GR Yaris Switching from GR Yaris to GR86?

[Galerion]

Hi there, this is a copy of my thread in the GR Zone.

Switching from GR Yaris to GR86?

Hi there, I hope this is the right place to post this. So I find myself in an interesting situation. I have owned my GR Yaris for 3 and a half years at this point and I still think it has no rivals. It's fast, practical, decently comfortable, has all the gizmos you need and gets decent gas...

www.gr-zoo.com

If the mods don't like that then please let me know. Im mainly posting this also here just to reach a few more GR Yaris owners specifically who might have experiences or thoughts on this topic too.

So I find myself in a difficult situation. I have owned my GR Yaris for 3 and a half years at this point and I still think it has no rivals. It's fast, practical, decently comfortable, has all the gizmos you need and gets decent gas mileage for what it is. It's also extremely competent and capable which is a double-sided sword in a way.

Thing is as a petrolhead you always keep your eyes on other cars. I think many of you know what Im talking about. I have been thinking about switching to a sports coupe for a while now so I looked at potential ones that would be interesting to me. I looked at GR Supras, Camaros, Mustangs, GR86s and Lexus RC-Fs. I haven't driven any of them before so I tackled that issue.

Drove a manual GR Supra at the beginning of the year. Objectively a very good car but emotionally it really didn't do anything for me which was surprising but that's just how it is sometimes.
Today I drove a GR86 and a Camaro back to back and that was a mind opening experience for me. I realized just how spoiled I have become by lightweight cars. V8 + manual is a such sweet combination of things but you really felt that weight and the size at pretty much everything you did and I really wasn't a fan of that so that eliminated the Americans and the Lexus from my list.

The last one standing? The GR86 of course.
Quite a few say the car is slow and as a Yaris owner I was afraid I would feel that way too but I really didn't as I carved up some backroads. And I had a blast doing it. Now I really understand why everyone praises the handling of the car so much. It's incredible. You feel so connected to everything. Everything just feels kinda right.

Im currently thinking that the GR86 might be the more fulfilling car in my everyday life since "the fun" is way more accessible and I think it's very pretty to look at too. I already have some mods in mind that would enhance it even further.

But I can have only one car and I don't know if Im feeling comfortable selling the Yaris for it. Might sound harsh but it feels like I would trade a very special car for something not as special. Of course that's a bit unfair since the 86 is pretty unique in its own right too but I just can't shake that feeling currently.

I would appreciate some feedback from others who might have been in a similar position or people who own both of them.

 

[ChikiParts]

Rezzing this in case someone ever wondered the same question.

As they are sports car the answer is simple, you go with your emotions. The answer will different in Europe as it will be in Japan/Aus/US etc

As an Aussie the answer is too easy. There's no way you would get a GR86 over a GR Yaris. Nothing special about the 86, dime a dozen and will get cheaper. GR Yaris (with performance pack) just drives better, is faster, is more comfortable, more practical, easier to live with and is more fuel economical when you want it to be. You combine this with knowing the engine is strong and eager and it's just too easy to tune this for whatever you want it to be.

For the Euro people, the GR86 will become limited due to regulations. Whilst all of what I mentioned is true, the fact that it is limited will change your perception of the car, none of what is better matters because there will always be a faster car out there.

From my comment the 86 may not sound great, but only because it stands next to the greatness of the GR Yaris. Having owned a GR86 you can't go wrong with that car either, for the little money is very competent and the 3rd party support will last decades.

tl;dr - there's no way you would choose a 86 over the Yaris, but sports cars are always chosen on feeling/emotions. Choose what your heart says.

 

[Onehp]

I've had 5 years with a modified GT86, a GR86 avant la lettre.

To me the appeal of the GRY is 'rally car', and as such I want to drive it in a rally car like manner. High grip summer is for me the least appealing period and then I actually would prefer the NA FR RWD manual experience. It's more enjoyable even without pressing on to the max. Once it rains or gets more slippery, the GRY gets more interesting IMHO. While driving a RWD in slippery conditions can also be huge fun, it can also be stressfull when grip levels are unreliable, and when really slippery, just plain slow.

But as @ChikiParts writes, it's 100% emotions. Is there no way to rent a GR86 and store the GRY for a week or so and just try it?

