Wait for GR Yaris or another car?

[Narod]

Hello, first post after making an account, have been reading posts here for the last week or so!

So I ordered a GR Yaris back in Feb, but with an ETA of May 22, I inevitably started looking at other cars, surprised I managed to make it to June to be fair!

I found a few potential cars of interest, but not really sure if any of them are worth switching out from the GR Yaris for. I have been able to test drive the GR Yaris at the end of April, but didn't really get any opportunity to take it down a twisty road, just some dual carriageways which I'm guessing isn't really it's major strength given it's relatively small amount of horses compared to some hot hatches.

A few cars I was looking at instead was the i30N, an R.S 280 and a Civic Type R. CTR seems a bit on the high-end of my budget so not certain on that (they seem to have gone up, probably due to the current state of the 2nd hand market).

However, I also found an M235i to be within budget too, and the fact it's got a great 6 cylinder engine does sort of sway me. I would have liked a coupe, but insurance is particularly odd for me with these, even a GT86 gives worse quotes than something the M235i.

Anyway, I know I've got some time to make my decision, but just wanted to hear peoples thoughts on these cars (or maybe anything that won't suck on insurance, I know it's different for everyone but there's general trends for some cars) or maybe something else. Might just have to start finding places that will actually let me test drive them!

Thanks

TL;dr: GR Yaris in May 22, or get a i30N / RS280 / CTR / M235i / (other car) sooner.

[Deadlysub]

I would wait for the Yaris, I haven’t driven one but from all of the reviews they seem to be pretty special.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd personally rather have a M235i over a GR Yaris, because I prefer RWD and I like my cars to actually have an engine under the bonnet(the small 3 cylinder engine in the Yaris doesn't appeal to me all that much). However I haven't read or heard a bad word said about the Yaris though, and it is definitely the car of the moment for sure.

[Baldchap]

I have a GRY and for any solo B road journeys I take it over two Lotuses and an RS4.

[Narod]

Deadlysub said:

I would wait for the Yaris, I haven’t driven one but from all of the reviews they seem to be pretty special.

It was certainly something, but just lack of experience on the other cars is probably what's killing me more than anything else. I did notice the difference from my current car (slow as hell 116d) and it even on the dual carriageways.

cerb4.5lee said:

I'd personally rather have a M235i over a GR Yaris, because I prefer RWD and I like my cars to actually have an engine under the bonnet(the small 3 cylinder engine in the Yaris doesn't appeal to me all that much). However I haven't read or heard a bad word said about the Yaris though, and it is definitely the car of the moment for sure.

Current car is a 116d so I can appreciate the chassis and that it's good fun when you want it to be, and I've tried a BMW with a bigger engine (640d) and that was great too, so it's tempting me a fair amount. Wish I had space for a second car as that would pretty much allow me to get both sides lol.

Baldchap said:

I have a GRY and for any solo B road journeys I take it over two Lotuses and an RS4.

Damn, that certainly says something! How long have you had yours for? The wait is pretty painful, I think if I do stick with a GR Yaris might have to start phoning around to see if I can get any sooner.

[Ratae]

I had itchy feet the same as you. I ordered my GRY in February with an ETA of December 2021 originally but it jumped up to April 2022.

I actually managed to find a cancelled order for a physical car last week, the car arrived on the Wednesday and I did the paperwork on Weds/Thurs and picked up on Friday! It was from a dealer 150 miles away though, but it was worth the trip.

Its worth phoning around dealers and keeping an eye on the GRY Facebook group and owners forum, they do appear and I only paid list price.

Compared to your options I have considered most at some point. A mate of mine had an M240i with a JB4 box and whilst it was incredibly quick its not a touch on the feel and overall capability of the GRY, they really are amazing on typical British roads.

Edited by Ratae on Wednesday 23 June 08:31

[JS2808]

E92 M3, F80 M3, M4, C63, Focus RS, Megane RS 250/265 Cup, Golf R, M140i, RS3, M2, RS4/5 and more.....

or a 30-35k Yaris

[TameRacingDriver]

What about get a cheap runabout, one that wont lose any/much money in a year just to have some fun with? Say an old R53 Mini, MX5, Boxster, something like that? That way you get to enjoy something else fun for a bit while you wait.

[James-gbg1e]

TameRacingDriver said:

What about get a cheap runabout, one that wont lose any/much money in a year just to have some fun with? Say an old R53 Mini, MX5, Boxster, something like that? That way you get to enjoy something else fun for a bit while you wait.

On that front as I don't really have a lot to say on the YGR, you could easily pick up a Clio 172/182 (Cup? Trophy?) as a B road warrior while you're waiting.

Had 3 of them in my driving career so far and provided you accept French build quality and panels made of aluminium foil, the same kind Mr Kipling uses... The engine, chassis and overall grin factor is undeniable. Not many cars can cock a rear wheel.

So that would be my vote. Cliosport was a decent owners forum too for advice.

