Yaris? Worst car ever???

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

markleigh

Guest
While my A2 languishes in a bodyshop waiting for the insurance company to get off their butts (see under 'Modifications' - this forum), I've currently got a 2004 Toyota Yaris hire car to get me about. There's no model description on the car but I think Toyota made a base spec model - then tooks bits off it to down-spec it.
I can't believe in 2004 that there's still a car where the courtesy lights don't go on when you open the doors. (No switch is fitted). I can forgive not having remote control locking - but there's not even central locking - so a walk around the car to lock both doors is needed. The plastic trim is rough with sharp edges. The dash and glove box look like they have been extruded from recycled black plastic dustbins (by blind men) while the 'cloth' on the doors feels like it's been woven from pubic hair. Only not as smooth.
I'm not a snob but my 1980 Fiat 127 was finished better.
Still, it's better than walking.
Just...
Mark

PS The paint is shiny though, so it's not all bad.
 
I always thought the Yaris was a decent car, but I've no experience of one, but whilst looking for a car, which resulted in the purchase of the A2, I did try one, not impressed compared with the competition. I also tried the base (very) Suzuki, I can't remember the model but it was less than £5k, just. Now that was basic motoring!
 
I have had a few 'Yari' (is that right for singular?) whilst my other Toyota was in for servicing etc.

Mainly base models which I agree, are very plastiky, but they go, will last for ever and the gearbox is light-maybe too light as there is no feel to it but that is down to personal taste.

However I have had higher spec models with aircon etc and they are not bad. The only thing that all Yari strike me is being very tinny and I wouldn't fancy being in a shunt in one.

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto
 
Hate to say it, but thats what happens when you move production to Europe. Since about '99, the Yaris has been built in France, with suppliers from all over europe competiting for what is effectively gaurenteed volumes - from my experience, this has invetiably led to lower quality materials and an even more worrying lower quality Toyota.

I think the Yaris has been hit the hardest however since its built in France, whereas the Avensis and Corolla are made over in Derby. In my opinion, the production staff over in Derby are the best in the UK (plus they do get paid extremely well too)

Kaine
 
Quality of trim and spec aside, the engine and gearbox are very good - except for reverse which needs two hands to select it.
Then again, it is a hire car so previous history / owners unknown!
 
All opinions aside, I think you're wrong about the interior lights not coming on when you open the doors. You probably have the overhead switch in the wrong position, don't you? Otherwise it must be malfunctioning. Even the most basic cars that I remember have that...
And central locking on a 2-door car is overkill anyway. Just take a seat, stick out your arm and reach for the lock from the inside! Walking around the car is a daft thing to do ;)

BTW: I like the Yaris T-Sport with it 1.5 VVTi engine. From the outside for sure. And for the same reasons I like the Daihatsu YRV 1.3 Turbo... Cheap interior but affordable fun to drive.

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, TomTom3 PDA Satnav, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
Yarisi?
Yarises?

Actually to follow the 'rules' it is probably Yaris
as in sheep.

Ah, the English Language!
 
A friend of mine had a Yaris for a few years and loved it. Bought another one with bigger engine and better spec 2 years later and it was a total lemon: trim falling off, paint problems, gearbox went AWOL twice and he rejected it completely and now drives a Lexus IS200 (After a healthu discount from Toyota for his troubles)... and I also thought a Toyota is a now brainer good car to recommend to any Librarian wanting trouble free motoring! And both Stu and Steve have had dashboards falling apart in their Corollas too... hmmm...

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183
 
There was trim noises, and a bad design meant a gap above the radio on the dash in the Corolla-a known mod from Toyota is available.

I must say, touch wood, that my Avensis has so far been the most un-problematic and noise free car I yet owned. It is a delight! I hope it continues as the miles pile on though.

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto
 
Steve,

I do think the Avensis is best 'overseas built' toyota available - personal opinion anyway.

Kaine
 
No, people do say go for the Japan built Camry if you want a top notch built motor.

But have you seen the Camry! Yuk!

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto
 
So why does Honest-John recommend tham so highly?

Slight change but my Japanese built Honda just goes on and on (27k miles in 10 months). At one stage I thought that the headlight washers had packed up but it turns out that when the fluid level reaches a certain point the headlamp washers stop working - part reminder to top up and part fluid conservation - clever thinking.

Moral appears to be "don't buy a European Japanese car" since Nissan are reported to be falling to Renault quality levels.

1.4 Petrol Special Edition, Ebony Black, grey leather, heated seats, climate, opensky, five spoke alloys for SWMBO (Replaced a 2002 1.4 Petrol SE) Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 iCDTi for me.
 
Ian , funny you should say that, after my son's good experience with Nissan, I was speaking to a man today who has just bought a Nissan (Tino, or something similar, I didn't look too closely)and he has has had the most apalling problems with the quality of the car and the service. He has already had a new gearbox, after being told on more than one occasion that there was nothing wrong with it. He drove it in sounding like a box of nails and said "now say there's nothing wrong". They changed it, he has no intention of buying another Nissan.
 
In my opinion the Japanese built goods are better quality than items built elsewhere. That said Honda seem to have kept high standards in the uk. It is the same for German cars. The Mercedes cars built in America are rubbish. That said I have never owned one, just what I have read.

Yaris is okay for a cheap car at 6k but is never worth c10k whatever the spec. Buy a Honda Jazz at that price for a new Japanese car
 
I'm not so sure it matters where the car was built, but more importantly where it was designed. A spot-weld robot will do what it's told whatever country it's in ;)

2004 1.4 TDi (90) SE, Cobalt Blue, Climate control, Cruise control, DIS, Sport seats, Winter pack, Symphony II.
 
quote:Originally posted by Will

I'm not so sure it matters where the car was built, but more importantly where it was designed. A spot-weld robot will do what it's told whatever country it's in ;)

2004 1.4 TDi (90) SE, Cobalt Blue, Climate control, Cruise control, DIS, Sport seats, Winter pack, Symphony II.
Click to expand...

Will,

In theory your right, however the majority of cars, even those put together by Toyota are assembled by people and not robots. I have seen for myself the care and attention employees in Japan and Germany take over building there cars that no other country can seem to match. I have my own ideas for why this is the case from speaking to many people in the industry in both Japan and Germany, however not sure the actual reason for this.

Kaine
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top