 

[LittleMav]

That is funny - I just had this feeling 10 days ago - link to my post:

https://www.gr-zoo.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-gr-yaris-today.650/post-108188

 

[Galerion]

OP here. I didn't post it on here but I did post in the other one that I have decided against the GR86. Even taking my emotions out of the question, I couldn't justify it.

The GR86 is fun. No question about it and why I had such an interest in it. But objectively it's not looking so good. Making the switch would have cost me money and like was already said the Yaris is the better car in most way that count. You can only really think differently if you are FR purist at heart and I personally have never really been.
I grew up loving cars like the EVOs


Also emotions really are key here. I haven't told that story yet but I said in my starting post that I test drove a GR Supra. It was actually more then that. I was about to buy it. Me signing the papers was the only thing still missing. I even told the dealer that we will proceed with the deal beforehand.
But then something happened that I never experienced before. I was sitting at home and I was just feeling bad and not motivated to do anything. It got so bad that I got into the car late at night and drove around on a few local back roads. After I was finished with the drive I was sitting in the car and saying "f**k. What Im a doing here? I can't just sell the car.". On the same night I wrote the dealer an email where I cancelled the deal and apologized for my sudden change of mind. So yeah the GR Yaris really has captured my heart in a way no other car has managed to do before.

It's why I have now come to the conclusion to only really have a concrete buying wish for cars that are in the "dream car" category for me. Like I said in the Dream Cars thread we are talking about a Nissan GT-R and the Lexus V8 models but mainly the LC 500 here. Everything else just doesn't really make sense. There are tons of awesome cars out there but both time and money are limited resources and at some point you have to be a bit more realistic instead of constantly chasing the next best thing.

 

[LittleMav]

... So yeah the GR Yaris really has captured my heart in a way no other car has managed to do before.

Same here. And considering that I said „I’d never buy a Toyota“ in my early 20s, this means something. And yes, the GRY is my first one…

 

[GRBadger]

Rezzing this in case someone ever wondered the same question.

As they are sports car the answer is simple, you go with your emotions. The answer will different in Europe as it will be in Japan/Aus/US etc

As an Aussie the answer is too easy. There's no way you would get a GR86 over a GR Yaris. Nothing special about the 86, dime a dozen and will get cheaper. GR Yaris (with performance pack) just drives better, is faster, is more comfortable, more practical, easier to live with and is more fuel economical when you want it to be. You combine this with knowing the engine is strong and eager and it's just too easy to tune this for whatever you want it to be.

For the Euro people, the GR86 will become limited due to regulations. Whilst all of what I mentioned is true, the fact that it is limited will change your perception of the car, none of what is better matters because there will always be a faster car out there.

From my comment the 86 may not sound great, but only because it stands next to the greatness of the GR Yaris. Having owned a GR86 you can't go wrong with that car either, for the little money is very competent and the 3rd party support will last decades.

tl;dr - there's no way you would choose a 86 over the Yaris, but sports cars are always chosen on feeling/emotions. Choose what your heart says.

Personally opinion but for me the GR86 would need another 100bhp to be on my radar. Same goes for the MX5. Both are very good cars offering lots of smiles but I just wouldn’t feel that all boxes are ticked without a healthy dose of turbo shove to match their looks. A good reminder of how good the GR Yaris is the winter months when the roads are cold, damp and greasy and the AWD system is working hard and delivering performance that is pretty much unrivalled and has you grinning from ear to ear as you power down a damp country lane leaving much more exotic cars in a wake of damp leaves and spray and backing off and wondering how they just got left squirming by “just a Yaris”.

 

[callahan]

I looked into buying a GRY when they were first released and decided against it for the same reason I gave up on 'rally reps' previously - they're incredibly capable cars, but you tend to be going very fast to get some excitement from them. I didn't drive a GRY but read the same in reviews.

The GR86 is, for me, more along the lines of an MX5 (I've had a couple) and you can get more fun at sensible speeds. The GR86 is still pretty quick when you really push it, but it can still be very rewarding to drive at 7/10ths.

Ironically though, I might have to get something more practical that can fit four adults, a dog and luggage - which neither car can manage. If only we got the GR Corolla.....

In summary, all GR cars are good, just get the one that works for you.

