toyotaiQcentral.com

[sparkyiQ]

After owning original minis (i've had them all - vans, coopers, 1000s, clubmans etc), i reluctanty bought an Aygo Black 2 years ago for the 20mile per day commute to a new job.

I had the toyota motorsport springs put on the aygo as a kind of consolation, but still expected it to be a boring modern ride.

Well, what do you know. I love that car. And to my own amazement, i finally sold my last mini at the end of last year. I had only driven it about 3 times in 2008.

NOW, to the iQ. Obviously, my toyota dealer was keen for me to test it, and I went down there with the intention of finding something I didn't like, so I could keep my Aygo and a pocketful of cash.

ALAS, i signed that day, for an iQ2 in white. Delivery tomorrow (6th Feb). I will report back next week.

Although the reports say the body roll is minimal, and seemed fine on the test (but they don't really like hard cornering on their demos), I'm keen to drop it a bit and firm up the ride. I have sent an email to toyota motorsport asking when we are going to have some bits available, but nothing heard yet. Will let you know when I do.

VERY EXCITED.

[jason]

HI

Congrats on the new car. Do let us know how you get on with it an look forward to your report and pics if possible.

I think there will be a few people going from the Aygo to the iq.

[Akela]

Congratulations!!!

Now you know what to do...: Take a picture, And post it here, so we can see It! And enjoy your new car!! I´m alwais having the doubt of getting the IQ in Black or in white, white fits really good in the IQ!

[Emsonline]

So assuming that you've taken delivery now and you havent had a chance to report back as you're probably still driving it and showing it off to your friends and family.

[sparkyiQ]

OK, where to start????

First up, if you have placed an order for one of these cars, then...

Congratulations. You did the right thing. You will be happy. I am sure.

Obviously, when you spend that kind of money on anything, you are nervous. Well, bury those fears and get ready for some fun. As you can probably tell, I am delighted with mine.

I've only done 100 miles in it, so this is not a comprehensive review of the motoring experience. It's my first impressions after pick up. And a few pics!

Because I had the Aygo before, any comparisons will mainly be against that. Prior to that it was (proper) minis all the way, and I might mention something about that. And i will probably flit all over the place - I'm not a journalist.

So.....

I picked it up on Friday, and drove the 5 miles back to my house. First things i noticed - lovely car, comfortable, smooth and quiet. EXCEPT for the rear seat belts banging off the sides. That's going to really annoy me I thought. Anyway, got it home, and needed to head to the driving range.

NOTE: I am a golf obsessive, and I would never have bought this car if it wouldn't take 2 people and 2 sets of golf clubs (i took my clubs to the test drive and checked).

So down went the back seats, hmmm... annoying that the headrests have to come off, and just kick around. No matter I thought, they reduce visibility anyway, so I will put them in the house for long term storage. That's a bit rubbish though.

Anyway, an enjoyable drive up to the driving range, with the opportunity to test the turning circle in their large car park. Well I might as well have tested that in my kitchen. It's amazing. You can turn this in a parking space!

So, Saturday and a chance to RTFM (read the manual):

"when rear seat belts not in use, plug into storage sockets". Ahhhhh!!! Coooool.

"note how the headrests fit neatly under the dropped seats". Ahhhhhhh!!! Coool.

Stereo is great. really nice sound. The CD plays mp3 CDs, and it has the ipod socket as well. Although no storage by design for your ipod. There are spaces down there. Anyway, I am a radio guy, so i really don't care about that.

The display thing is good as you have mpg etc, but for some reason this only goes up to 60mpg. It's easy to become obsessed with watching that as well when you should be watching the road!!

Handling is very good. Better than I expected. It's a smooth ride, but the lateral roll (that I hate in modern cars) is noticeably absent.

The steering is responsive and if you currently drive an Aygo, watch out. That understeer is gone. This thing is tight. And in case i haven't explained that very well - it's good.

My wife could not get over how much room there is for the passenger. On Saturday night, we put another adult in the back (don't worry - she was willing) and they both had plenty of space. Another good thing is the passengers can't mess with your stereo.

Sunday I took it to sainsburys, and i put a full weeks shopping in, with plenty room to spare.

The seats are comfortable and the features are excellent. I don't have satnav as I'm against it on so many levels. BUT, you need to get the extra features that make the iQ2. The chromatic mirror was a new thing for me, and I LOVE that. Its like being in Tron. The keyless everything is very neat. Just walk up, get in and push the button and you are away. Get out, touch the door handle and walk away. The girls liked that.

Yesterday, I was caught in the traffic at Murrayfield and about 50,000 people walked past the car. It drew more attention that the SLK with two blondes in it behind me, and quite a few people took pics on their mobiles.

It's a really nice car to drive and going from the Aygo it really feels very luxurious. I haven't hammered it all yet and will run it gently for the first 500-1000. Then, and once the snow has gone, I'll get it tight on some corners that I know and we'll see how it is. It feels tight though. It's not a mini though, and if you want something you can go round any corner at any speed in, you need an original Cooper S.

