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2007 Toyota Yaris Liftback Long Term Update No.1

Getting Back To Basis

Christmas is here! Yes, we know that all the snows long melted, and were slowly creeping towards flip-flops and Bermuda shorts season, but Santa made a late delivery to our office last week, and like any package, the moment of arrival was well worth the wait. OK, we should probably be a little bit more accurate - Santa didnt send our new long-term car, leaving it on the front doorstep, rather, he sent it through Toyotas head office for Managing Editor Justin Couture to pick up. And that was just fine by him, even if they didnt gift-wrap it with a big bow, because he was still giddy like a six year old child on Christmas morning.

The latest addition to our long-term fleet, and the gift item in question is a brand new 2007 Toyota Yaris three-door hatchback, painted

It was a bit too big to fit into Santas sleigh, so he sent it by courier. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

in a very vibrant red. Like all other Yarii (or is that Yarises?), our car is powered by a 1.5-liter 106 horsepower four-cylinder engine, which is mated to the optional four-speed automatic gearbox. Our previous Yaris liftback came with a five-speed manual, so, to switch things up, our long-term car came with the auto. Besides, its always nice, once in a while, to let the car take care of shifting its own gears, especially when it comes to rush hour traffic. With just 597 miles on the clock at the point

Small car, so its got small wheels: 14-inchers, to be exact. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

of pick-up, the Yaris was just barely run in. Now, keys in hand, it should be a fun yet faithful accomplice for our incredibly busy urbanite staff.

A little bit more about our long-termer: as its the entry-level Liftback model without any special option packages, its about as base as cars come these days. Nevertheless, while it does without amenities such as power mirrors, windows, locks or keyless entry, it still has an AM/FM CD stereo, albeit powering only two speakers, plus air conditioning, dual front airbags, a three-point seatbelt for each of the five passengers, and a folding rear bench seat (not

There was a time when even basic cars didnt have color-keyed bumpers... (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

60/40 split). The only options on our test vehicle is the four-speed automatic gearbox, which lists for an extra $900, and the Cold Weather Package (Mfr Code CK), which includes a heavy duty rear defroster, rear wiper, warning lights (includes one for low washer fluid, and rear heating ducts, adding an additional $305 to the sticker. All in all, before any taxes, destination charges of $580, it rings up at a very affordable $12,155.

Over the past couple of months, we staffers have been weaned on some high-end luxury and performance vehicles, ranging from Audis to Lexuses and a high-five-figure luxury Volkswagen sedan. Going from these premium brands

Are small cars inherently adorable, or is it just this one? (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

to the bottom of the automotive food chain sounds a bit like being dunked in an ice-bath, but the responses that our new car has elicited have been rather pleasant. During the past couple of days, everyones taken to it rather well, though its difficult to see how they would feel otherwise. A vehicle stripped of its luxuries and amenities, at the end of the day, is still a vehicle, and in the case of the Yaris, it deliberately focuses on the form, function and quality of Toyotas smallest machine. One of its key attributes is critical to everyone who will be driving it; its cheap on gas, and after all the aforementioned V8-powered luxury machines, this will be a very welcome change.

The new Yaris will be a three-month-long reminder of what back-to-basics motoring is all about. Its not about

Look carefully and you can spot the first of those mood-dampening rain drops on the Yaris. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

the cubic inches or fancy gadgets; its about maximizing space and working with what basics weve got to relate our experience with the car to you. With that in mind, lets turn to the logbook to see what our staff has to say about it:
Odometer: 596 miles

Justin: After a short meet and greet with the Toyota reps, the papers were signed and the key handed over. Time to hit the streets! On first appearances, theres a very clear simplicity about the Yaris that Ive yet to come to terms with. Call me spoiled, but the only other vehicle that Ive ever road-tested with manual locks was a PT Cruiser "base" about a year ago, but even that car

Gorillas Calibers in the Mist: it may be Dodges smallest car, but its HUGE in comparison to the Yaris. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

featured power windows. Yet, the fact that most of its functioning features are manual means that theres less to go wrong down the road. Gotta look on the bright side of things, no? Nevertheless, the time it took for me to settle in lasted all of seconds. After living with one for three weeks, the Yaris feels like home to me.

Odometer: 615 miles

Justin: Okay, this weather has been getting me down. In the days prior to the pick-up, it was nice and sunny, with the mercury finally emerging from the chilly depths of winter. But I suppose, like all good things, theres a price to be paid; this one comes in the form of big, fat, wet raindrops, which are currently pounding down on

Yaris isnt thirsty for fuel. Im enjoying that, deeply. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

the Yaris ever so clean paint. While a little rain doesnt hurt, particularly with regards to sprouting flowers and grass, I tell you, after what seems like an eternity of caked on salt and semi-solid slush, I was looking forward to having a clean car, but I guess it was only wishful thinking. Just two hours with our new pal, and its covered in a slick coat of road grime.

Odometer: 862 miles

Justin: In the back of my mind, aside from the subcompact section, I had really forgotten about how basic cars still are these days. This is, with no offense directed towards Toyota or any other automaker, mind you, as simple as it gets; but simple is sometimes best. For the past day, Ive been in and out of a new 2007 Dodge Caliber in poverty-spec SE trim; aside from the CVT gearbox, which also included a larger engine and front-wheel ABS brakes, it didnt have any options. Apparently, if

Clever details like these tail lights are simple ways of adding glitz and glamor to the exterior. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

you want a Caliber SE at this particular time, youll have to get it in this spec, so I am told. Anyhow, the days with the Yaris leading up to the Caliber have helped me get accustomed to manual locks, manual windows, and pretty much manual everything else.

Even though its Chrysler Groups smallest production car, the Caliber simply dwarfs the Yaris in every dimension, including height. To go with its size, it has an engine thats bigger by a half-liter, and is more powerful by 56 horsepower, although the CVT really saps performance. I have a hankering, with the manual, the Yaris would be quicker than the Caliber, and would tie it in terms of top speed. While the Dodge is an astonishingly good deal with plenty of clever features, even the value-leader cant match the Yaris for pricing; mind you, its more of a competitor to the Matrix than the Yaris. When it comes down to the line, its a bit difficult to compare one to the other; ones a compact while the others a subcompact, a rung downward on the ladder. When it comes to counting pennies, nickels and dimes, as any entry-level new car buyer will inevitably do, the base Yaris is definitely hard to beat.

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