Photo 1. 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan (200 miles on the LCD odometer) / June 11, 2008
Purchased New: June 11, 2008 (200 miles) / Sold (traded): October 14, 2016 (63,700 miles)
Quick References
Yaris World (discussion forum, etc.)
Thread / Rear license plate bulb replacement / License plate bulb: Osram/Sylvania # 2825
Thread / WTB: Driver's carpet mat (black, 2008 Yaris sedan)Insurance: $275.50/6 mo.
Garage Dimensions L W H South Bay
Height / measured to overhead door in raised position
Width / measured door opening - more width once inside (to exit car)222" 94" 76" North Bays TBD TBD TBD Toyota Yaris sedan (2008) 169" 67" 58" Toyota Corolla sedan (2016) (comparison) 183" 70" 57" Toyota Camry sedan (2016) (comparison) 191" 72" 58" Mercedes-Benz GLK ( - 2015) (comparison) 178" 74" 67" Subaru Forester (2016) (comparison) 182" 71" 68" Nissan Sentra (2016) (comparison) 182" 69" 59"
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 (hopefully) explained the miles.
Photo 1. 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan (200 miles on the LCD odometer) / June 11, 2008
Photo 2. Left side view / June 11, 2008
With 106 horsepower, the 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 in summer and winter to own and operate the Yaris sedan. 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 3. Front, and right side view / June 11, 2008
Photo 4. Nice design from any angle / June 11, 2008
Photo 5. / June 11, 2008
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. Chrome is coming back into style!
Photo 6.
/ June 11, 2008
Photo 7. / June 11, 2008
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. Another view of the engine room
/ June 11, 2008
Photo 9. Pop open the hood and trunk for a closer look / June 11, 2008
Photo 10. Toyota included a three year factory warranty / June 11, 2008
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. June 19, 2008 / Engine hood rubber sealing strip appears truncated.
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.
June 19, 2008 / Comparison photo sent by the LeBrun Toyota dealership.
Another
new Yaris sedan with a truncated hood seal rubber strip.
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
585-396-7731First 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. $62.25Sixth oil change and service:
November 13, 2010 (Saturday). Scheduled oil change & general service at Le Brun Toyota. Mileage: 29,867. Rotated tires. $62.25
Expensive Lunch
Photo 13. Swan's Deli and Meat Market / April 2012 |
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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. $59.2213-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 185/60R15 Dunlap tires ($111.50 each). Miles: 38,960. Total damage: $447.68Eighth oil change and service:
October 17, 2011 (Monday). Regular service (oil change). Miles: 40,420. Total: $37.5730-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
April 2012: Got a company car (2012 Ford Fusion), so the Yaris was only driven weekly to the recycling center (nine mile round trip), hence the low miles from April 2012 through November 17, 2014.
09-jul-2013:
Maintenance performed at Le Brun Toyota (dealer). Miles: 45,311. Total charge: $956.77
- Oil change
- Tire rotation
- A/C knob repair (recycle/flow-through)
- Front springs replaced (both were broken)
- Both front brake rotors and pads replaced (were noisy and pulsing)
- Front end alignment
- Rear brake (drum) service
- NYS inspection
08-nov-2013:
Check Engine light came on.
14-nov-2013:
Le Brun Toyota replaced oxygen
sensor. One hour diagnosis ($96.00), one hour replacement time ($96.00), and
$171.82 for the part. Miles: 45,550. Total charge: $391.11
06-jul-2014:
NYS inspection due ($21 at Bowen's).
The A/C knob (recycle/flow-through) broke again - was fixed 52 weeks ago at
45,311 miles. Current mileage: 45,896. i.e. this problem was fixed 585 miles
ago. I think this was the first time I tried to use it since it was
repaired. It is only used in hot weather.
09-jul-2014:
9:00 a.m. Appointment w/ dealer
(LeBrun) to have the
A/C knob repair (recycle/flow-through) looked at again. The car was in the
shop exactly one year ago (to the day) for the same problem. They said it
was a poor design, and the tech. used tie wraps to secure the cable, which
had indeed come lose again. No charge. Mileage: 46,012.
24-jul-2014:
10:00 a.m. SAFETY RECALL: Appointment
at
dealer (LeBrun) to have the seat spring replaced. 46,052 miles.
06-nov-2014:
8:00 a.m. SAFETY RECALL: Appointment
at
dealer (LeBrun) to have the spiral cable (inside steering column) replaced.
46,219 miles.
17-nov-2014: Relinquished the company car (2012 Ford Fusion), so once again, the Yaris was pressed into service as primary transportation. Put 25,545 miles on the Ford Fusion since April 2012. Only put 908 miles on the Yaris since April 2012.
Photo 14. Rear license plate lamps (Osram/Sylvania # 2825) / December 15, 2014
14-dec-2014: Replaced the left rear license plate bulb (Osram/Sylvania # 2825). Price: $4.99 (two-pack) plus tax = $5.39. Mileage: 47,470.
29-mar-2015: The "Maintenance Required" light came on for the first time since 2013 - about 5,000 miles after the last time. The car was not used much while I had a company car, so it was nice to get an oil change.
31-mar-2015: Serviced at LeBrun Toyota / 585-394-5280 / Changed oil, rotated tires. Mileage: 50,348. Total: $59.02
26-apr-2015: Right rear blinker light stopped working. Got a two-pack of bulbs, and the clerk (Sandy at Advance Auto in Macedon) noticed the filament was OK, and checked continuity with a meter, and the bulb appeared to be fine. Bought the two-pack anyway. Got back home and inserted the original bulb again, and it worked. Strange. Two-pack of bulbs with tax: $8.63)
26-apr-2015: Sunday night - Drop the Yaris at Al Raymond Collision (Canandaigua) to repair rust on front left fender where two body panels come together. Their shop did the repair work in 2008 for the deer hit, so he said they guarantee the work for life, so no charge. Al Raymond is a good honest guy to work with.
