Forum:
Hi All,
I am looking at getting a YRV Turbo. I have always liked the look/performance figures of them and they seem a bit of fun. To be honest I am a bit lazy and most of my drives are stop start traffic so wanted a fast small auto (had been looking at smart roadster brabus).
This brings me on to my question - Is the auto box a real auto or one of these manual with an auto cluch boxes like a lot of smaller cars (and the smart roadster) have? So if it is in drive and your foot comes off the brake does it creep forward or does it wait for your foot to stamp on the go pedal before engaging the clutch and moving?
The only reason I ask is the car I ask is that the car I am interested in is a bit of a trek and I don't really want to go all that way to find that out. I had an alfa with the auto cluch box and it was really jerky and low speed traffic driving was a nightmare not to mention hill starts.
Thanks in advance and sorry for my first post/question to be so dull. Great forum and any other advice for a Daihatsu newbie would be great.
Andrew.
First off welcome to the
First off welcome to the forum.
From the sounds of it you are like me, I too was looking around for a small car for stop start A to B run-a-bout. And in the end I now have a YRV Turbo which I have owned for the last 3 years.
As for the auto-box, it is a proper Auto box, but it has the added feature of something called Steer-shift. So with a push of a steer-shift button you change the up and down of the gearing with plus and minus buttons on the steering wheel. As for hill starts the car will hold on a hill, but will start to move forward (Slightly) on a flat road.
Okay things to look at as a newbie
;
- Service History is a must, the YRV Turbo has a 6 months 6,000 mile service interval. One of things us Turbo owners have found out is that the Auto Gear box fluid should be changed every 6 years.
- The auto box itself has had issues with some owners. Basically from a cold start the 'D' drive can flash which will prevent gear changes. Basically on inspection check the level and condition of the auto fluid (Dip stick postioned drivers side at the rear). The autobox itself can be a little jerky, so if your after a clean drive such as from a Audi/Volkswagon then this won't be the case.
- Parts; can be a little expensive, and such as the brake discs and pads are not the same as the standard YRV (Brake discs are 246mm and not 234mm). Can be easily sourced from the dealerships but you pay a premium. So something to look at on inspection.
Can't think of anything else at the moment, apart from this car is a quick beast, but you soon get the modding bug.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Thanks
Thanks for the quick reply.
I have been looking round the forum and saw the bit on brakes and the auto box but did not know about the 6,000 mile service intervals. I have not gone to look at one yet so have not seen the service book etc. Is is 6,000 6 month or is the time between services not as important as the mileage intervals on these? I am guessing that explains the price difference between some of them for sale at the moment as one chaepy that has now sold had 72,000 on the clock and some large gaps in the history with a min of 12,000 between services but was half the price of similar with just under 20,000. It is not like there is a lot of choice out there with only 3 on auto trader at the moment.
I will factor a ATF change into my purchase price, there is a great auto box place near me and it's best to be on the safe side.
I like the idea of steer shift as I did not want just a standard auto and that was another reason for looking at a YRV. Our other car is auto with a manual up down mode and it can be quite fun when you want to hold it in gear a bit longer. I am know I am not going to get audi/VW levels of smoothness but I am hoping to avoid whiplash on gear changes and the awfull lag in the Roadster as well as the massive delay in changes and the refusal to change into the gear I want.
Fingers crossed I get one soon
No worries.
The 6 month service is neccessary in my book, this car only has a 1.3 16 Valve DVVT (Daihatsu version of the VVTi) engine and is pushing out close to 130Bhp with it. So the oil should really be changed within this interval as it quickly looses viscosity and protection. Not sure why some owners have been servicing these for 12 months or not bothered at all, unless it is the fault of the dealerships thinking it still comes under a standard YRV service interval (12 months), but there was some joker who was selling one on here and labelled his car for sale having a full service history yet had a years worth of servicing missing from his service book as well as only being done every 12 months
.
