Anyone Compare Fit vs. Yaris...

jmsc · 06-26-06, 03:04

My winter car expired in April and I am looking for a brand new 2nd car to replace it. An econobox would serve me best. Small, economical, auto or 5-speed, 15K or less, does not need to be AWD.

Has anyone test driven and compared a Fit or Yaris? Is one way better than the other or they about the same?

tabinha · 06-26-06, 03:09

Look at a Hundi Accent. Gets better all the time and has a great warrenty. You may well get a lot more for your money. It will likely not have a great trade in value but if you keep it till it dies no matter.

jmsc · 06-26-06, 04:08

will look at and price out an Accent.

DSG04 · 06-26-06, 04:12

I would second the Hyundai Accent recommendation. I was recently in the market for a compact car and drove most of the choices out there (including the Fit, Yaris, Accent, Scion Xa, Rio, ...). I didn't like the Yaris much even though I thought I would before driving it. It seemed cheap and ther was a fair amount of road/pavement noise. It also drove like a economy car--slow to accelerate and had very little power. The Fit was O.K. but I didn't like the open boxiness inside and also the lack of power. Around town driving would probably "fit" it fine though (sorry, couldn't resist).

I ended up buying a Mazda3, which is 2-3 thousand more than your price point. For me, I felt the car drove so much better that to me it was worth the price difference.

I would suggest test driving each car and see which meets your expectations. Each one has its own unique selling points. If you are at all interested in a hatchback, your choices are limited. The 2007 Accent may be a good choice if you can live w/ 2 doors instead of 4.

jmsc · 06-26-06, 04:17

Thanks for the writeup.

The reason for my post is that no local dealers have a Yaris nor a Fit in stock to even look at let alone drive. ALL are sold even before they hit the dealerships.

Were these cars auto or 5-sp manuals?

Jimmy Buffit · 06-26-06, 04:18

I've detailed alot of cars.

I can't imagine buying a new car, ever.

Hundai (I can't spell it, either) has such a phenomenonal warranty, what's wrong with a 2 year old (pick your low mileage model)?

Depreciation, please consider that aspect.

Jim

Amused · 06-26-06, 04:24

I don't think you could go wrong with either. They both have great lineages in Japan and are very comparable in EPA mileage. They share a similar suspension setup, mac strut front/torsion beam rear and have nearly the same wheelbase(Yaris hatch...sedan is noticeably longer so the ride should be slightly better than Fit). I think it will boil down to your taste in design. I prefer the Fit, it's a tad bigger when comparing the Yaris hatch and I've owned 3 Hondas in the past, so I'm very comfortable with their products. I also have friends that swear by Toyota, so like I said before, either would be a good choice. I've only been in the Fit, and it's a decent ride.
I wish I had the funds to but a new econobox for a DD

jmsc · 06-26-06, 04:59

to buy a NEW car.

1. 15K for a new car is not much (for me)

2. most local dealers are adding 1-yr onto the 3-yr factory warantee (4 years w/o repairs and in some cases free oil changes)

3. my last car had front body damage that was fixed and re-painted. The repair was not perfect but pretty good. I meticulously prepped the whole car with Menzerna polishes but left off a glaze and lsp prior to trade-in. The paint was immaculate. I ended up getting above book on a trade (02 Civic LX). The appraiser told me that my trade-in was the best used Honda that he had seen. He did not see the body repair. Basically, I do not want any used car that had prior body/paint repairs.

4. Depreciation. To minimize depreciation on a new car nowadays is to buy a high mpg car, keep the miles a little below average and detail by autopian standards prior to trade or sale.

Appreciate all the comments.

Bermi23 · 06-26-06, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabinha

Look at a Hundi Accent. Gets better all the time and has a great warrenty. You may well get a lot more for your money. It will likely not have a great trade in value but if you keep it till it dies no matter.

You are right about value. I had a 2001 accent I went to trade it in when I got my Tundra , and trade value was only 3000.00 It was in excellent condition. Maintain from the day i got it. I owe 7500.00. Only get it if you plan to keep it till it dies.

BoxsterCharlie · 06-26-06, 05:21

I'm surprised no one has promoted the Fit yet on this thread. That is a very cool car. I haven't driven one yet but I love the form factor and it easily has won all the magazine comparos.

Kanchou · 06-26-06, 05:41

i wouldn't consider the Yaris on principal. I hate that global uni-dash thing..

jmsc · 06-26-06, 05:52

My new 2002 LX cost me ~ 15.5 out the door in 2001. I got 11.0 on a trade in 2005 because it was a Honda, lower mileage, very good mpg and the paint/interior was immaculate (again Autopian standards). About 4.5K deprc over 4 years. Wow, the Accent really gets cloberred in value over the years.

Most mags have the Fit rated #1 due to, I think, quality and the image.