Car engine sizes!

I am thinking of buying another car to replace the two year old Toyota Yaris which I am not happy with.
Could someone here @longk or @Fat Controller (or anyone else) explain how the 'one size fits all' in modern cars works? I know engine refinement has come a long way in the last decade or so but.....
I mean if a 1lt engine in say an Aygo or i10 can also be in a larger Focus or Golf, can the larger ones be as quiet, isn't there more strain on such a small engine?
It seems to have replaced all sizes from 1.2lt to 1.6!
I am just wondering if a 1lt focus, audi or golf can be as quiet (at 70 on motorways etc) than my previous 1.6 Corolla.

 

Hi,

Wonder why you are not happy with your Yaris , partic if its still under warranty ?

That said I test drove a Yaris, though about 10 years ago and it seemed very noisy /booming compared to my even older mk 1 Avensis.

Currently still have the 1.6 Corolla and bit surprised you think its quiet at 70 ? to me its always sounded a bit noisy at high speed as the gearing always makes me want to change up another gear from 5th.

From what I have read in some motoring mags I would be wary of the Fiesta / Focus 1ltr engine from their early years as they had some major problems.

What about the existing Auris or Prius or if you can wait a bit the New Corolla ?

News about New Corolla HSD 2018/19 release in Europe ?

 

Not sure about other manufacturers but most Fords now have turbos, even on one litre engines.

Personally, my thoughts are you cant beat a bigger engine, but by sticking a turbo on a small one you get economy, as long as you dont give it too much wellie, combined with performance when you want it.

 

@ricky101 I was comparing the Corolla to Mrs S's older Yaris, not an ideal comparsion.
I find the new Yaris under powered even with a 1.2lt engine and minor irritations, screen jet on the end of the wiper arm, extremely noisy indicators, naff reversing camera to name some.
True the Corolla should have had a 6th gear.
Auris is too much like a larger Yaris and isn't much to look at, The new Corolla (rebadged Auris) may have teething troubles as new models often do but I will be looking for a year old car as the value in the first year drops so much I don't think I will buy new again.

@Fat Controller, funny you should mention the i10 as Mrs S has just traded in her 13 year old Yaris for a 16 plate i10 which we picked up today.

I have heard about Ford problems with turbo (eco boost)and have virtually dismissed them.

I keep looking at VW Golf but they look very dated now although they seem to hold their price and seem reliable but again only 1lt engines, unless a GT.

Thanks all for your help and explanations, I will keep looking!

 

Must admit I find the fact that engine sizes are coming down as a bit off putting.
As I said earlier, I dont find the fact that an engine has a turbo to be a replacement for a decent sized engine.
To me its just the manufacturer's way of getting round fuel consumption and emissions.

I've got a 2 litre turbo now, and I did have a 3 litre non turbo, I know which was better on a motorway, smoother and quieter.
The turbo has higher BHP than my old 3 litre, but is really only better at acceleration, cruising on a motorway is poor.

Also, because I dont pussy foot around, the fuel consumption of the 2 litre ios the same as the 3 litre engine.

 

Personally I would find the ones that you like and go for the one with the longest warranty, getting rid as it runs out. The small capacity lean burn engines are well risky if you have any sort of cooling issues - the Fords pick up on the bores (rendering the engine scrap) if they overheat even a little bit.
Not to put too fine a point on it, the stuff leaving the forecourts today is rubbish. The build quality is superficially good but get below the surface and they are only designed to pop together - be it a Merc, Volvo, Ford or Dacia. Over-reliance on electronics to operate or control every function means that the electrical system has to remain spot on or failure/shutdown occurs. Modern diesels have been a no go zone since about 2002'ish - they're completely the wrong car for the use that most people have for them.

Personally I would be looking for something like this................
Mercedes Benz 190 | B.J.J. Trucks

I know that they're looking for about four grand for it. If it is as spot on as it looks and is desribed then that is a fair price. This model is about to go stratospheric so it's a sound investment. Not very economical but parts are on a par with or cheaper than mass produced modern cars, service parts are cheaper and it will be massively reliable for years to come.

Good 190 Cossies went stratospheric years ago but they remain the best investment even now. This one has high mileage but the price reflects that and from what I have heard it is one of the best examples (at any mileage) on the market right now .................
1991 H MERCEDES-BENZ 190 E 2.5 - 16V COSWORTH AUTO. RHD. INTERESTING PROVENANCE. | eBay

Last week we scrapped a seven year old BMW 320 diesel that has suffered timing chain failure (a very common issue with the later BMW diesel engine but becoming increasingly common across all marques as well) rendering it uneconomical to repair as we could not find a warranted used engine. The new parts to repair it were between £5000 and £7000!

In summary, like a few cars enough to want to buy one and then opt for the longest warranty. Get shot before the warranty runs out. Or, go classic and say hello to cheap running costs, not very good fuel economy and appreciation instead of eye-watering depreciation.

Just my thoughts.

 

1975 Vauxhall Firenza 2279DN coupe, stage 4 race tuned, loads of work BUT worth it!

Beat any of the German crap available at the time!

Known affectionately as a "Droopsnoot"

 

1990 Porsche 928 S4 with 5l V8. Custom exhaust system. No shortage of power when you need it. Not very quiet. Still kills most cars on the road. My practical car is a Landover defender. Sounds like an old taxi.

 

1968 Mercedes 300SEL 6.3 - 0 to 60 in 6.5 secs, top speed 137mph, supreme comfort for five people and sod all mpg. I once drove one from Oxford to Malta - the MD went apoplectic when he saw the hammering that the company credit card had taken
AMG did a modified version upping the standard 300hp up to 430hp and dropping the 0 to 60 down to 4.8 seconds