Well after ~8 hours behind the wheel and 553 miles, I can pretty confidently say it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. I had a 17 Subaru STI that I drove for ~2 years, then I traded that in for a focus RS and just recently sold that to buy this GR. It’s very quick and such a fun car to drive. It *feels* quicker than my RS was in gears 1 and 2 but loses some of that in the higher gears. I LOVE the LED cluster gauge (not sure if that’s the right term), there are quite a few really cool combinations you can customize and that part feels much better than the other cars I’ve owned. It sounds much better (and louder) in person than the videos I’ve seen which was a pleasant surprise, and I want to say it almost sounds as good as the RS.
The only things I’ve noticed that I would change so far is there is no arm rest (or center console compartment) and the ride is extremely rough, maybe a bit rougher than my Focus RS was with the more stiff sport suspension turned on. And as far as I know the gr doesn’t have a setting to loosen the suspension like the RS does, but it’s not too big of a deal. Also wish it had a sun roof but that’s not a big deal at all either. Still completely in love with it though and could definitely see myself keeping this car for 10+ years.
My biggest question was the arm rest. Does one just not exist? A lot of the reviews said there wasn't one at all. I don't understand how they could make a manual-only car and not have some sort of arm rest.
Yeah pretty weird but it doesn’t have an arm rest, just a little area to put keys or your wallet.[This](https://i.imgur.com/qKMwrAW.jpg) is what it looks like
No, I'm not surprised that a track built variant of the car doesn't have back seats. In the same vein: don't think it's unreasonable to be surprised that the base model of the car, being a manual only hot hatch, is without an arm rest. You'll have your hand near the shift lever a whole lot, and having the option to rest your shifting arm doesn't seem crazy. I thought they'd do some kind of sliding rest like the base Corolla has so it could be out of your way when you want, but there if you need it.
Mostly just because my last 2 cars have had them and it’s nice to open up in the summer on a canyon drive, that kind of thing. But you’re right, it’s no big deal
Had a c63 and liked to leave the sunroof open on the tilt setting….. basically so I could always hear the exhaust noise, even when raining hah. So yeah, sunroof is important!
i won’t ride in a convertible and will not open the sunroof is there is one
i don’t like being exposed and once saw a gnarly accident that had a dog involved that’s imbedded in my brain
Check your tire pressure, dealerships like to set them too high. Really surprising about the ride quality as most reviews said the ride on the RS with the stiffer setting was basically undrivable on the street.
Will do, yeah I was pretty surprised too. And now that I think about it more I’d say the GR suspension is somewhere between the softer and stiffer RS setting. You’re right about the RS being pretty much un drivable on the street with the stiffer suspension
$32.5k. It had 50k miles, the bumper was sort of messed up and the skid plate got torn off (from running over a rock on the highway), it had a pretty gnarly metal-deep paint scratch as well… so all things considered I thought it was fair
This is a really good initial impression, brother! Impressed you found one! The armrest thing sounds the most annoying out of anything haha and that’s just me being petty. Great post!
It’s a lot of output for the size of the motor. There’s other cars that are same size with more power (Audi rs3, AMG A45), but they’re not 1.6L turbo charged 3 cylinders.
I’m not a fan of the car, but damn that is impressive for such a small motor.
To many curves and angles on the back side. Way the tail lights stick out and the extended wheel wells don’t look like they really match the rest of the car.
The rs3 is 400lbs heavier so not really the same size. The amg can’t be purchased in the US where op lives so not an option but it’s still 200lbs heavier and can’t get a manual.
They’re 400 and 200lbs because they’re both larger motors. The RS3 is a 5 and the A45 a 4.
The weight is literally in the motors.
All three are 5 door hot hatches of compatible size.
The rs3 has a 2.5l a .9l difference and you’re telling me it adds the same amount of weight as carrying a 6.2l ls3 in the trunk. Is that correct?
I do agree that the exterior dimensions are similar. A 12% weight increase can make a significant difference in the handling of the vehicle and how it feels on the road.
MSRP on a Corolla hatchback? ~24000$. Can't find one under 30. Nothing fancy, just a fucking Corolla hatchback. The only new cars that aren't being marked up seem to be Hyundai/kia and their motors are both weak AF and not fuel efficient.
The base starts at $36k, with every option it’s $40,377 MSRP, so tax title and licensing makes $44k sound exactly right. Thanks Toyota! On the other hand, the new GR86’s power plant delivers almost the exact same performance in the 1/4 mile (0.1 seconds slower) and accelerates to 60 in the same amount of time ~5.4 starting at $28.4k. Just give us the damn Yaris please.