The reason why there are so few turbos for sale is that Daihatsu and IM only imported and sold 210 into the country, and some of these have been written off by enthusiastic drivers :-(. Forum user Daihatsu Dave has a silver one and a Cat-C one that had crashed damage which he is using for parts.
As for the steer-shift on the YRV turb it is only a 4-speed one, and the car will only change down when it is safe to, if it isn't it will beep at you. Besides a couple of us have no need to change up passed 2nd as it tops out at 80MPH, on a private track of course.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Servicing
Cheers, The one I was planning on buying has done almost 40,000 and has had 6 services which would be correct for every 6,000 but is 8 year old so clearly has not been done every 6 months
I think this may be a long search.
Doesn't sound a good history
Doesn't sound a good history to me, which makes me believe the auto-box fluid hasn't been changed either
Worth keeping an eye out on E-bay and Pistonheads as they can crop up there too 
If it's any consolation it took me 2 years to source a good un 
Oh just to mention I have had mine in for a service recently and luckily I was getting this done, but the water pump on mine was showing signs of failure and my car has only amassed over 39K.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
2 YEARS!?!?!?
Blimey patience of a saint springs to mind!
I am not sure I can wait that long, maybe a YRV is not the car for me
It sounds like it is not worth taking a risk with these cars espically as they are so rare and parts do not seem easy to come by if something major fails like the box. This one is the 3rd I have enquired about that has been advertised as having a FSH but when you dig deeper they all lie. I am guessing anything with high miles or an incomplete history would have to be practically free to cover the cost of anything major going wrong. I have seen a few stories on the net of people not repairing YRV's as the cost is more than the car is worth, shame really.
How much do you think one with a complete history would go for out of interest? It is hard to tell as there are not many for sale and parkers etc. are always way off.
Thanks for your advise and lets see what comes up over the coming weeks.
Don't be put off
The 2 year period was because I didn't want to travel far to get one
The price on these cars varies a lot. For example mine was a one owner and I bought it for at the time with 22K on the clock with FDSH for £3,995 back in 2007. The highest I've seen one 4 is £3,445! Lowest being £2,440. There was a Cat-c repaired one on E-bay for £1,500.
Remember that Daihatsu's have a good reputation and build quality. Maybe worth looking at a Sirion or YRV F-speed model as well although they don't have a turbo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Snap
I don't want to travel the length of the country to find one either hence pinning my hopes on that low mileage localish one.
The cheapy with 72,000 was only £1850 with one owner on an 04 but with mileage that high and a patchy history I really didn't fancy it. I guess it could have been worth a gamble as there would have been some cash left over for repairs.
A sirion rally 2 would be great but no auto and a f-speed doesn't do it for me either as it's the fun factor I am after and there is not much else that can touch the turbo as an auto for spec, mpg and practicality. A smart roadster would handle better and has the fun of a turbo but the same age is twice the price and boot space is not great plus the coupe is rare with paddle shift and a/c
I agree with what jpor has
I agree with what jpor has said!
They do come up for sale, I found one 8 miles away from me but was a poor example and I was gutted, but patience paid off as the very same garage got another one in a few weeks later - which I purchased last August. This was a main dealer which helps with the "popularity" of them round here I guess, as they sold the very last 10 turbos in the UK - all yellow. Back in January there was ANOTHER one or sale up the road from me and it was red too which is very rare, good mileage alleged FSH etc and looked tidy enough too. As you have realised, there are some rough ones out there too with neglected service intervals and the like, and as jpor has said, they need oil and filter changes every 6k, or 3k if you're me
You will also notice that the standard wheels, although nice, corrode like mad - typical of many Japanese alloy wheels. The reason I bought one was because we had a standard YRV before and it did the job for us so I started looking for a turbo for that added fun factor. I like the Auto as I am lazy but stick it into steershift and use the buttons on the wheel to select gears and they fly. I never tire of blowing more alleged superior cars away at the lights:-) They are a rare beast, which I like, and I am enjoying mine at the minute. Handling isn't spectacular, this is more of a point and shoot type car..............unless you are jpor who has modified everything he possibly can including the aforementioned handling 
Good luck in your search.
