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Hello, I have been looking at the yaris (have not test drove one yet) but have developed an interest in buying one after the high gas prices. I like my 2000 Tundra but the gas mileage tore me up this summer. I wanted to ask you folks who own an auto and a stick what do you like/dislike. I am not a big fan of stick shift in large vehicles but have found them fun to drive in small compact cars. My dealer only has 3 yaris's and they are all auto so I can't compare them yet. I really wanted the 06 Tundra DC 4 x 4 they have but I keep thinking about gas going above 3 bucks a gallon again, and that kills my urge real fast. Also these cars are so reasonable that I could almost pay cash for one or at least pay it off in a short time. Thanks for any comments.
Not sure whether my opinions will be helpful to you, since it's such a personal preference . . .
My wife has a Yaris hatchback with the automatic, which would not have been my preference. I have a stick in my Echo, which has a very similar drivetrain. However, after having driven her car a few hundred miles, I have to admit that the automatic makes it extremely easy to drive, and there seems to be very little gas mileage penalty. Brand new, her car gets ~34 mpg commuting to work. When my Echo was new, it saw ~35 mpg and now (at 15,000 miles) is around 39 mpg commuting on that same route.
I always wonder about the longevity of an automatic vs. a manual transmission. However, I do not hear of older Toyota automatics dropping like flies (other than some problems with early Tundra transmissions).
So I can't come down strongly on one side or the other. If I were buying a Yaris today I'd probably get a manual transmission, but it absolutely would be because I like to shift gears. For commuting purposes, and objectively speaking, the automatic probably makes more sense, and really doesn't have a downside.
Hello, I have been looking at the yaris (have not test drove one yet) but have developed an interest in buying one after the high gas prices. I like my 2000 Tundra but the gas mileage tore me up this summer. I wanted to ask you folks who own an auto and a stick what do you like/dislike. I am not a big fan of stick shift in large vehicles but have found them fun to drive in small compact cars. My dealer only has 3 yaris's and they are all auto so I can't compare them yet. I really wanted the 06 Tundra DC 4 x 4 they have but I keep thinking about gas going above 3 bucks a gallon again, and that kills my urge real fast. Also these cars are so reasonable that I could almost pay cash for one or at least pay it off in a short time. Thanks for any comments.
I only drive stick shift cars no matter what the size, that way I'm in control. I always look at drivers of automatics as a steerers not a drivers. One of the many advantages of a stick is since the car doesn't have to idle at a higher RPM to keep from stalling you save gas. Go for the stick.
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sedanman
Time is a wonderful teacher, but it kills all its students.
ha, i just moved from a compact (00 Celica gt-s) to an 06 tundra... don't do it! j/k I personally liked driving a stick in my celica 6-speed but it did have some pep to its step.... i think driving a stick in a non-sports car might not be as gratifying, but thats just my opinion. I rather like having an auto in my truck now since it just makes it easier to do other stuff like sip a drink, change a CD, etc... + traffic made it a pain sometimes....
One thing to keep in mind moving down to a compact from a truck is no torque! My celica was quick, but the power of a V8... oh ya! good luck shopping!
__________________ 2006 SR5 V8 Tundra AC - Bluesteel Metallic NASTA Nerf Bars, Hellwig Anti-sway bar, Line-X Bedliner, Billet Antenna & Jesus fish
Stick with out a doubt and none of that fake "auto-stick" like my sister has in her Intrepid. My next vehicle choices (as a replacement for my Corolla) would be Acura TL, Maxima, Camry, Accord, Forester possibly others but that will need to wait for more available $$. All have manual transmission options even if it is only the 4 cyl version of some. Until then my Corolla will hopefully keep surviving. P.S. The new SP performance rotors and pads combined with recent auto-rx and BG 44k treatments, new sirius tuner and replaced blown speaker, cool fall weather..............I LOVE DRIVING MY COROLLA, 5500 rpm just comes up so quick (and still getting 30 mpg doing it). I like the whrrrrrr of the rotors and actually am avoiding downshifting as I like how well it brakes. BAD because I know I'm adding extra wear under harder braking but I just like it..........6:45 AM daily 80 mph off the expressway, hard brake at light whrrrrrrrrrr, down shift to second through the 110 degree left turn, 5500 rpm into third over the bridge, tunes kickin', 50 degrees out, window part way down, damn why do I need to go to work.