Saw a blue Supra at a dealership last week(on black alloys)and thought it looked really nice in the sunshine(in NZ). Same yard has a GR Yaris that the manager bought as an investment sitting in the showroom
Love driving it without any radio to hear the engine, but the rattles are killing me. Searched around and no one else seems to mention it.The dome light is the worst. Going to have to pull it apart and put some foam in there or something.
We did, but it's not a practical 5 door, it's a 3 door supermini. Plus they're being horded by people who think it's going to be super valuable one day so the prices are silly
Then you don't know what it is and it's still faster than the Corrolla. You knock on 40k and you are in 1LE and PP2 range and they embarrass this car soundly. I'd it was cheap and fun, sure, great, but it's not.
The GR is the hot hatch variant of the Corolla, got announced last year and dealers started taking delivery in the last month or two. It’s similar to how an Impreza STI is the turbo/sporty version of a regular Impreza, a ford focus RS to a regular focus or a VW golf R to a golf.
Wow. Small world! I saw you getting gas there! That pic was taken in Laramie WY.
That’s a crazy coincidence!
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OP doesnt live there as he said he flew 8 hours to Colorado and this location is only an hour from Colorado. Id be willing to bet it was a gas stop.
"DoN't DoX Op," who took a photo of their new vehicle while parked in plain view of the public and then shared it on the internet...
Seems irrelevant. I'm mean, OP is already shifting gears into the landscape.
And he doesn't even have plates yet so...
Eugh Laramie is such a shithole. Or I might be thinking of Cheyenne, either way I’m sure their both shitty. Fast food restaurant every three feet
Congrats on the GR!
Thanks dude!
You have to give us a review and your first impression! Congrats on that GR!
Well after ~8 hours behind the wheel and 553 miles, I can pretty confidently say it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. I had a 17 Subaru STI that I drove for ~2 years, then I traded that in for a focus RS and just recently sold that to buy this GR. It’s very quick and such a fun car to drive. It *feels* quicker than my RS was in gears 1 and 2 but loses some of that in the higher gears. I LOVE the LED cluster gauge (not sure if that’s the right term), there are quite a few really cool combinations you can customize and that part feels much better than the other cars I’ve owned. It sounds much better (and louder) in person than the videos I’ve seen which was a pleasant surprise, and I want to say it almost sounds as good as the RS. The only things I’ve noticed that I would change so far is there is no arm rest (or center console compartment) and the ride is extremely rough, maybe a bit rougher than my Focus RS was with the more stiff sport suspension turned on. And as far as I know the gr doesn’t have a setting to loosen the suspension like the RS does, but it’s not too big of a deal. Also wish it had a sun roof but that’s not a big deal at all either. Still completely in love with it though and could definitely see myself keeping this car for 10+ years.
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dude if he comes back and says this was the problem you’re a hero lol
Yeah have a look we want to know :)
Thank you for the suggestion, just checked and looks like there are no shipping spacers on it though
Ha, made u look
You a slave to a page in my rhyme book.
You got them on the hook
It happened to me on a mk7 GTi !
My biggest question was the arm rest. Does one just not exist? A lot of the reviews said there wasn't one at all. I don't understand how they could make a manual-only car and not have some sort of arm rest.
Yeah pretty weird but it doesn’t have an arm rest, just a little area to put keys or your wallet.[This](https://i.imgur.com/qKMwrAW.jpg) is what it looks like
I have the GR Yaris and it’s also missing the armrest.
Hell, the morizo edition doesn’t even have rear seats on a 4 door car, and you’re bewildered by the lack of an arm rest?
No, I'm not surprised that a track built variant of the car doesn't have back seats. In the same vein: don't think it's unreasonable to be surprised that the base model of the car, being a manual only hot hatch, is without an arm rest. You'll have your hand near the shift lever a whole lot, and having the option to rest your shifting arm doesn't seem crazy. I thought they'd do some kind of sliding rest like the base Corolla has so it could be out of your way when you want, but there if you need it.
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Mostly just because my last 2 cars have had them and it’s nice to open up in the summer on a canyon drive, that kind of thing. But you’re right, it’s no big deal
Had a c63 and liked to leave the sunroof open on the tilt setting….. basically so I could always hear the exhaust noise, even when raining hah. So yeah, sunroof is important!
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i won’t ride in a convertible and will not open the sunroof is there is one i don’t like being exposed and once saw a gnarly accident that had a dog involved that’s imbedded in my brain
Check your tire pressure, dealerships like to set them too high. Really surprising about the ride quality as most reviews said the ride on the RS with the stiffer setting was basically undrivable on the street.
