Scion xA or Toyota Yaris - do you have one?

donsgal · #1 09/05/07, 01:00 PM

Since our Ford Explorer is on it's last legs we are pondering getting a new vehicle. I would like to get a pickup, with a camper shell but it is not as secure as a vehicle and we have to leave stuff in the back for extended periods of time unattended. We are also thinking gas mileage because we are putting on about 20,000 miles a year due to our job. Our Explorer gets about 20 miles to the gallon and we are sinking around $30 every two or three days into our gas tank, and it stinks.

Anyway. I love the Toyota Yaris, mainly because it is two-door. But the 2007 model year is the first year that it has been out, so I am leary. I also like the Scion xA, which is the "sister company" to Toyota and the cars are pretty similar except Scion does give you a lot of stuff as standard equipment that you have to pay extra for in the Yaris.

If any of you folks have either one, please let me know. I would really, really really, like more cargo space, but I think I can get buy on the 37 or 38 cubic feet (with the back seats down), that these two little guys offer.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom

donsgal

CGUARDSMAN · #2 09/05/07, 01:05 PM

I Drive a Scion XB (box) for a company car and really like it! It gets 31-38 mpg and is comfortable for 4 adults. Sure it has the aerodynamics of a brick but it is just quirky enough to be pretty cool

Wisconsin Ann · #3 09/05/07, 01:17 PM

If you're buying a vehicle to replace an explorer....I'd say you need to list the reasons you want this particular vehicle....let me explain.

If you're looking for transport that has a lot of room for "stuff", but doesn't need to go on anything but paved roads (or good gravel roads) then a Scion would be good. Gas mileage good. lots of room. nice to drive. and it's funky looking

I've not driven a Yaris, so can't give input on that...

However....if you're thinking about using this new vehicle off road at all, or even over rough roads....think twice or even thrice about Scion.(don't know about Yaris). the scion has a VERY VERY low ground clearance.

Jolly · #4 09/05/07, 03:46 PM

The Yaris is not exactly new technology...a lot of the drivetrain is the same as the Echo, which it replaced.

Ramblin Wreck · #5 09/05/07, 04:36 PM

Several friends have the XB, and like CGUARDSMAN, they speak very highly of it. It has a lot of room for the MPG.

mzzlisa · #6 09/05/07, 05:21 PM

If you are looking along those lines, have you looked at a Toyota Matrix? I just bought one, and I love it! I'm getting close to 30 mpg, and it has a lot of cargo room.
I test drove a Yaris, but I just wasn't impressed with it. Not sure why.

**clovis** · #7 09/05/07, 06:47 PM

The Yaris scares me to death because of its size. I saw a picture a while back of a wrecked Yaris, and sadly the woman was killed on impact.

Consider looking at a Chevy HHR. We own one, and it is getting OUTSTANDING mileage.
We often get 38-39 on the interstate at 65 MPH, without the air. No joke. It has saved us a fortune in gas.

The HHR also has a 5 star crash rating, which makes me feel a whole lot better when my wife and DD are in the car.

Clove

AngieM2 · #8 09/05/07, 06:59 PM

Well, if you mention the Toyota Matrix, the Pontiac Vibe is the same car, made in the same plant - just the and the mileage around town 30, on the road not too loaded 34, loaded 30 with air going.

Angie

donsgal · #9 09/05/07, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clovis

The Yaris scares me to death because of its size. I saw a picture a while back of a wrecked Yaris, and sadly the woman was killed on impact.

Consider looking at a Chevy HHR. We own one, and it is getting OUTSTANDING mileage.
We often get 38-39 on the interstate at 65 MPH, without the air. No joke. It has saved us a fortune in gas.

The HHR also has a 5 star crash rating, which makes me feel a whole lot better when my wife and DD are in the car.

Clove

I drove a 3-cylinder, 1.0 litre Geo Metro for about 150,000 miles and it was just as small or smaller than the Yaris. I am not that concerned with the wreck issue. I have spent many an hour perusing the Missouri Highway Patrol Crash Reports website and I would say that you are just as likely to be killed in a big car as a small car. I will study the safety stats before making a decision obviously, but I have no fear of small cars.

The HHR (or the HRT, as I affectionately call it), is not a bad looking car, I will check it out. Thanks for the information.

donsgal

SunsetSonata · #10 09/05/07, 08:32 PM

Oooh, I'll be following this thread. I just test-drove the Yaris and the Scion XD a couple weeks ago. I am in LOVE with the Scion XD, which is the new replacement fo the XA. I guess the XA had a sluggish engine, well the XD fixes that problem while still getting good gas mileage. The XD was a lot zippier than I was expecting. And turns on a dime. And yes comes with just about everything for both comfort and safety, great 160 watt stereo/cd player with 6 speakers comes standard too.

Wasn't as impressed with the Yaris, but it IS a good buy, and supposedly it will last forever. They're not brand new, they've been around in Europe for years. Two faults, tends to be a loud ride, and the fuel gauge isn't obvious. I found it pretty zippy and turns on a dime like the XD, but supposedly once you reach expressway speeds it takes some time to accelerate. I love the nooks and crannies in the Yaris, but I personally hate the look of the inside. I love the look of the outside though.

