Toyota GR Yaris

[dpfarr]

Cars returning to msrp levels almost makes me trade mine in. I’d have to finance the remainder and at current rates, it makes it an even greater bummer. Add in that I’m not getting this, I gotta believe I’m not missing out on what I think I might be.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Dake

Still wish we could get this 'Stateside. I'd pick this over the Corolla every day and twice on Sundays. I've had a couple opportunities for Circuit Edition GRCs for MSRP and just can't pull the trigger.

Why exactly? Because it's a few hundred pounds lighter?

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I had cause to hire a car over christmas to cart mum about. I ended up with a current model Corolla. I couldn't get over how big it was.

The current model Corolla isn't big. If you want a shock check out a Civic. They're huge. Corolla is one of the smallest cars in the compact class. The GR Corolla is basically a 2 door hatchback with a very large cargo area.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Why exactly? Because it's a few hundred pounds lighter?

The current model Corolla isn't big. If you want a shock check out a Civic. They're huge. Corolla is one of the smallest cars in the compact class. The GR Corolla is basically a 2 door hatchback with a very large cargo area.

GR Yaris is a homologation special and is more of a leap from the standard Yaris than the GR Corolla is from the standard Corolla. It will be collectable one day like other homologation specials. Being 450 pounds lighter, thanks to its slightly smaller dimensions, aluminum hood and doors, carbon fiber roof and bespoke body, would be nice too.

[Dake]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Why exactly? Because it's a few hundred pounds lighter?

Because it's smaller in every way. Its "added lightness" equates to less wasted space all around. I don't need four doors and a "few hundred pounds" is something racers dream of achieving in their cars.

It is also a bit more "special" in my mind. Don't get me wrong, the Corolla is fun and I'm really glad we got something over here. Its performance is superior to my old FRS in every way. But it doesn't move me. When it comes to cars, very few of our decisions are completely logical.

[WolfpackS2k]

Oh I hear you, just really wanted to know the reasons. Also I'm a fan of the Yaris, but I wouldn't pay the same (or more) money for a Yaris over the GRC so it's a moot point for me. Well besides the obvious moot point of it not being sold in the US. LOL.

[spike021]

I still can't get over the GR Yaris RS I rented in Japan a few months ago. It was the FWD, AT 120ish HP version...BUT it had the same rigid chassis and performance suspension, carbon roof, etc.

Despite the boring AT, it felt pretty tossable in the mountain twisties (friends took me up Mt. Tsukuba and around the backroads of Hakone/Shizuoka near Fuji) and perfectly enjoyable.

Once I put that thing into "PWR" mode instead of "ECO" mode it actually didn't feel too bad on the tight, narrow, twisty roads.

Sounds like with this new one they also lowered the seating position a bit, which was one thing I didn't care for in the one I drove. So that's cool.

Wish Toyota would just spend the money on the testing/regulation stuff so they could sell it here.

Size-wise I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Having owned two Yarii in the past, I really wished they sold the GR Yaris here. I would have bought it instantly. The GR Corolla was at the very limit of how big I wanted a car to be, so I'm happy with it. The seating position is a tad bit too high tho. I got used to it over time.

If I ever move to Japan, I'll try to buy a GRY.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by spike021

Wish Toyota would just spend the money on the testing/regulation stuff so they could sell it here.

I've read that the car would have to be heavier to meet US regs.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I've read that the car would have to be heavier to meet US regs.

Probably one situation where as long as it's not too much heavier I wouldn't mind as long as they tune up the performance of the engine a bit, which they seem to be capable of.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Oh I hear you, just really wanted to know the reasons. Also I'm a fan of the Yaris, but I wouldn't pay the same (or more) money for a Yaris over the GRC so it's a moot point for me. Well besides the obvious moot point of it not being sold in the US. LOL.

Over here it’s $8000 cheaper for the top spec GR Yaris and that’s the one with the pair of Torsen limited-slip differentials, lighter forged wheels and other bits. It’s the one I’d pick.

[Dirty Harry]

I must admit, I’m pretty excited about this. They’ve fixed all the complaints by the motoring journalists and enthusiasts. Lowered the navigation/entertainment screen within the dash, raised the rear view mirror, so combined, visibility is better. They’ve lowered the seat height by 25mm too, so you don’t feel like you’re sitting on top of the car, Toyota listens to complaints, well done! They’ve also bumped up the power by 24kw (32hp) and torque by 30Nm (22 ft lbs). It’s now got more power and torque than the GR Corolla and weighs roughly 200kg (440 lbs) less.

Worth a read: https://www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/...ota-gr-corolla

[WolfpackS2k]

That article says the GR Yaris (pre-facelift) has a higher seating position than the GRC. That's horrible! And I say that because I hate how high the driving position is in my GRC, lol.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

That article says the GR Yaris (pre-facelift) has a higher seating position than the GRC. That's horrible! And I say that because I hate how high the driving position is in my GRC, lol.

Gotta remember these cars are more or less based off of a Yaris and a Corolla...your run of the mill econoboxes.

(maybe less so with the GR Yaris...since that was a homologation special), but still the Yaris was the base car.

[fredzy]

Ah I thought they only bumped the GRY's power to 280hp or so. It's hard to imagine how this car would be to drive when the 400+ lb heavier GRC is already nuts with 300hp.

I like every change they made, including the interior. All about functionality, very unique. As if the car wasn't already bespoke enough.