 

[Galerion]

Same here. And considering that I said „I’d never buy a Toyota“ in my early 20s, this means something. And yes, the GRY is my first one…

I owned two Toyotas before. One of them even was a GRMN Yaris

But while I always had a lot of sympathies for Toyota, both cars were clearly only stepping stones. They never were in my "dream car" or "forever" category. But the GRY hit different. I was already captivated after the first news and teasers came out. Long before news of the car hit the more mainstream channels. I even traveled around to get a look at non-drivable prototypes like this.

It's why being human kinda sucks sometimes. Because we seem to be hardwired in a way that no matter how special something is, we sooner or later take it for granted. It's now just normal. It's where the phrase "You don't know what you have until it's gone." is coming from. It's unfortunately a real thing. Thankfully it never got that far in my experience of almost buying a GR Supra and Im very glad for it

 

[6mt]

Don't let the naysayers sway you—trust your gut. Speed and practicality are almost irrelevant to true enthusiasts who value driving attributes like steering feedback, agility, and responsiveness. The GR Yaris is fantastic at what it’s designed for—rally-inspired, quick, and undeniably fun, which is why I bought it. But if precision and sharpness are what you seek, it might not top the list.

Your feelings about the GR86 mirror mine after test-driving a Civic Type R. Despite being a larger and heavier car, it felt surprisingly sharper and more stable through corners on dry pavement. It was an absolute blast, defying what the specs might suggest. Does it mean the Type R is more fun than the GR Yaris? Not necessarily, but it does feel more precise and responsive. Would I trade the GR Yaris for a Civic Type R? Fortunately, I don’t have to choose—I plan to own both, as, to me, they’re two of the best driver’s cars available today.

If you’re drawn to the GR86, my advice is to go for it. The GR Yaris, depending on your needs, isn’t the ultimate automotive invention. There are cars at a similar price point that may excel in certain areas, depending on what you value (think S2000, Miata, GR86, etc.).

Just remember, you're asking for advice on a GR Yaris forum, where bias is almost guaranteed. There are some extremely fragile egos around here. This crowd can be fiercely loyal to the rally-bred AWD, much like the cult following during the Evo and STI days. Mentioning a GR86 (or a Type R) here could ruffle some feathers, as I learned the hard way. But at the end of the day, it’s about what car aligns with your driving preferences.

 

[ChikiParts]

Also emotions really are key here. I haven't told that story yet but I said in my starting post that I test drove a GR Supra. It was actually more then that. I was about to buy it. Me signing the papers was the only thing still missing.

You made the right choice. GR Supra in my experience doesn't feel fast until you are too fast. That's not necessarily what many want out of an everyday or fun car. It is very fast on the track, and any of my criticism is more about how highly competent it is as a package. Special car though, people will look back and realise how special it is to get a unique/daringly designed car with potent engine and available in manual. They'll miss it when it's gone. But still I would get a Yaris.

The Yaris for me is better than the GR86 easily on two points:

1. The GR86 isn't fast enough on pick up when you find a sudden short open road. The initial bite takes too long before something happens, it is fast enough when you are going however. GR Yaris is there anytime anywhere and will give you reliable grip in all conditions. As an everyday car the GR Yaris just wins.

2. They drive remarkably similar (as it should be considering the similar wheel base). The GR86 will give you a smooth transition to oversteer that enthusiasts and some highly value. The GR Yaris will feel a little artificial doing this as it is AWD, but it's not too dramatic. But again ultimately the GR Yaris will do this reliably in all conditions any where any time, when the road opens up and you want to do a quick cheeky squirt it's ready. Doesn't hurt that the GR Yaris has a better shifter as well

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

I chose a GR86 over a GR Yaris. Even after having the Yaris unaccompanied for a hour and gave it back having done 9mpg. I nearly did it and plenty to like but seating position and how you had to be going Warp 10 to feel special put me off. Anything below this and it just feels like a Yaris. The 86 feels better everywhere, even if it isn't "faster". Get the point about pick up but imo that's modern day driver laziness, expecting everything now. Anticipate better, drop a cog and go when safe to. I overtake plenty in this and in a 100bhp Swift. Another bonus for me with the 86 is you have to do it all. The Yaris sometimes makes you think you're a hero but it's still doing lots for you. The 86 is all you.

