Discussion
I've been running around in a wee Mk1 Yaris 1.0 while my main vehicle has been out of action. I've grown to quite like the Yaris, and have spent a bit of money on it, replacing 4 tyres and a wheel bearing etc. It's just shame that it's 17 years old, and I fear rust will take it within the next few years.
It's got me wondering about other small cars, including the iQ. The local Toyota dealer doesn't have any, but might have one coming in soon. I think I'd prefer a 1.0 manual, but after reading a few reviews and owner comments I'm not too sure about the iQ.
Is it a completely different beast to the Mk1 Yaris, and in a good or bad way?
Most of my driving will be on 60mph A roads or B roads, with a little bit of town driving, and some dual carriageway and motorway driving when I venture away from home. I'd probably cover up to 20,000 miles a year in it. I'm not that fussed if it doesn't drive like a Lexus - I drive a Defender, which has all the creature comforts I need! I like the fuel economy of the Yaris (showing 57mpg on the current tank), and it's fairly quiet and has comfy spongy seats. The downsides are road noise, the odd rattle, and rather strange steering. Having said that, it was fine on a 300 mile trip the other day, and it's actually comfier than some larger cars I've driven.
Anyway, I'm curious about how an iQ would stack up against the old Yaris.
It's got me wondering about other small cars, including the iQ. The local Toyota dealer doesn't have any, but might have one coming in soon. I think I'd prefer a 1.0 manual, but after reading a few reviews and owner comments I'm not too sure about the iQ.
Is it a completely different beast to the Mk1 Yaris, and in a good or bad way?
Most of my driving will be on 60mph A roads or B roads, with a little bit of town driving, and some dual carriageway and motorway driving when I venture away from home. I'd probably cover up to 20,000 miles a year in it. I'm not that fussed if it doesn't drive like a Lexus - I drive a Defender, which has all the creature comforts I need! I like the fuel economy of the Yaris (showing 57mpg on the current tank), and it's fairly quiet and has comfy spongy seats. The downsides are road noise, the odd rattle, and rather strange steering. Having said that, it was fine on a 300 mile trip the other day, and it's actually comfier than some larger cars I've driven.
Anyway, I'm curious about how an iQ would stack up against the old Yaris.
Not sure if I've driven a Yaris before, but my dad has an iQ as a town runabout.
To cover some of your queries:
- Dad's is the 1.33. I wouldn't entertain anything less powerful
- The 1.33 also gains a 6th gear, which reduced engine noise and fuel consumption at DC/M'way speeds
- Ride is firm and quite choppy, possibly a function of its short wheelbase
- Refinement is excellent for a car of its size, no rattles
- Too early to comment on fuel economy
- Slightly strange steering, some 'stiction'
To cover some of your queries:
- Dad's is the 1.33. I wouldn't entertain anything less powerful
- The 1.33 also gains a 6th gear, which reduced engine noise and fuel consumption at DC/M'way speeds
- Ride is firm and quite choppy, possibly a function of its short wheelbase
- Refinement is excellent for a car of its size, no rattles
- Too early to comment on fuel economy
- Slightly strange steering, some 'stiction'
Thanks for that. I think it's probably the sort of car I'd need to see and test drive, ideally for a good long run to see if I could get used to its quirks. Having said that, I might feel right at home with a choppy ride after my SWB Land Rover!
I've had a wee a look at some photos of cars for sale, and some of the interiors look a bit low rent. However, perhaps that's just down to individual cars and trim levels/colours. Others look smarter. I'm quite taken by the Aston Martin Cygnet...! However, one of those is probably ten times over budget!
I've had a wee a look at some photos of cars for sale, and some of the interiors look a bit low rent. However, perhaps that's just down to individual cars and trim levels/colours. Others look smarter. I'm quite taken by the Aston Martin Cygnet...! However, one of those is probably ten times over budget!
I had an IQ for driving around town a few years ago. I really liked the car. Very small turning circle, and very manoeuvrable around town. Also the stereo was good from what I remember.
As the rear axle is about where you sit, it isn't the most comfortable car over speed bumps.
My car was the 1.0 litre manual and was OK for performance. It would go on the motorway, but you are not going to be cruising in the outside lane at 95 mph
As the rear axle is about where you sit, it isn't the most comfortable car over speed bumps.
My car was the 1.0 litre manual and was OK for performance. It would go on the motorway, but you are not going to be cruising in the outside lane at 95 mph
I looked at a couple of IQ`s before choosing a Aygo instead after getting a decent deal on a new x-cite (leather bits and bobs,touch screen info,alloys) and even though its the auto with paddles it does just fine for local use and at £10k i couldnt complain.
Its the wifes car but i use it now and then and i quite enjoy it but i must say i did like the 1.3 IQ i test drove,felt comfortable enough for me in the front (6ft 3" and 16 stone) and reasonably nippy...
it does just fine for local use and at £10k i couldnt complain.Its the wifes car but i use it now and then and i quite enjoy it but i must say i did like the 1.3 IQ i test drove,felt comfortable enough for me in the front (6ft 3" and 16 stone) and reasonably nippy...