Two years ago, I thought I would never own anything but minis. Now it's only minis, or iQs.

The short review: It's great. I love it.

If you have any questions at all, post them and I will reply. I will keep updating here with the good bad, and the ugly. Hey's it not ugly - it's different!!!

[White Pearl]

What a read...I love the IQ its great getting the looks, but don't think it will last long cos everyone will want one they are so cute and the white is gorgeous

[tsampikos]

CONGRATS... i have the one in black ...white is also as beutiful...if u find out anything about tuneup please share thx a lot.....

[NorwegianIQ]

Hello from Norway this time !

You said it has the ipod socket? I have the same car, so i wonder are you refering to the Aux.plug in the front? Because I cant connect my ipod to this plug. I have the IQ2 in the same color by the way

Rolf

OK, where to start????

First up, if you have placed an order for one of these cars, then...

Congratulations. You did the right thing. You will be happy. I am sure.

Obviously, when you spend that kind of money on anything, you are nervous. Well, bury those fears and get ready for some fun. As you can probably tell, I am delighted with mine.

I've only done 100 miles in it, so this is not a comprehensive review of the motoring experience. It's my first impressions after pick up. And a few pics!

Because I had the Aygo before, any comparisons will mainly be against that. Prior to that it was (proper) minis all the way, and I might mention something about that. And i will probably flit all over the place - I'm not a journalist.

So.....

I picked it up on Friday, and drove the 5 miles back to my house. First things i noticed - lovely car, comfortable, smooth and quiet. EXCEPT for the rear seat belts banging off the sides. That's going to really annoy me I thought. Anyway, got it home, and needed to head to the driving range.

NOTE: I am a golf obsessive, and I would never have bought this car if it wouldn't take 2 people and 2 sets of golf clubs (i took my clubs to the test drive and checked).

So down went the back seats, hmmm... annoying that the headrests have to come off, and just kick around. No matter I thought, they reduce visibility anyway, so I will put them in the house for long term storage. That's a bit rubbish though.

Anyway, an enjoyable drive up to the driving range, with the opportunity to test the turning circle in their large car park. Well I might as well have tested that in my kitchen. It's amazing. You can turn this in a parking space!

So, Saturday and a chance to RTFM (read the manual):

"when rear seat belts not in use, plug into storage sockets". Ahhhhh!!! Coooool.

"note how the headrests fit neatly under the dropped seats". Ahhhhhhh!!! Coool.

Stereo is great. really nice sound. The CD plays mp3 CDs, and it has the ipod socket as well. Although no storage by design for your ipod. There are spaces down there. Anyway, I am a radio guy, so i really don't care about that.

The display thing is good as you have mpg etc, but for some reason this only goes up to 60mpg. It's easy to become obsessed with watching that as well when you should be watching the road!!

Handling is very good. Better than I expected. It's a smooth ride, but the lateral roll (that I hate in modern cars) is noticeably absent.

The steering is responsive and if you currently drive an Aygo, watch out. That understeer is gone. This thing is tight. And in case i haven't explained that very well - it's good.

My wife could not get over how much room there is for the passenger. On Saturday night, we put another adult in the back (don't worry - she was willing) and they both had plenty of space. Another good thing is the passengers can't mess with your stereo.

Sunday I took it to sainsburys, and i put a full weeks shopping in, with plenty room to spare.

The seats are comfortable and the features are excellent. I don't have satnav as I'm against it on so many levels. BUT, you need to get the extra features that make the iQ2. The chromatic mirror was a new thing for me, and I LOVE that. Its like being in Tron. The keyless everything is very neat. Just walk up, get in and push the button and you are away. Get out, touch the door handle and walk away. The girls liked that.

Yesterday, I was caught in the traffic at Murrayfield and about 50,000 people walked past the car. It drew more attention that the SLK with two blondes in it behind me, and quite a few people took pics on their mobiles.

It's a really nice car to drive and going from the Aygo it really feels very luxurious. I haven't hammered it all yet and will run it gently for the first 500-1000. Then, and once the snow has gone, I'll get it tight on some corners that I know and we'll see how it is. It feels tight though. It's not a mini though, and if you want something you can go round any corner at any speed in, you need an original Cooper S.

Two years ago, I thought I would never own anything but minis. Now it's only minis, or iQs.

The short review: It's great. I love it.

If you have any questions at all, post them and I will reply. I will keep updating here with the good bad, and the ugly. Hey's it not ugly - it's different!!!

[JayneBlonde]

Hi, I pick up my IQ in September - (very excited as never had a new car!) does the radio have 'traffic announcements;? silly question i know, but just wondered!

)

[Nikoiq]

At least, here in Portugal, the answer is yes. The radio has traffic announcements.
So, I believe that in all countries, the radio specs will be the same.