This compact hatchback has been forgotten by many Malaysians looking for a simple used compact hatch. The obvious choice is most often a Honda Jazz or sometimes the Nissan Latio hatchback. This Yaris is actually a Toyota Vios hatchback.
UMW Toyota imported the Yaris from its Thailand factory in small numbers and this is why the Yaris is not a common sight on our roads.
Safety features include 2 front airbags for the driver and front passenger, front seatbelt pretensioners, plus three-point seatbelts and head restraints for all five seating positions. Also available were anti-lock brakes.
Get inside and this Yaris cockpit feel quite spacious with its tall extended roofline and six-footers can occupy every seat except the center rear without complaint.
The true benefit of a used Toyota purchase is its reliability and running gear smoothness. On a test drive the auto gear shifts should still be creamy smooth with well spaced gear ratios. First gear should deliver good throttle response, while second and third must be flexible enough that it’s easy to keep the engine’s power flowing smoothly without having to constantly row the shift lever while fourth should be cruising up to about 110km/h without any hesitation.
Check any car for oil leaks and make sure there are no leaks from the gearbox. This can be done by checking the floor where the car was parked and best to look underneath the car for oil residue. Check the driveshaft boots for splits and cracks as this will allow dirt and grit into the delicate CV joints. This you can check by driving the car slowly in tight circles on full lock in both directions and listen for clicking noises from the front of the car. If you can hear them, the driveshafts and their joints are probably already damaged and need replacement.
Of course, on a 10-year-old car like this there will be issues but you do not want a car that has been abused, so price will reflect this. Check for paint repair and here inconsistent paint finish, overspray on the exhausts and underside (yes you need to bend and look underneath the sides of the car) and on the rubber lining along all windows and doors.
Be ready to pay about RM27,000 for a 2007 really well-looked-after accident-free low-mileage unit. About RM23-24,000 will get you an average condition 2007 Yaris. Happy Yaris ownership.
