Addicted to Yaris

Just over a month ago, we picked up the Yaris that we'd ordered back in August. That first night I ripped the bumper assembly off and swapped out the stock horn for a dual Fiamm horn setup to increase the volume and to make it sound more like a "real" car instead of like a Roadrunner cartoon.

Well, similar to my Rhode Island geek buddy Jess, who just keeps on modding her Mini Cooper S, I've been doing a few modifications to the Yaris. The mods I've done fall into the categories of fun, better mileage, and safety.

Fun:
NST Short Shift Kit. This was purely to add to the joy of driving. I measured a 40% reduction in the throw of the shift, reducing what had been 5 inches shifting from 1st to 2nd, down to the current 3 inches. It just feels a lot "tighter". Makes me smile :) This was US$98 and about 3 minutes to install.

Better mileage:
NST crankshaft pulley. This is the same diameter as the stock pulley, but weighs about 3/4 of a pound, compared to about 3.5 pounds for the stock pulley. The result that we've noticed is a much smoother take off. Before I had to gun the engine a little to get it moving in 1st gear; now it just sort of glides off from a stop. US$118 and about an hour to install ...OK and I spent about fifty bucks for a 12v digital impact wrench to make the job super easy to do!

Window tint. US$190. This is the one modification that I did not do myself. And yes, this is for better mileage. I like the look, but the 30% tint on all side and rear windows means the car is cooler, so less air conditioning use, so better mileage. And it keeps out 99% of all UV rays, so my lovely skin won't get all sunburned.

WeatherTech air deflectors. US$55 and about 2 minutes to install. These allow me to keep the windows down a little, letting fresh air in, keeping rain out - even when parked and locked, and thereby again reducing use of air conditioning.

Safety:
The loud dual horns (1 2). US$20 and about an hour to install. 130 decibels and has already saved me from a couple of crazy Tampa drivers (one was starting to change lanes without looking, and the other was BEHIND me ...looking at something on her passenger seat as she approached ME, stopped at a stop sign!).
Leather steering wheel cover. OK, this is also fun, since I think it looks cool, but it also makes a very definite difference in the control. I hate when we rent a car and there's no decent grip. US$50 and about 2 hours for me to sew it on.
Tanabe strut tower bar. $US93 and added a lot of stability. I drive the highway for part of my daily commute, and it includes a couple of "cloverleaf" interchanges. The stability on the turns is nothing less than striking -- and I'm not at all racing! OK, and it looks sweet when I pop the hood.

Where will it end? Man, I don't know. I'm not going to go lowering the car or getting a carbon fiber hood or any of that kind of mainly cosmetic mod. But I have ordered a tip for the exhaust pipe ...and that is purely cosmetic, but pretty cheap. Oh, and I have spotted some rear disc brakes that I could install myself to replace the stock drum brakes (added safety) if I pony up the $800 for the kit. I don't think I'll tell Shirley about this yet; I have no plans to order it (although I would love to!), and no need making her think I'm spending our retirement fund :)

Comments

[Jess]

I'm SO glad you're having fun with it!! More pictures!!I agree with you - the strut bars were among the least expensive and provided the single biggest "whee" factor. I don't think I can ever have a car and not put those on.As far as mods, definitely check eBay, you can get the best deals on stuff there. Most of my mods comes from ebay, and other car forums where I either buy used or trade. There's only been two things on my car that I bought new. Craiglist is another place. I'm sure there are plenty of Yaris motoring clubs/forums out there!

HAVE FUN!!!! Keep telling us about your Yaris adventures!

[Smokey159]

Glad to see another happy Yaris owner, as if there aren't enough of us. Check out yarisworld.com, you'll love it.