Reviews vs reality: GR Yaris 2021
Discussion
AlphaDelta said:
I’ve had mine over 18 months. I drive it every 1-2 weeks. The only modifications I’ve made is a mirror riser which has improved the visibility and mudflaps.
Every time I drive it the grip is incredible. As others have said on a B road, especially in the wet, it is very capable. I still love the car. It’s likely to be the last new ICE car I buy. I do expect to change the exhaust at some point in the future and get a second set of wheels (I prefer silver to black).
I am in the same place. Previous car was a 991.1 GTS, fabulous and very different. On B roads it could feel wide, but in a straight line it's a good bit swifter than the GRY. On a UK trip, I would doubt there is much in it and I find the GRY a bit a fresh air. Basic, good fun with no frills. Do I miss 911 ownership, yes but not that much (image is not that important to me). In my experience the closest to the Yaris in how it covers bumpy surfaced B roads is an Elise. Every time I drive it the grip is incredible. As others have said on a B road, especially in the wet, it is very capable. I still love the car. It’s likely to be the last new ICE car I buy. I do expect to change the exhaust at some point in the future and get a second set of wheels (I prefer silver to black).
The major downside of the GRY is the dealers are truly awful, and sadly a regular requirement with short service intervals and so called safety checks.
IMac said:
I am in the same place. Previous car was a 991.1 GTS, fabulous and very different. On B roads it could feel wide, but in a straight line it's a good bit swifter than the GRY. On a UK trip, I would doubt there is much in it and I find the GRY a bit a fresh air. Basic, good fun with no frills. Do I miss 911 ownership, yes but not that much (image is not that important to me). In my experience the closest to the Yaris in how it covers bumpy surfaced B roads is an Elise.
The major downside of the GRY is the dealers are truly awful, and sadly a regular requirement with short service intervals and so called safety checks.
I binned off the safety checks as Toyota online confirmed it didn’t impact warranty. The major downside of the GRY is the dealers are truly awful, and sadly a regular requirement with short service intervals and so called safety checks.
I’ve had mine for over 2 years and 19,000 miles and still feel I’m learning just how much grip it’s got, I also have figured out how to make it slide when I want but I’m not as smooth with that as I could be.
Days like today -4 frost on the roads and running Goodyear supersports and I just had loads of grip and traction control rarely came on despite giving it my all down some narrow B roads. I’ve not owned the fast Porsches that are mentioned but I have no doubt in conditions like today people will struggle to get close to me on a B road and that’s without fitting more appropriate tyres!
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Had our circuit pack GR for 3 months now, Mrs Grumpy's daily driver, now done @3,000 miles, we both love it. Interestingly I have hardly touched either my motorbike or my 996 since it arrived. We are planning a drive to the Med this summer and will be taking the GR, that's how good it is. It is our go to car for everything, I am even thinking of selling the 996 as the GR covers every aspect of driving I can think of, but then replacing the 996 with a Civic Tyre R FK8 also seems appealing, as it'd give us a car with more room.
No regrets buying the GR, we're going to keep it forever, a last hurrah for petrol engined cars.
No regrets buying the GR, we're going to keep it forever, a last hurrah for petrol engined cars.
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Unreal said:
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Get to a dc or traffic light grand prix (yawn) then the turbo is gone. Yaris drivers in my experience aren't interested in straight line antics and even less in racing between traffic lights. In addition they often own a faster car as well, in terms of its power, top speed, acceleration times, etc.
Edited by Unreal on Monday 23 January 18:45
Unreal said:
Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Get to a dc or traffic light grand prix (yawn) then the turbo is gone. Yaris drivers in my experience aren't interested in straight line antics and even less in racing between traffic lights. In addition they often own a faster car as well, in terms of it's power, top speed, acceleration times, etc.
Kawasicki said:
Using your logic, the GR Yaris isn’t meaningfully quicker than a Golf GTI. Only a lunatic would try to overtake a hard driven GTI. In fact only a lunatic would drive a normal Golf at it’s potential on a B-Road,
I think the point is that the Golf would struggle to keep up following the Yaris.Stevil said:
Kawasicki said:
Using your logic, the GR Yaris isn’t meaningfully quicker than a Golf GTI. Only a lunatic would try to overtake a hard driven GTI. In fact only a lunatic would drive a normal Golf at it’s potential on a B-Road,
I think the point is that the Golf would struggle to keep up following the Yaris.
There will always be some maniac that is quicker than you in something less.
Stevil said:
Kawasicki said:
Using your logic, the GR Yaris isn’t meaningfully quicker than a Golf GTI. Only a lunatic would try to overtake a hard driven GTI. In fact only a lunatic would drive a normal Golf at it’s potential on a B-Road,
I think the point is that the Golf would struggle to keep up following the Yaris.ecsrobin said:
Stevil said:
Kawasicki said:
Using your logic, the GR Yaris isn’t meaningfully quicker than a Golf GTI. Only a lunatic would try to overtake a hard driven GTI. In fact only a lunatic would drive a normal Golf at it’s potential on a B-Road,
I think the point is that the Golf would struggle to keep up following the Yaris.There will always be some maniac that is quicker than you in something less.
Kawasicki said:
Yep. Which is why the whole quickest on a B-Road discussion is nonsense.
What we need is a UK version of the Touge battle on a closed off B-road. I guess that’s why so much weight is put by some on Nurburgring times as it’s more varied than a normal circuit but it’s wider and smoother than a B road. Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Get to a dc or traffic light grand prix (yawn) then the turbo is gone. Yaris drivers in my experience aren't interested in straight line antics and even less in racing between traffic lights. In addition they often own a faster car as well, in terms of it's power, top speed, acceleration times, etc.
You do get a fair few drivers who seem to want to race or see the car as a chance to drive like a dick. If I had to generalise I'd say, diesel saloons like the A4, Merc saloons, non M BMWs, Fiestas and Golfs. The GRY seems to trigger their male dominance gene. I'm past all that and just glad I don't have to drive some s
tbox every day. It must be some awful life if you look for wins on the road. I find serious performance cars are invariably driven to a far higher standard with the possible exception of Mercs now that many have fallen into the hands of a different type of owner.Edited by Unreal on Monday 23 January 16:45
Unreal said:
Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Kawasicki said:
Unreal said:
Riversides said:
Interesting recent lap time comparisons from Jason Plato on 5th Gear. GR Yaris best lap time was 47:15
A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Figures from a expert driver too. The Toyota is far more forgiving than the Porsche. The only place I think cars like the Porsche are quicker is in straight lines and on roads like motorways. That's how good this little car is. In my opinion, most of the reviews aren't able to convey the depth of its abilities.A 996T was 47:79
Unlikely these times were set on the same day and track temps/conditions may have had an impact, but both cars are in the same ball park and the 996T certainly didn't leave it for dust. A long high speed circuit would probably benefit the 996T...
Edited by Riversides on Monday 12th December 17:13
Get to a dc or traffic light grand prix (yawn) then the turbo is gone. Yaris drivers in my experience aren't interested in straight line antics and even less in racing between traffic lights. In addition they often own a faster car as well, in terms of it's power, top speed, acceleration times, etc.
You do get a fair few drivers who seem to want to race or see the car as a chance to drive like a dick. If I had to generalise I'd say, diesel saloons like the A4, Merc saloons, non M BMWs, Fiestas and Golfs. The GRY seems to trigger their male dominance gene. I'm past all that and just glad I don't have to drive some s
tbox every day. It must be some awful life if you look for wins on the road. I find serious performance cars are invariably driven to a far higher standard with the possible exception of Mercs now that many have fallen into the hands of a different type of owner.Edited by Unreal on Monday 23 January 16:45
Unreal said:
I will sell the GRY, buy a Fiat Panda and get some driving lessons.
Then I will go hunting 911 turbos. That'll show 'em.
I worked as a tyre tester at a tyre company based outside Vienna.Then I will go hunting 911 turbos. That'll show 'em.
I had a key to the proving ground, free tyres… no family, friends or even girlfriend at the time.
I drove a BMW 318is, with a lsd, decent aftermarket suspension. There was multiple tracks, but the one I practiced on for thousands of hours was a smallish dry handling track with loads of corners and 2 straights, each maybe 250m long. I also had a piece of kit that would time each lap and SAY the lap time out loud each time I passed the start/finish line. Every evening I was there, going round and round… trying everything and anything to chip away at my lap time in my poor, poor car. Nobody cared what I did, nobody even asked.
Then we invited the Porsche club of Vienna to the track. Over the whole day a large number of various Porsches, both road and race drove around the same track, A leaderboard was constructed. In the late afternoon they asked me what a decent lap time was. I told them the lap time I was driving, but didn’t mention the car. They then asked me what car it was driven with. The look on their faces was of complete disbelief when I told them it was driven with an old 4 cylinder BMW. The great thing was I could actually prove it… right there and then. I walked to my car, drove 3 laps slowly to warm everything up and on the fourth lap I got the lap time again.
Can I say that my 318is is faster than quick Porsches? No. I can say that the driver is more important than the car, even in situations where there is a huge difference between cars.
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