2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan S 5-Spd MT

Pros

Great mpg, MP3 jack.

Cons

Seats, cabin noise, stock stereo is only ok.

Bought the car in February '08 to replace an '07 Sentra. Had an '03 Echo before I bought the Sentra. Bought the Sentra because it stated on the window sticker an average EPA estimate of 36 hwy. Didn't think that a loss of 4 mpg from the Echo's average of 40 would effect me too much. Well I never got better than 31 even after 14k miles. A loss of 9 mpg was a huge loss when at the time gas hovered around $3.50/gallon. Every mile counted! 21,500 later in December '08 the Yaris is still running good! Had it lowered with the TRD springs and the windows tinted over the summer. Beware of scraping the air dam on the front bumper if lowered! Never got less than 37 mpg. The best mpg was 50 from Salt Lake City, UT to Bozeman, MT but average 40 like with the Echo. Do mostly freeway driving on interstates 15 and 210 in lovely Southern California. I only use conventional 5W30 oil because I change it with a filter every 3k. Never any issues except if you're driving in Colorado and above a 7,500 ft elevation it's going to feel like you're only running off 2 cylinders. Downshift! Just like the Echo. Toyota needs to do something with the M.A.P. sensor to avoid this issue! (not that I'm an engineer or any sort of rocket scientist). 45 mph max up Vail Pass in 3rd gear is crazy gutless! Seats need more lumbar support and cabin noise could be toned down. Many safety features for an inexpensive car. A.B.S. works well. Recently caught the T.P.M.S. (tire pressure monitoring system) working for the first time when it caught the tires at 26 psi. Just filled up to 33 and the light went off after a couple miles. Got all the options I needed in the "S" trim level. Over-all, I love the car!...read morehide

Pros

fuel economy, price and comfort,

Cons

the speed controls on the dash in center could be tilted toward driver, poor defrost,

The side windows do not deforst well. The gas miliage is about 30-41 and over all price of this car is good. It is a little bit more of a louder ride then most cars but over all I really am happy with my car.

Pros

Excellent fuel economy!

Cons

feels a bit "tinny", does not handle well in winter driving

I love my Yaris! It handles great in normal driving conditions. The interior is very versatile and can accomodate quite a load! I've put many things into it thinking that it's probably not going to fit, but it does...and with room to spare! Winter driving is the only draw back that I can see. Because the car is so light, it doesnt handle well. This year I'll be throwing a few sand tubes into the trunk for traction and I'll invest in some snow tires....read morehide

Pros

ok looking, great mpg's

Cons

too many too list but comfort was the lowest I have seen in a car

Just upgraded my car from a Saturn L300 to a G8 GT. Now my wife wants to get a new car and loose her Saturn (noisy little thing it is). She travels alot and wanted a car that gets great MPG (so she can save the world) and did not need much frills as she rents a car during the week for business anyway. We drove this thing today and it was the worst car ever. We had seats that looked like they came from a VW Beattle, felt every crack in the road, NO POWER LOCKS, and not enough power to get out of its own way. Don't buy this car, even the horn sounded cheap! I think good gas miliage would be nice but at what cost? I'm now looking at a Mazda 3 or VW Rabbit, both of which start at 15K but now seem to be a bargan after driving a few of Toyotas finest today....read morehide

Pros

great on fuel, standard, cup holders are places perfect!

Cons

have to down shift into 1st to make it up hills when I don't have a head start!

Very happy to purchase this car. I love the way it handles, and it is a smooth ride. I wish I was driving a GT500 shelby but hey what can yah do! some of my friends have drivin the thing and they have stalled it because of the way the clutch catches. I think it's funny they didn't expect it I guess. Overrall a gret car I really am satisfied with toyota....read morehide

Pros

Great gas economy: avg 48mpg/highway & 32mpg/in town; great price

Cons

None so far.

Front and rear seats are very comfortable. Lots of trunk space, especially with the 60/40 fold down seats. Shifts and rides very nicely. The fuel economy has been such a relief with gas prices. We love our Yaris.

Pros

Awesome on gas, fits in any parking spot!

My Yaris is amazing on gas, fits in any parking spot (I get spots in Manhattan that most cars can't fit in to), and my 6'5" brother says he's comfortable in the front or back seats. It's a little weird having the speedometer in the middle, but it's nothing I can't deal with....read morehide

Pros

Avg. 37-39 mph on mixed driving (commute), go-cart feel driving, solid/tight toyota construction

Cons

It ain't happy over rough highway, garage it if winds are 40+ mph, clutch (see below)

I anticipated the gas prices when I bought my 07' in Aug of 06. Many of the attributes of why I purchased it (i.e sporty looks, fun test drive w/go-cart feel) started waning away after a couple of weeks. Stop/ start driving is very frustrating for the traffic behind you when you have 106 h.p. Plus, in over 27 years of driving with NUMEROUS manual shift cars, I am still struggling to master the shifting and clutch release of this car. It is a very long throw clutch+ underpowered acceleration = a tough time finding the "sweet spot". The kicker: I now have 22K and a recent "clicking"in steering wheel on hard turns/ left and right. Toyota found it: a broken intermediate shaft (shaft that connects the steering column to the rack and pinion which turns the wheel). Toyota sez: It hasnothing to do with my driving style and they never had this problem before in a Yaris...but many Priuses are coming in with this issue. (Part= $234 + triple that for labor if it wasn't under warranty). I know Toyota's rep is like #1 in the world, but I can't have mechanical worries like this. So, I'm now willing to accept less mpg for a better car (I'm now comparing Honda and Subaru)....read morehide

Pros

Cheap car, but not the price. More cars in the market that are better & same price!

Cons

Cheap looking car, high for its price, not good MPG as advertised, will not be happy feeling!

Do not spoil your hard earned money for a cheap looking car and not so cheap price! Go with other brands with nice looking, made in Japan, with long warranty. At least with long warranty, your car will always be new longer for 10 years!