Order in the Courtroom! The People of OPPO vs. Toyota Yaris.

"anonsagainstanonymous" (anonsagainstanonymous) 07/14/2014 at 14:19 • Filed to: flamesuit on, talk amongst yourselves

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So, uhh... about the Yaris. I have a confession. I'd recommend it.

Whenever people ask me "What compact hatchback do you think I should buy?", My answer is usually a loud SUZUKI SWIFT. But in this case, the Swift is slightly too expensive(the only Swifts in range are driven too hard or too far), and the answer I'm leaning towards is the Toyota Yaris. Because ... ummm... it's dead reliable, there are tons of them on the road, meaning parts will be plentiful and cheap. It's just the default car of the time and I can't think of anything wrong with it. And that's really the main selling points when it comes to "cars I'll recommend".

A) Because I can't deal with recommending people a car that breaks down every two miles.
B) They care nought for image or driving pleasure.

So, my challenge to you is to prove me wrong. If the ultimate Meh-buy-this-one-car of the first half of last decade isn't a Yaris or Corolla, Which is it?

(My second choice is probably Civic)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:22

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THE BEST COMPACT IS THE FIAT 500. crap I left caps on.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:22

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If I had to choose it would Yaris, because hatchback.

Also, cant hate honesty.

505Turbeaux > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:23

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my pecking order of reco's is as follows -

subcompact - Yaris

compact - Elantra

mid-size-ish - Sonata

large-ish - Avalon

I am just sick of my friends buying cars that break and I have to fix them.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:23

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Eh it's better than some rivals worse than others. Dead average like a good Toyota should be.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:24

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Hear, hear. I'm with you on every point, and as an American with no more Suzukis available, I'd like to add: The 3-door Yaris is the best-looking compact hatch available in America today, and yes that includes Fiat and Mini.

There. I've said it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:25

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I drove one at an event on a test track and it felt like it was going to fall apart at 70 mph (michigan speed limit). Sorry man, I wouldn't willingly get into one of those.

I'd take the Fiesta over it if we are talking compacts, and I think the Fiesta is crappy inside.

anonsagainstanonymous > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 07/14/2014 at 14:27

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See, I'd reccomend the 500 if we talked (nearly)new cars. And I even have before. The problem is cars made between circa '00 - '05.

dinobot666 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/14/2014 at 14:28

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How was it going to fall apart exactly? I know people say that a lot on the internet, but I don't really know what that means.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:29

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See! Exactly! The Yaris is OK! And I say this despite having nothing but invective and spite for the last few generations of Corollas and Camrys. Why? Why do I hate the Corolla with the fiery heat of a thousand super novae, but am OK with the Yaris? Here's Why: The Yaris doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. It's a cheap car. It's a well-built, reliable, cheap car. That's it's job. It does it's job well. It has no other job. The Corolla is a pseudo-apsirational pile of poorly executed design cues, plagued with poor ergonomics, sacrificed in the name of EPA interior volume ratings; compromised suspension, drive-line, and steering in the name of perceived luxury; and a complete inability to compete with the other vehicles in it's class in any area but perceived reliability (which isn't as good as it used to be 10 years ago...).

The Corolla, in trying to be something it clearly isn't, ends up being inferior to the Yaris in every way but horsepower, electronic-geegaws-content and interior volume. Shit, I think a Yaris is even faster 0-60 than an automatic equipped Corolla.

Yaris 1, Corolla 0.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:29

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Then the Yaris sounds ok, if we are talking about years without Fiat.

anonsagainstanonymous > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/14/2014 at 14:30

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Seeing as it would probably not be driven above 65 even on the highway, that probably won't be a problem.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dinobot666 07/14/2014 at 14:31

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It felt so flimsy that I thought if I leaned on the arm rest (attached to door) too hard it might literally let loose and fall off the car

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:31

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Average speed of travel in Michigan on the highway is 75-80 mph.

Bandit > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:32

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Yaris. It's a car...

dinobot666 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/14/2014 at 14:32

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Here' a Yaris with a Euro spec 1.3 engine doing 120 + mph on the Autobahn.

anonsagainstanonymous > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 07/14/2014 at 14:33

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That was an interesting read. I suppose my lack of scorn towards the Corolla is that I haven't noticed it being marketed as anything special? I suppose the marketing might have been different over here in Norway.

anonsagainstanonymous > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 07/14/2014 at 14:34

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That's a great ad for a Yaris.

anonsagainstanonymous > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 07/14/2014 at 14:36

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It's very unjalop of me, but I wish they would offer the Swift with FWD here. The norwegian Suzuki importer has a strict "Only 4wd" policy. Which speaks to my soul, but not my wallet.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dinobot666 07/14/2014 at 14:36

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i'm not saying it literally would, if it actually had doors falling off they wouldn't be able to sell it.

