Toyota Yaris GRMN ...
Discussion
No, I saw the reviews and took a flyer.
I did 120,000 miles over six years in a Yaris after my M3 was stolen --- it was the cheapest way to recover my NCB and I exchanged it for a three month old demonstrator with 5,000 miles on it, for £5000.
So it cost me £5000 + a couple of sets of tyres, a new battery and a pair of front brake discs and pads to do 115,000 miles and I saved a fortune on insuring my next tasty motor !
The GRMN is guaranteed to five years or 100,000 mils from new, and it has a flavour of Lotus ... and there are only 100 in the UK, and it's not £85k like the M3CS ... and if I get done for speeding I probably won't end up in prison !
amongst lots of other things ...
I did 120,000 miles over six years in a Yaris after my M3 was stolen --- it was the cheapest way to recover my NCB and I exchanged it for a three month old demonstrator with 5,000 miles on it, for £5000.
So it cost me £5000 + a couple of sets of tyres, a new battery and a pair of front brake discs and pads to do 115,000 miles and I saved a fortune on insuring my next tasty motor !
The GRMN is guaranteed to five years or 100,000 mils from new, and it has a flavour of Lotus ... and there are only 100 in the UK, and it's not £85k like the M3CS ... and if I get done for speeding I probably won't end up in prison !
amongst lots of other things ...
Well, first impressions.
This car is so taut. The gearchage is lovely, the suspension firm yet supple, and the engine has tremendous verve even while trying not to !
The seat is amazing and the ride position for me, is not a problem.
Accepted that the steering feels a little light (maybe more grippy tyres would help to load it up) .... the brakes are very linear with loads of capacity, and I love it !
People talk in glowing terms of the Renault Clio Trophy ... I owned the last one that I bought from the man who had won it in an Autocar competition (he sold it to buy back a Subaru that he had sold when he won the Trophy) ... but frankly, this Toyota is in another league.
All it lacks is the reputation in the name, and that will come.
So far, so amazing. I've shown it to friends who are used to Porsche prices ... they've ridden in it and looked at the engineering (including the Lotus bits), and they can't believe how little I paid for it.
If this reads like an advertisement ... you should hunt one out and try it, before the last few have gone.
I had almost thought of putting this one in a glass case and buying another to beast around my favourite circuits to show it off !!
Delta Integrale / RS1800 / Hoda Integra .... this is Toyota GRMN territory.
This car is so taut. The gearchage is lovely, the suspension firm yet supple, and the engine has tremendous verve even while trying not to !
The seat is amazing and the ride position for me, is not a problem.
Accepted that the steering feels a little light (maybe more grippy tyres would help to load it up) .... the brakes are very linear with loads of capacity, and I love it !
People talk in glowing terms of the Renault Clio Trophy ... I owned the last one that I bought from the man who had won it in an Autocar competition (he sold it to buy back a Subaru that he had sold when he won the Trophy) ... but frankly, this Toyota is in another league.
All it lacks is the reputation in the name, and that will come.
So far, so amazing. I've shown it to friends who are used to Porsche prices ... they've ridden in it and looked at the engineering (including the Lotus bits), and they can't believe how little I paid for it.
If this reads like an advertisement ... you should hunt one out and try it, before the last few have gone.
I had almost thought of putting this one in a glass case and buying another to beast around my favourite circuits to show it off !!
Delta Integrale / RS1800 / Hoda Integra .... this is Toyota GRMN territory.
Sorry for bringing this older thread back to life.
But I have just picked up my GRMN after originally going to test drive a new MX5 and GT86. The car was at the main dealers and not advertised anywhere online so was a hidden gem, and I was not expecting to find one!
Coming from a Z4 coupe the car feels so refreshing,responsive and lightweight to drive. I owned a DC2 Integra with AD08R tyres and the front end of the Yaris is just as grippy if not even more competent which is impressive considering it has a lot more torque to try break traction.
Would be good to find some other PH GRMN owners!
But I have just picked up my GRMN after originally going to test drive a new MX5 and GT86. The car was at the main dealers and not advertised anywhere online so was a hidden gem, and I was not expecting to find one!
Coming from a Z4 coupe the car feels so refreshing,responsive and lightweight to drive. I owned a DC2 Integra with AD08R tyres and the front end of the Yaris is just as grippy if not even more competent which is impressive considering it has a lot more torque to try break traction.
Would be good to find some other PH GRMN owners!
ChrisW. said:
I'm seriously considering taking mine to Oulton park on the 31st ...
It is a PCCB day but ??
I know what I can get away with driving the GT4 ....
Yes it is that good ... it's like a Clio Trophy, but more tactile
Tbh the one I drove was ok. But not THAT good. I'm afraid to say (IMO) the new Fiesta ST is a much better steer.It is a PCCB day but ??
I know what I can get away with driving the GT4 ....
Yes it is that good ... it's like a Clio Trophy, but more tactile
But what do I know, owned a Clio Trophy back in the day and thought that was crap tbh. Slow, poor brakes, terrible driving position, awful ride.
The GT4 on the other hand, Mmmmmmmmmmmm, niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice
Agreed that the driving position of the Trophy wasn't good for me either.
Well, I had a great day.
Ran out of front brake pads after 80 miles on track ... did 12 mpg ... and didn't disgrace myself amongst a throng of Porsche and a couple of other make cars.
I'm told that I did a 2:12 ... 2:10 is supposed to be a very good time for a Clio 197 ... so not bad for a first time out. Yes it did feel very very good.
Well, I had a great day.
Ran out of front brake pads after 80 miles on track ... did 12 mpg ... and didn't disgrace myself amongst a throng of Porsche and a couple of other make cars.
I'm told that I did a 2:12 ... 2:10 is supposed to be a very good time for a Clio 197 ... so not bad for a first time out. Yes it did feel very very good.
Just wondered what other PHers thoughts were on why there are 12 Yaris GRMNs on Autotrader? They also all seem to be a few thousand cheaper than they were new so makes me think they're possibly not going to be the investment they might initally have seems to be?
I'd potentially be interested in one of these though would be a little concerned about part availability etc in the future. Does it use fairly standard parts (ie plentiful Lotus bits) or are you current owners stockpiling in advance?
I'd potentially be interested in one of these though would be a little concerned about part availability etc in the future. Does it use fairly standard parts (ie plentiful Lotus bits) or are you current owners stockpiling in advance?
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