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Now a Two Toyota Household

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by GrumpyCabbie, Oct 15, 2010.

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  1. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Had to let you know we're now a two Toyota household after my girlfriend traded in the 2008 Honda Civic for a new Toyota IQ.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    No sniggering at the back please! lol. It makes sense to have such a car here in the UK with petrol running at about $7.20 a US gallon and parking spaces becoming harder and harder to find.

    The stats for those who are interested;

    1.0 litre 3 pot engine with an cvt transmission.
    Fuel economy rating of 58 mpg (UK gallon on Euro test)
    0-60 time of 15 seconds which is slow, but its a city car and will surprisingly keep up on the open road.
    Very cheap annual road tax of £zero for 1st year and £20 a year thereafter. Some Range Rovers can be £500 a year to keep!
    Miniscule insurance rating resulting in small annual insurance premium.

    And finally, the thing that really sold it to the gf is the amazing turning circle of only 7 metres or 23 feet. You can U turn it in the narrowest of roads just like a London taxi. It has to be seen to be believed.

    Check out New Toyota IQ Car Review - Parker's for more details.

    I know this car will appear like madness to our friends across the pond, but times are hard over here still and the IQ makes sense in so many ways.
     
    #1 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 15, 2010
  2. 4540flossy

    4540flossy New Member

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    Congratulations - a nice choice. You could pretend that you are a one Toyota and one Aston Martin household!

    Our friends across the pond are due to get the iQ as a Scion later in the year I believe...
     
    #2 4540flossy, Oct 15, 2010
  3. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    #3 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 15, 2010
  4. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    The IQ does not look like madness to this NYer. If I drove to work that would be a great car to drive.Small, easy to park and good on fuel. Hope your GF enjoys her new ride.
     
    #4 Ryanpl, Oct 15, 2010
  5. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Buy you are still a denier! This won't make a dent in AGW. ;)

    p.s. I think it is great.
     
    #5 spiderman, Oct 15, 2010
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Awesome. Let us know how it goes (well.. as long as your gf is ok with us bugging her!) We won't get it until next year. I expect it to be fairly popular in Canada (in particular, Quebec), since we tend to favour smaller cars. We'll be getting the 1.33 litre version... and wow... Cdn$1,500 for the CVT? ouch!
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Oct 15, 2010
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like it! how much is the base sticker? is it larger than smart?
     
    #7 bisco, Oct 15, 2010
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's a bit larger because it's a 3+1 meaning it can seat 3 adults and one child (behind the driver's seat).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Oct 16, 2010
  9. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Oh, how cute! :)
     
    #9 Rae Vynn, Oct 16, 2010
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Your local fuel supplier and your mechanic are the only ones upset by your GF's choice of car. I love the iQ!
     
    #10 patsparks, Oct 16, 2010
  11. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    @bisco The sticker price here in the UK is £11,000 inc the £1,000 auto option. Remember that this includes 17.5% VAT (sales tax) and various other import duties for Japanese cars. Also, we got a discount, but I can't possibly tell you how much! ;)

    @tideland It is a 3+1 rather than a 2+2 but you really wouldn't want to travel in the back for long periods. The back is great for younger kids or the occasional adult, but its the flexibility we like (which you don't have with the Smart) as we have the back seats down all the time.

    @Rae Cute? But I'm not in the picture!?! :D

    @Patsparks Yeah fuel is something it doesn't use much of. In fact the gf has just got home and was as pleased as punch for getting an average consumption of 62 mpg (UK) - something she didn't get anywhere near with the Civic. Also, have Toyota Aus got any plans to release the IQ over there?


    @All - I'm surprised non of you have picked up on the amazing turning circle, or would that only be of use in tight European towns?
     
    #11 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 16, 2010
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like a tight turning radius, but it really isn't that important here unless you're in a congested city.:)
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 16, 2010
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah, that 3rd seat would've came in handy 2 years ago...

    Well we can't u-turn and even if we do, 3-point turns are doable... then again, a Camry is the largest car we've ever owned.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Oct 16, 2010
  14. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I wonder then if the US/NA version (when released) will have a different steering system to the Jap/Euro model? I suppose there's no point to it if you don't need it. But it is bl**dy good fun :)
     
    #14 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 17, 2010
  15. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Good luck with the IQ. A tight steering ratio always helps to allow a uturn instead of a y-turn. I'm not sure if the 1L is pratical here as even in most congested cities there is a need to quickly get to highway speeds.

    There is a car2go program in my city. There are special small free parking spots down town for the cars. Once you signed up, you can hop in one the specially painted car2go and swipe a credit card and rent it by the hour or the day. I know some one car families, where the athletic one bikes to work, but they they are trying the car2go as the second car. Its also good for students, when your car brakes down etc. The idea is to remove congestion and polution downtown, and the program is set up by smart and the city.
     
    #15 austingreen, Oct 17, 2010
  16. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I opened this thread expecting to see 2 Priuses or something common like that, but wow was I pleasantly surprised! Great car choice!
     
    #16 macmaster05, Oct 17, 2010
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I hope not. I'm sick and tired of "Americanized" versions of cars that we see overseas cause it usually means numb steering and softer suspensions (and not slightly softer.. there's not a hint of firmness anywhere) as well as simpler gauges.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Oct 17, 2010
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  18. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    Wow 15 seconds is epic. Still, I guess it could make sense on tight roads built for horses :)
     
    #18 Skoorbmax, Oct 19, 2010
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    But don't the manufacturers give people what they want? I personally don't like the harder european suspension we get here!

    Anyhow, why don't the Canadians hassle the manufacturers for the cars to be tuned more to their liking and requirements? I've heard you get some smaller engined models compared to the US versions, but maybe that could run further and adjust suspension?
     
    #19 GrumpyCabbie, Oct 19, 2010
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol... Well the softer suspension can be a blessing. Our roads aren't as impeccable as those in Europe.. (at least those that we see on TV lol.) so a stiff suspension will be hard on the back.


    It depends if the manufacturer can see a business case here. We do get smaller engines (like the C250 model that the US doesn't get or the B-Class) but oddly enough, Acura Canada decided to delay the launch of the TSX wagon in Canada (Honda Accord Tourer) but the launch is still on target for the US.
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Oct 19, 2010
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