---------------------------------------------------
2004 Yellow YRV Turbo
Yep I'm a modding monster...
Yeah good point Wayne
Handling isn't the best as the high ride height etc.. So I ended up lowering my car, but this will cause the feel of the ride to become a lot harsher. When buying a Turbo the Standard allloys and tyres arn't up-to the job for taking those corners. Definately worth buying bigger alloys and tyres or putting 185/195 tyres on instead 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Cheers
Thanks guys I'll keep my eye out and let you know if/when I get something. Just have to hope not much more drops off the Alfa before then lol.
Possibility? Car up on
Possibility?
Car up on Pistonheads;
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2556733.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Full History?
Thanks. I sent the seller an email a couple of days ago asking if it has a full history but have not heard anything and the phone is not being answered. Bit of a trek for me to get up there so would need to be 100%.
daihatsu-stu
Does anyone know if daihatsu-stu sold his turbo? I have seen one very much like his for sale with a dealer. Sent him a PM to get a view on what it was like if it is his.
I'm not sure. Have you seen
I'm not sure. Have you seen the Black one that's come up on Autotrader?
£2,990, FSH etc... in Bristol.
Or is this the one you are referring to?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
That's the one
That's the one I am thinking about looks like his and he was in the Bristol area too but again it has not got a full service history and the wheels are a mess.
Wheels
They are always a mess!! They rot for fun like alot of Jap alloys. Look beyond the wheels when buying one, unless they are kerbed to death.
---------------------------------------------------
2004 Yellow YRV Turbo
I'm with Wayne on this one.
I'm with Wayne on this one. My wheels on the YRV got bad after a while, one of them was so bad that it effected the valve on my rear tyre which had to be replaced, in the end changed them for aftermarket ones with wider tyres (believe me it helps on the corners). Could be a good bartering chip to get the price down. When you say the Service history isn't full is that the one with 5 stamps in the book?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Stamps
It has 6 in the book which would take it to 45,000 and it has something like 58,000 on the clock.
Thing is servicing is every 6
Thing is servicing is every 6 months/6k miles so it should have LOTS of stamps or at least invoices etc to say the oil has been changed every 6k/months. Mine has lots of stamps and been done at least every 6k but not EVERY 6 months, although it only had 24k on clock when I got it and it hasn't been hammered so I was happy enough. I doubt you'll find one with stamps every 6k/6months unless the owner was very meticulous. The service intervals are reduced to every 3k if driven under "severe" conditions i.e. regular short trips etc etc. I do oil and filter every 3k regardless.
---------------------------------------------------
2004 Yellow YRV Turbo
History
I'd take a chance on one that had a patchy history if the price was right. Should have bought that one with 72,000 for £1850.
Yep I have 14 stamps in total
Yep I have 14 stamps in total on mine. Ended up buying another Service book to carry on the history
Nearly at the 40K mark and over 7 years old. Could be worth a punt, but you never know there maybe a good'un around the corner.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Black YRV
Yeah that was Stu's shame he didn't offer it on here first
He did offer it on here first back in 2010!
Then he changed his mind and was keeping it and was on the look out for new wheels. Obviously got fed up and sold it;
http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk/node/12421
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
'12' Plate Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre NC 3.5 Venture Roadster 160BHP
'15' Plate SEAT LEON 184 FR TDI. 240BHP/500nm Torque.
Past: '53' Plate Yellow YRV Turbo Approx. 150BHP
Not too far...
Hi, didn't realise you are from Wiltshire, just saw on your profile now. I work in Bath, so if you are wanting to take a test drive in my YRV turbo, let me know... I can show you most of the stuff on the car that I picked up from the gurus on the forum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just call me G...
2004 Yellow YRV Turbo