I'm just saying it felt like extremely cheap crap. People bitch about materials in cars and I always go "no way, it's not that big of a deal and what are you doing - petting the dashboard?" but I can't get over how crappily it was put together and felt. The only thing worse at the event was the Hyundai Accent - YIKES.

anonsagainstanonymous > 505Turbeaux 07/14/2014 at 14:37

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Ah, the Hyundais have come a long way lately.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:42

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Oh, it's MUCH different. Toyota North America's marketing department is TERRIBLE, and they should fire everyone in that pit of despair. I mean, It's so bad I can't even look at Toyota ads any more, accept the completely honest "Yaris, It's a Car!" campaign. I seriously don't know how people watch Toyota N.A. Commercials without simultaneously vomiting in disgust and crying in anguish at the stupidity/sheepidity of the people who will actually buy the lines of bull-shit being crammed down their throats.

tl:dr

The US market Corolla tries to be like a mini 90's Buick, both in execution and market. I should know, I've owned a '97 LeSabre. Except it was both more reliable and more comfortable than my friend's last-gen Corolla. Ironically I'd rather have a new Buick.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 14:47

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I love my 500, but I get the appeal of an older Yaris. Not too much fun, but, not too much to worry about either.

dinobot666 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/14/2014 at 15:02

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It's a no-frills sub compact car. If you're looking for finer interior appointments, you'd probably want to step up to something from Germany with an additional 5 grand or more added to the MSRP.

duurtlang > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 15:04

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My grandfather (89 years young) drives a Yaris just like that. It's a perfect fit. What I recommend from the last decade to someone who doesn't care about cars? I recommend they ask someone else as I don't feel comfortable recommending vehicles I don't at the very least somewhat like personally.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dinobot666 07/14/2014 at 15:11

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I wasn't looking for either. I'd rather do what I did, which was buy used. I was at the Ford Testing grounds doing a comparison between their cars and competitors.

Personally I'd rather buy a 4-5 year old car with low mileage (not hard to find in the 40k range) and get a nicer vehicle that way.

zeontestpilot > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/14/2014 at 15:14

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So I'm curious, where have you see 80 mph? I would love to know...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > zeontestpilot 07/14/2014 at 15:18

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275

every day!

I very commonly have to remind myself to get out of the left lane because if you aren't doing 80 during the commute you are in the way and I tend to just go along with traffic then go "SHIT" when I see 85. Seriously though the state troopers won't get moving for 79 mph down here on 275.

RazoE > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 15:20

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Echo Hatch/Yaris is a great car. The sedan (Platz) is ugly, but still a good car. It comes recommended by Gus.

Also if you want all of the glory of a Yaris without the body, get a Scion xB. It's mechanically identical.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 16:23

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Why Yaris? i'm assuming that this is Euro-centric, since yaris was in Europe. I have 3 words for you: Opel Astra Classic. My mom has one here. 1.6L 16V engine that pulls great. good MPG's. quick(ish) and VERY comfy. it's also dead reliable, and can be roughhoused and still work amazingly

trynthink > anonsagainstanonymous 07/14/2014 at 19:03

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For cars from this period – Honda Fit/Jazz? The interior is possibly roomier than the Yaris 5-door and it's definitely more practical with the magic seat.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 07/15/2014 at 03:44

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AGREED

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > RazoE 07/15/2014 at 03:45

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Funny story, fiat500Chick named her fiat blueberry BEFORE she started watching psych. I don't remember if it was my idea or not, I remember her asking me for ideas on what to name the car, but I dont remember if I was the one that thought of blueberry.

m2m, apex detective > anonsagainstanonymous 07/15/2014 at 11:24

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The normal Yaris might no be fun ... the TS is, though.

m2m, apex detective > anonsagainstanonymous 07/15/2014 at 11:26

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What generation was that even? XP9 or the first gen?

I drove both at speeds exceeding 100 mph (the XP9 managed 120 with lots of room), so let me just say that they don't fall apart.

Stef Schrader > anonsagainstanonymous 07/19/2014 at 17:55

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Best Yaris ever?

Best Yaris EVER.

I tend to direct people towards the Mazda2. The Fiesta is all right, and I really need to drive a Mirage.