Yaris or Yaris Cross ?

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, Roy124 said:

Smaller than a Corolla certainly but I still have difficulty judging the space on front of the car.

I would guess they will be the lowest spec but how easy to convert from a new modern specced car with reversing camera to an older bare model?

"think Yaris is the best for learner car as is the smallest of all and will be most preferred by more  students and particularly girls,"

Yaris but not the Cross, as for men, do you think a Yaris has street cred?

Anyway, as a 6th former my grandson planned to do an intensive driving course and take his test at 17.  With the Covid backlog and as a student in a city that has been put on a back burner.  I dont think he is alone with that plan.

Yaris definitely has the street cred amongst the younger generations both boys and girls as these are the students most I see in those cars learning to drive. The girls are the majority of automatic license applications as boys tend to go for manual ( full license) as some think of driving jobs , sport cars experience in the future. 
The private L car owners tend to buy higher spec cars like excel and gr sport as it seems this may contribute to  the students decision to book classes with them ., everyone wants more for the same price. 
 

[Trewithy]

I have a Corolla and I am looking at the Yaris Cross.  When you first look at the YC you get the impression that it is bigger than the Corolla.  It is just an illusion, the dimensions for length and width make it shorter and narrower than the Corolla but it is taller and boxy so its greater bulk makes it appear bigger.  

 

I am holding off a purchase until the facelifted model is in the showroom.  Also I want to compare the price of the Excel with a similar spec LBX.

[Gren]

6 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

The private L car owners tend to buy higher spec cars like excel and gr sport as it seems this may contribute to  the students decision to book classes with them
 

Or maybe the higher spec cars have better seats as they're sitting in them all day.

[Roy124]

I learn with BSM.  Myy instructor had been an armoured car drive.  He had deep nicotine stained fingers from the war or driving tuition.

I learnt in a Hillman Minx, built like an armoured car.  On reflection it was probably his own car.

Very heavy, no power steering and massive steering wheel.   Like a ship it would eventually go in the direction selected,  more or less.

[Cyker]

You're not wrong about the learners - The number of Yaris Mk4's and AygoX's I've seen as driving school cars, and even the occasional YC, is off the scale here!   

Those could do with PHEV versions - By the way they drive, it must be in electric mode nearly all the time  

I hope I am inspiring them and showing them the other side of the car with my enthusiastic driving style  

I learned with BSM too but got a rubbish 1.0L Corsa instead. Didn't think it was too bad to drive, but then I didn't know any better, but even being the naive new driver I could see how utterly gutless it was  

Was jealous of my friend who learned with the AA - I think they got 1.6 or 1.8L Ford Focuses!!   My clutch control was much better than his tho'   

 

[anchorman]

Before I give the wrong impression, I liked my Mk4 Yaris a lot, it was good to drive and good fun.  I’d be interested to see what the 130 engine is like with the LBX because the Cross (yes, I had one of those too and really liked it) just lacked the guts I think it needed.  It was nippy but once up to road speeds you really need to plan an overtake to avoid certain doom. Right, now, the Corolla is a different animal.  It has a significantly more powerful engine even in a 1.8 form and is generally better in terms of its mass and its refinement.   It’s just much more car.  I’m completely with the others above on Toyota’s policy on fitting over bolstered seats.  Put them in the GR and stay away from the non boy racer models.  Unless you are built like a stick insect, you won’t fit between the bolsters and you should try an extended drive.  Goodness knows how many customers they lose by fitting those ridiculous seats.  

[Cyker]

It'd probably be too late as you only really notice the seats when you've been in it for a while, and then they've got your money! And it'd be a rare doodle to return a 20+k car over the seats... Ironically, I actually liked the bolsters initially as it does hold me in, and it wasn't until I'd had a few long journeys where I'd been in the car for extended periods that the seat's total lack of lumbar support started to manifest itself in crippling lower back pain   I like them even less after I had the Icon for a month while mine was getting a new backside fitted, and realized the poverty-spec seats were more comfortable for me!

If it wasn't for the Excel having a different coloured interior to everything else, I'd nick the lumbar-equipped seats from someone's YC  

I agree the 130 will be a good upgrade for the Cross - The normal engine is perfectly balanced for a normal Yaris with 1 or 2 people in it, but I have noticed with a full load of people and gear you do feel its pull and responsiveness drop noticeably (It's one thing that was magic about my old Mk1 D4D - With a full load the turbo just spun faster but the car still hauled  ), although as I've mentioned I can just pop it into Normal instead of my usual Eco and it 'feels' the same again  

I'm very interested what the 130 will feel like in a normal Yaris...   

 

BTW anchs, I lost track of what you got now - Do you have the Lexus already now or still waiting for it? If you got it already, how does it compare to the Cross?

[Jules88]

16 hours ago, Cyker said:

You're not wrong about the learners - The number of Yaris Mk4's and AygoX's I've seen as driving school cars, and even the occasional YC, is off the scale here!   

Those could do with PHEV versions - By the way they drive, it must be in electric mode nearly all the time  

I hope I am inspiring them and showing them the other side of the car with my enthusiastic driving style  

I learned with BSM too but got a rubbish 1.0L Corsa instead. Didn't think it was too bad to drive, but then I didn't know any better, but even being the naive new driver I could see how utterly gutless it was  

Was jealous of my friend who learned with the AA - I think they got 1.6 or 1.8L Ford Focuses!!   My clutch control was much better than his tho'   

 

I watch Ashley Neal on Youtube, he's a driving instructor. He had a Golf GTI and now has a Focus ST for his learners 😄 He gets a lot of second looks. Gotta be jealous of those learning in those cars. I don't think I've ever seen any crazy learner cars around my area.

My friend learned in a Yaris. I personally learned in a Focus. It's no surprise really, these are cars with noted excellent efficiency.

[Cyker]

Yeah, I have seem some weird choices for learner cars down here too - There was one driving school that were using BMW 1-series for a few years!!  

 

[TonyHSD]

If privately owned and self employed based driving instructor best car would be any pure white Toyota in design trim and here is why. 
These are most popular, cheaper to have and easily be repaired if needed, plus sourcing parts for these is easier.
Interiors are simple but with most needed toys equipped, wheels and tyres are on the more normal side, this is important as it will be a learner car and the wheels will face the kerbs and potholes more often.
White non metallic colour is the easiest on touch up paint.
Last but not least a white Toyota always look good. , as good as a black Ford model T back in the days of early motoring. 

Those guys with extra special cars for driving classes definitely not making a living out of it but chase any other interests like helping others or been between young  people for example.
No way I give my gr4 with £3k clutch kit to a young person to burn my clutch every single move off the line, I will be crying every day 😂😉

On contrary the latest Yaris 130 in blue premier edition is very nice looking and will standout of the crowd at any London junction as best looking L car. 🚙

[Mojo1010]

The MK4 is such a good looking car and with so much substance. The MK3 hybrid are/were the most popular automatic learner car, now I see the transitioning to the MK4. 

When I do change over to the YC it has to be the 130 (prefer more power 140+) for my frequent medium driving distances on fast roads. As anchor's feedback says, it's gutless with the current engine on fast roads. I had made that assumption from my MK3 experiences.