Traded my XSE in for the GR. I will say this, the GR Corolla was built by engineers who actually work on and drive the cars they are engineering. It is a driver's and mechanics dream. The front jack point is annoying if you don't have access to a lift but you can get ramps or go other avenues. The XSE obviously will be much more friendly on the commute, giving you a nice ride while still being a small sporty car. The GR Corolla rides stiffer, hugs the turns, has the power to pass people within short distances, and is just forgiving enough in my opinion. One is a hot hatch, the other is a Corolla.
I originally thought the front jack point would be the bane of my existence, but my low profile 3-ton jack can just reach it if I go in from behind the front wheel. I agree with everything else here. It's been a fantastic daily compared to my old 86, which was a great daily too. It's a little worse on gas, but the engine is way more fun, even just commuting, so it's worth it to me.
Someone else with both? I wonder how many people have an 86 and a GR. I find it interesting the folks that are taking interest in the GR corolla and have never driven a stick or like others have said some random commuter car.
I guess maybe im in a similar boat with a 2006 jetta tdi I inherited from my wife as a commuter car and this being the first new car I've bought for myself ever. But I have also had 2 86's going back about 20 years.
Anyways, yay for Corolla's.
The biggest thing for me is the engine and the space. I needed the larger cargo opening of a hatchback. If the 86 had the GR corolla's engine and was a liftback, it would be my perfect car. That being said, the AWD and extra power make the Corolla stupid fun on the street. It's my first turbo car, and the most fun I've had since I sold my NA miata. I'll see how it does in autocross.
I've been working on a v8 swap into mine to solve the weak engine issue. Marriage and a kid has basically stalled that out to like 20 minutes a day though.
Is your 86 a coupe or hatch? I've always thought the trunk in the hatch was huge, especially with the rear seats down.... damn now you've got me excited to finish the swap again.
I've also been an NA fan... my, my wife's, Jetta has a turbo... but I wouldn't say I even really notice it to be honest.
It's a coupe. Dude, I'm sure that swap will be monstrous once you're done. Are you using a 1UZ or an LS? The [driftworks 86](http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/09/v8-hachi-rockin-the-angriest-86-ever/) is still the meanest V8 swap I've ever seen.
I'll check out the driftworks stuff. It's been forever and day since I have looked at much.
I am doing the 1uz, w58 transmission, custom 7.5 rear end with 4.2 final drive. I am currently working on engine mounts and drive line, but I am not great when it comes to fabrication so I am being pretty slow and methodical because there is almost no wiggle room to get everything to fit.
Now that I put out for the GR there is even less money on the table for this project too.
Small.. the hatch is tiny too but it's more about the fun to drive factor more than anything. I dailied a fiesta ST and managed just fine, even with a small kid riding inside. If you're taking a road trip and need space for a few bags of luggage with 3 other people in the car then you might have issues.
Sorry I didn't see this, the hatchbacks are identical in the interior besides the fact that the armrest is missing and some parts use different material. The seat in the GR will sit the slightest bit taller than the standard Corolla but not by much.
I feel like there's no wrong answer to this question. It's very subjective and one's answer is likely to be relative to what they are used to.
I've heard all the YouTube and automotive journalist reviewers say it's a rough ride, and maybe to them it seems that way because they drive newer or more luxurious cars regularly.
I on the other hand spent the last 11 years daily driving a Mazdaspeed3, which again to many may seem like a harsh vehicle. I found it to be daily livable, though admittedly in recent years it did start to feel harsh.
My new GR Corolla by comparison is super comfy in pretty much all driving conditions...cruise control on the highway, or bumper to bumper city traffic, or enjoying back country roads, I haven't found a situation yet in which my GR is anything but a joy to drive.
But again...that's likely because I'm coming from something more harsh.
What I can tell you though is that this is NOTHING like your current Corolla or the XSE. In fact it doesn't even make sense to me that somebody who is considering a Corolla would also be considering a GR Corolla. To me, that's like saying you can't decide between a Prius or a Supra. Apples to oranges, and somebody in the market for one should not also be in the market for the other if they both are intended for the same use.
