Stuck in a Yaris
I'm the SUV guy. Look at the top of the page, you'll see my picture there. When you see me behind the wheel, I'm nearly always behind the wheel of an SUV. By choice, not just because it's my job. I love driving SUVs.So, my wife and I traveled to Virginia this week for a happy occasion, my mother-in-law's 80th birthday celebration. We flew in to Dulles Airport, and we had to rent some transportation for the five day stay. I don't part with money easily, so I decided to rent an economy car. The rental agent tossed me the keys to a 2008 Toyota Yaris sedan, and it was off to the races. I remembered that Aaron Gold had reviewed the 2007 Toyota Yaris Sedan, giving it a very generous 4 star rating, so I was prepared for a decent 5 day rental.
Let me just say, if you're driving a Yaris or any economy car, I have new admiration for your tolerance and patience. You've learned to endure deprivation and sensory assault in a way that I hope to avoid. You are a good person.
I should have laid out the extra 50 bucks, and sprung for the Kia Sportage. At least then I would have enjoyed the drive, and not simply endured my time behind the wheel -- stuck in a Yaris.
Photo © Jason Fogelson
Comments
I’m a Yaris owner (by choice) and I sure do appreciate being called a good person because of it. However, I like this car and am not sure what deprivation and sensory assault I am supposedly experiencing in this thing. Granted, I am not built like a lumberjack, but for a small car, the Yaris is roomy, comfy, nimble, quiet, and surprisingly quick. I have driven full size pickups and SUVs and found them to be clumsy and tiresome. Even if someone threw another $15000 in free cash at me at the dealership I would not have bought an SUV over this thing.
I think experiencing a variety of vehicles is a wonderful think, especially if, at the end of the day, it reminds you how much you love your daily ride.
My two cents…
These car/SUV thing, I believe is more of a personal preference. I prefer an SUV, 4X4 , any day ! I love the feeling of knowing that whatever the road situation I find myself driving on, chances are, I will find my way back home. By the way, Jason, I love your SUV thinking ! I own a 1999 Toyota 4Runner, V6, four-wheel drive, 250K miles, and still runs like a champ - just like Moose !
Cars are better all round. People who say “im proud to be an suv owner” are the reason we are in this financial mess - fattening the coffers of the sultans in the middle east. They heap scorn on greenies, car drivers by calling us socialist and liberal softies, when they are the most unpatriotic and unemerican of all. Its pure selfishness to drive an suv, unless you live in a certain climate or need it for business or work. Since when did selfishness become the american way? Speaking as a car driver, im not deprived of anything when i drive a car - unlike suv owners who are deprived of somthing called dollars everytime they pull into a gas station. Cars leave a smaller footprint overall and is the only sensible choice today.
Ive driven both and i must say for ease of use and handling it has to be a car. Suv’s should only be rented for long trips with more than 4 people. Otherwise (like for many generations of americans before us) a car will do just fine. However as a car owner i do endure daily deprivation. I dont have to put up with body roll, lousy handling, huge gas bills, wind buffeting on the highway when it meets the side of my cupboard size suv…yes Iam deprived of those things. Crossovers? dont make me laugh, they are just station wagons in new clothing…