Reviews vs reality: GR Yaris 2021

[Mr_Creosote]

seawise said:

I've got both - GR Yaris and a 2018 Golf R (estate) - there really is no meaningful comparison, they aren't rivals. the GRY is a much more serious performance car than the Golf. the Golf is a very fast Golf, end. the GRY is a bespoke from the ground up performance car developed to provide a base for a WRC car. it's a showcase for what Toyota can do, and that is partly why it's taken the media by storm.

Our Golf falls apart when being driven at 7/8 tenths on a B road, it's woefully under damped and soft. Yes it's probably quicker than the GRY in a drag race, but who cares ? We'll continue to use our Golf to ferry the children to school, take the dog to the woods for walkies, do long distances, all in decent comfort, quiet, safety, speed and economy. it's brilliant at all those things.

But the GRY is in a different league when it comes to fun. I'm doing my first track day in the Yaris at Goodwood on Friday. It wouldn't even occur to me to attempt a track day in the Golf, it would be utterly out of it's comfort zone.

You’re backing up my thoughts and decision making here.... Thanks! I’m picking up my GRY on 19th May and it’ll sit on the drive next to my (2016) Golf R Estate, which is brilliant at all those things you listed. Can’t wait.

[bcr5784]

If the Harry's garage roadtest is to be believe the latest Golf R is just as capable as the Yaris down a B road - just not as much fun. It seems that, in particular, the Golf steering is particularly lifeless. Given that the steering on the Yaris isn't that car's best feature that is pretty damning.

[Mr_Creosote]

bcr5784 said:

If the Harry's garage roadtest is to be believe the latest Golf R is just as capable as the Yaris down a B road - just not as much fun. It seems that, in particular, the Golf steering is particularly lifeless. Given that the steering on the Yaris isn't that car's best feature that is pretty damning.

I appreciate that the comparison is vs the Lichfield Yaris but thought this quite an interesting review:

https://youtu.be/hzrsbToYwGg

[EK9_CTR]

My car is due for delivery in September. Circuit Pack of course and in pure white. Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

I'd say the asking price of £33,495 is good value given the level of engineering Toyota have put in. If you see it as a glorified econobox Yaris then you've missed the point and this probably isn't the car for you.

Dare I say, the £3,500 Circuit Pack is the most value-for-money optional package in automotive history? You certainly get a lot for your money!

In terms of my test drive? Well I placed a deposit almost immediately after returning to the dealership. I based the decision mostly on sheer grin factor in which the GRY certainly delivered. Won't be my daily and I rarely carry passengers (because I'd rather I didn't) therefore lack of practically wasn't an issue. Will be used mostly for evenings and weekends, B-road blasts and trackdays.

Only mods I'm planning are a HKS exhaust (Super Turbo Muffler) and uprated metal sintered brake pads (Project Mu, Endless, Carbone Lorraine etc.) if I feel necessary for track use.

Any Scottish GRY owners? Plenty of cracking B-roads on my doorstep. Excited to say the least. Good to have you back Toyota.

[MiseryStreak]

EK9_CTR said:

Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

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[tighnamara]

MiseryStreak said:

EK9_CTR said:

Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

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It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether white, black, red, pearlescent or whatever.

[MiseryStreak]

tighnamara said:

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether poverty spec inkjet white, junior smack dealer black, colon cancer rectal flare red, money shot of the millennium white or whatever.

Fixed those colour names there.

[loudlashadjuster]

[tighnamara]

MiseryStreak said:

tighnamara said:

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether poverty spec inkjet white, junior smack dealer black, colon cancer rectal flare red, money shot of the millennium white or whatever.

Fixed those colour names there.

[EK9_CTR]

tighnamara said:

MiseryStreak said:

EK9_CTR said:

Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

MiseryStreak’s Christmas Card List

• Mum
• Dad
• Sister
• EK9_CTR

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether white, black, red, pearlescent or whatever.

"Diss" a paint colour? You're having a laugh right? I think you'll find it was simply an opinion. No right or wrong answer when it comes to spec, colours etc. And yes I'm aware a pearlescent white car would drive the same as a flat white car, thanks for clearing that up.

[tighnamara]

EK9_CTR said:

tighnamara said:

MiseryStreak said:

EK9_CTR said:

Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

MiseryStreak’s Christmas Card List

• Mum
• Dad
• Sister
• EK9_CTR

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether white, black, red, pearlescent or whatever.

"Diss" a paint colour? You're having a laugh right? I think you'll find it was simply an opinion. No right or wrong answer when it comes to spec, colours etc. And yes I'm aware a pearlescent white car would drive the same as a flat white car, thanks for clearing that up.

Don’t take it seriously, just found it amusing that any comment was required on another colour.

[EK9_CTR]

tighnamara said:

EK9_CTR said:

tighnamara said:

MiseryStreak said:

EK9_CTR said:

Pearlescent paint doesn't suit the character of the car IMO.

MiseryStreak’s Christmas Card List

• Mum
• Dad
• Sister
• EK9_CTR

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether white, black, red, pearlescent or whatever.

"Diss" a paint colour? You're having a laugh right? I think you'll find it was simply an opinion. No right or wrong answer when it comes to spec, colours etc. And yes I'm aware a pearlescent white car would drive the same as a flat white car, thanks for clearing that up.

Don’t take it seriously, just found it amusing that any comment was required on another colour.

All good mate

In fact I saw a pearl white car the other day and it got my attention of course. Was parked up and spent a fair bit of time drooling over it.

Was rather hoping the owner would appear so I could have a good chat but no luck!

[tighnamara]

EK9_CTR said:

All good mate

In fact I saw a pearl white car the other day and it got my attention of course. Was parked up and spent a fair bit of time drooling over it.

Was rather hoping the owner would appear so I could have a good chat but no luck!

I picked mine up mid April and have only driven about 1/2 mile, went straight to Glasgow for underseal at Preserve & Protect and sitting waiting to be detailed (picked up untouched from dealer)

Should be in my hands next week..............at last

[EK9_CTR]

tighnamara said:

I picked mine up mid April and have only driven about 1/2 mile, went straight to Glasgow for underseal at Preserve & Protect and sitting waiting to be detailed (picked up untouched from dealer)

Should be in my hands next week..............at last

Heard nothing but good things about Preserve & Protect. Visited them last year to get one of my previous cars on a ramp for a quote but ended up selling before going ahead with the work. Certainly got a very good impression from them. Think they've had a few GRYs in there now along with plenty of other serious machinery. Time to run the car in and enjoy!

[Captain Obvious]

Mine is pearl white, I was told if I want the other taxi/fridge white then I'd have to wait 5 more months, so pearl it was! I actually prefer the flat white over Pearl but it doesn't bother me so much that it ruins the car for me.

[Gweeds]

There’s little doubt to me that the GR is a stunningly capable car that can embarrass some much pricier options in the right hands.

That doesn’t mean it’s always the answer to the ‘which car should I get for £35-40k though.

[MiseryStreak]

Gweeds said:

There’s little doubt to me that the GR is a stunningly capable car that can embarrass some much pricier options in the right hands.

That doesn’t mean it’s always the answer to the ‘which car should I get for £35-40k though.

I can’t disagree with that.



https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11548810

Although 0% finance, a 10 year warranty, all weather performance and the fact it’s not a Blackpool bathtub that will ruin you financially and then kill you, helps.

Still want the T350 more though…

[Baldchap]

tighnamara said:

It is funny how some have need to diss other paint to justify the colour purchased, don't know why "I purchased white" is not enough in the opening line.

All the colours suit the car and the bottom line is that they all drive the same whether white, black, red, pearlescent or whatever.

Not true. Red ones are fastest.

[isleofthorns]

Gweeds said:

There’s little doubt to me that the GR is a stunningly capable car that can embarrass some much pricier options in the right hands.

That doesn’t mean it’s always the answer to the ‘which car should I get for £35-40k though.

I've got one for delivery this month... been having cold feet. Not sure I really would benefit from one and 35k buys some decent alternatives.

[cidered77]

Picked mine up on Saturday, and see no reason to not fully embrace the hype. It's an absolute rocket - nothing to add really on the grip that hasnt been said before. Magazine pilots driving someone else's car and with generous insurance might complain it doesn't move around enough, but drive one of these to the point it brakes traction and at some point you're going to do some serious damage to yourself and somebody else.

Practicality wise, is a perfectly serviceable second daily driver. Kid fits in the back easily, leg room is great for someone lanky like me (only car I own without the seat set all the way back); yeah the mirror and touchscreen position is annoying, but only when static for me: don't notice on the road.

Ride and damping better than i remember from test drive, but test drive was 3 up and maybe 280kg of bloke (the other two being Big Units!).

Was not expecting for it to drive itself either! Put on radar cruise and auto lane centering on the drive home, rested hand on the steering wheel, and it drove me home beautifully. If not a little spookily.

Only thing that may frustrate me over time and see an earlier trade up to the Alpine i very much want to own is range - difficult to drive these sensibly, and unless you're on a motorway sub 200 miles is just annoying.

First car with Carplay too - can't see why any manufacturer would persist with their own infotainment spec with that available.