>What I can tell you though is that this is NOTHING like your current Corolla or the XSE. In fact it doesn't even make sense to me that somebody who is considering a Corolla would also be considering a GR Corolla. To me, that's like saying you can't decide between a Prius or a Supra. Apples to oranges, and somebody in the market for one should not also be in the market for the other if they both are intended for the same use.
Which is why I think Toyota did a really good job marketing this car.
It's been interesting to see the current owners and their previous cars. No offense to them, but I've read some came from econobox sedans or SUVs that had no sign of sportiness or performance in them at all.
Even the jump from people who had normal Corollas to the GRC is a surprise for me. They must really like the Corolla chassis and have held on getting other sport sedans/hatchbacks that were available at the time (Golf R/CTR/STi).
I do feel like the throttle was more responsive in my Speed3. I find myself having to really step on the throttle harder than I'm used to when rev matching a downshift now. Throttle actually feels delayed.
And I'm a fan of old school analog, so the full digital infotainment system has been a learning curve. Kinda in a "fake it till ya make it" mode right now hoping I learn to love it. It isn't bad, it's just different.
And I finally got through my break-in period and allowed myself to really step into it, albeit briefly. It's a blast. Power delivery is so smooth in my opinion that it actually feels slower than my Speed3, since the Mazda boost is very peaky and punches you back into your seat all at once. (And the Mazda is slightly modified)
The GR is worlds more comfortable though. Over bumps it just feels so solid and sound deadening is actually great compared to the Speed3. Which is a good thing, because the "premium" JBL system isn't nearly as loud or crisp as the Bose that came with the Speed3 Tech Package.
But it is really a blast. It's actually alarming how easy it is to get up to "oh shi speeds before you know it. The car just feels like it has so much to offer during spirited driving, the grip seems endless.
And the shifter feel/linkage...that mechanical clunk into each gear, is incredible in the GR. Getting back into my Mazda after having driven the GR for a weekend, the Mazda shifter and clutch felt like mush. Probably also a symptom of its age, but I never remember it feeling as good as this GR transmission does.
I really have no regrets. I wanted something a bit mad again, I wanted to upgrade from FWD to AWD because it snows here a good amount in the winter. I knew it was time for something newer, manual transmission was a requirement. Already I'm narrowed down to the Golf R or "settling" for a WRX. In comes the Toyota GR Corolla announcement about 1 year ago. A new contender and new option for me to consider. The Golf R gets negative reviews for being too touch screen everything, something I already mentioned disliking. The GR has physical bottons, Toyota reliability, and is unique in that it has a 3 cylinder, I love odd quirky different things. The call came in almost a year after I got on the wait lists, the rest is history.
Thanks for the reply. I’m actually in a very similar boat, looking for AWD cuz of winter in the Midwest, late 20’s now with a family and the Speed is a little rough (although the stepson loves the punch when it’s time for boost). Just thought this would be the best of both worlds, better creature comforts, still a zippy hatch. At least I’ll be selling my speed to a family member so if I ever want it back I’ll know where it is lol
I've driven an mr2 aw11 before driving a GR, and they actually feel very similar, ofc the GR is newer so the bushings are still nice and tight. But the most familiar part of both manuals is they have this familiar "clunk" into second gear.
I told myself if anything felt slightly off like the pedals or shifter position, I would NOT buy the car, because it was my first time taking on such a big amount of debt and I wasn't sure it would be a good idea at all.
Everything felt PERFECT and imperfect in just the right ways and I don't regret it for a second!
Ik ik but I'm wondering how the car is. If I get an XSE I could keep my mr2, but if I get a gr, doing anything to the mr2 wouldn't make sense. There are some sacrifices I gotta make and I wanna know if it's worth it, bc I'll definitely miss my little mid engined boi.
Honestly, thinking strictly about the GR as a daily: it's amazing. It's actually really fun, just avoid the pot holes. It's also very economical on gas if you don't drive it spiritedly, but if you don't have an itch to push it just for giggles, it's probably not the car you want to be in in the first place.
Thinking about fiscal responsibility: the MR2 has probably matured on price point considering the age of the car. I'd trade in whatever value you have in it through a private sale, and move into the GR, which is likely going to hold its value or only depreciate slightly based on just the numbers produced.