BlueHave said:
Momentofmadness said:
iQ looks terrible and not popular, why haven't you considered an Aygo?
Wasn't the iQ a better quality interior more like the Yaris than the choc box plastic in an AygoAn Aygo of a similar age was designed to be a much more of a budget car. Nice enough, but not like an iQ.
The iQ was designed to be a small car, but still (somewhat) premium inside. It has a more comparable interior to the much larger cars Toyota were making at the time.
I’ve had a 2009 IQ2 1.0 Manual for a year now, great little car, punches well above its weight, but I would not like to 20,000 miles a year in one.
The car is designed for cheeky commutes and restricted parking, if you are doing a lot of motorway/dual carriageway journeys it defeats the point.
My son has a Citroen C1 (Aygo clone) and it feels cheap and loose compared to the IQ, but is more versatile with 5 doors/seats.
Have a look at a Honda CRZ they are getting quite reasonable now.
The car is designed for cheeky commutes and restricted parking, if you are doing a lot of motorway/dual carriageway journeys it defeats the point.
My son has a Citroen C1 (Aygo clone) and it feels cheap and loose compared to the IQ, but is more versatile with 5 doors/seats.
Have a look at a Honda CRZ they are getting quite reasonable now.
Thanks for that. It sounds like it might not be the ideal car for me. I haven't been able to have a look at an iQ, but the local Toyota garage might be taking one in as a trade-in within the next week or so.
It's funny you mentioned the CR-Z. It appeals to me, and I had a sit in one a few months ago. I think it was around £6,000 or £7,000 at a Honda garage. I'm still trying to decide if I need a car, and how much to spend on one, but a CR-Z might be a good choice if I can find a nice rust-free one.
It's funny you mentioned the CR-Z. It appeals to me, and I had a sit in one a few months ago. I think it was around £6,000 or £7,000 at a Honda garage. I'm still trying to decide if I need a car, and how much to spend on one, but a CR-Z might be a good choice if I can find a nice rust-free one.
I would agree with whoever it was that said the 1.3 is the one to go for. They seem to be quite reliable and the turning circle on them is really good.
However, make sure you are happy with the driving position. You have to accept that the rear seats are totally useless, and for me I had to have the back of the driver's seat as far back as it will go touching the base of the rear seat in order to be in a comfortable driving position, and I'm not even that tall.
Personally I think Toyota should have done away with the rear seats altogether.
However, make sure you are happy with the driving position. You have to accept that the rear seats are totally useless, and for me I had to have the back of the driver's seat as far back as it will go touching the base of the rear seat in order to be in a comfortable driving position, and I'm not even that tall.
Personally I think Toyota should have done away with the rear seats altogether.
I had a test drive of one, pretty much back to back with a Smart back in 2011. Didn’t end up buying either, but the IQ was a much better prospect. Having a normal manual box compared to the Smart’s semi auto made it much better to drive, but it was still a great length for parking etc.
As it had usable a rear seat behind the passenger, it seemed much more flexible than the Smart. I (6’1”) did sit behind my wife (5’5”) for a short trip and it was bearable, although not having a proper window to look out of made it a little claustrophobic.
Turning circle is hilarious, like it’s got a rear wheel nailed to the floor. Although passengers do get a bit queasy beyond the first rotation.
As it had usable a rear seat behind the passenger, it seemed much more flexible than the Smart. I (6’1”) did sit behind my wife (5’5”) for a short trip and it was bearable, although not having a proper window to look out of made it a little claustrophobic.
Turning circle is hilarious, like it’s got a rear wheel nailed to the floor. Although passengers do get a bit queasy beyond the first rotation.
I went back to see the salesman, but he says the iQ he thought he might get as a trade-in won't be materialising! I also called in at another Toyota garage in a different town, and they said they'd had a used iQ for sale, but it had sat around for over a month with no interest, so they'd sent it away.
I had a sit in a new Aygo, and that seemed fine for a wee car, although there's a lot of bare metal in the interior. However, I wasn't looking to spend that much. I think the Mk1 Aygos look good on the outside, but I wonder if they're less refined than a Mk1 Yaris.
I'd still like to see an iQ, so I'll keep my eyes open for one. I'm also considering throwing money at my old Yaris (rust treatment, suspension, and whatever else will need done), but I can't decide whether or not that's a crazy thing to do...
I had a sit in a new Aygo, and that seemed fine for a wee car, although there's a lot of bare metal in the interior. However, I wasn't looking to spend that much. I think the Mk1 Aygos look good on the outside, but I wonder if they're less refined than a Mk1 Yaris.
I'd still like to see an iQ, so I'll keep my eyes open for one. I'm also considering throwing money at my old Yaris (rust treatment, suspension, and whatever else will need done), but I can't decide whether or not that's a crazy thing to do...
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