I was right all along

The less powerful GTI is more practical (bigger boot) and comes loaded with all the toys to make it nice place to waft about in suburban traffic (the DSG is all important in this regard), as well as being effortless and quite economical on a long run. Enough shove to make progress on the rare occasions that's possible/required.

It's not really any fun, but that's what the S2000 is for.

 

Even that is a bit of an indulgence. But it is front wheel drive so...

These are choices but the higher performance stuff is just a twat magnet and more expensive to run for no more engagement and speed a fan wagon doesn't need or use


​​​​​

 

This is mostly a sports car enthusiast's forum so people tend be better informed and more discerning than most drivers but compromise cars have always been pretty boring to read about and always will be. The Honda E thing is sufficiently different to merit discussion. I'll post up details of this Yaris thing when it eventually arrives and hopefully something else and then we can discuss how likely they are to kill me and not golf club capacity and mpg. I could do a Volvo estate thread but it would be no more interesting than a cooking Golf/Focus/Whatever thread.

 

I suppose bigger higher is better to conform with the school gate brigade. The psychology behind wearing high heels and/or carrying a handbag that is never large enough was always going to win the day. Glad she's happy. However I would point out that the too small perception, while true for the boot, isn't necessarily true if Big Ears can fit comfortably alongside Noddy. Not that I would ever refer to the other half by that name

 

Haha you lot crack me up
Yeah something tells me I might be back one day flirting with an R, it's just not for me right now if it was mine. I've had one to use for 3 weeks and I'll tell you, its better than you think (if you haven't owned one).very chuckable and rewarding on the right road Without being bias, Harris was right about much of his dribble earlier on that YouTube review. It can be plain, it can be sombre, and it can be blisteringly fast.
I'll concede that the biggest disappointment, after it's issues, was the mpg. Manufacturers are liars

 

The thing is monkey Harris wanked himself senseless over the E92 and while fast, sweet sounding and good balance I'd argue not engaging below about 100mph

A Caterham on the other hand is engaging at 5mph. An s2000 is very immediate, inertia free too.

Therefore the only reason you buy an M3 or an R is because you don't want 2 cars or you don't get it. Or you fancy jail time.

The Yaris on the other hand weighs little enough to promise fun at any speed.

and isn't front wheel drive

It is an oddity though I think. There are not many cars in that segment that appeal to a very keen driver. Off the top of my head I cannot think of a contender to it

 

The more I look at the Yaris, I can't get past its awkward styling. It's certainly not ugly, but, just too overdone. Looks a bit like a Juke side on, pumped up fiesta St from another angle, but the back end is unimaginative oap pap. Don't like it. I'll get over it though and probably want the damn thing next year!
No doubting it's talents on track. Living with it as a daily though long term, as 95% of buyers will, remains to be seen. I believe the radio is rubbish, not a surprise being Japanese!
It's too expensive... For a small 4wd Toyota hatchback.
Mid life crisis car? Probably... But a very, very good one for those that want one and respect to those to fall for its good reviews. It is a one off you're certainly right.
There's loads of "balanced cars" i.e superb handling - Alfa Guilia in Veloce or Quadrifoglio guise, the latter an incredible machine. Even the Seat Leon 290 beats an R for balance & feedback, although not as quick but who cares . The Fiesta St though in the Yaris segment is the long termer to beat. It doesn't need the fancy 4wd trick diff to make all the noises, or a sub 6 second sprint. 10k cheaper too. That's... Alot if money.
I'd be interested to see how that 3 pot is serviced, being so "blown" for a 1.6. It's still using the warbling augmented fakery to wrap up the experience.
I can only imagine the depreciation on the GR. 4 years time though it will be the ultimate pensioners bargain. Arsie trading in his e? You just never know if the do one in insipid yellow!

 

There's a GR Yaris thread now. I'll post your above post in there and comment.

 

Not my call Tony. 'Er Indoors choice of colour. She snorted 'Insipid? Tell him to drag his sorry ass get round to Specsavers'

 

Went fishing, caught a whopper