Pick Up Monday

[mrpj]

Ah well, I had a surprise call from Toyota Dealer this morning asking to guess what had turned up there! Apparently my new Yaris TR 1.4 D4-D, MMT (6) has arrived and I can pick up on Monday. The original estimate was 19th November, then, as advised earlier this week, 10th November so this has been a surprise to both them? and myself.

I will drive for a couple of weeks before posting my impressions, hopefully mostly positive. Watch this space!

I note there is an Aygo Owners Review section would it be worth similar for the Yaris? It would save new threads being started (like this one ).

[grin factor]

fingers crossed for you then.

Keep us posted

[Madasafish]

Another Staffie?

Moorlands myself..

[mrpj]

"Another Staffie?" No, Mancunian B), but moved to the Moorlands a few years ago for sanity's sake

First impressions re build quality, far superior to some of the cheap and nasty examples from other manufacturers which I test drove etc. before deciding on the Yaris.

MMT preferable in "M" mode, for me anyway. I love those "flappy paddles". "E" mode seems a bit hit and miss with regards correct gear selection relative to speed,revs, load and accelerator position.

I will contact the dealer if it doesn't improve but when reversing, particularly into my driveway, there is a slight smell of hot/burning clutch material. I also detected a bit on the way home from the dealers when driving in heavy traffic. Hopefully this will go once the clutch beds in?

Does anyone know which way the rear centre and left side seatbelt securing clips are normally fitted? The one marked "center" (sorry for the incorrect U.S A. spelling)is fixed on the left the other is to the right of that. I would have thought they should be the other way. ie. the centre one in the middle?

I posted a question about the instrument display adjustment in the dark with lights on. Yes there are two settings apparently, bright and dim using the display/clock reset knob.

"Madasafish" - does that relate to your broadband provider? Me too.

[Madasafish]

""Madasafish" - does that relate to your broadband provider? Me too.

Many years ago. NTL/Virgin now..

Very good.

[mrpj]

Well, after 24 days and 500 miles I regrettably have to admit that buying this car has possibly been an expensive mistake.

I have the impression that the Yaris fans are viewing certain things through rose tinted glasses?

On the positive side the car is nice to drive with firm yet comfortable and supportive front seats. The "sports" trim is too slippy though and I find my backside sliding forwards all the time - maybe rubber trousers will sort that? A good little Diesel engine providing adequate power, refinement, torque and economy. Cheap VED and insurance. There is an air of solidity in the structure, all the doors close with a reassuring "clunk" too.

Now the bad bits, in my opinion. Standard of interior trim components are cheap and nasty, thin and hard plastic. I've had to make and fit rubber to the top storage boxes (left and right)to stop their contents rattling around - they are for storage after all!? There is an annoying "creak" developed at the left hand front, can't tell whether it's the door, "a" pillar or dash. Dealer's on Friday to check that.

Looking at the car in depth it becomes fairly obvious where all the "penny pinching" has taken place.

The interior heater is "pants". Minus one this morning, engine fully warm, heat control at max., fan at 3, still a cold cabin.

MMT - where to start? In manual mode which I'm using all the time it's fine because I'm in control.

In so called "easy" mode this is an example of why computers, in the foreseeable future, will NEVER take over the world. I suspect this is a failed experiment by Toyota and other manufacturers to replace a proper auto box just to reduce perceived emissions and to achieve a lower CO2 band for sales purposes.

When the gearchange takes place is a lottery. 1st to 2nd is worse from standstill. On more than one occasion the revs have hit 3.5k in 1st before I've taken over and changed using the "flappy paddles". When it does decide on an auto change the car slows down suddenly during the change - much to the annoyance of the driver behind. If you're driving up a hill then forget an auto change, it just won't do it even though conditions are favourable. Again a manual override is necessary. See what I mean about only using manual mode?

Now 6th gear, it doesn't know there is one. 75 - 80 mph and still in 5th! Once more a manual override.

I've reported the poor MMT "easy" mode to the dealer to check on Friday too. Maybe it needs re-programming, I don't know.

The Yaris is not a cheap car compared to others of similar type. For example the Mitsubishi Colt is much cheaper but if you want cheap and nasty then look no further. However, the price reflects the standard.

I suspect Toyota are relying on their "reputation", charging a premium but lowering their quality at the same time?

Sorry for the negative ramble but I've written as I see it. It's built in France so that should have been a prior warning.

[grin factor]

Doesn't sound too good to me mate.

I have heard that the french built cars are not a patch on the jap ones, and this is another case against them. Cost cutting is going too far with regard to the build quality too. While our 05 model was in for service I sat in a new 1.33 and wasnt impressed. It felt inferior to ours, and I doubt I would buy one. The trouble is, most manufacturers are going the same way.

Might buy a mountain bike.

[fiish]

It does sound quite an unhappy review. I have similar feelings about my 1.3 TR manual, although more inclined to the 'like' side, I am liking it more every time I drive it. The occasional misgivings and remorseful thoughts fade every time I get behind the wheel and just go where I need to go.

I have an 08 model (pre facelift) and the cabin trim should be the same as yours, although I have not experienced the same kind of rattles you have (admittedly I usually put just my phone and sunglasses case in there, both are soft). However, just like you do I like how it drives, and in particular since it is my first car how cheap it is to insure. It was not too expensive to buy either, for a similar price to 3-4 year old cars I got an 08 model (albeit with 34K miles) warranted for the next 2+ years.

The car I would personally like most to drive (at this point anyway) would be a Golf or Civic, but the Yaris is really good (and a lot cheaper) for nipping around town, building driving experience beyond my lessons and test, and building up a good no-claims bonus.