So a bit of update on this issue.
I had a little spare time this afternoon so i went for a test drive in the new Yaris 1.8 and Auris 2.2 180SR. I know the Auris isn't even on the poll list but i had to try it out to see what the fuss is all about performance diesels.
The first thing i noticed about the Auris was how big it was. It has good road presence and the minute i stepped inside, it felt like a 7 seater. Everything seemed to be fine until i turned the ignition. All those talks of refined or quiet new diesel engines is frankly false.
It was still far too noisy, the noise was constantly filtered into the cabin despite Toyota doing their best to install extra insulation. When i put the foot down it produce this unpleasant try-to-be-sporty sound, when i asked why the salesperson said it was cos the car needs to warm up. fwn
With a bit of open road next to the M6 motorway, i booted the car testing its 180 horses. There was nothing at 1000RPM, nothing yet at 2000RPM then 3000RPM bang both of our necks pulled back ferociously before i had to shift up which made the little orange arrow in the rev meter dropped under 3000RPM and the whole process starts again. It was very difficult to predict and master when this will happen especially with someone like me who is used to constant power throughout the rev range. :suspect:
At the end of the Auris test drive, the friendly salesperson asked whether i liked it, i handed the keys back and said ''can I drive the Yaris now?'':down:
I jumped straight into this 08 plate limited edition (not in production anymore) black yaris 1.8SR, I gently shut the door and the whole door, glass, plastic cover, everything stuck to the door shook. :down: That's usually the first indication whether something has been well built or not.
Since my first car was the first generation Yaris 1.0 and it was simply bulletproof i had a lot of expectation with this one. The keyless start button is pretty neat, but other then that there was nothing that impressed me. So i was thinking to myself maybe the engine could earn some kudos for the little likable Yaris.
We drove back on the open road again, i was in full flow in second and third. Like last time i waited something to happen, expecting something spectacular to wow me. By the time i waited for that i was already in fifth and it ran out of steam. :down: There are cars out there which makes you smile the minute you get in, or the minute you drive or the minute it hits certain speed but i have been more excited in my 1.4 micra.
You know after you've test drove a powerful car, you would instantly feel how underpower your current car is? Well i didn't get that feeling as my car felt the same as the Yaris if not quicker, could it be weight? :suspect:
Walking around the forecourt desperate for a miracle (suffering from impulse buying) lies a black beauty, one that has been underrated and neglected for so long i swear she was asking me to take her home! :blush: Her name is Corolla T-sport! It's black on 05 plate which means it's the face-lifted version with nicer bodykit and interior, with 29k on the clock, guess how much it was.....................£7000! (Y)
The salesperson saw the smile on my face, he quickly throw in the facts. 40k major service done, full MOT, 1 years warranty, fully valet, new original T sport mats, 14 days peace of mind return blah blah blah.
The initial cost of the vehicle is within my budget, but i think maintaining the car will definitely out weigh all of the cars in the poll. £210 tax, extra insurance, servicing the tuned engine and there is the claimed 34mpg fuel economy. I must point out that most of the T sport owners could only manage under 30mpg under normal driving.
So what do you think?
(i will probably forget about this whole impulse feeling tomorrow morning:glare