[86Zed]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

Love it! Any long(er) term impressions you can share?

Sure. 3,600 miles on the car to date with a mix of commute, road trip, autocross, and track.

My TLDR impression is that this car is as near to a homologation special as one can get in 2023 south of $50K. It has a lot of character and makes the driver smile on the regular, while being able to do the commute/groceries/road trip. It does not shine in those realms though, as cabin noise can be loud (Corolla), a small gas tank, and buzzy exhaust under 2000rpm. There are number of cars for sale with very low miles. I would say 1) a bit rougher and less civil for daily use than some really like and 2) values remain high, people cashing out into a higher level trim or other platform

Shift feel is rather bolt-action with little play and requires deliberate motion versus the gold-standard Honda or Porsche shifter. The clutch feel is light and something I am not a hug fan of - this seems to be the standard in all cars recently. It is forgiving and the car is equipped with rev matching should you choose to use it (I have never once turned it on). Electronic steering is not the greatest system I have encountered, improves a bit with sport mode.

I was able to road trip the car 600 miles each way for a track event and it was very comfortable using the radar cruise control and lane assist. No pain from the seats which I have gotten from my Z4M and Miata. Cabin noise can be a bit loud and the interior design and materials are fairly barebones. Car could use an armrest...

On track the stock brakes (DOT4 fluid) were strong, predictable, and without fade. Held up to three 25 min sessions in 85F ambient temps without breaking a sweat. Chassis is fairly rigid and the setup has an awful lot of grip even on the stock tires. It is not as playful as a RWD platform and I do miss that at times.

In black the car is rather unassuming and blends in with traffic akin to a regular Corolla - it only draws attention from fellow enthusiasts. We like its small size and nimble handling, makes every day a little less boring and the kiddos enjoy the turbo blowoff noises! I am eager to see how it performs this coming winter season.

[maxdriver]

I am impressed with the exhaust sound, especially at startup; much more of a deep, but far from obnoxious, tone compared to the typical 2.0 4 banger. Heel and toe is too much work for me, so I use the rev match all the time and love it.

Totally agree on the gearbox. It’s very good, but not as stellar as Honda. I have much experience with Honda manuals, but limited Porsche experience so I can’t comment on that comparison.

I have only had it for a week, not even through the break-in stage, but I am absolutely enjoying driving this. The ride is firm, but far from harsh. This is a third car for me and I think of it as a two seater, as the second row is down, with a practical hatchback area. Looking forward to bringing this to redline in the near future!

[Clark_Kent]

86Zed Excellent write up! The GR Corolla sounds about as fun as it looks. I appreciate your candor in celebrating where the car shines but also calling out its shortcomings. You don't get that often from owners. People tend to shout the accomplishments and whisper the failures, almost as if to justify the purchase. I've never driven one but I'm glad Toyota decided to make it. The more options for us enthusiasts, the better. Continue to enjoy it in good health.

[BMWsully]

Originally Posted by z335is

Test drove a CTR, Golf R, Corolla GR Core and Elantra N over the last several weeks. I liked them all, but the Corolla was at best 3rd in that order.

The interior is comically bad, I mean Daewoo Lanos level bad. The one I test drove had 7 miles on it and the door panels were already scratched to hell since they are just monolithic slabs of cheap plastic. The seats are cloth buckets ripped out of a base Corolla. I could go on and on.

The car drove well, but the three cylinder was just too thrashy for my taste. It always felt like it was struggling. I get the gimmick, but a 4 cyclinder would have been much better here.

At the end of the day, I'd go Golf R > CTR > Corolla GR > Elantra N with the first two being leagues above the latter two.

Again, not trying to offend anyone, all are great cars, just figured I'd lend my opinion since I was able to get seat time in them all.

Similar experience here. I really liked the GR, but there's a few shortcomings that puts it well behind the CTR and Golf R IMO. I would easily take it over the Elantra N though, I was not a fan of that at all.

*Also it was a Core with performance pack that I test drove. Very curious if the Circuit or Morizo would move the needle there (I'm sure they would)

[86Zed]

Image of my car from the free GR NASA HPDE at Ozarks International Raceway



Continues to be a strange vehicle that nobody can purchase, nobody drives, and most owners want to sell or flip.

