June 2002

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When Toyota replaced the dull-as-ditchwater Starlet in 1999, no one expected miracles. But the company surprised us all with one of the best small cars ever made. Fresh styling and a clever interior, in-cluding a sliding rear seat, made the Yaris a superb package, while keen pricing meant it was great value.
Lively performance, even from the 1.0-litre, plus good equipment levels and solid reliability added to its reputation. For a small runabout that's equally at home on motorways, you'll struggle to find better than Toyota's baby, and it's one of our favourite used cars.
Yaris checklist
* We've heard no reports of any engine trouble as yet, and Toyota has a peerless reputation when it comes to reliability. Check for regular servicing.
* The deep doors lack side rubbing strips and are susceptible to parking scrapes, so inspect them carefully and look out for resprayed areas.
* Digital dash could be expensive if it goes wrong, so check all the dials and gauges work as they should.
* Parts of the interior feel a bit flimsy, so be sure to look at switches, door handles and window controls.
* Some cars had a knocking noise from the rear damper mounts. This can be fixed by fitting an extra rubber bush.
Glass's view
Used buyers can't get enough of the Yaris, so don't expect huge bargains, says trade bible Glass's Consumer Values. This supermini will hold its value well, but base versions are difficult to sell on, so give them a wide berth.
My Toyota Yaris
When Paul Waddington decided to replace his Peugeot 309 diesel, a Toyota Yaris seemed the obvious choice. The 35-year-old chemical engineer from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, wanted a motor which would be the perfect commuting tool, as well as being well equipped and fun to drive.
"I've got a Lotus Elise which I use at the weekend," said Paul. "But I wanted something practical, and the Yaris is a good compromise. The engine is lively, but needs to be worked hard. The boot isn't as good as the one on my 309, but I can live with that."
Paul has covered 6,000 miles since buying the car and hasn't encountered any problems so far.

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