[TameRacingDriver]

!72 Cup would be an ace little runabout. About 1,000kg, 170ish bhp, pared back and raw, nothing to go wrong really, also easier to do the cambelt. Quick even by todays standards. Might make a small profit on purchase price in a year too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334043623361?hash=item4...

First result on ebay. Do the work that needs doing and just add it onto the resale value, and then some, looking at the prices elsewhere. Profit in 12 months.

[Monkeylegend]

JS2808 said:

E92 M3, F80 M3, M4, C63, Focus RS, Megane RS 250/265 Cup, Golf R, M140i, RS3, M2, RS4/5 and more.....

or a 30-35k Yaris

Careful, this won't go down well

[Trevor555]

cerb4.5lee said:

I'd personally rather have a M235i over a GR Yaris, because I prefer RWD and I like my cars to actually have an engine under the bonnet(the small 3 cylinder engine in the Yaris doesn't appeal to me all that much). However I haven't read or heard a bad word said about the Yaris though, and it is definitely the car of the moment for sure.

I had huge reservations/worrys about it being a three cylinder lump.

On driving it I was pleasantly surprised, my thoughts being that the engine was eager, and aggressive, and didn't feel three cylinder out on the road.

The engine charges towards the red line, it does encourage you.

Go and get a test drive and let us know what you think.

[Trevor555]

Deadlysub said:

I would wait for the Yaris, I haven’t driven one but from all of the reviews they seem to be pretty special.

+1

Worth the wait.

[biggbn]

TameRacingDriver said:

What about get a cheap runabout, one that wont lose any/much money in a year just to have some fun with? Say an old R53 Mini, MX5, Boxster, something like that? That way you get to enjoy something else fun for a bit while you wait.

This seems like the ideal solution.

[cerb4.5lee]

Trevor555 said:

I had huge reservations/worrys about it being a three cylinder lump.

On driving it I was pleasantly surprised, my thoughts being that the engine was eager, and aggressive, and didn't feel three cylinder out on the road.

The engine charges towards the red line, it does encourage you.

Go and get a test drive and let us know what you think.

I'd definitely like a go in one for sure.

Harry Metcalfe absolutely loves his, and he has/had lots of seriously quality cars with belting engines...so it definitely says a lot about the GR Yaris for certain. I was half expecting him to say that it was crap if I am completely honest!

[mintmansam]

Wait for the Yaris, I mean look at the second hand market for them.

I’m in position that I may have to increase my annual mileage. I don’t have a commute and I’ve racked up near 4,000 miles since late Feb in it.

1000% get a test drive.

My thinking is it’s more Impreza / Evo but with decent fuel economy (33.5 average so far) and actually very good interior and features (radar cruise, AC, stop start)

[Narod]

Just going to quote a few of the main replies otherwise you'll end up with an essay of a reply

JS2808 said:

E92 M3, F80 M3, M4, C63, Focus RS, Megane RS 250/265 Cup, Golf R, M140i, RS3, M2, RS4/5 and more.....

or a 30-35k Yaris

The only reservement I have about the price of the car is the interior is not one of that price, but at the same time, the only car with a good wack of performance for that price with a good interior is 2nd hand.

All great cars you've listed, but I think I would be paying about half the value of some of those cars in insurance alone! Of those, I think the Megane RS could be attainable, but it's on the older end of really what I would be looking for.

TameRacingDriver said:

What about get a cheap runabout, one that wont lose any/much money in a year just to have some fun with? Say an old R53 Mini, MX5, Boxster, something like that? That way you get to enjoy something else fun for a bit while you wait.

Not a bad idea actually, had not considered that. I think I'll give it a short wait to see on my monthly update (in about a weeks time or so) where my GRY order is, as if it's been pulled forward there's little point, but otherwise could be a good shout.

mintmansam said:

Wait for the Yaris, I mean look at the second hand market for them.

I’m in position that I may have to increase my annual mileage. I don’t have a commute and I’ve racked up near 4,000 miles since late Feb in it.

1000% get a test drive.

My thinking is it’s more Impreza / Evo but with decent fuel economy (33.5 average so far) and actually very good interior and features (radar cruise, AC, stop start)

2nd hand market on all cars is nuts atm, and (as far as I know) there has never been a production car that has only appreciated, without taking an initial depreciation. I think as time goes on they'll devalue like any other hot hatch.

I did actually have a test drive, but I'd like to have a bit longer with it (had 1h30) so that I could bring it a bit closer to home, don't know the roads too well out the way the dealer is, so had to stick to main roads. Do agree with others about the engine, I've never owned a petrol turbo, but have driven a GT86 and it felt better than that engine in pretty much everyway.

I guess interior / features is subjective. Compared to an Evo/Subaru I guess it's like sitting in a palace at time, but compared to something like a 2 Series or a Golf R, it's a bit more like a Fisher Price interior - I'd say it is a bit of a downgrade over my current interior, but I didn't notice it that much on my test drive, probably because I was too busy on the main attraction!

Thanks everyone for their input so far! Definitely garnered more attention that I thought I would!