ok, i'm just gonna say it.."i like the YARIS".

[Won]

I like the Yaris. Here is our rally car at local rallycrosses:

Originally Posted by red-beard

I rented an HHR in OKC about 3 years ago. It was one of the worst rentals I've ever had. Controls all in bad places, nothing obvious, and it was slow, loud and the steering squirly.

Agree--the SSR I rented was a horrible car.

I wasn't crazy about my Yaris rental, either, but it had about 25,000 rental miles, equal to 1 million normal miles.

I'd take a hard look at the Honda Fit, Vash.

[Rednine11]

The dash cluster in the middle was odd at first. I call it a cyclopse dash...
I got used to it real quick and it's actually nice having the extra storage space on the left. For such a small engine its actually pretty peppy with a manual trans. I would definately buy another one. I only have 30,000 miles on mine now and I am glad I bought it.

[BeyGon]

We looked at everything mentioned a couple months ago but bought a top of the line Golf Auto for under 20k, 17" wheels and all, for the price and great mileage I don't think you can beat the quality, the room, and ride.

[Erakad]

I rented one last month in SAT, agree was very roomy inside, but a Yaris with an automatic...it just didn't do it for me. At 75, it felt like it was begging for another gear to shift into. The center dash cluster, no thanks. Otherwise, another forgettable rental. Let me ask, is the US seriously going to forsake comfortable motoring for a sub-econobox? Next step, the 50 cc Suzuki's you find in Japan...we call them clown cars.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Erakad

Let me ask, is the US seriously going to forsake comfortable motoring for a sub-econobox? Next step, the 50 cc Suzuki's you find in Japan...we call them clown cars.

At 3 bucks a gallon and no sight of relief yes I think so,

I would ask, isn't time America caught up with the rest of the world in using practical transportation and gave up it's reputation for conspicuous consumption?

I'm 5'10" 220 lbs and my Hyundai econo box is very comfortable that you very much.

YMMV

[Noah930]

Vash, why didn't you tell anyone you were coming to LA? You know where I live. I've been to Glendale once and Burbank twice already today.

I have a friend with the Yaris coupe. Maybe a little weak on the power climbing hills (think Grapevine) and a little boomy on interior noise, but it's a fine commuter car.

[Erakad]

Unfortunately, until you try squeeze into the sub-econobox's you have no appreciation for comfort. My Civic was acceptable (but barely). Pretty much uncomfortable boring cars with acceptable gas mileage...gives that great feeling while stuck on the beltway.

I'm 5'10" 220 lbs and my Hyundai econo box is very comfortable that you very much.

Unfortunately, I'm 6'5" 235lbs, and didn't find them quite as comfortable

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

SERIOUS man-card violation right here.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Erakad

...but a Yaris with an automatic...it just didn't do it for me. At 75, it felt like it was begging for another gear to shift into.

Didn't do it for you? You might be missing the point. Or, rather, the purpose/function/niche of the Yaris.

Originally Posted by Noah930

...a little weak on the power climbing hills (think Grapevine) and a little boomy on interior noise, but it's a fine commuter car.

Bingo.

Originally Posted by Erakad

Unfortunately, until you try squeeze into the sub-econobox's you have no appreciation for comfort... snip ...uncomfortable boring cars with acceptable gas mileage...

Unfortunately, I'm 6'5" 235lbs, and didn't find them quite as comfortable

Ahhhh... it all makes sense now. Heh heh.

It's just supposed to come in a notch or two above a Smart Car. It's not really supposed to score any "car enthusiast points."

[Erakad]

It's just supposed to come in a notch or two above a Smart Car. It's not really supposed to score any "car enthusiast points."

Indeed.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Vash, why didn't you tell anyone you were coming to LA? You know where I live. I've been to Glendale once and Burbank twice already today.

I have a friend with the Yaris coupe. Maybe a little weak on the power climbing hills (think Grapevine) and a little boomy on interior noise, but it's a fine commuter car.

figured my dance card was full already. bummer i do not have time to meet some of you guys.

oh, armenian wedding..RAKI! (pronounced RAK-kuh) = bad hangover. i had a few sips, but the guy across the table pounded the bottle..i bet his wife is hitting him with rocks this AM.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Erakad

I rented one last month in SAT, agree was very roomy inside, but a Yaris with an automatic...it just didn't do it for me. At 75, it felt like it was begging for another gear to shift into. The center dash cluster, no thanks. Otherwise, another forgettable rental. Let me ask, is the US seriously going to forsake comfortable motoring for a sub-econobox? Next step, the 50 cc Suzuki's you find in Japan...we call them clown cars.

i think car enthusiast will have a turd car in the arsenal. just another reason to put a car out at the curb. my wife wants a PRIUS, it should fill the "turd" slot nicely. i only need one if i have to do that sacto stint.

[porsche4life]

I drive a corolla with a 5spd. It's not a bad little car and it has a surprisingly good little transmission. I'd consider a yaris. You can keep your man card IMHO

[Laneco]

Another "Bag on the HHR" post... I drove the spyder to Los Angeles a couple of years ago. Steve fly down (due to work commitments) and got stuck with an HHR at the airport. From the outside, other than being strikingly ugly, it actually looks like a practical automobile. He began to regret that opinion before he even got out of the airport...

We planned on going to Cars and Coffee in Irvine and needed seperate vehicles due to other obligations. He flat refused to drive the HHR, so he drove the spyder and I got the HHR. I figured there was no way it could be as bad as he made it out to be. Boy was I wrong!

Horrible visibility from all sides including the FRONT. The roof curves down and it has a short windshield. Claustrophobic view even for me at 5'5". Lousy seats, terrible handling, marginal brakes, cramped interior. Absolutely awful.

So bad that on a later business trip I walked out in the dark, in the rain, to the rental car and when I found it was an HHR, I walked back. Refused it.

Back on track - haven't driven a Yaris, but it looks pretty decent for the job it's cut out for. Really looking forward to the new Ford Fiesta though. About time Ford started bringing their interesting little cars to the US.
angela