Photo 15. "Trim Clip" / Toyota part number 90467-07201 / $1.55 each
11-may-2015: Monday (returning from Ithaca) - Purchased three fasteners from Le Brun (dealership). The fasteners hold the trunk carpet in place. The carpet needed to be pulled back to gain access to the right side blinker bulb (26-apr-2015), but a fastener broke when removed. Price: $1.55 each. Total with tax: $5.00
22-may-2015: Friday - Brakes started making noises again recently. Scheduled appointment to investigate. Brakes were worked on 09-jul-2015 - 6,400 miles ago. Both front brake rotors and pads replaced (were noisy and pulsing), Rear brake (drum) service. Why do the brakes need to be looked at again after 6,400 miles?
28-may-2015: Thursday - Service at Le Brun Toyota (dealer) for brakes. See above. New rotors on front (again) and rear brake service (no charge). Since the front rotors were replaced 6,400 miles ago, they split the difference on the cost. Total: $135.15. Mileage: 51,869.
15-oct-2015: Thursday - Serviced at LeBrun Toyota / 585-394-5280 / Changed oil, oil filter, rotated tires, changed engine air filter. Mileage: 55,110. Total: $87.95. Car pulled to right after leaving shop. Went back and they said a belt may be going bad. they pumped the right front tire with "a few more pounds" of air. Asked them to check for a squeaky belt or loose exhaust shield. the didn't find anything, but the noise persisted in the following days. It's pretty minor, so wait until it gets a little louder.
23-oct-2015: Friday - Replaced rear muffler and pipe assembly at LeBrun. $313.41. Mileage: 55,475
03-nov-2015: Tuesday - Appointment at Monro Muffler (Rte. 96 / Victor / 585-924-4590) for the car pulling to the right. They rotated the front tires from side to side and also found 45 lbs. of pressure in one (done by LeBrun on 15-oct-2015). They took it for a total of three test drives - the last one with me, and said it tracked straight, but that it exhibited "memory steer", which is a problem associated with the wheel caster. The steering wheel should auto-correct and straighten the car out when accelerating, but is seemed like it would just go in the direction it was pointed (slightly left or right). Bill DeSimone (manager at Monro) said it could be that the "bearing plates" (a.k.a. strut mounts) could be damaged or worn. They are visible from the engine compartment. They are at the top of the struts. They looked fine from the engine compartment, but he said they sometimes have bearings that wear and prevent the suspension from moving as freely as it should. I checked the Yarisworld forum and there were absolutely no posts referring to "memory steer." After Bill took me on a test drive, I noticed that it was actually pulling or heading to the left more now. This was after they swapped the right and left front tires and corrected the pressure. Give it another week and see how it feels. Bill said he would be able to replace the bearing plates but needed more time than he had during this appointment.
12-nov-2015: Thursday - Took the car back to Monro Muffler and have them rotate the front tires to the rear. This eliminated the pulling because they were back where they were before LeBrun rotated them on 15-oct-2015. Problem solved! Monro did not charge for their time working on this issue. They rotated the front tires from side to side on 03-nov-2015 and rotated the tires from front to back today.
04-jan-2016: Monday - Calculated total fuel costs for 2015: $686.61 / year = $13.20 / week.
11-apr-2016: Monday - Looking for a set of floor mats.
Photo 16. "Maintenance Required" dashboard light
14-apr-2016: Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Mileage: 60,200. Scheduled maintenance at dealership (LeBrun Toyota) because the 5,000 mile "MAINT REQD" dashboard light came on. Changed oil and oil filter, checked tires. Did not rotate the tires (per my request). Tires had 21,040 miles since new (August 15, 2011). There was a known bad belt on one of the rear tires, and did not want it rotated back to the front because of the pulling problem (see 15-oct-2015). Also changed the serpentine belt due to slipping and squealing in cold weather (happening since 55k miles last October). Total: $128.32
They discovered the rear shocks were starting to leak, so scheduled an appointment for Wednesday April 20, 2016 to replace them. Cost (installed) approx. $265.00.
20-apr-2016: Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Replace rear shocks. Mileage: 60,285. Discovered they were leaking at last service (April 14, 2016). Took two hours to complete the work. Total: $285.71 installed.
Photo 17. New Interstate (blem) battery installed at 62,639 miles / Photo taken 13-aug-2016 / iPhone 6
10-aug-2016: (Wednesday) Purchased new Interstate battery (blemish - no label) from the Interstate distributor (391 Clay Rd, Rochester, NY 14623 / 585-359-3150). Price $48.55 with core exchange ($10 credit for old, original, Toyota battery). The original battery was fine, but replaced because of age, and the approaching winter months. Mileage: 62,639.
12-aug-2016: (Friday at 8:30 a.m.) Appointment at Monro Muffler (Rte. 96 / Victor / 585-924-4590) to install four new Dunlop 185/60R15 "Signature II" tires (~$105 each - installed - Total: $459.31). Mileage: 62,643. Bill DeSimone (manager) said the rust on the underside of the car was just surface rust, and absolutely nothing to worry about.
14-oct-2016: (Friday) Traded the Yaris on a 2015 MINI Cooper "S" Countryman ALL4 (AWD) with 27,500 miles. The asking price for the MINI was $23,999. With an allowance of $4,999 on the Toyota, the final MINI price was $19,000 (plus tax, license) to bring it to $20,600.
