Yaris Mk1 compared to K11 Micra

[Liveseybob]

Before people start yelling "burn the witch" and throwing stones, please hear me out.

I am looking for a car for doing Autosolo/Autotest/Targa Rally/12-cars/etc on the cheap to replace my MX5. (Need something with lower running costs) So I'm between the 2 above

- K11 Micra

- Mk1 Yaris

So what I want is a bit of help.

My mum had a 51 plate Yaris and I loved ragging the little bugger, rev'd well and from my recollection the handling was pretty amazing.

I have also used k11s for a good few years, and know they are pretty bomb proof.

I have noticed over the last few months that the Yaris is getting to similar costs to the K11 (one local ATM for £130, bit out of MOT) so after a bit of advice from people in the Yaris community.

Engine

Are there any mods you can do to help with the 1ltr? Eg do the 1.3 cams fit the 1.0 head? Any other things to help get a bit more grunt?

Suspension

I have seen that you can get lowering springs for around a tonne, and coilovers are looking at around £500.

With the K11 I know that there's an easy mod for Corsa B coilovers to fit and these are a lot cheaper than the Micra specific ones. Is there anything similar for the Yaris?

Are there any issues with the rear axel when lowered? (K11s need an adjustable panhard rod to keep aligned)

any other mods?

Due to what I'd be looking to use it for, I'd want to look at potentially fitting bucket seats, hydraulic handbrake, and poss a few other thing. Anyone gone down this route?

Is there anything else to keep an eye out for if buying?

 

Sorry for the long thread (and even more for going on about a rival) bit any experience/tips would be great. 

[Cyker]

We used to have a couple people doing the Toyota Sprint Series here and IIRC one of them was using a Mk1 Yaris, albeit a 1.3.

The Mk1 still has a lot of ricer parts floating around for it, I think there are even silly things like a supercharger kit which was adapted for the Aygo too. They're getting harder to source tho' just due to the age of the car.

This forum isn't so good for car modding;  toyotaownersclub used to have some sections before the forum suddenly went down, and YarisWorld also has some good sections, although they are more US-oriented.

 

[Mick F]

Slightly off topic here.  Sorry.

We had a 1980 Austin 1100cc  Mini Clubman Estate and because we came into some money, we were looking for a decent modern car.  We called in at the Nissan dealer in Plymouth and took a K11 1.3L Micra out for a test drive.  Early 2001 if my memory serves me correctly.

Absolutely awful in many ways.  Mainly, the engine was terribly underpowered and our elderly Mini would have left it standing.  The Micra was sluggish in comparison.  55bhp Micra vs a 45bhp(?) Mini.  Micra must be much heavier than a Mini.

When we took it back, I asked if they did a 1.6 version instead of the poor 1.3, and was told no.  I told the dealer that there's no way we would even consider buying one due to the sluggish performance.

Therefore, there must be some mods you can do to one of those things to give it more umph.

Mick.