If you're looking for something with a TON of cargo space that's not a SUV - you gotta check out the Honda Fit. Some people think it looks sporty, personally I think it's quite ugly, but it does offer a LOT of value. There's a base model and sport and both have 5 star safety and great gas mileage - 31/38 mpg (which I think is now 27/33 mpg 2008 EPA standards, 1 mpg more than the XD). Offers something like 41 ft of cargo space and you have got to see the seats. You can take the back seats and fold them up if you need something tall to fit in there, or fold them flush. You can even fold the front seats back, push the headrests down, and recline in the BACK seat like you're in a lawn chair. I think a 160 watt stereo comes standard in this car too. This car does not look that big from the outside but there is so much room in there, and a lot of headroom to boot.

I'm still partial to the XD though. I'm coming from Geo territory too, I have a 95 Geo Prism I've had for at least 10 years that's still running like new, though I've had the starter, brakes and struts replaced. It is 12 years old though and it's time to figure out what I want before it finally gets too expensive to repair.

scorpian5 · #11 09/05/07, 08:35 PM

I am looking for a new car also. With Toyota you get quality but also a higher price. I am liking the Suzuki sx4 its small but comes standard with awd and alot more than most toyotas. I know(because my brother has a honda) that the H and the T have better resale value and are higher quality but they cost more.

SunsetSonata · #12 09/05/07, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpian5

I am looking for a new car also. With Toyota you get quality but also a higher price.

If I had more money I'd be at least looking at the Toyota Matrix. The Toyota Yaris though is very cheap, at least if you get the base model. Also, Edmunds rates the Yaris as the cheapest car in its class to maintain over the years, what they call its True Cost to Own which includes the price, gas budget, depreciation, repair costs over the years and all that.

deb · #13 09/05/07, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieM2

Well, if you mention the Toyota Matrix, the Pontiac Vibe is the same car, made in the same plant - just the and the mileage around town 30, on the road not too loaded 34, loaded 30 with air going.

Angie

The resale value of the Toyota Matrix is higher and the Matrix fit & finish is better.

Looked at both, but we bought the Toyota Matrix. A great car.

deb
in wi

Belly Acre · #14 09/05/07, 08:45 PM

We have had 2 Matrix's, had the first one 9 months & it was in a crash "test" head on with a Bravada.....faired well enough to get another Matrix! Absolutely LOVE it! Ours has a standard transmission and gets 36+MPG with a full 800# + load! We are all very full grown people and max it out everywhere we go, still get that gas milage.

Go to the local dealership and chack one out. I think we gave $14K for ours, 3 years ago.

fellini123 · #15 09/05/07, 10:59 PM

We have the Scion xA and just LOVE it. We get about 34 to 37 MPG and we are always heavily loaded. I often carry 4 to 5 50 pound bags of horse/goat/dog food. And Hubby and I are not small people!! LOL
It has much more room than you think and is comfortable.
Yes it has a low center of gravity, but it turns tighly and you can park anywhere!!! LOL
Alice in Virginia

fellini123 · #16 09/05/07, 11:03 PM

Oh and P.S. daughter has a Vibe

Overpriced, gas milage is terrible for the car.
About 24 to 28 with nothing in it. And there is not much room. The back seat of the Scion is much more confortable.

Alice in virginia

titansrunfarm · #17 09/05/07, 11:44 PM

My parents have two Toyota Yaris,the four door version, one blue one green. They do get about 40 MPG and they aren't bad to drive for four people about town but aren't real comfortable for long rips. Has a pretty decent amount of truck space. They paid about 13K each for them. No frills on these, except A/C and automatic transmission. What I personally don't like is that the spedometer, etc. is centered and so when driving it's distracting. Both my parents, however say they are used to it and it doesn't bother them.

painterswife · #18 09/06/07, 10:11 AM

Consider the Nissan Versa.

I had a Ford Windstar Van and went with the Versa. It has good seating for long trips, great space ( my husband is 6'5"" and is comfortable) and I can fit an amazing amount of stuff in it.

The mileage is a little less than those other cars 30-34 but the extra weight in the car is better for snow. I live @ 6500 feet with hills and lots of snow.
I had no problems last winter and all my neighbors need 4 wheel drive.

Great standard safety features as well. The price was great as well.

Jill

AngieM2 · #19 09/06/07, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fellini123

Oh and P.S. daughter has a Vibe

Overpriced, gas milage is terrible for the car.
About 24 to 28 with nothing in it. And there is not much room. The back seat of the Scion is much more confortable.

Alice in virginia

Alice - sorry her Vibe doesn't work well for her. Guess I just got a better one, cause what I quoted in mpg and such is what I'm getting on my 2005 Vibe.

And donsgal - sorry I didn't answer your criteria well. I think I'd go with the boxed Scion (yellow please), cause they are different, look roomy, and the one person that had one that I know loved her "milk wagon" (it was white).

Angie

MaryNY · #20 09/06/07, 11:56 AM

I love the Scion XB (box) and will probably look into getting one when I get around to trading in the Hyundai I have (which isn't a bad buy either -- what with 10 year 100,000 mile warranty, and yes they do live up to it!). BUT I just figured out the other day why I (and I think others) like the look of the XB so much . . . the silly things look like Amish buggies with an engine!! LOL

MaryNY