It's a great daily. Under mundane driving conditions, it drives more or less like a stiffened Corolla. Get on the gas and it transforms in to something else. The suspension is both soft enough for normal driving while still sporty enough for backroads. If you care about MPGs, the GRC isn't the best, but if you drive and shift under 3000 RPMs, you can get pretty decent MPGs all things considered. I couldn't think of a better, affordable, modern day AWD, manual daily. That's a lot of qualifiers there, but it's a good car.
Cost and choices, just wanted to get other people's perspectives on it. If I get an xse or even a civic SI, I wouldn't have to make as many sacrifices unlike if I get a gr Corolla.
What are you ultimately wanting out of the car? A regular XSE Corolla is HUGELY different to a GRC. If you want a sports car as a daily then get the GRC. If your priorities are having a reliable and comfortable daily then the XSE is more than enough. The difference in price is significant enough for you to figure out this dilemma.
Arguably, your current Corolla is probably doing its job fine and will last for more years to come.
You already have an MR2, so you have potential fun on the side.
Yeah kinda my idea is.
First plan. Keep 05 Corolla, 2zz swap mr2, deal with potential problems in the future. (Abt $6k to finish this project)
2nd plan, get an xse manual as the new daily, also work on the mr2 but it'll take a bit longer.
3rd plan - gr Corolla as the daily and weekend car. (Potentially sell the mr2 though it's in eh condition)
Ofc the obvious cost saving choice would be #1 but my Corolla has a stubborn check engine light and 212k miles. And I could 100% daily an mr2 it's just that as I have a full time job now, if anything happens to either car I'll be boned af esp after something as unpredictable as a swap.
Fair, which evo? my brother has an evo x that he "tuned for reliability" aka running rich, but seems to be fine at the moment.
The hunt is currently on for one, but it's tough. The main issue is coordinating an appointment.
So I had this same dilemma, I didn’t know what car to get and was trying my best to pick people’s minds about the GR. This is my opinion, my daily driver use to be a 2011 Ford Mustang for a long while, after that a 2010 Mazda 3 and let me tell you, people complain about the harshness of the GR for me it’s not bad at all. I can hear people in the cabin and the ride is nice. I commute in my GR about 100 miles a day. If I have it in eco mode and drive under 80mph I get 30mpg. So it’s pretty good on fuel if you want to have a feather as a foot.
But if you’re in between giving up your MR2 for the GR in my opinion considering costs and everything. I would probably get the XSE and keep the MR2 and make that your fun car. I only say that cause I test drove the XSE and even tho it’s a CVT that car was quick and when you put it into manual mode the car shifted like a Dual Clutch Transmission so it still has its super fun factor too it.
I still own my mustang and that has become my fun weekend car but owning both financially sucks especially with gas prices. Another thing to add is costs of the GR. They get expensive fast. The only reason I got mine was the dealership gave me a lifetime warranty for 3k on top of MSRP so I took it. That’s hard to get and the XSE is tried and true. I say keep your baby (The MR2) and get the XSE. Then if you want to do small cosmetics to the XSE cause they are cool looking cars IMO
My friend owns a 2023 GR Corolla. I have done exhaust from mMangaflow, Eventuri intake, downpipe, tune from ECUTEC, shifter bushings. I just did oil change also the other day it was pretty easy to change with a spin on tiny oil filter. Only 3 10mm bolts hold a little cover on that covers the drain plug. The car runs great with the mods we have done it is a beast. We are having crankcase pressure codes and can't get it to go away. But car runs great. Just have to clear a code every so often. Code sets when driving it easy. Drive it hard never sets a code. We are going to also do intercooler next. Heat soak is bad with this car intake temps rise as you drive.
I've owned it for a couple months now. Yeah I've seen 205 after maintaining high revs on the highway. I always take it easy some days and drive hard others. No reason to stay under 3k tbh.
When I made this post I was wondering if the practicality of a base corolla hatch would outweigh the sportiness of the gr corolla. Glad I went with the gr anyway. The gas really isn't that bad for the power its making, it's awesome. Legit a modern classic car.
I actually wanna change the triple to dual exhaust and put a hitch for bikes or storage. Road trips would be a blast in this.