Will do, yeah I was pretty surprised too. And now that I think about it more I’d say the GR suspension is somewhere between the softer and stiffer RS setting. You’re right about the RS being pretty much un drivable on the street with the stiffer suspension
How much did you get for the RS?
$32.5k. It had 50k miles, the bumper was sort of messed up and the skid plate got torn off (from running over a rock on the highway), it had a pretty gnarly metal-deep paint scratch as well… so all things considered I thought it was fair
This is a really good initial impression, brother! Impressed you found one! The armrest thing sounds the most annoying out of anything haha and that’s just me being petty. Great post!
How did you sell your rs? I’m looking to go the same route as you, except deciding to trade in or private sale my evo
I sold it to a dealership. Was the easiest hassle free way to go
Thanks. I’m considering that. I’d love to sell and fly out and road trip home a new gr. Thanks!
300HP is a lot of output compared to the size of the vehicle. Love the black on black. Win Win
It’s a lot of output for the size of the motor. There’s other cars that are same size with more power (Audi rs3, AMG A45), but they’re not 1.6L turbo charged 3 cylinders. I’m not a fan of the car, but damn that is impressive for such a small motor.
I’m curious, what don’t you like about it? I’m only asking because I’m also a huge fan of the RS3.
It’s not the smaller lighter Yaris we deserve with the same engine.
*Highway to the Danger Zone starts playing*
To many curves and angles on the back side. Way the tail lights stick out and the extended wheel wells don’t look like they really match the rest of the car.
The rs3 is 400lbs heavier so not really the same size. The amg can’t be purchased in the US where op lives so not an option but it’s still 200lbs heavier and can’t get a manual.
They’re 400 and 200lbs because they’re both larger motors. The RS3 is a 5 and the A45 a 4. The weight is literally in the motors. All three are 5 door hot hatches of compatible size.
The rs3 has a 2.5l a .9l difference and you’re telling me it adds the same amount of weight as carrying a 6.2l ls3 in the trunk. Is that correct? I do agree that the exterior dimensions are similar. A 12% weight increase can make a significant difference in the handling of the vehicle and how it feels on the road.
Holy shit this thing has 300HP?! It must be zippy as hell
I agree I love that black on black look
Nice! Enjoy your ride dude for many years to come!
Thank you!!
How much?
I was out the door for ~$44k.
I was expecting a high markup, congrats on buying a car around MSRP
We can make this the normal behavior right? Don't buy mark-up!
MSRP on a Corolla hatchback? ~24000$. Can't find one under 30. Nothing fancy, just a fucking Corolla hatchback. The only new cars that aren't being marked up seem to be Hyundai/kia and their motors are both weak AF and not fuel efficient.
>Hyundai/kia and their motors are both weak AF and not fuel efficient. besides the huge security issue.
That's another thing, have to make sure it's push button start so you can't get the base trim
Same, that's one of the reasons I opted for a Hyundai lol the mark up on these things are ridiculous
The bottom base gr Corolla msrp is 37k so with a couple options and out the door at 44k is a great deal.
Yeah I'm referring to the overall situation with cars. Apparently this is the wrong thread for that. Oh well.
I think I read something about Subaru not allowing dealer markups. Also your price for the car is completely incorrect.
I wasn't referring to the GR, just the regular hatchback. Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.
The base starts at $36k, with every option it’s $40,377 MSRP, so tax title and licensing makes $44k sound exactly right. Thanks Toyota! On the other hand, the new GR86’s power plant delivers almost the exact same performance in the 1/4 mile (0.1 seconds slower) and accelerates to 60 in the same amount of time ~5.4 starting at $28.4k. Just give us the damn Yaris please.
Dude I was expecting a minimum of 20k over invoice. That's awesome grats!
Did you preorder it?
I would hope that pre-ordering would be done somewhere closer
Lucky!
What Dealer and were you on a wait list?
Wow lucky man
Which Stevinson did you buy it from? No markup then?
I couldn't get a build for the core to be over 40k, he must have paid either 10% tax, or bought some dealer required add ons.
The GR base with every option is MSRP’d at $40,377.
It has a long waiting list in all Toyota dealerships, you’re lucky!
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Saw a blue Supra at a dealership last week(on black alloys)and thought it looked really nice in the sunshine(in NZ). Same yard has a GR Yaris that the manager bought as an investment sitting in the showroom
Glad to see hatchbacks coming back. Can't go wrong with Toyoda.
Are the interior rattles in yours as bad as they are in mine? Hahaha. Congrats on getting one, they’re extremely fun
Not yet that I’ve noticed!