Be aware that the Yaris manual transmission is an ECONOMY transmission.
1st gear is a bear to get into coming down the tree (even just rolling at a corner - not talking high speeds), second can be as well. The transmission IMO was not designed to be "sporty". Pure econo box here (1 1/2 years driving 1st gen Yaris stick ).
I went w/ standard for the reliability / serviceability. Open lid, pour in gear oil - drive till the odo says 500,000 miles. Stop.
P
EDIT - FWIW the car has one of the best "feel" factory clutches ever - go figure!
Sticks are fun, but automatics give you one less thing to consider when you're driving while on your cell phone drinking coffee and changing a CD while smoking a cigarette and shaving.
Hello, I have been looking at the yaris (have not test drove one yet) but have developed an interest in buying one after the high gas prices. I like my 2000 Tundra but the gas mileage tore me up this summer. I wanted to ask you folks who own an auto and a stick what do you like/dislike. I am not a big fan of stick shift in large vehicles but have found them fun to drive in small compact cars. My dealer only has 3 yaris's and they are all auto so I can't compare them yet. I really wanted the 06 Tundra DC 4 x 4 they have but I keep thinking about gas going above 3 bucks a gallon again, and that kills my urge real fast. Also these cars are so reasonable that I could almost pay cash for one or at least pay it off in a short time. Thanks for any comments.
Be carefull when comparing driving a stick on a car vs driving a stick on a truck. Cars may have a sportier manual trannys, light clutch pedal, short throw shifter, better ergonomics. The truck on the other hand may be uncomfortable for stick depending on the ergonomics like bench seats with very limited adjustability, non tilting, non telescoping steering wheel, stiff clutch pedal, long throw shifters. Also consider your size: tall, short; seat type: bench seat, split bench or fully adjustable seats. All these factors will determine what's better for you. Best to test drive a Tundra with manual tranny and get the overall feel for comfort and performance.
I have driven a stick shift in all of my cars except for my first which wasn't my choice then either. I now drive a 96 Toyota T100 and it too is a 5 speed and it is an excellent transmission. The shifter comes right to my hand and the throws are short, the gates are precise and snickety snick sweet. Besides my Mitsubishi Ralliart, its the best transmission I have even driven.
I do not like automatics 90% of the time. I feel like an idiot in the car and feel like all I do is steer and press the gas. Hell, a monkey could do that!
I love the control, I tell the truck and car what to do and when to do it, not the other way around. I like the oneness with the car/truck a manual gives me.
True each vehcle is different. I drove many Automatic T100 and they were very good as well. I have driven a 5 speed manual Ford Ranger and you would swear there were rocks and bolts in the trans, it lurched, engaged rough and the stick had to be manhandled to go into gear. This was a new car and it also was the same with my 2004 Ranger. Crappy design.
I have problem with not knowing what is going on in my vehicle and automatics just always seem like a mystery to me. More stuff to break and now that the majority if not all of them are electronic, forget it! I KNOW my manual wont blow some electronic gizmo and strand me.
Yep, You have to think, take responsibility and pay attention when DRIVING a manual.. Imagine that in this day and age.
Auto vs. stick, your opinion.
I personally liked driving a stick in my celica 6-speed but it did have some pep to its step.... i think driving a stick in a non-sports car might not be as gratifying, but thats just my opinion. I rather like having an auto in my truck now since it just makes it easier to do other stuff like sip a drink, change a CD, etc... + traffic made it a pain sometimes.... 
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