Any Tokico experiences?

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10-06-2009, 05:41 PM
OZMDD

Any Tokico experiences?

I've just discovered that Tokico now makes their HTS adjustable struts for the Yaris. Prior to this, the only decent choices were TRD (KYB custom-valved for Toyota) and Tokico Blues (preferred among the Yarii). So far as I can find, the only other adjustable struts out there are from C-One ($1400!!) Not gonna happen.

Does anyone have any experiences/knowledge that might be helpful in deciding if its worth an extra $200 to go with the HTS's over the Blues? I've had the AGX's on the Miata and really liked adjustability. At the same time, I'm not going to go so far as coilovers, since they are at least double the cost of the HTS's.

Gracias.
10-06-2009, 06:43 PM
cwisenheimer

This may or may not apply -- I don't know. If the Tokico Blues are roughly equivalent to Tokico HPs, I'd pass. I put on a set a few year ago and they were great...for about 6 months. After that, they were no better than the worn ones I threw out. This was on a Miata with lowering springs so they were probably overworked. However, I would prefer an over-engineered part to an "okay" one.
10-06-2009, 11:16 PM
Davidss

I would stay away from cheap non-adjustable struts. I don't think they would be much better than stock.

Ask tokico for a shock dyno of the HTS struts. That will tell you everything you need to know.

I would get the koni 8610 or 8611. They are cheap universal strut inserts for racers. You take your stock strut assembly, cut is open and gut it, then use the shell to mount the koni onto.
10-07-2009, 09:47 AM
OZMDD

Interesting...
10-07-2009, 10:49 AM
altiain

Why are you modifying a Yaris? :confused:
10-07-2009, 11:35 AM
OZMDD

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Why are you modifying a Yaris? :confused:

Why not?:D
10-07-2009, 11:40 AM
OZMDD

OK, more serious response: to go faster.
Please don't tell me that you're going elitist on me just because you drive an RX-8? Since I sold the Miata, this is my only autoX car, and I think its quite fun.
10-07-2009, 12:17 PM
Davidss

It is something to consider. Rather than put $1000 into struts, buy a $1000 miata/civic/mr2.
10-07-2009, 12:44 PM
altiain

What David said. For what it will cost you to make the Yaris vaguely entertaining you could pick up a dirt cheap Miata and have a lot more fun imho.

You can't polish a turd. And I'm not being elitist - I'm speaking from experience. I dumped a lot of money into my first autox/track car (an automatic Prelude) before I wised up and realized I could spend the same or less on a better platform and have a lot more fun.
10-07-2009, 01:01 PM
OZMDD

Thx. I just sold my "cheap" autox car, so already been down that road. You may not think you are being elitist, but calling my car a "turd" certainly makes you sound that way.
Some of us just enjoy autocross as a hobby and tweaking their car as a hobby. This is the plan that my budget supports, so I'm open to advice related to my OP, but not so much interested in what everyone thinks about my vehicle choice. Not trying to be defensive, but this isn't at-all related to the question I asked. :)
10-08-2009, 01:11 AM
Davidss

Another thing not really related to your question....

How much camber do you have?
10-08-2009, 07:48 AM
OZMDD

-1.5 in the front. Haven't done the camber plates in the rear yet (not adjustable without shims.) :)
10-08-2009, 01:15 PM
Davidss

Can you get any more front camber?
10-08-2009, 01:51 PM
OZMDD

Yes, but working with AJ to get it balanced. We decided to start there and try for more after the rear is shimmed. It will go up to about -3.5 in front.
10-08-2009, 01:57 PM
Robert

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

What David said. For what it will cost you to make the Yaris vaguely entertaining you could pick up a dirt cheap Miata and have a lot more fun imho.

You can't polish a turd.

You can polish a turd (saw it on myth busters) but once you are done you just have a shinny turd.

OP I am not calling the Yaris a turd just saying you can polish a turd.

Altiain advice is good advice, but it sounds like you are going to keep the Yaris and thats fine whatever you enjoy driving.

If you are on a budget I would put shocks way down on the list of mods to go faster. Good shocks are a lot of money and cheap shocks are not any better then the OEM shocks.

Items to go faster at autocross.

1. driver
2. tires
3. tires
4. tires
5. other
10-08-2009, 02:38 PM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

You can polish a turd (saw it on myth busters) but once you are done you just have a shinny turd.

OP I am not calling the Yaris a turd just saying you can polish a turd.

Altiain advice is good advice, but it sounds like you are going to keep the Yaris and thats fine whatever you enjoy driving.

If you are on a budget I would put shocks way down on the list of mods to go faster. Good shocks are a lot of money and cheap shocks are not any better then the OEM shocks.

Items to go faster at autocross.

1. driver
2. tires
3. tires
4. tires
5. other

Good advice, Robert. I would also possibly add a sway bar. At least on a Miata, a $100 front bar makes a world of difference.
10-08-2009, 02:50 PM
Rogue

I am pulling a set of those Blue Tokicos off one of my Miatas.
They were so bad I refused to drive on them.
I have driven Miata's with 120k on the stockers that were better, and this Miata doesn't even have but 120k.
I certainly would recommend against them.
10-08-2009, 05:03 PM
Robert

I am also a big fan of sway bars for bang for the buck improvment, but I don't know anything about FWD cars.
10-08-2009, 05:41 PM
OZMDD

Already added a TRD sway bar. Already running 15x7 Volk TE-37's w/ Kumho XS's. Running Tanabe NF210's, camber bolts, CAI, Udrive pulley...
Looking for better struts, and adjustable. Got what I needed here: consensus - Tokico struts are not the best.
Thanks all. Mods, feel free to lock this up.
10-08-2009, 06:32 PM
nealb

and be careful of KYB

I got some of them for a previous FWD car and they were exceeding stiff

when I needed to adjust them, the softest was too stiff

and the rebound and compression adjust together, rather than independently

I asked before I bought them if I didn't like them, if I could get a refund and return them

after having them less than 30 days, I called them and said I want to return them, and they laughed

I won't buy them again
10-09-2009, 09:12 AM
CobaltFire

Just a note, the Yaris (Vitz) is a popular car for track use and mountain running in Japan. I saw quite a few running pretty quick there, though they were the previoius version (our Echo). It's just another momentum car!
10-09-2009, 10:01 AM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobaltFire

It's just another momentum car!

So is an Accent.