2003 Toyota Yaris 1.4 D4D T Spirit 1.4 turbo diesel

Summary:

Easy to drive, economical, reliable

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Great car for both town and distance driving averaging over 55mpg in town and 68 on long journeys.

My wife found our previous car (a Ford Fiesta) uncomfortable due to hip problems and the hard suspension was noisy and uncomfortable over speed humps (which are far too prevalent in the uK). The Yairs is higher and has wider doors and very comfortable seats and she enjoys sitting and suffers no discompfort on entry/exit.

The car handles well (although being high it rolls a bit), is comfortable and very easy to drive and park. The diesel pulls well in town with minimal turbo lag.

The dash mounted display is easy and simple and not at all distracting although the fuel gauge rarely moves :-)

Add in low UK Road tax (£50 versus the Fiesta's £175 per year), well finshed paintwork and no rattles and it's a well built and economical car.

My wife loves it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th July, 2006

30th Apr 2009, 02:37

I am considering buying one of these cars but I have a question. I do everyday motorway driving, what kind of revs does this car have at say 75mph in 5th gear? Currently I have a 1 litre which revs near the red line at motorway speeds.

5th Aug 2009, 10:55

I have had a 1.4D4d Yaris T Spirt (2003 reg) for 3 years. AT 75mph revs are approx 2,900.. But wind noise starts to be bad over 75mph.

Otherwise I would just reiterate the comments on everything the original poster said.. except RFL is now £35... and it's cheap to service and 100% reliable...

4th Apr 2010, 15:19

Have owned a Yaris 1.4 d4d for 6 years from new.

Agree that 75mph in 5th is around 3000rpm, but suffers on uphill gradients often needs downshift.

Front shocks needed replacing after 70000 miles, almost certainly due to number of speed bumps I have to do each day, am talking 100's.

Overall a great little diesel.

2003 Toyota Yaris T SPORT 1.5

Summary:

Obviously Toyota realize that things had to get better and the new model has been revised

Faults:

The seat covers had to be replaced as they were bobbling after 2000 miles

Window door seals replaced as they were a very poor fit, replacements were not much better.

The alloy wheels corroded badly after 9 months even when cleaned regularly and not damaged.

General Comments:

I found the build quality reasonable.

The carpets were of appalling quality and only fitted where they decided to fit.

The ride was so hard that potholes had to be avoided as the car shook violently, this also gave the problem of lots of rattles and squeaks. This is what finally got to me and had to part company as it was in the garage 5 times for bad rattles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th January, 2006

2003 Toyota Yaris GS 1.4 D4D

Summary:

The best all-round car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

What an incredible little car!

After moving jobs which meant I had to travel a round trip of 100 miles to work each day, I decided to get a more economical car and settled on the 65mpg diesel Yaris as I had owned Toyota's previously. It still surprises me with its nippy little handling and in-gear acceleration, something I never thought I'd say about a diesel!

Basically, it is amazingly cheap to run (Lancashire to South Coast on half a tank), fast enough, fairly comfortable and incredibly reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th March, 2005

2003 Toyota Yaris Colour Collection Blue 1.0 VVT-i

Summary:

Great looks and handling- Buy one!

Faults:

The driver's door seal became loose but the dealer fixed it free of charge. Otherwise no problems.

General Comments:

The car is fun and nippy to drive, although there is some body lean.

Inside it is logically laid out, good driving position, I'm 6'4 and I have no problems, digital dash sets the yaris apart from other small cars.

The boot is small, but the sliding rear seat allows you to expand it when carrying larger loads.

Good equipment levels, mine came with alloys, metallic paint, CD player and leather steering wheel and gear knob because it's a special edition all for £8000. A bargain price for the reliability and quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2005

5th Sep 2007, 05:36

Update on this car.

The car has now done 32000miles from the 11000 when I wrote the review and there have been absolutly no problems!! just needed routine maintainance, tyres and brakes. Brilliant car!