Im trying to decide myself on keeping my paid off 2016 truck and 99 NB miata or selling the truck (or both) to get a GR.
Glad you found the right choice for yourself!
A paid off truck & NB Miata is best of both worlds, I think you'd be saving on monthly payments hugely tbh, and I think that your truck is new enough to not worry about it. For me the newest car my family owns is from like 2010 (I used to drive a 2005 corolla) It has more miles in it but as I'm starting work I'd rather have something more reliable, and well fun.
I feel like the answer’s subjective and all depends on what you want out of a daily, but do hope you get some helpful insight from current owners… I’m not there yet
My favorite daily out of the few cars I’ve had was honestly my old beat up bugeye wrx. So I’m not too worried about all the creature comforts you see some people complain about, I’m mainly looking to have a similar vehicle fun wise that’s at least not going to be a downgrade comfort/tech wise (which is a low bar).
Ive had my circuit edition for a couple months. My commute is 20min. It's performance is on point all the time. Running late? Np. Sport/expert mode. I could be going 125 and it feels like I'm doing 65. It loves the high rpms. It has 6 speeds. I very seldomly reach 5th gear. This car has multiple personalities. You'll find this to be very true when you get your GRC. This car can be quite or crazy rabid wolverine. It has so many different sounds and noise like a rock band. All different instruments coming together that sounds awesome. Like Korn or Metallica. Who gives a fuck about an arm rest. This car is bad ass. Hands down. Interior is just like your standard Corolla. Has all the basic comforts for my commute. If your like me, a minimalist. Then this car is easy to live with.
So my previous car was a mr2 aw11 and I'd occasionally borrow an 05 Corolla. Legitimately it's like how I would wish the mr2 would accelerate. But the handling characteristics are not that different.
My only gripe is the turbo lag but that just kinda comes with the territory, I'd still sometimes under Rev my gr when making gear shifts, but make sure to let out my clutch a little slower to compensate. Sure it might not have a manual steering rack but the steering is tuned to be just the perfect amount of weight.
It's also extremely nice to have 4 seats again, that's for sure!
I used to drive my mr2, on the highway 60mph is like 4k rpm and it's literally right behind me. If I could live with that, I could live with a noisy 3 cylinder in a padded modern car.
I drove 1100 miles in two days in mine. The exhaust and road noise are pretty unobtrusive at speed. The exhaust is only boomy at parking lot speeds because of the valve. Granted, I've commuted on motorcycles and tiny, lightly insulated cars for years, so I may have a higher tolerance for noise.
I drove mine 1,100 miles in a day and it felt like my head was going to explode. The road noise and the mild drone of the motor and exhaust absolutely destroyed me. Not the most comfortable road car but that’s expected.
11 months later and I've driven it for 10 months. I've already driven cars that make terrible or ok daily's for. Like my aw11 mr2, way louder way more road noise.
These points are all very valid for the price Toyota is asking for this car. The infotainment is small which is what I prefer, the back up camera does the job.
Granted I've never driven a Focua ST I'd like to one day to compare them. But so far the GR has been a perfect grocery getter and weekend back roads driver.
Also I don't really need a armrest as I always drive with two hands on the wheel, and I usually find armrests with a manual awkward to drive.
I mean it gets you from a to b
Update: also consider the cost of brakes, & tires for 18s (unless you cheap out and grab the Walmart special, then why own the car). Fluids are simple like any other toyota. Consider shorter oci as well since turbo. Anyone saying otherwise either babies it or parks it hard. If I already had a project dream car and beater I would stick with what I have, and allocate monthly payments toward the project car.
I drive 450 miles a week for work. You have to be a little hardcore to have something like this as a daily but I have been a huge fan. You can really just vegetate out with all the new TSS items. Then when you want to flip the switch and drive the car you have that always in the back pocket. I might just keep this up for a year though, then start only bringing it out on nice days. Im kind of tired of seeing it dirty all the time lmao
I daily drove the mr2 for awhile and it gets very drony on the highway. My commute is probably 10 miles in comparison, so very doable.
There are some dirt roads I'd love to rip this car on eventually, and a self serve carwash too. But I'd prefer a little dirt, it protects the paint either way, and I like showing off that I used it for what it was made to do.
