Want to buy a Yaris... Advice Please

Happyzebra

Hi all
I want to buy a cheap to run car so I was thinking a 1999/2000 Yaris might be for me. I would appreciate some advice from anyone in the know.

Firstly do they come with isofix in 1999/2000? I have spoken to 2 toyota dealers and one swears yes the other no! Really need help on this as I am going to get into trouble for peering into parked cars!

What is the difference between the terra and the luna models? I have read that such models as t3 t4 and colour collection also exist but I think perhaps that these are a different name for the luna terra and sol? I have also read that an E model exists but it doesn't have power steering.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Leonard Hofstadter

E is extremely basic, and is best avoided.

Terra is quite basic, but at least it has power steering and electric windows (the E model has neither). Of the Irish cars these are the most common.

Luna and Sol are the highest spec models, but are still not great, no useful things like alloys or air con etc. Luna has a CD player (instead of a tape player), colour coded exterior and a leather steering wheel and gearknob over Terra. Sols had electric mirrors, three rear headrests, remote central locking and a tilting drivers' seat over Luna.

No models are fitted with ABS as standard until 2003 I think it was - criminal in my mind, although none of the Yaris's competitors will have it either.

T2, T3 etc are UK imports but came later on. Originally it was S (same as E), GS (same as Terra), GLS (Sol) and CDX, which had alloys and air-con and a few other things. T Spirit is the best UK spec, T3 is next best, and T2 is very basic.

Yaris's are usually tough little cars, but as with everything at that age, buy on condition (as much service history as possible, well recent history anyway) not mileage. Clutches and gearboxes can go in them, so check for any whining sounds when the clutch is engaged, especially when it's on the move.

As cars go they're not great, nasty interior, harsh ride etc etc but they will keep running and running!

colm_mcm

Here's a quick run through the specs

1999-2003

E Windey windows, no central locking, no power steering, black bumpers, black handles. 13 inch steel wheels
Avoid.

Terra
14 inch steel wheels, Semi colour coded bumpers, colour coded handles, manual mirrors, front electric windows, central locking, plastic steering wheel, plastic gearknob, slide/recline rear seat, dual airbags

Luna adds to Terra
Fully colour coded bumpers, and mirrors, leather steering wheel and gearknob, nicer seats.

Sol adds to Luna
14 inch alloys (99" sure they have anyway), Remote locking, CD player, height adjustable seat

2003-2006
Terra
Coloured bumpers, ABS, Dual airbags, CD player, Front electric windows, coloured handles,

Luna adds to Terra
Silver inserts in doors and heater, rear headrests, remote locking

Sol adds to Luna
14 inch alloys, front fogs, colour coded rubbing strips in bumpers, height adjust seat, electric mirrors

Blue adds to Sol (2004 -2005)
Chrome exhaust tip, scuff plates, remote audio (no elec mirrors)

Strata adds to Blue (2005 onwards)
Alloy wheels

bazz26

The best thing to do is go and view a few different models and check to see if the rear seat has the ISOFIX fittings. At a guess I would doubt a Yaris of that vintage would have them fitted as standard, I think ISOFIX was relatively rare to find in that class of car at the time. Open to correction though.

BTW I would not be buying a car of that age from a dealer either, better value in the private market at that age.

colm_mcm

Petty sure they only got ISOFIX in 2003.

bugler

I have a 2000 Terra model and can confirm it does have ISOFIX which I used for a time. The specs posted above are spot on for everything else.

I will be most likely selling in the next month or so - assuming I can find a bigger car I like. That part is proving difficult.

Happyzebra

Thanks for the replies...a lot of relevent info there.
Hey Bugler good to hear about the isofix...you never know I might be viewing your car on Donedeal in a couple of months!! I'm gonna hold off until I get one that I really like... Handy that I have the cash and do not really need a car at the moment, although it would be nice. It took me ages to sell my own car but then it was a 3 litre! Good luck with the hunt.

Pottler

When you get it, please drive it at the same speed as everyone else is doing. Might just be me but every dodderer I get stuck behind is driving a Yaris these days. It's the new Micra.:)

bugler

no worries, make sure to check for the actual isofix bars whatever version you are looking at, as you probably know there will be little flaps with velcro that will pull out and you can reach in and grab the bars.

The sliding back seat is a great touch also, as you can sacrifice boot space for extra legroom or vice versa. I have my son in a Scandinavian style rearward facing car seat and he fits fine ( at the expense of the front passengers leg room admittedly!)

truebloodfan

Thinking of getting 2013 yaris. What's difference between terra Luna sport and sol. Thanks

bazz26

truebloodfan wrote: »

Thinking of getting 2013 yaris. What's difference between terra Luna sport and sol. Thanks

They are different trim levels. They are detailed here: www.toyota.ie