Kilometres travelled - 0-10,000 km
Do you buy this car new or used? - New
How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs) - $55,000
What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs?
I had owned various cars that I used in a wide range of motorsport events and I was looking for something that replaced all that had gone before but could be driven to each event I wanted to help or compete on.
What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you.
There were quite a few hot hatch options but then someone had mentioned the GR Yaris. Loved everything about it so I got in touch with the local Toyota Dealer, instantly ordered one and paid the deposit in September 2020. There was quite a wait. The build was started in January 2021 and I was amazed to pick it up in Christchurch on our 45th wedding anniversary (my wife is yet to drive the car - she has her 2 yr old Civic which I'm yet to drive). The specs and look of the GR were so amazing that getting one of the 80 scheduled for our shores was just a no-brainer!
That a better driver than me can more out of the GR than I can. Also this was the best car I could ever have bought and I will treasure it for the rest of my days. The power is phenomenal as is the handling but I can't quite reach the 200kph before having to brake at the end of the Ruapuna front straight. She is also the best car I have driven in the rain and I find myself praying for rain on race days. Fuel economy on race days is up around 25l/100km but around 7.5 on the open road. This is a car you just want to drive hard but not a car you want to have impounded so a huge thanks to Toyota for the cruise control on a 6 speed manual.
The only dislike is the lack of head room when I where a helmet but it's really my fault for being over 6ft tall. The only other emotion is LOVE about everything with the car.
Any other comments on the car?
Having a spare set of race rubber shod wheels was a good investment. There is also the eternal quandary of how for to go with extra spoilers or after market exhausts?
Star ratings:
- Reliability - 5/5
- Features/technology - 5/5
- Performance/economy - 5/5
- Value for money - 5/5
- Overall rating - 5/5
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
Absolutely without any second thoughts.