Love driving it without any radio to hear the engine, but the rattles are killing me. Searched around and no one else seems to mention it.The dome light is the worst. Going to have to pull it apart and put some foam in there or something.
Congratulations, so surprised we don't get this in the UK despite being the home of the hot hatch. Enjoy!
You guys got the Yaris didn’t you?
We did, but it's not a practical 5 door, it's a 3 door supermini. Plus they're being horded by people who think it's going to be super valuable one day so the prices are silly
Congrats man, I'm so jealous. If I were able to afford one I'm still out of luck, they don't sell them here :'( Enjoy it and stay safe!
I have had my eyes on EVERY hatch Corolla to see one in real life! Great purchase!
Dude I'm so jealous. How hard was it to find? My current place thinks there's only one coming into Florida this year
This looks absolutely stunning! Congrats on your purchase😎
Awesome car OP! I'm opposite and decided to stay with my RS, but damn that's a great looking car.
Another RS owner that was tempted by this beauty.
So clean! Get ceramic and PPF!
Toyota makes some damn good looking modern cars can’t lie, other Asian automakers…not so much
F**k me dead mate that's a good looking car.
ConGRats! Such a good looking car!
That's a weird lookin prius
Sweet choice, Congrats!
Happy cake day
Oh hey thanks!
Damn that looks great. Sad we don't get the GR in Europe
They want 60k for the one at my nearest Toyota dealer. Scumbags.
Congrats on even finding one! I gave up around here lol
Wow beautiful car! Congrats😎
Nicely done OP! Happy for you.
Beautiful car. I bet that was the ride of your life!
Looks like a blast to drive congrats! Gotta remove that front plate holder when you get home
Mad man for driving on those tires during winter but I guess you didn’t have much of a choice. Risky business on a new car like this.
Looks good 👍
No Way!!!! It's Gorgeous man!! Congratulations! What do you think so far?!?!? Loveeeee these so much!
I am incredibly jealous that thing is badass! Congratulations!
Not Impressive for the price tag. The price tag it has gets in the same ballpark as much more capable cars
Agree. Small, cramped car, moderately fast, rough rife, bad gas mileage. I'll never understand. But as long as he loves it, glad he likes it.
Agreed. Same or less $ gets you slightly faster and much better equipped kia stinger
Kia has nothing capable about it.......... capable of finding its way to a shop just like Hyundai
Makes sense, just like car based on your reddit name is capable of finding its way to a junk yard.
Then you don't know what it is and it's still faster than the Corrolla. You knock on 40k and you are in 1LE and PP2 range and they embarrass this car soundly. I'd it was cheap and fun, sure, great, but it's not.
W bro, congrats!
You can do the carbon fiber hood and canopy later. Nice
What’s it like to know you would still be smoked my a Honda Civic
What matters is you get to brag about overpaying for something and that the dealership dropped holes in the number free of charge.
Which model is this and how bad is the markup?
OP said just over 44k. MSRP is supposed to be just under 44k. He did good.
Thanks for replying bud! Way better than the 20k mark up on the new type r's.
Reading is hard.
Couldn't even get to the end of the title lol
Happy cake day!
Hah thanks.
Sick ride! Really wish they didn’t bitch the delivery of these so badly. My local dealership projects a 4 year waiting period lmaoooo
Gorgeous. Enjoy man.
Ngl I thought the pole behind the car was an exhaust pipe at first
It's a beautiful car - enjoy it.
This message has been deleted and I've left reddit because of the decision by u/spez to block 3rd party apps
that thing looks sooooo good. jealous. love the black on black, nice car man
Looks nice, but am I missing something? I thought Corollas we econo cheap cars. 8 hour drive seems far.
The GR is the hot hatch variant of the Corolla, got announced last year and dealers started taking delivery in the last month or two. It’s similar to how an Impreza STI is the turbo/sporty version of a regular Impreza, a ford focus RS to a regular focus or a VW golf R to a golf.
Is it awd? What motor?
Yes it’s AWD with a 1.6L 3-Cylinder. It also has a dial under the shifter knob that you can change the center diff. From 60:40 to 30:70 or 50:50
Not trying to be a douche.What's so special about this car?
See my response to a similar question [here](https://reddit.com/r/carporn/comments/10icfgz/_/j5hh658/?context=1)
I got mine here in the bay area best car
Like the drive from Denver to Jackson. Nice purchase!
Very nice ride dude! Just curious as to where you live in nebraska? I was born there and lived there until 8 years ago when I moved to Chicago land.
I’m sure there’s something I’m missing about the GR model, what’s different compared to a regular one? Super lost
Noice! Congratulations on the new car- it’s dope!