2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan

June 11, 2008:
Took the afternoon off from work to pick up my new motor carriage. Photo 1 shows the Yaris sedan with about 200 miles on the clock (LCD readout). It was driven from another dealership elsewhere in the state, which explained the miles.

Photo 1. 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan (200 miles on the LCD odometer) / June 11, 2001

Feature Overview

Color (exterior): "Black Sand Pearl"
Upholstery: fabric, color: "Dark Charcoal"
Engine: gasoline powered, 1.5 liter, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT-i, four-cylinder, fuel injected, 106 hp @ 6000 rpm, 103 lb-ft torque @ 4200 rpm
Fuel economy: 29 mpg (city), 35 mpg (highway)
Fuel tank capacity: 11.1 gallons
Distance per tank = 321.9 miles (city), 388.5 miles (highway)
0-60 mph = 10.5 seconds (per Edmunds)
Weight: 2,293 lbs.
Height: 57.7", width: 66.5", length: 169.3", track (front/rear): 58.3"/57.9", ground clearance: 5.8"
Seating capacity: five
Air conditioning (A/C)
Four-speed HVAC fan (heating / ventilation / air conditioning)
HVAC controls - standard options - located below the radio in center console
Rear window defroster (no relay time-out - fantastic!)
Adjustable front seat belt height (from B-pillar)
Automatic transmission: four-speed with automatic overdrive
AM/FM stereo receiver (excellent sensitivity!)
No external, or telescoping radio aerial (antenna)
Speakers (four - excellent audio!)
CD/mp3 player
Automatic radio/CD volume control (varies with speed of car - a great feature!)
12 volt power output socket (for GPS, etc.)
Cup holders (multiple)
Sun visors (two) with mirrors
15" steel wheel with full wheel cover (six spokes)
Front wheel drive
Rack and pinion steering
Power assisted disk brakes (front), drum brakes (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), torsion beam with stabilizer bar (rear)
Air bags (two)
Headliner grab handles (all four doors)
Manual window regulators (a great feature!)
Manual door locks
Glove compartment door does not have a lock
Numerous nooks and crannies for storage
Map pouches on back of front seats
External mirrors (both sides adjustable from inside cabin)
Fold-down (40% - 60%) rear seats
Adjustable headrests (five total), including three in rear
Luggage capacity (cu. ft): 12.9
Not included on this car: Optional "power package" equipment — ABS, electric windows, electric mirror controls, keyless entry, cruise control, aluminum alloy wheels

Photo 2. Left Side View

Driving Impressions

With 106 horsepower, acceleration is adequate. A comfortable, roomy interior with simple, uncomplicated controls. Good fit and finish throughout the cabin. The instrument cluster is located in the center of the dashboard. Toyota quality and reliability are legendary, and it gives me a secure feeling to know that I am driving such a fine vehicle. I also compared and drove the 2008 Volkswagen Beetle, and the 2008 Nissan Sentra. Both cars had center consoles that restricted movement of my right knee. The Yaris sedan was designed differently, because it allowed my right knee to move without bumping into the console. Braking is smooth. It has disks up front and drums in the rear. No ABS on this particular car, although ABS was optional with the "Power Package." As a ham radio operator, I discovered the cup holder to the left of the steering wheel is a perfect spot to place my portable "HT" radio (Handie Talkie). It sits up next to the windshield and gets good reception.

Photo Essay

Photo 3. The Nose, and Right Side View

Photo 4. Nice Design from Any Angle!

Photo 5.

The current trend is for car manufacturers to include minimal chrome accents. For a long period starting in the mid-1980s through the early 2000s, cars were completely devoid of chrome brightwork.

Photo 6.

Photo 7.

Engine: Gasoline powered, in-line, four-cylinder, fuel-injected, 1.6 liter, with 106 hp. The "VVT-i" means, "Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence."

Photo 8. The Mighty Powerplant

Photo 9. Pop the Hood and Trunk (a.k.a. "Bonnet" and "Boot" in the U.K.)

Photo 10. Included: Three Year Factory Warranty

History / Maintenance

June 19, 2008:
Noticed the rubber strip at the edge of the hood is shorter on the left (driver's side) than on the right (Photo 11). Notice how the rubber strip is not long enough to snap into the last rivet hole.

Photo 11.

Later that day, when I told the dealer about it, the service manager snapped Photo 12 with his cell phone and said he checked all the new Yaris sedans, and they were all the same. I contacted Toyota customer service and let them know about it. Toyota sent an e-mail stating a representative from the dealership would contact me on July 1. The dealer did contact me on July 1, and said there was nothing he could order to fix the problem. He was not sure if the rubber strip on the right (passenger) side would fit on the left (driver) side, but he was willing to order a right side piece and try it if desired. He said the new Yaris cars that were still coming in were all the same. Overall, the customer contact and resolution was fair and responsive, although I think they should have just ordered the longer rubber strip and tried it.

