Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster

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Tue 14 Jan 2020 20:52
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - JonestHon

My. 1.33 2010 Yaris is doing very well, it never stops and is ultra reliable and cheap to run.

My commute is about to grow from 30 miles a day to around 45 miles so I feel like something a bit bigger and faster maybe on the cards. Looking in the South West mostly.

My budget is up to 7k including around 2k I can get for the Yaris. Looking for something in the C segment. no SUV's and no luxo barges. I have about £1200/year I can set aside for maintenance.

I keep away from European makes as I prefer solidity and running cost above performance etc'.

I narrowed down the choices to these but find it hard to choose.

1. Honda Civic upward of 2013 in 1.8 petrol manual

2. Mazda 3 Skyactive G 2.0 petrol manual from 2013 upward 4 or 5 doors..

3. Toyota Auris 1.6 Petrol vmatic manual from 2011 upward.

4. Lexus IS250 auto upward of 2009

The Yaris can be a bit boomy on the M roads at 3000rpm so wanting something as quiet as our Avensis petrol (but maybe not as big).

I tested a nice 4 doors 2014 Mazda3 and it is a hoot to drive compare with the bouncy Yaris, how dependable is the SkyActive G system?

Edited by JonestHon on 14/01/2020 at 20:53

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Tue 14 Jan 2020 21:08
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - Engineer Andy

The Skyactive-G engines are reliable. Do you need something bigger for your job/home use or is more that you want the comfort of a larger car on longer journeys? The current shape Mazda2 1.5 SA-G 90PS might be up your street then. Either way, avoid the low profile tyred versions as the ride can get firm, and the tyres won't be cheap. The SE-L type models have a decent amount of spec, including climate control.

TBH, the manual SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI (especially the 140 and 150PS versions) would be well worth a look. If I recall from what BackRoomer Skidpan says about his former car, it also had the added benefit over the VW Golf equivalent of being cheaper and having both the option of getting the 140PS unit in the 'sportier looking' FR model shod on 17in rims (late models 150PS and on 18in rims) but also an cheaper SE model shod on decent 16in rims which gives a more comfortable ride with not much detriment to handling.

I prefer the styling of the SC (3dr) model over the 5dr, but it's a bit bigger (I think it has more room in the rear). The best thing with VAG cars is to not overload them with gadgets/high spec, as they tend to be the things that go wrong other than the DSG 'auto' box.

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Tue 14 Jan 2020 21:21
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - badbusdriver

In the road test in this website, the ninth gen Civic (2012-2017) is praised for its comfort and refinement. So along with its well known reliability, you can't really go wrong. Bear in mind that an estate is available should you need more boot space(!), also that you need SE spec or higher for cruise control.

The Mazda looks nice, drives nice and is also very reliable, not sure about refinement though.

The Toyota is worthy, very reliable, but possibly a bit dull?.

The Lexus is nice, very relaible, but going to be a fair bit thirstier than the others.

But i'd agree with Andy to include a Leon with the excellent 1.4TSI. I suspect it would be more efficient than your other choices, and would have more effortless performance (yes, i know the Lexus has 200bhp, but it is pretty lazy unless thrashed)

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Tue 14 Jan 2020 21:39
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - JonestHon

My daily commute takes me over the Severn crossing and the Yaris sometimes get pummeled fair bit with the cross winds and HGV's roaring beside you. So wanting something a bit heavier to deal with stability and more BHP to get away from the HGV's.

Is the Leon 1.4 TSI is reliable as say a an Auris? I usually keep my cars for around a decade before shifting to something younger

Edited by JonestHon on 14/01/2020 at 21:40

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Wed 15 Jan 2020 01:05
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - SLO76
“ I usually keep my cars for around a decade before shifting to something younger”

I’d stick with the Japanese then. The Mazda 3, Honda Civic or Toyota Auris would be a good option with longterm ownership in mind. The Lexus is a nice thing but very thirsty and expensive for parts which is made worse by the lack of aftermarket availability thanks to it only being sold in limited numbers compared to the other three.

I’d buy between the three on condition and history but if all things were equal the Mazda would top my list, it’s just a bit nicer to drive then the Civic followed by the Auris which is a bit dull and dated to drive and sit in by comparison. I’d favour the estate with the Auris as it’s much easier to sell on again and is very practical. The Civic is big enough in the back but the estate is very useful if a bit ugly.
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Wed 15 Jan 2020 12:40
Toyota Yarisl - Something a bit bigger and faster - Engineer Andy

My daily commute takes me over the Severn crossing and the Yaris sometimes get pummeled fair bit with the cross winds and HGV's roaring beside you. So wanting something a bit heavier to deal with stability and more BHP to get away from the HGV's.

Is the Leon 1.4 TSI is reliable as say a an Auris? I usually keep my cars for around a decade before shifting to something younger

As I said, the Leon is fine if you stay away from ones with all the toys, hence the SE 140 suggestion. The petrol versions of the Japanese cars will still be more reliable in the longer term, but with a decent service and MOT history, you probably wouldn't have too much to worry about.

One of the keys to having a stress-free onwership is also to find a high quality mechanic, whether an independent, indie specialist or main dealer. It's far easier to with the likes of Toyota/Lexus and Honda, much less for with Mazda, VAG and Ford, where the main dealers can be highly variable in post-sales quality.

I own a gen-1 Mazda3 1.6 N/A petrol. I've owned it from new for 14 years now and, touch wood, it's had no serious issues, just general wear and tear replacement parts. It still drives very well even if its not considered 'quick'. The gen-3 car is a step up, but not as much as to the VAG 1.4 TSI (not the terrible twincharger 160PS unit) 140/150PS unit (though the 122PS unit is still better to drive than the 120PS Mazda 2.0).

The gen-3 Mazda3 is a good car, and I'd go for the best value one which is the 2.0 petrol SE-L (with or without Nav is up to you - only the run-out ones [above your price range] have Android Auto/Apple Car Play), which has a decent spec but is shod on sensible 16in rims with 60 profile tyres, which means the ride is comfortable and the tyres will last and won't break the bank when it comes to replacing them (unlike the Sport models shod on 18in rims).

Again, as SLO says, the service and MOT history will indicate whether whatever car you look at has been looked after or not. Make sure such cars have the correct level of service throughout their life, including all the correct spec fluids and filter changes at the right time/distance, as skipping them on a regular basis indicates owners who neglect their car.

The same goes for regular MOT fails on items the owner should always be keeping an eye on, such as defective wiper blades, bald or unevenly worn tyres (including use of ditchfinders). The same goes for cars with very 'well used' interiors. Minor items (but not failures) such as small scratches etc (that haven't rusted badly) or a small ding not affecting anything is fine and would be both par for the course for an older car.

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