Discussion
I know, I know - we're all getting a bit bored of GR Yaris content, but I had to share this here.
Like many of us, I followed all of the launch reviews quite closely. I have a few old cars, including an Integrale which I love, so the idea of a new car built along a similar ethos was definitely something that interested me. When the reviews all came out in November so positively I thought it was time to order one, especially since the deposit was refundable. Then in December I finally got to drive the car - although a short drive round the Bristol ring road didn't really give me much opportunity, it was enough to get an initial feel for the car, which was very positive, so I decided to go ahead. Once you order the car, there's an app where you can follow progress (although the first few months were just logged as order being processed before moving to build etc). Getting a text to say the car was in build was exciting, and as build completed, Toyota GB also let me know which boat the car was on so I could track the car from Japan through the Suez Canal (thankfully just ahead of the blockage) and into Bristol. Then the car was up to Toyota GB for pre-delivery checks before back to my dealer (Motorline in Bristol South).
The excitement built as the car got closer, and then I got a call from the dealer with a due date, and finally I got to pick the car up on Saturday.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and the car looked amazing. I chose red initially, then saw a black car quite early on and thought about changing, but then test drove a red car, so stayed with red, and I'm so glad I did - I think it looks amazing, the paint was popping in the sun on Saturday and I'm really pleased with it. There aren't many options, but I chose to have the circuit pack (extra diffs on the drivetrain, plus lighter wheels).
I've only done 100 miles so far, but in that short time it's already showing how good it is!
initial thoughts include:
- yes, the seats do feel quite high initially, but I think I'm used to it already - and I know a few suppliers are already making seat lowering kit if it's that much of an issue
- yes, the rear view mirror and big "iPad" style screen to take out a chunk of forward visibility - but it's minor, and I know there are solutions where you can move the rear view mirror, but it's not a big issue
- I'm running it in carefully - keeping to less than 3/4s throttle and mostly less than 4k revs for now
- I hardly used the Sport/Track/Normal dial (which sends different amounts of power to the front/rear wheels) - given the running in period I'm following, as you'd expect changing the dial makes no noticeable difference
- a short drive on the motorway showed the autonomous mode is effective - cool new tech, and a good party piece but probably not much more than that for now - the radar cruise seems to work well
- even up to 4k, the engine feels strong and powerful - there's loads of torque, and I can't wait to extend into the rev range - it feels pretty quick even at low revs, I think it'll be awesome at full chat
- I've also started reading about tuning - there's a few options for now, but no full ECU tuning; the tuning boxes available seem to get up to 300hp easily enough, especially when combined with a decent aftermarket exhaust. It's clearly a popular car for tuning with quite a few options available - the DTUK box seems to be generally acknowledged as one of the best, but I've a bit more homework to do on this
- the grip is phenomenal - going into what looks like a 40mph corner at 40 and the car flies through - next time going in at 50 and it still flies through - even at higher speed (NSL road, good visibility, open corner), going in at 60mph was still well within the limits of the car
- I live in the South West, so looking forward to getting out to Castle Combe - maybe this autumn when the bad weather comes back would be fun!
But for now, I'm just going to drive it and enjoy it. It's the first proper new car I've had for 15 years, and so far I absolutely love it!
Like many of us, I followed all of the launch reviews quite closely. I have a few old cars, including an Integrale which I love, so the idea of a new car built along a similar ethos was definitely something that interested me. When the reviews all came out in November so positively I thought it was time to order one, especially since the deposit was refundable. Then in December I finally got to drive the car - although a short drive round the Bristol ring road didn't really give me much opportunity, it was enough to get an initial feel for the car, which was very positive, so I decided to go ahead. Once you order the car, there's an app where you can follow progress (although the first few months were just logged as order being processed before moving to build etc). Getting a text to say the car was in build was exciting, and as build completed, Toyota GB also let me know which boat the car was on so I could track the car from Japan through the Suez Canal (thankfully just ahead of the blockage) and into Bristol. Then the car was up to Toyota GB for pre-delivery checks before back to my dealer (Motorline in Bristol South).
The excitement built as the car got closer, and then I got a call from the dealer with a due date, and finally I got to pick the car up on Saturday.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and the car looked amazing. I chose red initially, then saw a black car quite early on and thought about changing, but then test drove a red car, so stayed with red, and I'm so glad I did - I think it looks amazing, the paint was popping in the sun on Saturday and I'm really pleased with it. There aren't many options, but I chose to have the circuit pack (extra diffs on the drivetrain, plus lighter wheels).
I've only done 100 miles so far, but in that short time it's already showing how good it is!
initial thoughts include:
- yes, the seats do feel quite high initially, but I think I'm used to it already - and I know a few suppliers are already making seat lowering kit if it's that much of an issue
- yes, the rear view mirror and big "iPad" style screen to take out a chunk of forward visibility - but it's minor, and I know there are solutions where you can move the rear view mirror, but it's not a big issue
- I'm running it in carefully - keeping to less than 3/4s throttle and mostly less than 4k revs for now
- I hardly used the Sport/Track/Normal dial (which sends different amounts of power to the front/rear wheels) - given the running in period I'm following, as you'd expect changing the dial makes no noticeable difference
- a short drive on the motorway showed the autonomous mode is effective - cool new tech, and a good party piece but probably not much more than that for now - the radar cruise seems to work well
- even up to 4k, the engine feels strong and powerful - there's loads of torque, and I can't wait to extend into the rev range - it feels pretty quick even at low revs, I think it'll be awesome at full chat
- I've also started reading about tuning - there's a few options for now, but no full ECU tuning; the tuning boxes available seem to get up to 300hp easily enough, especially when combined with a decent aftermarket exhaust. It's clearly a popular car for tuning with quite a few options available - the DTUK box seems to be generally acknowledged as one of the best, but I've a bit more homework to do on this
- the grip is phenomenal - going into what looks like a 40mph corner at 40 and the car flies through - next time going in at 50 and it still flies through - even at higher speed (NSL road, good visibility, open corner), going in at 60mph was still well within the limits of the car
- I live in the South West, so looking forward to getting out to Castle Combe - maybe this autumn when the bad weather comes back would be fun!
But for now, I'm just going to drive it and enjoy it. It's the first proper new car I've had for 15 years, and so far I absolutely love it!
Edited by rejn on Monday 19th April 10:30
actually slightly regret not ordering mine in red - really suits the car, especially in bright sunlight.
i ended up going for the only free option, white. done 950 miles now and fully run in. first track day on Friday at Goodwood, praying for rain....
i ended up going for the only free option, white. done 950 miles now and fully run in. first track day on Friday at Goodwood, praying for rain....
Edited by seawise on Monday 19th April 11:51
rejn said:
Maty said:
Just had a quick look on Autotrader...are they really capped at 103mph top speed?
I haven't tried it yet, but I don't believe so.ETA Toyota quote top speed as 145mph, so doesn't appear to be capped. I'll let you know later this year once I've been to Castle Coombe!
rejn said:
Tell me more, Chris?Tuning boxes modify various standard sensor readings to fool the ECU- however in my case it caused limp mode, diesel clatter & all sorts of nasties. False MPG readings too. Never a great way to performance tune an engine.
If you do some googling then you’ll also come across the iffy customer service reviews.
Darkside developments did a YT vid comparing these tuning boxes as well. The DTUK was pretty hopeless as I recall. Enough said.
Far be it for me to judge- but a website that feels the need to list results from various owners just doesn’t sit right. All seems a bit amateurish if I’m honest
Edited by chrismc1977 on Monday 19th April 22:18
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff