Toyota Yaris (1999 - to 2006)
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
The Toyota Yaris is arguably the finest car of its generation. Winner of the 2000 European Car of the Year award, it manages to combine frankly amazing packaging with sparkling driveability and pert good looks. Its a car that is genuinely difficult to pick fault with and as a used buy is one of the most bulletproof purchases its possible to make. All models and both engine choices are worthwhile and combine the ease and convenience of a citycar with the more relaxed major road manners of a supermini.
The Yaris key advantage is its clever interior versatility. The short, stubby body is deceptively wide, giving front seat passengers far more room than theyd expect from such a small car. Theres also a lot of useful storage space - more than 15 litres in total. Cubbies for everything from a mobile phone to tape cassettes are hidden around the cabin and theres a good-sized split-level glovebox, even though most models are fitted with a passenger airbag.
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Then youll notice the central binnacle which houses an F1-style digital LED display something thats seldom seen on road cars, and certainly never previously seen on an affordable little hatchback like this. It is angled towards the driver for better visibility and shows speed and revs in numbers. All models have a trip computer that provides information on fuel consumption, average speed and range or external temperature. Equipment levels are high: twin airbags are standard on all but the entry-level S version, while the range-topping five-door-only CDX comes with a CD player and air conditioning. No matter what equipment level chosen, the space available leaves you scratching your head in puzzlement. With a bodyshell 150mm shorter than a typical Fiesta-type Supermini, its hardly any larger than a tiny city runabout. Yet inside, Toyota have created a packaging revelation.
Thanks to a sliding rear bench seat, theres more head and legroom front and rear than in any Supermini rival. Its almost like being in a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra-sized family hatchback.
Expect bids to start at around £2,400 for the 1.0 S, on a T-plate, or £2,700 for a GS three door. The five-door GS will fetch around £2,800, again on the 1999 T plate, whilst a GLS three-door of similar vintage will command £3,000. The plush CDX opens at £3,300.
Insurance for the Yaris 1.0-litre is Group 2, with CDX models just tipping into Group 3. The 1.3-litre models is Group 4, with SR and CDX models being rated as Group 5.
The Yaris is too new for any significant faults to emerge, and being a Toyota, its likely to remain a long time until they do. Insist on a fully stamped up service record.
(approx based on a 1999 Yaris 1.0 S) No hideous shocks in store for the Yaris owner here. Toyotas are so reliable that its hard to see how the dealers make a profit on spares that include a clutch assembly at £150, starter motors from £100, headlamps from £60 and brake pads at £21 a set. A new radiator for the Yaris will be around £200, whilst an exhaust system is in the region of £250.
Its a long time since received wisdom held that Toyota spares were some of the costliest around.
The availability of the larger 1.3-litre engine broadens the appeal of the range considerably, giving the Yaris superior mileage covering abilities. Rest to sixty takes 11.7s (as opposed to 14.
1s for the 1.0-litre) on the way to 109mph (96mph). Yet fuel consumption doesn't suffer too greatly (the combined consumption figure is 47.8mpg). The slick four-speed automatic transmission available on the 1.3-litre model makes nose-to-tail work almost pleasurable.
That said, this is not really a car intended to satisfy the keen driver. While handling is safe and competent, it doesn't really set the world alight. But to be honest, thats not the reason youll be buying the Yaris. Practicality, reliability and value for money are what are important to city dwelling drivers. The pick of the engines is probably the D4D diesel with its superior fuel economy.
If you want the best used supermini around, look no further. Prices are getting reasonable and what you see with a Yaris really is what you get. Every magazine and newspaper review to date has trumpeted the Yaris ability. Believe them.