I've done fast cars and tbh if I want really fast I go for the bike. I bought the 86 for it's handling and the inputs I have to do to get it to work well. It has weak points but the modifications available are plentiful. I can even get the dog in the back so it's fine. When I decide to replace the Swift to keep a more practical car, it will probably be BMW estate or FK8 Type-R. The Yaris isn't really on my radar unless they start dropping in value.

 

[HudsonHornett]

Don't let the naysayers sway you—trust your gut. Speed and practicality are almost irrelevant to true enthusiasts who value driving attributes like steering feedback, agility, and responsiveness. The GR Yaris is fantastic at what it’s designed for—rally-inspired, quick, and undeniably fun, which is why I bought it. But if precision and sharpness are what you seek, it might not top the list.

Your feelings about the GR86 mirror mine after test-driving a Civic Type R. Despite being a larger and heavier car, it felt surprisingly sharper and more stable through corners on dry pavement. It was an absolute blast, defying what the specs might suggest. Does it mean the Type R is more fun than the GR Yaris? Not necessarily, but it does feel more precise and responsive. Would I trade the GR Yaris for a Civic Type R? Fortunately, I don’t have to choose—I plan to own both, as, to me, they’re two of the best driver’s cars available today.

If you’re drawn to the GR86, my advice is to go for it. The GR Yaris, depending on your needs, isn’t the ultimate automotive invention. There are cars at a similar price point that may excel in certain areas, depending on what you value (think S2000, Miata, GR86, etc.).

Just remember, you're asking for advice on a GR Yaris forum, where bias is almost guaranteed. There are some extremely fragile egos around here. This crowd can be fiercely loyal to the rally-bred AWD, much like the cult following during the Evo and STI days. Mentioning a GR86 (or a Type R) here could ruffle some feathers, as I learned the hard way. But at the end of the day, it’s about what car aligns with your driving preferences.

Thanks for this. Really interesting point of view. I love the GR86, I’ve had it for a year now and in my opinion it’s just a brilliant car. The only car I’d get instead would be a Porsche 718 (one of the 6 cylinder ones GTS 4.0 at least) and even then only because of the noise and pace. The GR86 for me is a very special little car, it handles unbelievably well, you sit nice and low, the steering feel is excellent and it’ll slide as much or as little as you want. My favourite thing though is how well it telegraphs grip, this element is absolutely on point and because it’s naturally aspirated the throttle application is very easy to manage. It’s a brilliant car that is plenty fast enough. I use it for my daily commute and overtake everything no problem, just needs a little thought, down a cog, check and go. Also, it handles so well that in the corners virtually nothing can keep up. It’s almost impossible to believe that Toyota made it 15 years ago, there wasn’t a car in the Toyota stable that I was remotely interested in. Then the GR Yaris was announced and I knew it would be awesome but the GR86 just blew me away. Proper enthusiast’s car.

So now I have one practical car, a track / fun car and a station car (but OMG what a station car). The practical car and track car are both super quick, so I don’t really need another really fast car. I was thinking about a Civic Type R to have access to the best gearchange in the world and have a more practical car (but then I’d want to keep the GR86), getting a 718 but that’s a very expensive station car, or get a convertible and keep the GR86, so that all bases are covered on the experience front. I’d love a GR Yaris but you can’t get one, so that’s a bit of a problem, so I’m thinking I may go down the convertible route. Something like the new Mini JCW. (Bizarrely, this is probably the cheapest option).

 

[Fred]

I owned two Toyotas before. One of them even was a GRMN Yaris

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View attachment 30636



But while I always had a lot of sympathies for Toyota, both cars were clearly only stepping stones. They never were in my "dream car" or "forever" category. But the GRY hit different. I was already captivated after the first news and teasers came out. Long before news of the car hit the more mainstream channels. I even traveled around to get a look at non-drivable prototypes like this.

View attachment 30637
View attachment 30638


It's why being human kinda sucks sometimes. Because we seem to be hardwired in a way that no matter how special something is, we sooner or later take it for granted. It's now just normal. It's where the phrase "You don't know what you have until it's gone." is coming from. It's unfortunately a real thing. Thankfully it never got that far in my experience of almost buying a GR Supra and Im very glad for it

Why do these guys wear coffee filters on their faces ...?