I am not in love with my Toyota GR Yaris (3 Reasons). But it's the best car I've owned.

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on their journey with cars, particularly focusing on the Toyota GR Yaris. Despite initially being in love with their BMW M235i for its performance and luxury, the creator faced mechanical issues, leading them to seek a more reliable car. They discuss their experience with various vehicles, including the GR Yaris, which they acknowledge as a solid performer but not without its flaws—such as the limited boost in lower gears and the absence of an engaging exhaust sound. Ultimately, they appreciate the GR Yaris for its unique heritage, reliability, and connection to rally car culture, despite its imperfections.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker originally fell in love with their BMW M235i due to its stunning design, impressive exhaust sound, and powerful N55 engine.
• 😀 The BMW had reliability issues, but the speaker didn't consider it to be absolute trash, acknowledging that German cars often require higher maintenance, especially after high mileage.
• 😀 After getting rid of the BMW, the speaker looked for a more reliable car for daily use, preferring something under warranty, and tested several options like the Subaru BRZ, GR86, and BMW M240.
• 😀 The speaker initially did not find the Toyota GR Yaris impressive, especially after experiencing German cars, but eventually warmed up to it after considering its overall appeal.
• 😀 The speaker feels that many car enthusiasts, including themselves, struggle with never being fully satisfied with their current vehicle, always looking forward to the next one.
• 😀 The Toyota GR Yaris' exhaust sound does not compare to that of BMW's, as it lacks a noticeable exhaust note despite the engine's rough, rally-like character.
• 😀 The GR Yaris lacks low-end torque, which is something the speaker misses after driving the BMW, but the high-revving nature of the GR Yaris suits the speaker's preference for race car-like performance.
• 😀 The Toyota GR Yaris has some restrictions on its boost in first and second gears, which limits the full performance potential of the car, especially in regions with low speed limits.
• 😀 Despite the GR Yaris' limitations, the speaker appreciates Toyota's focus on reliability, and the car's design as a rally car, viewing these nannies as a protective measure for the drivetrain.
• 😀 The GR Yaris holds a special place for the speaker due to Toyota's legacy, the car's racing heritage, and the emotional connection to driving a car with such a unique background, making it their favorite car despite its imperfections.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially fall in love with their BMW?

The speaker was immediately impressed by the BMW's appearance, the feel of the materials inside, and the driving experience, especially the engine (n55 motor), the ZF8 gearbox, and the M performance exhaust. These features made the car feel luxurious and sporty, creating an emotional connection.

What were the mechanical issues the speaker encountered with the BMW?

The speaker experienced regular mechanical issues with the BMW, starting from the very first day of ownership. While not major, these issues persisted every few months, contributing to the speaker's decision to get rid of the car.

Why did the speaker choose to buy a Toyota Corolla Cross after the BMW?

The speaker needed a more reliable car for daily use and wanted something that was under warranty. After experiencing mechanical issues with the BMW, the speaker prioritized reliability and peace of mind over performance for their second car.

What other cars did the speaker cross-shop before settling on the Toyota GR Yaris?

The speaker considered various cars including the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86, and BMW m240, but none were under warranty or met their reliability requirements. The speaker ultimately decided against BMW due to concerns about high maintenance costs.

How did the speaker feel about the Toyota GR Yaris on their first test drives?

The speaker was not immediately impressed by the Toyota GR Yaris on the first or second test drive. Coming from a German car background, the speaker found the GR Yaris lacking in comparison to the driving experience of BMW or Audi cars.

What is the speaker's philosophical view on car ownership?

The speaker reflects on the privilege of owning a car and the temptation of constantly wanting to upgrade to the next best thing. While they acknowledge the desire for better cars, they also emphasize the importance of being content with what you have.

What issue does the speaker have with the exhaust sound of the Toyota GR Yaris?

The speaker dislikes the lack of exhaust sound in the Toyota GR Yaris, especially compared to the BMW. While the engine note is rough and rally-like, there is no significant exhaust noise or pops, which the speaker misses from their BMW.

What are the speaker's thoughts on the Toyota GR Yaris's lack of low-end torque?

The speaker prefers the GR Yaris's high-revving nature, but they also miss the low-end torque found in their BMW. They would have appreciated having both low-end torque and the high-revving character of the GR Yaris.

What is the speaker's opinion on the 'nannies' or limitations placed in the Toyota GR Yaris?

The speaker is not fond of the boost limitations Toyota has implemented in the GR Yaris, particularly in the first and second gears. These restrictions prevent the driver from fully enjoying the car's performance unless it's driven aggressively, such as launching it at high RPMs.

Why does the speaker consider the Toyota GR Yaris their favorite car despite its drawbacks?

The speaker appreciates the Toyota GR Yaris for its heritage and the story behind its creation. They admire the car's performance as a rally-inspired vehicle, its reliability as a Toyota, and the efforts made by Toyota to make it a competitive product in the performance car market.