Opinions on the pre '11 Yaris

ironlady2022

I'm out to get my first car and have my heart set on a Yaris. Just a few things:

• Should I get 3/5 door and if it makes a difference to insurance?
• Petrol/Diesel? And pros and cons
• 1.0 vs 1.33cc?

I will be driving 25mins (one way using mainly A roads) to work Mon-Fri. My new job requires me to travel and also I have a BF in Midlands so may be driving there maybe once a month. I intend to keep my car for a good few years and rather get it right first time rather than changing in 3 years time. The 1.0 is within my budget and 1.33 is out of my flexible budget.

molerat

I had one for 3 weeks last year when my car was being repaired, was I glad to get my 6 year old focus back. It reminded me of my youth when I had a 1959 mini with almost solid suspension. I know someone who had one but preferred to drive his 1970's Allegro and Marina as they were much more comfortable. I cannot think what it would be like doing a long journey.

Cardew

Daughter had the 1.0 - 2005 reg for 7 years, wife had the 1.3 Verso automatic 2001 reg - still in the family; both done around 70,000

Excellent small cars. Just one minor fault on Verso(engine misfiring); nothing on 1.0.

Fuel consumption high 40's on 1.0, low 40's on Verso(it is an auto)

jase1

molerat wrote: »

I had one for 3 weeks last year when my car was being repaired, was I glad to get my 6 year old focus back. It reminded me of my youth when I had a 1959 mini with almost solid suspension. I know someone who had one but preferred to drive his 1970's Allegro and Marina as they were much more comfortable. I cannot think what it would be like doing a long journey.

If the Yaris is to other modern cars what the Mini was to the Allegro and Marina there can't be much wrong with it :rotfl:

molerat

He currently has an Allegro and a Marina and they are preferable to the Yaris.

bengalknights

I would go for 5 door diesel if you do lots of mileage or petrol if planning on doing barely any.

Mrs_Ryan

We have a 59 reg 1.33 5 door petrol and OH loves it - he had a 3 door Y reg Yaris before that and he says its a dream to drive compared to that

He does 10K miles a year and puts about £30-35 a week in. Honestly not sure if the doors make a difference - our insurance is pretty low (about 210 a year I think, I do remember it was only about £35 difference from the old car) Either way, the car is solid and reliable and should you have an accident it's exceedingly sturdy - we were involved in a high-speed motorway shunt and all that was damaged was the bumper and even then that wasnt that badly damaged.

jase1

molerat wrote: »

He currently has an Allegro and a Marina and they are preferable to the Yaris.

Well in that case the Yaris must be the worst car ever built, and I have a hard time believing that to be honest.

sheilavw

I have an 02 Yaris I bought 8 years ago. This winter I changed the battery for the first time. It still has original exhaust and everything else. I have it serviced every 2 years. Apart from a rear wiper and number plate bulb it has cost me nothing. I think it has done sixty odd thousand

dibuzz

My mum has had an 02 Yaris from new.
I find the clutch pedal very hard to press and it leaves me with a sore ankle but my mum doesn't have a problem with it.
When the kids were younger I found tilting the front seat (3 door) difficult as it is hard to do with one hand.
She has had no problems apart fromt he usual wear and tear.
The 06 Yaris I had for a week as a courtesy car didn't have these issues and I'd definitely have one.

oldagetraveller

"I had one for 3 weeks last year when my car was being repaired, was I glad to get my 6 year old focus back. It reminded me of my youth when I had a 1959 mini with almost solid suspension."
The Mk 2 Yaris suspension is most definitely (or should that be defiantly?!) NOT almost solid. Did you check the tyre pressures?
I have a 2010 Yaris and find it a very comfortable car in spite of being 6 ft tall and "overweight" (me, not the car)! The seats are supportive although I find their cloth finish a bit slippy.
I would recommend a 5 door 1.4 Diesel, 60+ mpg, but most certainly NOT the Multimode Transmission (MMT) version. Be aware the Diesels have a DPF fitted so not really suited for low mileage, short runs or all urban use.
Totally reliable if serviced correctly. Tyre noise can be a bit intrusive on certain road surfaces.
Boot space is a bit limited but the rear seats slide front to back and fold down individually.
But if a car is required to travel from A to B without issues or image concerns then a Yaris is a good choice.
Can't comment on the earlier Mk1 although a close neighbour has a 2003 with which they have no problems whatsoeve and wouldn't change.
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