only thing I don't like about the Yaris is that the IP cluster is above the center stack--the same as the Echo. While I'm sure it saves costs in making left- and right-drivers, I don't know if I could get used to it.

Also, Honda is releasing the Fit in the U.S., and there's a new Nissan Versa to compete against the Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Suzuki Aero.

I'm a big fan of small hatchbacks/wagons (I've owned Ford Festivas and Escorts before my huge, in my mind, Focus wagon--purchased used

).

My wife and I have long commutes, so in a couple years I'll be looking at two-year old Fits and Yarises--and XBs, Mazda5s, and Toyota Matrixes).

Feb 2, 2006, 01:39 PM

The cluster in the middle took me no getting used to though I expected it would when I bought the car.

My 2001 Echo 5-speed manual is still getting about 50MPG highway with over 120,000 on it. Changed the tires once, full synthetic oil changes every 6000 miles and just replaced the windshield wipers.

Small cars aren't very popular in these parts of the country - with it being the Moturd City and all. I think I've seen two other ones around here in my travels. The Yaris looks sexier than an Echo and people are waking up to fuel economy so hopefully they'll have a hit with this one.

angelmb · Feb 2, 2006, 01:59 PM

Do you get the fugly Toyota Aygo in the States?

SpaceMonkey · Feb 2, 2006, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by volcano

You'd think it would get better mileage - my '05 Corolla gets the same city mileage and better highway mileage, and it's bigger. Not to mention, the sedan version looks strikingly similiar to the Corolla.

But at least it's replacing the Echo.

Have they started using revised MPG figures, though? I remember reading something a couple of years ago about fuel efficiency figures being vastly overstated, because they're based on 1970s highways and driving habits, and there was some pressure on the EPA to revise the system for their estimation. It's possible that the Yaris' fuel efficency figures are just more accurate than the Corolla's.

only120xs · Feb 2, 2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Have they started using revised MPG figures, though? I remember reading something a couple of years ago about fuel efficiency figures being vastly overstated, because they're based on 1970s highways and driving habits, and there was some pressure on the EPA to revise the system for their estimation. It's possible that the Yaris' fuel efficency figures are just more accurate than the Corolla's.

I think I just read the other day that they will have to use the revised system soon... maybe '07 cars?

macaddict0001 · Feb 2, 2006, 02:18 PM

if you are looking for reliability your best bet is a toyota, but for non-hybrid fuel economy the vw golf with the 1.4 l turbo and super charged gets 50 highway 30 city. However currently its only available in the uk.

wdlove · Feb 2, 2006, 02:21 PM

I still like a nice solid safe Volvo.

greenamp · Feb 2, 2006, 02:31 PM

I commute about 500 miles a week in my '05 Corolla, and it gets about 38mpg. The Yaris' EPA figures are the same, which , unless the Yaris is being figured by the newer standards, will be about the same real world mpg as the Corolla. Possibly a bit less when you factor in hills, crosswinds, and running the AC.

I don't really get the impression that Toyota is marketing the Yaris so much as a gas saver as it is a cheap reliable car. If you're buying a Yaris solely on the grounds of saving gas you may as well spring an extra 3-4k and get a Corolla IMO.

euphras · Feb 2, 2006, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Tardbus

Kinda fugly. Still better than GM though. If you really want to help the earth, quit buying new cars. Most cars just need simple maintenence to get on the road if htey're currently broken, and any car can theoretically last forever as long as you replace what needs replacing.

The point is sometimes it MIGHT be a better idea to buy a new one. I drive a 19 years old Toyota but it weights only 750 kg, has NO safety features like airbag, ESP, etc. and if this car would get into a serious crash with a 1,9 tons SUV i wouldn´t have the slightest chance to survive

turtle777 · Feb 3, 2006, 12:09 AM

Not my cup of cake !

Cubeoid · Feb 3, 2006, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by wdlove

I still like a nice solid safe Volvo.

Sarc · Feb 3, 2006, 02:43 AM

Fact 1)
The Yaris is one fugly car.

Fact 2)
Has a real nice fuel efficiency.

volcano · Feb 3, 2006, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by greenamp

I commute about 500 miles a week in my '05 Corolla, and it gets about 38mpg. The Yaris' EPA figures are the same, which , unless the Yaris is being figured by the newer standards, will be about the same real world mpg as the Corolla. Possibly a bit less when you factor in hills, crosswinds, and running the AC.

I don't really get the impression that Toyota is marketing the Yaris so much as a gas saver as it is a cheap reliable car. If you're buying a Yaris solely on the grounds of saving gas you may as well spring an extra 3-4k and get a Corolla IMO.

My thoughts exactly. The low price will draw in a large number of people - but I'm guessing the features aren't outstanding for such a low sticker price.

500 miles a week? Yikes. How many miles does your Corolla have? I've had mine since August '04, and it has nearly 14,000 on it. Mind you, that's mostly Austin metro drivetime - the farthest I've driven in that car was on a business trip to Sugar Land (southwest Houston) a few weeks ago and a concert up in Dallas last summer.

cmeisenzahl · Feb 3, 2006, 09:56 AM

Wow, great mileage, I'm jealous!

greenamp · Feb 3, 2006, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by volcano

My thoughts exactly. The low price will draw in a large number of people - but I'm guessing the features aren't outstanding for such a low sticker price.

500 miles a week? Yikes. How many miles does your Corolla have? I've had mine since August '04, and it has nearly 14,000 on it. Mind you, that's mostly Austin metro drivetime - the farthest I've driven in that car was on a business trip to Sugar Land (southwest Houston) a few weeks ago and a concert up in Dallas last summer.

I bought it around the same time as you, and have about 23,000 on it right now.