How I Finally Achieved My Dream Car: Toyota Yaris GR Sport

I know what you are thinking. When someone talks about their dream car, we immediately consider the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, BMWs and Bentleys of this world. A Toyota Yaris is probably never high up the list.

Well, in the traditional spirit of always breaking the mould, the Toyota Yaris has been my go-to for the last 10 years. What can I say, when you find a car that just gets you, do you even go back? For me, it's always been a hard no.

So, whilst I drove a Toyota Yaris for years, I knew I wanted to own a more sportier model, whether that was the GR Yaris, the GRMN or the Yaris GR Sport. As a total Toyota fan girl, I really owed it to myself. And I celebrated her when I finally achieved my dream.

Of course, there's no harm being proud of owning an expensive car, but the key for me is the thrill of the drive and how the driving experience makes you feel. And I'm a firm believer that you can seek this wherever you look, whether it's a completely modified car or the vehicle that was your sanctuary through the toughest of times.

Your dream car might be pricey, but you'll likely have an emotional connection you'll never shake.

Discovering my dream car was a Toyota Yaris

Whether it's a car, painting or concert, we can all remember the moments when we were taken back by complete joy and love. For me, it was Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 at Toyota's stand. They had the Yaris GRMN on display, a real rarity for Yaris-lovers, and I was invited to sit in it.

Now, if you haven't heard about tangible marketing, it's basically the idea that if a product can be experienced through touch, sight, taste, smell or sound, you're more likely to create a sentimental connection between the audience and the product, thus leading to a sale. Well, let me tell you. It caught me - hook, line and sinker.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Yaris GRMN, it's essentially a limited volume edition of the 2018 Yaris, serving a 1.8 litre, supercharged engine and 209hp. Although not the fastest car on the market, it lived up to its hatchback heritage and genuinely sounded phenomenal. The GRMNs are easier to spot versus your regular Yaris as they have a series of red and black decals typically presented on a vibrant white car. The three colours chosen symbolise the notorious GR (Gazoo-Racing) heritage and hint at some of the power underneath the bonnet.

Anyway, if you can't already tell, I was utterly besotted. I knew instantly this was the car I was working towards. However, my main setbacks were my confidence and my mindset at the time. Hence why it took me 5 years to attain my dream.

Battling the mindset and creating the steps to achieve my dream

There is one truth I have learnt on this journey - the only person standing in the way of your dreams is you. Eight years ago when I was transitioning from teaching, my mindset was poor and it remained so for about three years after until 2020.

I truly believed that things weren't falling into place for me because it was someone else's fault, and I never really thought I had power or value. So, building my confidence was a major thing, especially as a woman in the automotive industry whose voice was definitely not loud all that time ago.

One of the real barriers for me was that I kept telling myself I didn't deserve the car of my dreams. And, let's face it, no-one is going to be suddenly finding themselves with their dream car if they present an attitude like that. At one point, I simply told myself to stop the pity party and start making some real change.

After a good period working on my growth mindset, I started to build the confidence I needed to help me get back on track. That involved taking risks, asking for pay rises and promotions when my work was exceptional and creating my own social media following - Belinda Automotive being the newest of that mix.

And despite some of these things not always happening or having the desired results I needed, I kept working at them, learning from them and finally understanding my worth. By doing so, I had the power of negotiation to go from a rather dire salary, to something more fitting towards my skillset.

Never losing sight and making smarter decisions

Now, I will reiterate that I don't have the capacity or legal standing to give financial advice. What worked for me may not work for everyone. However, I started researching financial self-care, understanding how to tackle debt and ways to save smarter. One of the major turning points was allowing myself to realise I could 100% invest in myself.

Despite the GRMN being so rare, I knew a sporty Toyota was still on the cards. By the time I came to own my Yaris GR Sport, a new generation had been released by Toyota. One word, two syllables: STUN-NING!

The drive to own one was compelling, but I had to be cautious about my finances. Although I could make the purchase, my outgoings would still have been tight without a bit more time to save or another pay rise. The one thing I wish I had known sooner was how earning a lower wage for so long could really put you behind financially. And, it's why I'll never take anything for granted. It hits different when you have £50-£200 left for fuel and food after the rest of your payments and bills have been made.

That's genuinely why it took me five years to own my dream car. I enabled myself to boost my earnings and build my savings, whilst continuing to work hard and put the right steps in place. Waiting this long actually meant I owned the car I really wanted, and every time I drive her, I am filled with joy.

What's it really like to drive and own a Toyota Yaris GR Sport?

Honestly, she's perfect for navigating the country lanes where I live, but also ideal for driving within a city. Despite boasting 129hp and a 0-62mph of 9.2 seconds, she provides the thrill and enjoyment I seek from my cars. She's just like me really - mighty in character and a force to be reckoned with.

Across the exterior and within the cabin, she gives a nod to her motorsport GR heritage. The stitching on the headrests and emblems on the exterior tell anyone looking just the breed of car she is. Her mysterious Juniper Blue and Black contrast colours also add a super sporty element to her, alongside the pointed headlight design and athletic rear apron. To many, she's just a Yaris. But to me, she is everything.

Owning her also symbolises my independence. Not only in the fact that I am mobile and can drive where I need to, but also because to own her I had to completely reset my mindset and tap into the positive person I am. In essence, she liberated me from a toxic mindset and flawed way of thinking. And, whilst I have many more years to drive her, I know she was the first goal achieved as I move onto bigger and greater things.

Now, for those of you tired of the independence story - let a girl just have her moment -, it's true that cars can be more than just symbols of status. They signify freedom. So, in my Juniper Blue Yaris, I know I can truly take on the world, that I'm slightly turning heads because I'm not the driver they expect to see. And I love it.

Want to follow me along for my next dream?

There are plenty of things brewing, and I want as many people with me for the journey. So, let's connect on LinkedIn and support each other.