Sensible Secondhand Reviews: 2012 Toyota Verso-S 1.33 T Spirit (Ractis) - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@focusrssteve]

Great work as always Mr Lloyd, I do appreciate all the effort you put into all these videos, on cars with which most reviewers wouldn't, so thank you.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! "The Boss" actually offered the car to me about two years ago. I have finally now got round to filming it, and I am pleased to have done so, as nobody has a clue what these are!

[@geoffnoyes520]

There are a great many of these on the roads here in New Zealand, known as the Toyota Ractis. They are mainly the earlier model before the facelifted version tested here, they are used imports ex Japan, usually in nearly as new condition. I owned one for several years, brilliant little car, ours was totally reliable. Thank you for your continuing series of videos! My wife and I, (retired,) have a Nissan cube Z12, we call ourselves two squares in a cube 😊.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they sold the Cube over here for a short while (rather like the Verso-S, which also had a very short sales run in this country). I gather that a lot of the used cars in New Zealand are imports from Japan. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@seancooke7332]

I remember seeing the frontal area of this car but didn't realise that it was such an accommodating small SUV. Your review of the Vauxhall Meriva was very interesting and I would love to see the Ford BMax and the Renault Modus for comparison.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well sir, we would have to see what we can do, it just depends what I get offered, really. A surprisingly practical and well engineered car, although the driving position was a little bit strange.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another excellent review Sir, this takes me back to my mark 3 Yaris that I owned from new back in 2011 to 2014. Very familiar from the instruments, heating controls to the touch screen, the touch screen was called Toyotas touch and go at launch. Even then the Verso S was a rare beast, do not think I ever seen one in the dealership where I bought mine.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I had never heard of one of these before "The Boss" bought his in 2018. Although it is what the Fusion was to the Mark VI Fiesta, it seems to have a character all of its own for some reason. I am sure that a lot of the interior parts and other components are shared. I am not sure that Toyota ever bothered to market these properly in this country!

[@HWGearStory]

I just got my 2012 Verso-S recently, and it's really a good car. Just wonder why it sold soooooo bad in UK. in the B-sector mini MPV, almost 1000 Jazz/B-max/Meriva/IX20 then you can see a Verso-S on the road.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Verso-S was quite expensive, and not really promoted very much by Toyota at the time, so it's no wonder they didn't sell very many of them. I have reviews of all the others you mention on the channel, with the exception of the B-Max, by the way.

[@HWGearStory]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I'm quite pleased with the experience of my Verso-S, if I'm looking for another car in similar class, automatic gear, which one would you recommend? Honda Jazz, Ford B-max or Peugeot 2006? Thank you.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I have reviews on the 2008 and the Mark III Jazz (both of which were contemporaries of the Verso-S), which you can find on the Sensible Secondhand Reviews playlist, like this Verso-S! I haven't driven a B-Max, but based on my knowledge of other Fords of the era, models with the Ecoboost engine and/or the Powershift automatic gearbox are to be avoided.

[@colinhicks4174]

Obligatory Auto Trader check. 7 available. From approx £3k to £9.5k. The latter only have 5000miles on a 62 plate. Also, the auto is only £30 to tax. There is a 58000 version listed for 6700. So the one you tested could push 7000, I think I saw just over 40000 on the odo.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the dealership prices are higher than a private sale, but I would say that it is still worth around £5,000. Curiously, yes, the automatic has lower emissions than the manual.

[@mattw8332]

That looks very stylish for a mini MPV. I did consider a Yaris 1.33 before I bought my Hyundai last year. Did any spot the red Reliant Kitten parked on one of the streets?!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it's not bad, actually! It's surprisingly nice to drive as well. I am sure that the Reliant Kitten was there, I just didn't happen to spot it.

[@richardhowlett9424]

Yes 17.00

[@JC-hu1wd]

Yes spotted the Kitten. Hideous colour.

[@frothe42]

I find this quite enjoyable, which is unusual for a Toyota! Exterior styling reminds me of the Honda Jazz/Fit. Thank you very much for the review Joseph!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it was definitely a rival to the Mark II Jazz at the time, same sort of principle, really. Far more common in places like Japan than over here and quite rare, actually. Glad you enjoyed it, sir!

[@karlwood2268]

Very interesting review - never seen one of those before. I know what you mean about driving round London, remember it well when I used to drive through there to the ex in laws…

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! Yes, very rare cars indeed, but quite appealing in a strange sort of way... I try to avoid driving in London these days if I can!

[@MattysCars]

Interesting car. Not a lot of them around as I tried to source one for my aunty. And that was some years ago now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, only sold for something like 20 months in this country, I think. Those who have them tend to hold onto them as well.

[@richardhowlett9424]

What a great little car , love that roof .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's not bad, sir, is it? Surprisingly rare over here too.

[@jackho4449]

Thanks for your great review. Are most of the parts available in UK such as cam belt, clutches? Thanks

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The engine is chain driven. It is similar underneath to a Mark III Yaris (XP 130 shape), so many mechanical parts would presumably be shared with one of those. They were much, much more popular than the Verso-S.

[@jackho4449]

Thank you very much!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Hope you enjoyed the video!

[@jackho4449]

Sure! You are great!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Got probably 600 other reviews on the channel as well, if you are interested....

[@raymondhunt6109]

A lady near us has one of these, keeps it immaculate and it's ideal for her large dog.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's definitely one of the most practical small cars I have ever driven, would be perfect for carrying a dog, as you say!

[@rain-bender4712]

Has her dog got a motorbike for weekend use too?

[@trabali5168]

very rare, but would if been extremely modern in 1963!! (same year the P6 was intro i believe)?!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, although only the plate is from 1963, I am afraid.

[@byronmills5952]

A worthy car - but not a patch on the original Yaris Verso in terms of its versatility.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's why the people who bought the Yaris Versos loved them so much, of course!