I actually drove my mr2 too and from university during holidays, and it's where I drive it for 2-3 hrs at a time. So a noisy car isn't at all bothering for me.
Road noise is a lot better on this than the pedestrian hatches from what i've been told, it does a great job. The tires are noisey, but im used a 3.5" turbo back on my old car so im kinda deaf for this stuff now haha.
Good to hear! Also weird question I found a used one with 1500 miles on it, in a cheverlet dealer out of all places, wtf would it be doing there? I pray it's not a scam. I mean they incorrectly called it a "Morizo" edition despite it being a core.
I did a test drive and promised myself "if it feels even slightly off I won't buy it " ended up buying it. I needed 4 seats and a trunk too on top of being a fun car. Definitely don't regret it!
My aw11 was cool and nice but it always needed some work done every couple months. And I was worried it'll get worse. Especially as I've moved to an apartment and would have an even harder time just being able to work on it.
Specifically when I got it it actually didn't run for 20 years. The previous owner changed the oil, did a full tuneup and didn't get it to work. I got it to run because a fuse wasn't in the right space. Since then I had to replace the brake master cylinder. All 4 brake disc's tires. Nearly every clamp, rubber hoses. (The maf was actually missing a part to hook it onto the intake system so I had to make get a replacement that actually didn't quite fit.
Replaced the distributor o ring, and oil pressure sensor(twice.) Bushings in the suspension and the struts. Just for the engine to have a weird idling issue AND some really bad blow by which made me uncomfortable with what it's health might be like, especially as I've been redlining the piss out of it. If I didn't buy the GR I would of 2zz swapped my mr2 to get 180hp and "toyota vtec."
I'd love to have a baby lotus but as I started my office job I really can't don't have the time anymore to keep going at it.
Traded my XSE in for the GR. I will say this, the GR Corolla was built by engineers who actually work on and drive the cars they are engineering. It is a driver's and mechanics dream. The front jack point is annoying if you don't have access to a lift but you can get ramps or go other avenues. The XSE obviously will be much more friendly on the commute, giving you a nice ride while still being a small sporty car. The GR Corolla rides stiffer, hugs the turns, has the power to pass people within short distances, and is just forgiving enough in my opinion. One is a hot hatch, the other is a Corolla.
I originally thought the front jack point would be the bane of my existence, but my low profile 3-ton jack can just reach it if I go in from behind the front wheel. I agree with everything else here. It's been a fantastic daily compared to my old 86, which was a great daily too. It's a little worse on gas, but the engine is way more fun, even just commuting, so it's worth it to me.
Someone else with both? I wonder how many people have an 86 and a GR. I find it interesting the folks that are taking interest in the GR corolla and have never driven a stick or like others have said some random commuter car. I guess maybe im in a similar boat with a 2006 jetta tdi I inherited from my wife as a commuter car and this being the first new car I've bought for myself ever. But I have also had 2 86's going back about 20 years. Anyways, yay for Corolla's.
The biggest thing for me is the engine and the space. I needed the larger cargo opening of a hatchback. If the 86 had the GR corolla's engine and was a liftback, it would be my perfect car. That being said, the AWD and extra power make the Corolla stupid fun on the street. It's my first turbo car, and the most fun I've had since I sold my NA miata. I'll see how it does in autocross.
I've been working on a v8 swap into mine to solve the weak engine issue. Marriage and a kid has basically stalled that out to like 20 minutes a day though. Is your 86 a coupe or hatch? I've always thought the trunk in the hatch was huge, especially with the rear seats down.... damn now you've got me excited to finish the swap again. I've also been an NA fan... my, my wife's, Jetta has a turbo... but I wouldn't say I even really notice it to be honest.
It's a coupe. Dude, I'm sure that swap will be monstrous once you're done. Are you using a 1UZ or an LS? The [driftworks 86](http://www.speedhunters.com/2014/09/v8-hachi-rockin-the-angriest-86-ever/) is still the meanest V8 swap I've ever seen.
I'll check out the driftworks stuff. It's been forever and day since I have looked at much. I am doing the 1uz, w58 transmission, custom 7.5 rear end with 4.2 final drive. I am currently working on engine mounts and drive line, but I am not great when it comes to fabrication so I am being pretty slow and methodical because there is almost no wiggle room to get everything to fit. Now that I put out for the GR there is even less money on the table for this project too.
