GR Yaris v Focus RS

[RSstuff]

Reports of even standard Focus RS engines going bang, has made me think that spending £25-30k on a 8 year old Focus, may not be a such good idea. I was walking past the local Toyota dealership yesterday, and they had a 21 GR Yaris outside. Had a look around and sat in it, and wondered if it would be faster down a twisty B road than the Focus. The long warranty and build quality appealed to me too.

[Belle427]

Hardly anything in it I would think, maybe the yaris would be slightly more nimble due to size/weight.

[John D.]

Yaris seems like a no-brainer to me, unless you are a Fast Ford fan.

[Leicester Loyal]

I'd go GR if I had to pick one of the two, and I like Fords.

[Master Bean]

The Focus RS going bang was because Ford fitted the wrong head gasket. I assume most would have been replaced by now.

[RSstuff]

Leicester Loyal said:

I'd go GR if I had to pick one of the two, and I like Fords.

I like Fords too, and usually the extra 90 bhp and 4 cylinder engine would swing it in the Fords favour. But if there's nothing between the cars on the twisty stuff, the newer car probably makes more sense.

[Frimley111R]

Master Bean said:

The Focus RS going bang was because Ford fitted the wrong head gasket. I assume most would have been replaced by now.

This, that was all in the very first batch. Any that go band now are purely down to abuse.

[RSstuff]

Master Bean said:

The Focus RS going bang was because Ford fitted the wrong head gasket. I assume most would have been replaced by now.

I thought that too, but there's plenty of talk on RS forums of the engine, and particularly the pistons letting go.

[Frimley111R]

RSstuff said:

Master Bean said:

The Focus RS going bang was because Ford fitted the wrong head gasket. I assume most would have been replaced by now.

I thought that too, but there's plenty of talk on RS forums of the engine, and particularly the pistons letting go.

But that's the classic case of a few people who post with issues, a few hundred read it and tell a few thousand and all of a sudden a few issues end up being 'lots'.

34,000+ have been made, how many people have posted about their engine failing?

How many of those were ragged to within an inch of their lives? How many accurately followed the servicing schedules? How many were modified?

[RSstuff]

Frimley111R said:

Master Bean said:

The Focus RS going bang was because Ford fitted the wrong head gasket. I assume most would have been replaced by now.

This, that was all in the very first batch. Any that go band now are purely down to abuse.

Apparently the Mustang gasket was still fitted by the factory, well into 2017.

[joshcowin]

Frimley111R said:

But that's the classic case of a few people who post with issues, a few hundred read it and tell a few thousand and all of a sudden a few issues end up being 'lots'.

34,000+ have been made, how many people have posted about their engine failing?

How many of those were ragged to within an inch of their lives? How many accurately followed the servicing schedules? How many were modified?

This! Good post

[RSstuff]

I had a test drive in a GR Yaris yesterday, and it is was great along a twisty road. But it felt like another 30-40 bhp would help on the straights. Maybe the transmission switching to 2wd only, if it gets hot, suggests it's close to safe limits at 260 bhp.

Edited by RSstuff on Saturday 19th July 11:36

[CLK-GTR]

If it were my money I wouldn't even think twice. The Yaris is something a bit unique and special.

[John D.]

RSstuff said:

I had a test drive in a GR Yaris yesterday, and it is was great along a twisty road. But it felt like another 30-40 bhp would help on the straights. Maybe the transmission switching to 2wd only, if it gets hot, suggests it's close to safe limits at 260 bhp.

Edited by RSstuff on Saturday 19th July 11:36

It switches to 2wd drive if it gets hot? Never heard of that.

ECUs' reducing power when driving hard in hot conditions, yes.

[Olivera]

If it's a do everything car you're after then the Focus will be much more practical.

[RSstuff]

Olivera said:

If it's a do everything car you're after then the Focus will be much more practical.

Not looking for a do everything car, more a weekend toy. If every road tester didn't rave about Yaris, I'd wonder if it had enough power though.

[Belle427]

Litchfield offer a remap to 320 bhp with a 12 month warranty that`s got to be worth a look if you are after some more go.

[RSstuff]

Belle427 said:

Litchfield offer a remap to 320 bhp with a 12 month warranty that`s got to be worth a look if you are after some more go.

I wouldn't want to risk the Toyota warranty.

[Belle427]

Just enjoy as is then or buy a faster car.

[rallye101]

RSstuff said:

I had a test drive in a GR Yaris yesterday, and it is was great along a twisty road. But it felt like another 30-40 bhp would help on the straights. Maybe the transmission switching to 2wd only, if it gets hot, suggests it's close to safe limits at 260 bhp.

Edited by RSstuff on Saturday 19th July 11:36

Straight to Litchfield then..