[maxdriver]

I bought one at MSRP. I drive mine. I have no interest in selling.

[Car-Addicted]

My first SCCA car was a Corolla 1200 in show room stock D, in mid seventies but it sure didn't look like that. Then again I think I paid $1000.00 plus cage, belts and fire extinguisher for the car. No trailer, so tow bared to track. Man I can't believe I miss those days.

[Mr Friese]

Bought a GR Core with PP and sold it a month later for a Golf R...

Something just felt off about the car. Interior was laughable and the 3cyl was an NVR nightmare. I'm glad they made it, but not for me.

[freakystyly]

Seems it would have been better as the Yaris instead of Corolla for North America based on previous posts. It would have been a bit more of a stand out versus what is already on the market.

[86Zed]

The price lends itself to being cross-shopped with the Golf R, CTR, etc. and I do think those cars are in a class above the GRC. For me I wanted a 1) reliable, 2) AWD, 3) 6MT, and 4) car that makes me laugh every time I drive it. I park it anywhere and beat the hell out of it.

Strange to me that people are tucking them away for winter and snow, that is where I am really looking forward to the mini WRC car.

[pikkagtr]

$35-$40k for one of these will land you a very nice and low mileage Evo 9 , that has the same interior "quality" ie hard plastics galore
But is a far better and more capable platform

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by Mr Friese

Bought a GR Core with PP and sold it a month later for a Golf R...

Something just felt off about the car. Interior was laughable and the 3cyl was an NVR nightmare. I'm glad they made it, but not for me.

Because it's a $40k-$50k Corolla with a Corolla interior.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

The price lends itself to being cross-shopped with the Golf R, CTR, etc. and I do think those cars are in a class above the GRC. For me I wanted a 1) reliable, 2) AWD, 3) 6MT, and 4) car that makes me laugh every time I drive it. I park it anywhere and beat the hell out of it.

Strange to me that people are tucking them away for winter and snow, that is where I am really looking forward to the mini WRC car.

Strange times. Park the Corolla for winter

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Seems it would have been better as the Yaris instead of Corolla for North America based on previous posts. It would have been a bit more of a stand out versus what is already on the market.

I agree, but also the price would have to come down a lot. $40k+ for a Corolla is just smh oof

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

$35-$40k for one of these will land you a very nice and low mileage Evo 9 , that has the same interior "quality" ie hard plastics galore
But is a far better and more capable platform

It is interesting that 15 years later, nobody builds a sport compact as raw and capable as an EVO. All these years later it's still one of the best AWD systems ever offered on a vehicle at any price. The system used in the GR Corolla is an absolute embarrassment in comparison.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

It is interesting that 15 years later, nobody builds a sport compact as raw and capable as an EVO. All these years later it's still one of the best AWD systems ever offered on a vehicle at any price. The system used in the GR Corolla is an absolute embarrassment in comparison.

It's true but there is a reason why... at that price point, it's impossible to build a car like that anymore and w extreme competition from the Germans and all of the different turbo cars they are putting out, its borderline impossible to compete.

Look at the current WRX and you'll see it actually got way worse... There is almost no market for an Evo anymore... when Evos were hot, they were one of only 4 or 5 mainstream cars with a turbo motor... and only 1 of 2 compacts with AWD and Turbo. Since that time, everyone went turbo, far more competition popped up and everything is much faster.

So what would modern EVO look like? 450 HP small Turbo 4 w a newer AWD system and some tech... congrats you have a 60k car with markups... it just doesn't work anymore. This car would also need to run like mid 11's at 120 in the 1/4 to even compete.

That being said... if a brand new Evo 9 Mr popped up for $35k or we went back in time 18 years, i'd not walk but sprint to the dealership to buy one... in terms of rawness, i've never driven a car like it. I'd throw on a few boltons or an FP green turbo with a nice tune and i'd be happy as a hog.

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by deafelrey

I was excited for a mid engine Corvette, but reality hasn’t come through for it yet. Maybe the C9 won’t be a glorified golf cart.

Two words: Mary Barra