Hi y’all … I’m in the US and thinking about a used Yaris
So, here’s what’s going on: I have a 2007 Toyota RAV4 with a ton of miles, like 373,000. For some reasons, I want something smaller and that gets better gas mileage.
A while back, I almost got a Hyundai Veloster Turbo. But after reading this forum, it looks like they need a lot of work. I want Toyota tough. Basically, I want Toyota’s strong build but also something a little fun to drive and with good gas mileage. I did test drive a Toyota GR86, but the ride and road noise were worse than my old RAV. I can’t see myself driving across the state in one.
Can anyone make a case for me to just get a Corolla or Prius? They’re easier to find and a little more normal, rather than a Yaris? Or, are there any other Toyota cars I should think about instead?
If you’re in the US, you can’t buy a new Yaris anymore. So, you’ll have to get a used one. That’s okay, but you should think about how much it might cost to fix things to keep it “Toyota tough.”
If you want a new car that fits what you want, look at the Corolla Hatch. Better ride (back suspension), better engine with more power and about the same gas mileage, better sound, more space than a Yaris, and you can get one with a manual transmission.
Try driving the Yaris and then the Prius. The Prius is better for long trips. It looks more comfy. I have a 2009 Yaris with 207k miles. The seat will make your back or legs hurt after a few hours. I like everything else about it.
I have a CT200h (“Prius in a fancy suit”) and I have no problems with it at all when it comes to quality and comfort. I can easily get 45-50mpg with mixed driving. I drive 1.5-2 hours each way, 4 times a week (120 miles each day total).
The only thing to watch out for if you get a Prius (especially the third one, or a CT200h before 2014) is the head gasket issue. It can happen if you don’t clean the EGR system often enough (every 50k miles) and if you wait too long to change your oil. I had to get mine fixed 3 months after I bought the car ($2k+ job, including all the other work), but since then, the car has been perfect.
With CT200’s after 2014 or Priuses that are 4th gen or newer, you’re less likely to have the problems I talked about.
I had a 2012 Yaris hatchback and now have a 2017 Yaris hatchback. I’d keep it forever if I could. It’s not super comfy on really long drives (I’m 6’4"), but I still like it. I get 45 mpg in the summer all the time (stick shift)…it’s just a basic car, which is good with me
Like others said, if you didn’t like the GR86’s noise and comfort on long drives, you probably won’t like the Yaris either.
That being said, I’ve taken my 2008 Yaris on long trips, mountain roads, dirt roads, light off-roading, small island roads, camping, etc. every month for 10 years. Even if I find it a little uncomfortable sometimes, it works and I can’t seem to get rid of it. For a small car, it’s built really well.
Also, the Prius is good for short trips and cities where hybrids work best. If you have long trips and highways, I would get a Corolla hatchback instead. They’re just long-distance Yarises, even if they’re less fun to drive.
When I was looking for a car after having a 94 Caprice wagon, I asked the best mechanics at Toyota what car they don’t see get fixed a lot. I also liked the similar engine with less of the tech that needs work. So, in 2013, I bought my 10 sedan with 68k miles. It now has 268k miles and still works. I get 34 mpg when I drive it hard. I’ve seen 44 mpg when I drove it easy with good gas. You’ll only be disappointed with how fast it goes from 0-60, but I make up for that with fast reactions and usually win at the stoplights anyway. Once it was paid off, I added things like stability bars and suspension to make it more fun. I’d do it all again, and I’m even setting it up to try ridesharing with it. I used to be a Toyota mechanic too. It depends on what you want. For most of us, it’s perfect. Good luck. Ask me any questions. I love my 10 sedan.
If you think the noise in the GR86 is worse than your RAV4, the Yaris will be no better. In fact, I’d say it might be a little worse.
I have a 2007 Yaris, 2-door, 5-speed hatchback. It’s a basic car, but it has A/C. You can’t beat the gas mileage. It’s not too hard to fix either, as long as you find one that’s been taken care of. But if you’re looking for something to drive across the state, I’d think about a Prius instead of a Yaris. It’s more comfortable for long trips and has better sound than the Yaris.
That being said, I got a 4Runner for those long drives. Bad gas mileage, but it’s comfy, has lots of features, and it’s super tough.
I’m happy to help. My Yaris got wrecked and it still works well. I just do regular maintenance. Toyotas are known to use oil when they get close to 300k miles, but these cars are made to go over 400k if you take care of them. I only add oil every two weeks, and I use the cheapest oil. I’m close to 300k miles and I think my car will last longer. My Yaris was a change because I had a midsize g6 before, but I save $100 on gas since I got it. It costs $30 to fill it up in my area, and it needs less work than my GM car. Priuses are good, but some years might cost more to fix than the Yaris, especially the 2010 Prius. The newer Priuses have fewer problems, but they’re expensive. The Corolla seats are not comfortable.
I don’t know what kind of Corolla you want, but if you get an old, used Prius, the hybrid battery only lasts 10 years, and a lot of them were taxis, so they might have more hidden wear. I’ve seen a lot of Priuses resold with the miles changed, so you can’t always trust the mileage.
The Yaris is light, so it can be sporty if you get the 1.3L version or higher with a manual transmission, but you’ll have to make sure it’s been taken care of and maybe get the fuel system cleaned. But overall, the Yaris is tough and will last forever.
For long trips, the Yaris is okay, but the wind will push it around, and it doesn’t speed up quickly to pass other cars, even if you change gears. The Corolla, which is heavier and has more power than the Yaris, might be better if you drive long distances. It’s bigger and more powerful, but also better at moving through the air. But if you want a Yaris, it’s a good car, and you can get used to how it drives. It all depends on what kind of driving you’ll be doing. If you’re going a long way at high speeds, there’s probably not a big difference in gas mileage.
I got a 2015 Yaris in September last year. I’ve driven over 8,000 miles, and I really like it. It’s just a basic car, as basic as you can get, but it works well. You can fit in a lot of spots in traffic, and other people might say it’s slow, but I think the 1.5L is pretty good (you can easily go highway speeds) and even 85 miles but anything over 75 on mine is a little crazy especially when it’s windy. It’s a cheap car and with the seats down, you can carry a lot of stuff. But like others said, the road noise is a little loud, especially after 60 mph.
I think that if you are looking at new cars, the Corolla Hatch seems like a fun option, but I don’t know much about it.
@Frances
The way it drives first. It feels slow. It also doesn’t have a lot of power. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a decent car, and nothing feels bad. It’s just not that good at anything. Everything feels okay. But that might be good for some people. It’s easy to drive and great in the city, good gas mileage, reliable, and cheap to fix.