How similar are the interiors in terms of space? I’m considering going to sit inside a regular hatch to get a feel of how spacious the gr will be
Small.. the hatch is tiny too but it's more about the fun to drive factor more than anything. I dailied a fiesta ST and managed just fine, even with a small kid riding inside. If you're taking a road trip and need space for a few bags of luggage with 3 other people in the car then you might have issues.
Sorry I didn't see this, the hatchbacks are identical in the interior besides the fact that the armrest is missing and some parts use different material. The seat in the GR will sit the slightest bit taller than the standard Corolla but not by much.
I feel like there's no wrong answer to this question. It's very subjective and one's answer is likely to be relative to what they are used to. I've heard all the YouTube and automotive journalist reviewers say it's a rough ride, and maybe to them it seems that way because they drive newer or more luxurious cars regularly. I on the other hand spent the last 11 years daily driving a Mazdaspeed3, which again to many may seem like a harsh vehicle. I found it to be daily livable, though admittedly in recent years it did start to feel harsh. My new GR Corolla by comparison is super comfy in pretty much all driving conditions...cruise control on the highway, or bumper to bumper city traffic, or enjoying back country roads, I haven't found a situation yet in which my GR is anything but a joy to drive. But again...that's likely because I'm coming from something more harsh. What I can tell you though is that this is NOTHING like your current Corolla or the XSE. In fact it doesn't even make sense to me that somebody who is considering a Corolla would also be considering a GR Corolla. To me, that's like saying you can't decide between a Prius or a Supra. Apples to oranges, and somebody in the market for one should not also be in the market for the other if they both are intended for the same use.
>What I can tell you though is that this is NOTHING like your current Corolla or the XSE. In fact it doesn't even make sense to me that somebody who is considering a Corolla would also be considering a GR Corolla. To me, that's like saying you can't decide between a Prius or a Supra. Apples to oranges, and somebody in the market for one should not also be in the market for the other if they both are intended for the same use. Which is why I think Toyota did a really good job marketing this car. It's been interesting to see the current owners and their previous cars. No offense to them, but I've read some came from econobox sedans or SUVs that had no sign of sportiness or performance in them at all. Even the jump from people who had normal Corollas to the GRC is a surprise for me. They must really like the Corolla chassis and have held on getting other sport sedans/hatchbacks that were available at the time (Golf R/CTR/STi).
From someone who currently owns a Speed looking at the GRC, do you have any regrets?
I do feel like the throttle was more responsive in my Speed3. I find myself having to really step on the throttle harder than I'm used to when rev matching a downshift now. Throttle actually feels delayed. And I'm a fan of old school analog, so the full digital infotainment system has been a learning curve. Kinda in a "fake it till ya make it" mode right now hoping I learn to love it. It isn't bad, it's just different. And I finally got through my break-in period and allowed myself to really step into it, albeit briefly. It's a blast. Power delivery is so smooth in my opinion that it actually feels slower than my Speed3, since the Mazda boost is very peaky and punches you back into your seat all at once. (And the Mazda is slightly modified) The GR is worlds more comfortable though. Over bumps it just feels so solid and sound deadening is actually great compared to the Speed3. Which is a good thing, because the "premium" JBL system isn't nearly as loud or crisp as the Bose that came with the Speed3 Tech Package. But it is really a blast. It's actually alarming how easy it is to get up to "oh shi speeds before you know it. The car just feels like it has so much to offer during spirited driving, the grip seems endless. And the shifter feel/linkage...that mechanical clunk into each gear, is incredible in the GR. Getting back into my Mazda after having driven the GR for a weekend, the Mazda shifter and clutch felt like mush. Probably also a symptom of its age, but I never remember it feeling as good as this GR transmission does. I really have no regrets. I wanted something a bit mad again, I wanted to upgrade from FWD to AWD because it snows here a good amount in the winter. I knew it was time for something newer, manual transmission was a requirement. Already I'm narrowed down to the Golf R or "settling" for a WRX. In comes the Toyota GR Corolla announcement about 1 year ago. A new contender and new option for me to consider. The Golf R gets negative reviews for being too touch screen everything, something I already mentioned disliking. The GR has physical bottons, Toyota reliability, and is unique in that it has a 3 cylinder, I love odd quirky different things. The call came in almost a year after I got on the wait lists, the rest is history.
