If you wanted a mint Mk1 Yaris....?
Discussion
I was given an old 1litre Mk1 Yaris which is around 16 or 17 years old. It's needed a bit of work to keep it running, but I quite enjoy driving it. My main concern is that everything looks a bit rusty... If you look under the bonnet the engine is rusty and corroded, along with all the bolts and fixings. For example, the nuts and rods securing the battery retaining bracket are rusted so badly that they don't want to move even after being soaked in WD-40.
The bodywork looks okay on the outside, although there are a few spots of rust at the rear valance, and maybe by the rear mudflaps. The roof aerial has rusted out of the roof, and I've had to resort to covering the large hole with duct tape.
I was thinking about having a go at replacing a front wheel bearing, but I'm worried about what I'd find once I started the job - ie suspension bolts and calliper bolts seized etc. I'll probably end up taking it to a garage for that sort of work.
Anyway, if I wanted to buy a similar car in mint condition, am I likely to find one? Presumably they didn't have great rust protection/underseal from the factory, so at that age, even low mileage ones will be looking a bit sorry for themselves underneath and in the engine bay. I saw a picture of a Japanese import (a Vitz, which is the Japanese name for the Yaris) and the engine looked pristine. However, I think most Japanese versions will be automatic, and it looks like the cost of importing one would be expensive - I filled in an online form for one car which wasn't in great condition, and I think, including shipping to Newcastle, it was around £5,000 or £6,000.
I suppose the other option would be to strip mine down and rebuild it with some nice new bits, and sort out any rust, but that could get expensive and time-consuming, and I'm not sure it's worth it for that type of car.
Possibly the most sensible option would be to just keep mine, continuing to service it and replace mechanical components which wear out, until the bodywork or a major component fails.
However, I'm still curious about picking up a really nice example!
The bodywork looks okay on the outside, although there are a few spots of rust at the rear valance, and maybe by the rear mudflaps. The roof aerial has rusted out of the roof, and I've had to resort to covering the large hole with duct tape.
I was thinking about having a go at replacing a front wheel bearing, but I'm worried about what I'd find once I started the job - ie suspension bolts and calliper bolts seized etc. I'll probably end up taking it to a garage for that sort of work.
Anyway, if I wanted to buy a similar car in mint condition, am I likely to find one? Presumably they didn't have great rust protection/underseal from the factory, so at that age, even low mileage ones will be looking a bit sorry for themselves underneath and in the engine bay. I saw a picture of a Japanese import (a Vitz, which is the Japanese name for the Yaris) and the engine looked pristine. However, I think most Japanese versions will be automatic, and it looks like the cost of importing one would be expensive - I filled in an online form for one car which wasn't in great condition, and I think, including shipping to Newcastle, it was around £5,000 or £6,000.
I suppose the other option would be to strip mine down and rebuild it with some nice new bits, and sort out any rust, but that could get expensive and time-consuming, and I'm not sure it's worth it for that type of car.
Possibly the most sensible option would be to just keep mine, continuing to service it and replace mechanical components which wear out, until the bodywork or a major component fails.
However, I'm still curious about picking up a really nice example!
I quite like these and have owned them previously but we have an elderly Rav 4 for carpool duties - its rotten too underneath, anyway...
The Yaris is typical Japanese fodder and 10 a penny. The MK1 was made upto 2005 and loads were sold so they are plentiful and cheap.
Most outwardly look fairly decent but all will corrode to an extent underneath and all suffer rotten fixings, bolts etc. No more or less so than any other small Japanese car of the era.
If you really must, buy the best one you can find and drown it in underseal and cavity wax etc.
The Yaris is typical Japanese fodder and 10 a penny. The MK1 was made upto 2005 and loads were sold so they are plentiful and cheap.
Most outwardly look fairly decent but all will corrode to an extent underneath and all suffer rotten fixings, bolts etc. No more or less so than any other small Japanese car of the era.
If you really must, buy the best one you can find and drown it in underseal and cavity wax etc.
They do pop up from time to time in really good condition, lots are driven by older people so you do get low mileage, full Toyota history well cared for ones. Might be worth speaking to your local Toyota dealer see if they know of any that might be getting part exchanged in or someone who is giving up driving and wants to sell one.
Nice low mileage one on E bay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-TOYOTA-YARIS-1-0-16...
If you are interested in getting the import Vitz this is a good website http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/ ( I am looking at Mini's on there) The Vitz RS is the most common manual transmission, but there are a few of the standard ones. This 2004 one is under £500 (plus shipping) if I have worked my JPY to GBP!
http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/VI...
|https://thumbsnap.com/NBbkqXMS[/url]
Nice low mileage one on E bay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-TOYOTA-YARIS-1-0-16...
If you are interested in getting the import Vitz this is a good website http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/ ( I am looking at Mini's on there) The Vitz RS is the most common manual transmission, but there are a few of the standard ones. This 2004 one is under £500 (plus shipping) if I have worked my JPY to GBP!
http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/VI...
|https://thumbsnap.com/NBbkqXMS[/url]Edited by mx5ian on Wednesday 18th October 19:29
There are some around.
My Mother in Law has a 2002 last of the CDX autos.
33k on the clock
Bit of corrosion on the alloys but otherwise good.
Trying to get her to give up driving as she's coming up to 90!
Surprisingly good cruiser once it gets up to speed although the auto does make it thirstier than the manual.
My Mother in Law has a 2002 last of the CDX autos.
33k on the clock
Bit of corrosion on the alloys but otherwise good.
Trying to get her to give up driving as she's coming up to 90!
Surprisingly good cruiser once it gets up to speed although the auto does make it thirstier than the manual.
Edited by AlwynMike on Wednesday 18th October 19:34
Occasionally they do pop up. Not a Yaris but my step gran has a 2000 Corolla. It has been garaged its whole life and has only covered about 30k miles. It actually looks like a showroom fresh example.
However because of the nature of the car it is worth bugger all if she tries to sell it, the market for folks wanting mint 'normal' cars from that era is not large.
However because of the nature of the car it is worth bugger all if she tries to sell it, the market for folks wanting mint 'normal' cars from that era is not large.
Just buy an Aygo or something. In the mean time, the bolts holding your brakes and suspension on aren't going to rust solid in a hurry and an impact gun will make short work of them, similarly on other fixings the corrosion is mostly cosmetic, the fixings will more than likely come apart- sure, when the battery goes you might find you need a new bit here and there but I say just drive the thing until the body is terminally rusty or all the brake / fuel lines are gone etc.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff