RE: Audi A1 quattro vs. Toyota GR Yaris
Discussion
Leon R said:
blade7 said:
Leon R said:
3 makes enough power and if you are turbo charging it then 3 is actually better than 4.
Mercedes Benz AMG A45 S.In reality I don't want to get into a bun fight with Yaris owners. I'm sure it's a great car, especially if you're not interested in looking at what's under the bonnet.
blade7 said:
Leon R said:
3 makes enough power and if you are turbo charging it then 3 is actually better than 4.
Mercedes Benz AMG A45 S.We have a three, a four and a six currently, and a diesel 4, like all of them for different reasons. The three is a Fiesta Ecoboost, its really pretty damn good in my opinion and lacking a cylinder doesn't seem to make any difference. Had it since nearly new, from 2014, I was initially skeptical but drove it and was amazed how it felt like a proper car, not some gutless apology like a lot of superminis are.
It has 140 bhp, plenty of torque and goes better than pretty much any NA four Fiesta I have had or driven, cruises at 85/90 without missing a beat, will still pull at that speed, its not great on fuel if you do higher speeds and hammer it, thats physics but 55/60 is possible on a 60 mph cruise.
We had a Citroen C1, also 3 cylinder, not fast but did its job and suited the car, gave it a little character as well.
I have no qualms about three cylinder engines, or fours, or whatever else, as long as it has the right amount of power for the job in hand, decent power delivery, is enjoyable to use and doesnt break all the time, then I am happy.
Would love a GR Yaris, now the unbearable hype has died down at least, sure the Audi is pretty decent but couldn't spend 47 grand on an Audi A1.
blade7 said:
How about my Leon 2.0 4 cylinder estate, that has around 90 bhp more than your Yaris, and would whup it 0-60mph?
Not exactly hard though when the car is an auto vs manual, had more power (and modified if 90bhp more?) and cost more at RRP. blade7 said:
I'm sure it's a great car, especially if you're not interested in looking at what's under the bonnet.
You say you don’t want to get in to a bun fight then post that great sentence 
That’s a huge generalisation there, I’m sure the Leon is a good car if you don’t mind looking at it. J4CKO said:
I have no qualms about three cylinder engines, or fours, or whatever else, as long as it has the right amount of power for the job in hand, decent power delivery, is enjoyable to use and doesnt break all the time, then I am happy.
Exactly this, there are so many posters that regularly appear in these threads, that will bash anything that isn’t a 6 or 8 cylinder despite probably having never driven the car in discussion. You’re the ones missing out, I will drive anything, some cars I dislike some I enjoy but I won’t rule out a car because it’s electric/auto/6 cylinders/French and so on.
J4CKO said:
blade7 said:
Leon R said:
3 makes enough power and if you are turbo charging it then 3 is actually better than 4.
Mercedes Benz AMG A45 S.blade7 said:
How about my Leon 2.0 4 cylinder estate, that has around 90 bhp more than your Yaris, and would whup it 0-60mph?
In reality I don't want to get into a bun fight with Yaris owners. I'm sure it's a great car, especially if you're not interested in looking at what's under the bonnet.
The implication being that what is under the bonnet of your Seat Estate is deeply interesting?In reality I don't want to get into a bun fight with Yaris owners. I'm sure it's a great car, especially if you're not interested in looking at what's under the bonnet.
I would get it if you had something with the Busso V6 or an R32 but a 4 cylinder turbo from VW is not any more interesting than a 3 pot turbo.
Baldchap said:
A lot of people are upset because the GR brilliant, and are determined to prove they're terrible for some reason.
EVO actually ran an article about it, explaining that sometimes, when everyone even half qualified who has actually experienced a thing says it is brilliant without exception, the thing actually is brilliant.
Sorry guys. You're not going to change the mind of those of us who have actually driven it.
It's undoubtedly a good car. The annoying thing about it is the gushing fanboism and sycophancy that can't admit to it having any flaws EVO actually ran an article about it, explaining that sometimes, when everyone even half qualified who has actually experienced a thing says it is brilliant without exception, the thing actually is brilliant.
Sorry guys. You're not going to change the mind of those of us who have actually driven it.
I was just reading a copy of Evo recently and they stated that every member of their team thought the driving position was poor (too high), yet you regularly read comments on PH (even this thread) where owners state the driving position is good, even desirably high. There was even an owner on here that was 6 foot 7 in height and claimed the driving position was perfect. Then there's criticism that it's ugly (subjective), it could turn in more sharply, and I would argue that it majors on traction which modern performance cars really just don't need more of.Olivera said:
It's undoubtedly a good car. The annoying thing about it is the gushing fanboism and sycophancy that can't admit to it having any flaws I was just reading a copy of Evo recently and they stated that every member of their team thought the driving position was poor (too high), yet you regularly read comments on PH (even this thread) where owners state the driving position is good, even desirably high. There was even an owner on here that was 6 foot 7 in height and claimed the driving position was perfect. Then there's criticism that it's ugly (subjective), it could turn in more sharply, and I would argue that it majors on traction which modern performance cars really just don't need more of.
Removing fanboy hat, the seating position is high and reduces visibility I don’t think anyone does argue that but what people are saying (and us tall ones) is the higher seating position is fine (have never see someone use perfect) and is quite standard for a hot hatch which allows you to make quicker progress than if you were sat on the floor. I was just reading a copy of Evo recently and they stated that every member of their team thought the driving position was poor (too high), yet you regularly read comments on PH (even this thread) where owners state the driving position is good, even desirably high. There was even an owner on here that was 6 foot 7 in height and claimed the driving position was perfect. Then there's criticism that it's ugly (subjective), it could turn in more sharply, and I would argue that it majors on traction which modern performance cars really just don't need more of.A lot of owners have improved turn in with the OEM camber bolts so would suggest that’s a known improvement from standard.
And looks are subjective on everything but it’s not universally hated like a BMW front end.
blade7 said:
ecsrobin said:
You say you don’t want to get in to a bun fight then post that great sentence That’s a huge generalisation there, I’m sure the Leon is a good car if you don’t mind looking at it.
I'm not interested in looking at it, or being looked at in it either. That’s a huge generalisation there, I’m sure the Leon is a good car if you don’t mind looking at it. ecsrobin said:
blade7 said:
ecsrobin said:
You say you don’t want to get in to a bun fight then post that great sentence That’s a huge generalisation there, I’m sure the Leon is a good car if you don’t mind looking at it.
I'm not interested in looking at it, or being looked at in it either. That’s a huge generalisation there, I’m sure the Leon is a good car if you don’t mind looking at it. 
.Edited by blade7 on Wednesday 10th August 11:31
ecsrobin said:
Removing fanboy hat, the seating position is high and reduces visibility I don’t think anyone does argue that but what people are saying (and us tall ones) is the higher seating position is fine (have never see someone use perfect) and is quite standard for a hot hatch which allows you to make quicker progress than if you were sat on the floor.
Again, every member of that Evo team thought the driving position was significantly flawed being too high. I personally (and many others) dislike sporting cars where the high seating position gives the feeling of sitting 'on' rather than 'in' the car, ergo the 'on stilts' seating position. Hence many owners are already looking at different seats or seat lowering kits. It's not a fatal flaw and one that can probably be rectified, so again I don't see the problem of admitting it? The 'being able to make better progress because the seat is 1.5-2.0 inches higher' is a bunk argument, unless you're a midget that can't see over the wheel it's going to make no difference to road visibility.ecsrobin said:
Olivera said:
It's undoubtedly a good car. The annoying thing about it is the gushing fanboism and sycophancy that can't admit to it having any flaws I was just reading a copy of Evo recently and they stated that every member of their team thought the driving position was poor (too high), yet you regularly read comments on PH (even this thread) where owners state the driving position is good, even desirably high. There was even an owner on here that was 6 foot 7 in height and claimed the driving position was perfect. Then there's criticism that it's ugly (subjective), it could turn in more sharply, and I would argue that it majors on traction which modern performance cars really just don't need more of.
Removing fanboy hat, the seating position is high and reduces visibility I don’t think anyone does argue that but what people are saying (and us tall ones) is the higher seating position is fine (have never see someone use perfect) and is quite standard for a hot hatch which allows you to make quicker progress than if you were sat on the floor. I was just reading a copy of Evo recently and they stated that every member of their team thought the driving position was poor (too high), yet you regularly read comments on PH (even this thread) where owners state the driving position is good, even desirably high. There was even an owner on here that was 6 foot 7 in height and claimed the driving position was perfect. Then there's criticism that it's ugly (subjective), it could turn in more sharply, and I would argue that it majors on traction which modern performance cars really just don't need more of.A lot of owners have improved turn in with the OEM camber bolts so would suggest that’s a known improvement from standard.
And looks are subjective on everything but it’s not universally hated like a BMW front end.
Harry Metcalf actually sums up how I feel about the ride height better than I can starting at 4:40.
blade7 said:
J4CKO said:
blade7 said:
Leon R said:
3 makes enough power and if you are turbo charging it then 3 is actually better than 4.
Mercedes Benz AMG A45 S.But, liked it so decided to modify it, I like it but I expect if I tried the newer 3 cyl one I would like that as well, plus they were like 18k at the time, I paid 8, then lavished another six on it, give or take.
Leon R said:
The seat thing is interesting as it really hasn't bothered me at all on any of the road trips I have taken but it is a criticism that is everywhere, I think it would be more of an issue if I tracked mine but since I don't then it doesn't matter.
Harry Metcalf actually sums up how I feel about the ride height better than I can starting at 4:40.
Yes, older people like that Harry Metcalf actually sums up how I feel about the ride height better than I can starting at 4:40.
thats why they buy SUV cars or little higher cars so you can step in easily and step out more easily and yes, get a better view and so on...
but its not very sporty! also you move up the pendulum effect, even he says, the little car is high! and shows that by walking to some others cars he have.
the GR Yaris could have been way lower, which I would like, not that I have one, but looked at one in a showroom and yes its way higher then you thing seeing in the pictures.
still a nice car though, but it could have been better for some at least.
Imo the same "high seating position" criticism also applies to the Clio 172/182. (In those you also had a bus type steering wheel that was oddly positioned in relation to the driver.) This however hasn't stopped journos or regular folk as regarding the 172/182s as being one of the "last" great analogue hot hatches. (And I concur, for reference see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4e-Mwalhkg&t=... )
I think the same could be said about the GR in the future. Absolutely perfect and without any (even small) niggles? No. But do the positives far outweigh the negatives? Most certainly. And is it something special and a hoot to drive? Definitely.
Even more so as the GR Yaris' higher seating position actually works well/is cohesive with the rest of the controls (steering wheel, pedals, gear stick). It's not as odd a sensation as driving, for example, a Fiat 500 (Mainly the very odd pedal placement in that which, as far as I can remember, was dictated by the small packaging.)
The GR's seating position critique resembles that of the "soulless and pointless" engine in the GT86/BRZ. This was often said by people not having driven one or owned one. Many of those who did own and drive one (myself included) didn't perhaps think it was the greatest engine ever made, but still well matched the rest of the car and surely not a "problem" that'd spoil the whole experience. (You just had to rev the nuts off it.)
I'll end with Harry's words who says, after getting into the car in the video above: "I quite like the seats [in the GR Yaris] and I quite like my driving position in here".
I think the same could be said about the GR in the future. Absolutely perfect and without any (even small) niggles? No. But do the positives far outweigh the negatives? Most certainly. And is it something special and a hoot to drive? Definitely.
Even more so as the GR Yaris' higher seating position actually works well/is cohesive with the rest of the controls (steering wheel, pedals, gear stick). It's not as odd a sensation as driving, for example, a Fiat 500
(Mainly the very odd pedal placement in that which, as far as I can remember, was dictated by the small packaging.)The GR's seating position critique resembles that of the "soulless and pointless" engine in the GT86/BRZ. This was often said by people not having driven one or owned one. Many of those who did own and drive one (myself included) didn't perhaps think it was the greatest engine ever made, but still well matched the rest of the car and surely not a "problem" that'd spoil the whole experience. (You just had to rev the nuts off it.)
I'll end with Harry's words who says, after getting into the car in the video above: "I quite like the seats [in the GR Yaris] and I quite like my driving position in here".
I'm not sure there's a car been made that didn't have faults perceived by some owners.
I don't have a problem with the Yaris's seat height or mirror position but I would gladly get rid of stop start and lane assist. Turning both off every time I start the car irritates me, as does the infotainment interface.
I had a couple of E39 M5s. The seats were too slidey and didn't grip well enough when pressing on, which was kind of the point of the car. Others find the car perfect.
I'm driving about in a 3.2 S Boxster at the moment. Handling is sublime and the performance more than adequate but a combination of low height and uncut hedges and verges can make progress difficult and even dangerous.
That's just three cars, all perceived to be very good, and none are perfect (for me). Isn't that just life? The talk of modded Seat Leons in this company is good for a laugh though.
I don't have a problem with the Yaris's seat height or mirror position but I would gladly get rid of stop start and lane assist. Turning both off every time I start the car irritates me, as does the infotainment interface.
I had a couple of E39 M5s. The seats were too slidey and didn't grip well enough when pressing on, which was kind of the point of the car. Others find the car perfect.
I'm driving about in a 3.2 S Boxster at the moment. Handling is sublime and the performance more than adequate but a combination of low height and uncut hedges and verges can make progress difficult and even dangerous.
That's just three cars, all perceived to be very good, and none are perfect (for me). Isn't that just life? The talk of modded Seat Leons in this company is good for a laugh though.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff