Used M2 or new(ish) GR Yaris?

[Cald123]

Stuck at a bit of a crossroads.

5 months ago I picked up a nearly new MK4 focus ST mountune, an outstanding car. It's been my first ever 'performance' car and as the days go on I love it even more. However, with the used car market as crazy as it is at the moment, for once in my life, my sensible side is taking charge and I've decided to sell it. I've been offered a fair amount more than I paid for it and have been looking at either an M2 or Yaris GR.

The yaris is proving difficult to get, wait lists for a new ones are deep into 2023 and a large chunk of the ones for sale just now are touching 38k+, the ones that aren't are being snapped up. My question, Is it worth being patient and holding out for delivery mile yaris circuit pack at the right price? Or should I save myself the hassle (and some cash) and settle for a lightly used 16/17 plate non comp manual m2?

Fully aware that they are completely different cars (4wd vs rwd/ hot hatch vs coup etc) and might be a tad unusual to cross shop, mainly interested in how fun they are to drive. The car would be used for the daily commute to work no more than a handful of miles a day, for weekends mainly on country roads around the west of Scotland and the occasional run up north to the highlands. Practicality isn't an issue. Would love to hear from owners of either as to their thoughts.

Edited by Cald123 on Tuesday 24th August 01:04

[mikiec]

I’ve test driven both and if I had to choose one, the GR easily. But if you’re saying you can get the M2C now and for cheaper I’d do that, plus put an deposit in on the GR and see how you feel about both cars when you’re close to getting the GR

[mike74]

Surely whatever profit you're making from selling the Focus in this crazy market will be negated by the equally inflated prices of the M2 or Yaris?

[Al U]

Tough choice. I haven't driven either but I'd still say a non-comp M2 isn't that special but a GR Yaris does seem to be.

Then again I'd also guess that a non-comp M2 would be a nicer thing to daily drive than a GR Yaris. For a weekend hoon? I'd guess again that the GR Yaris is probably more engaging to drive on some of the great roads you have near you.

I guess you have to decide whether you want to bias your choice towards having something better for daily driving or the weekend hoon. I'd also test drive both if you can.

[Shifter1]

I would personally find an option C. But between these 2, the Yaris, if we are talking about the AWD.

[GTEYE]

Personally I would stick with the ST (which you love) and wait for the market to stabilise. You’ll otherwise overpay for an M2 or Yaris, but you can take comfort that the Focus isn’t currently losing value.

[Nurburgsingh]

Depends on what kind of roads you go out to find at the weekend.
The big sections of Scotland where you could be tempted to “press on” the M2 would be a better place to be.
The “lower” speed tight and twisty sections, you won’t see which way the Yaris went.

Horses for courses.

[Itsallicanafford]

Personally, I would buy a good mk3 Renaultsport Megane and trouser the substantial difference if I was in the market for a GR Yaris.

[TheAlastair34]

Thought about a two car lineup instead?

A Lotus Elise or a Boxster & a more normal car for daily duties

[Lee540]

mike74 said:

Surely whatever profit you're making from selling the Focus in this crazy market will be negated by the equally inflated prices of the M2 or Yaris?

My thoughts are the same. I've been offered a fair amount for my current car but I have to spend much more than I wanted to get into a different car. The difference to change is greater than it was pre-pandemic

[reapercushions]

M2 personally for me.

Yes I'm sure the Yaris drives well for what it is, but it's still a plasticy hatchback compared to the BM.

[ZX10R NIN]

Out of those two it would be the M2 but get a Comp if you can it's a more resolved package & will be the more desireable car when you want to move it on, in reality you're probably looking at late 2022 or early 2023 before you see a GR & just think of how much enjoyment you'll have racked up in the M2 in that time.

Also if you really want a GR I'm guessing a few will be on the market by then so maybe you can have both

Also consider an M4 Comp I personally think it's a better car then the M2 Comp.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd go for the M2...purely because I'd struggle to get excited about a car with only a 3 cylinder engine no matter how well it drives. I also much prefer RWD to 4WD when it comes to fun as well(unless it is raining and then the 4WD does come into its own in terms of putting the power down I reckon).

If the reviews are to be believed...the Yaris GR is a belting car for sure.

[Ratae]

Try and drive both, then decide. I had the same decision and drove an M2/M3/M4 whilst waiting for my GR, great cars in their own right but for our roads the GR is hands down more fun in my opinion. I'll be honest I struggled with my decision for a bit as I didn't like the cheaper feeling interior and old looking dash clocks after my GR test drive, but now I've lived with it for 2-3 months its not bothered me at all, I still love every drive.

[nickfrog]

ZX10R NIN said:

Out of those two it would be the M2 but get a Comp if you can it's a more resolved package & will be the more desireable car when you want to move it on

Not sure on either counts.

I (slightly) prefer the N55 M2, sounds better, lighter, cheaper.

The chassis is quasi identical despite what the Internet and journos say.

[Jamescrs]

Both are going to be brilliant cars to drive in their own right when you want to have some fun but when it comes to the boring daily stuff sat in traffic etc you have the choice of sitting in a BMW with a really good interior and infotainment system or sitting in a Yaris which is still at the end of the day a Toyota with Toyota standard interior so on that basis it would be the M2 for me.

[Belle427]

Not driven either but has to be the M2 all day long.
The Yaris just isn't special enough for me.

[James-gbg1e]

Yaris is something I'd buy in 5+ years time and modify it to hell as a track weapon. Really don't see the appeal as a daily, naff hard plastic interior, infotainment looks like an etch-a-sketch and at the end of the day everyone who doesn't know about cars will think you're a 19 year old kid with driving a... Yaris.

Don't get me wrong I'm glad the car was made, but versus an M2 to live with and enjoy, unless you live on Cadwell Park I'd go M2 all day.

Gt86/MX5/Clio Sport could all be bought, modified and turned in to equally enjoyable track focused cars for much much less. AWD? Get a Scooby STI.

[Cald123]

Thanks everyone for the advice, took everyone’s comments on board about both cars. However not long after I posted this the dealer I bought my ST from called and offered me a slot for the new ST edition just before it hit the magazines. With the trade in value of my car the difference in price per month is almost nothing so I went for it. Will hopefully pick up either an m2 or Yaris in a year or two’s time when the market chills out a bit more.

New car should be here late next week, will get a few shots when it arrives. Thanks again everyone.

Edited by Cald123 on Saturday 28th August 16:12

[BorkBorkBork]

I considered an M2 last year, but decided against it. I jumped at the chance of buying a Yaris and I love it. I’ve bought and sold a number of high performance cars over the last few years, and in terms of value, nothing comes close to the Yaris. I remember people questioning the price when it was first announced, and I was the same. But they’ve squeezed every ounce of value out of that price tag. And as many suspect, Toyota are probably making a loss on every car they build.