Toyota Yaris

The opposite's true. The current shape Yaris is fine for the motorway as far as small cars go. The Punto on the other hand is really isn't nice at all - noisy, unrefined, a lot of vibration going through the car, and it tends to wander.

What? The current Punto is so much nicer on the motorway than the current Yaris. I've driven both a 06 Punto Grande and 06 Yaris extensively, and I'd take the Punto anyday of the week, especially when motorway driving is involved. The Yaris feels flimsy, and the only car I've driven that feels lighter is a 500. The Punto feels fairly well planted, and whilst it doesn't have the same pull, it certainly feels safer and more comfortable.
 
I've had micra hire cars a few times. Some body roll and the electric steering lacks feel, but they seem to stiffen up in the twisty bits quite nicely! only gripe for motorway cruising is the 1.2 revs quite high...
 
What? The current Punto is so much nicer on the motorway than the current Yaris. I've driven both a 06 Punto Grande and 06 Yaris extensively, and I'd take the Punto anyday of the week, especially when motorway driving is involved. The Yaris feels flimsy, and the only car I've driven that feels lighter is a 500. The Punto feels fairly well planted, and whilst it doesn't have the same pull, it certainly feels safer and more comfortable.

I was talking about the Punto, not the Punto Grande which is built on a different platform. The Punto is pretty horrible and feels very dated in the way that it drives. The Punto Grande is much better (different platform, floorpan, supension etc) and is fun to drive. Not particularly planted on the road at high speed though - try driving on the road between Harrogate and Leeds at 40-50mph and over the crests and dips, you feel like you're going to fly off the road. The Sporting spec suspension is better but with the standard car the limits are pretty low.
 
I'd recommend a D4D if it's within your budget.

We've got an 02 Yaris D4D (CDX model :P). It's a lovely little car tbh and actually quite competent on the motorway as the Turbo gives it the torque it needs.

Father in law has the newer model Yaris D4D. It's not such a small car anymore and is a very nice motor indeed. Although Toyotas are expensive to buy, they will last a long while and are very reliable. Exactly the reason why I'd always buy Japanese and not French! ;)
 
I bought a new Yaris a few years ago now, a D4D. I had it for three years not a thing went wrong with it. My ex boss now has it and still nothing has ever gone wrong with it.
 
I dont understand why so many people seek out a tiny microbox to use on the motorways.

Its one thing if its a town car that might be used for the occasional motorway trip, but there's been quite a few people recently asking about small cars for higher mileage use. Makes no sense...
 
I'm bias but would recommend a Grande Punto, i do 55 miles a day in mine and its comfortable and is good on fuel on the motorway. Surprises people that i can keep up with them and overtake :D
Everyone knows someone whos friends friend has owned a Fiat thats gone wrong and has a story but i''ve workmates and friends that have had more problems with VWs, Audis and Lexus than i have with my GP.

I've got the 1.9 Sporting but have driven the 1.3 M-jet and would recommend looking at it as an alternative to the Yaris. My dad didn't like Fiats when i got mine, now my sister has a 1.4 GP Dynamic Sport and he likes driving both our cars, won him over.
 
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Is the 1.9 the same 16v 1.9 Alfa Romeo engine? And what mpg do you get from it?

Its a 1.9 8v, i get about 43-47mpg can get 50 if very carefull depending on how i drive it, but never seen less than 41 over a tank and thats when driven hard.
 
Is the 1.9 the same 16v 1.9 Alfa Romeo engine? And what mpg do you get from it?

It's the 1910cc FIAT unit. Comes with 8v and 16v heads, currently with the multijet injection system. Alfa do use it. There is also a version with an extra piston copied and pasted in.
 
Was actually a joke about another thread, but who needs excitement on the motorway? Avensi are extremely comfy, good motorway cars

I used one to travel down to Bristol and back last week and it was boring enough to border on being dangerous. It was a diesel (which I don't tend to like) but seemed geared way to high so there was very little pull in 6th or even 5th at legal speeds on the motorway, seats were comfy though.
 
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