Photo 12.

History / Maintenance (continued)

The Yaris had a minor, yet deep (penetrating the clear coat) scratch on the driver's door less than one week after bringing it home. I considered getting it repaired, but the estimate was around $350. I figured there would be more scratches and dings in the future, so I decided against the repair.

On the morning of October 17, 2008, at 0705 (still dark outside) I hit a deer on Phillips Road, less than two miles from home. It came from the left - "out of nowhere" and ran into the front of the car. Having just made the turn onto Phillips Road, I was only going about 35 mph at the time of the impact. The deer survived, and finally ran off back into the woods. The hood and bumper were damaged and the radiator hoses had come off so coolant was lost on the street. I managed to make it into a driveway and call 911. Total damage came out to be about $5,700. AAA covered the towing to the collision shop, and insurance covered the rest. Picked the car up on Monday October 27 and it seemed to be as good as new again.

Collision Shop
Al Raymond Collision Center
2337 State Route 332
Canandaigua, NY 14425
585-396-7731

First oil change:
Scheduled the first oil change for Thursday November 6, 2008. Mileage was about 4,700 miles. The dashboard reminder light started coming on (for oil change) around 4,600 miles. Scheduled a service at Le Brun Toyota. This included a tire rotation.

Second oil change:
March 7, 2009 (Saturday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. About 8,400 miles.

Third oil change and service:
August 8, 2009 (Saturday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. Mileage: 13,266. Rotated tires too.

Fourth oil change and service:
January 2, 1010 (Saturday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. Mileage: ~18,000. Rotated tires, and replaced automatic transmission hose. Was chewed on my rodent of some type. Transmission fluid was low. Shifting was harsh. Glad I asked them to check it.

22-feb-2010:
Took car to Hoselton Toyota to check a possible transmission fluid leak. There was yellow-green color in the snow under the car. They were not able to find any leaks and they did not charge me for checking it. I had to pay $30 for a rental car though.

Fifth oil change and service:
May 24, 1010 (Monday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. Mileage: 24,343. Rotated tires. $62.25

Sixth oil change and service:
November 13, 2010 (Saturday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. Mileage: 29,867. Rotated tires. $62.25

17-nov-2010 (Wednesday):
The story goes like this: It was a windy day, and the car was parked across from 231 Parcells Avenue (the Swan Market and Deli - great German food!) when a heavy, plastic garbage can blew into the right front fender, and dented it. My wife first noticed the dent on Saturday 20-nov-2010.

22-nov-2010:
Contacted the body shop where the deer damage was repaired in 2008.

Al Raymond Collision Center
2337 State Route 332
Canandaigua, NY 14425
585-396-7731

13-dec-2010 through 14-dec-2010 (Monday and Tuesday):
Car was in the shop to repair the dents (plural). A small dent was also found (again, by my wife) on the front right door just below the key hole. That was repaired by a separate business while it was at Al Raymond's collision shop. Rented a car for the two days (Chevrolet Aveo sedan w/ 16,000 miles). Used Enterprise rental across the street from the repair shop.

Prices
Fender repair: $328
Door ding repair: $100
Taxes brought the total to $460.21

Car rental: $31.99 per day (two days) plus insurance for two days = $95.60

Grand total for this unfortunate saga: $555.81

Seventh oil change and service:
April 9, 2011 (Saturday). Scheduled oil and filter change, and general service at Le Brun Toyota. Miles: 35,253. Replaced windshield wipers. $59.22

13-jun-2011:
Dealer (Le Brun) replaced air conditioner compressor under warranty. Had to pay for the troubleshooting ($290.25).

15-aug-2011:
Dealer (Le Brun) did a NYS inspection ($21.00) and replaced all four tires (original) with 185/6015 Dunlap tires ($111.50 each). Miles: 38,960. Total damage: $447.68

Eighth oil change and service:
October 17, 2011 (Monday). Regular service (oil change). Miles: 40,420. Total: $37.57

30-oct-2011:
Right side windshield wiper got stuck under some frost and minimal ice, and ceased to work. Left side wiper still worked. Called LeBrun Toyota Monday October 31, 2011 to schedule appointment. They tightened a bolt on the wiper and replaced both windshield wipers. Miles: 40,750. Total: $20.51

c o n t a c t / h o m e

2008 Toyota Yaris Sedan
Established: June 19, 2008
© Black Sparrow Photography / Jeffrey P. Miller (N2AWA)