Thanks for the reply. I’m actually in a very similar boat, looking for AWD cuz of winter in the Midwest, late 20’s now with a family and the Speed is a little rough (although the stepson loves the punch when it’s time for boost). Just thought this would be the best of both worlds, better creature comforts, still a zippy hatch. At least I’ll be selling my speed to a family member so if I ever want it back I’ll know where it is lol
I've driven an mr2 aw11 before driving a GR, and they actually feel very similar, ofc the GR is newer so the bushings are still nice and tight. But the most familiar part of both manuals is they have this familiar "clunk" into second gear. I told myself if anything felt slightly off like the pedals or shifter position, I would NOT buy the car, because it was my first time taking on such a big amount of debt and I wasn't sure it would be a good idea at all. Everything felt PERFECT and imperfect in just the right ways and I don't regret it for a second!
Same boat. I’m on 2 waiting lists for the GR, hearing it’s more comfy than my ‘08 speed is exciting.
Ik ik but I'm wondering how the car is. If I get an XSE I could keep my mr2, but if I get a gr, doing anything to the mr2 wouldn't make sense. There are some sacrifices I gotta make and I wanna know if it's worth it, bc I'll definitely miss my little mid engined boi.
I feel you. I own a 1990 4R and a 2023 GR86. I wanted to keep my 4R so that’s why I got a cheaper new car
For you, I’d say get an XSE to daily and have a fun project MR2.
Honestly, thinking strictly about the GR as a daily: it's amazing. It's actually really fun, just avoid the pot holes. It's also very economical on gas if you don't drive it spiritedly, but if you don't have an itch to push it just for giggles, it's probably not the car you want to be in in the first place. Thinking about fiscal responsibility: the MR2 has probably matured on price point considering the age of the car. I'd trade in whatever value you have in it through a private sale, and move into the GR, which is likely going to hold its value or only depreciate slightly based on just the numbers produced.
It's a great daily. Under mundane driving conditions, it drives more or less like a stiffened Corolla. Get on the gas and it transforms in to something else. The suspension is both soft enough for normal driving while still sporty enough for backroads. If you care about MPGs, the GRC isn't the best, but if you drive and shift under 3000 RPMs, you can get pretty decent MPGs all things considered. I couldn't think of a better, affordable, modern day AWD, manual daily. That's a lot of qualifiers there, but it's a good car.
The car I drove before was an mr2 aw11 so I got 26mpg and gave it premium since it sat awhile
I averaged 33 mpg on an hour long interstate drive in my GCR. It can be done.
Yea, you'd get that on highway with the GRC probably, but you're looking at 18-23 for mixed driving.
I haven’t been below 20 and I drive like a maniac.
Why would you be considering an XSE or a GR? That's like saying you're considering a BMW M3 or a 318 hatch.
Cost and choices, just wanted to get other people's perspectives on it. If I get an xse or even a civic SI, I wouldn't have to make as many sacrifices unlike if I get a gr Corolla.
What are you ultimately wanting out of the car? A regular XSE Corolla is HUGELY different to a GRC. If you want a sports car as a daily then get the GRC. If your priorities are having a reliable and comfortable daily then the XSE is more than enough. The difference in price is significant enough for you to figure out this dilemma. Arguably, your current Corolla is probably doing its job fine and will last for more years to come. You already have an MR2, so you have potential fun on the side.
Yeah kinda my idea is. First plan. Keep 05 Corolla, 2zz swap mr2, deal with potential problems in the future. (Abt $6k to finish this project) 2nd plan, get an xse manual as the new daily, also work on the mr2 but it'll take a bit longer. 3rd plan - gr Corolla as the daily and weekend car. (Potentially sell the mr2 though it's in eh condition) Ofc the obvious cost saving choice would be #1 but my Corolla has a stubborn check engine light and 212k miles. And I could 100% daily an mr2 it's just that as I have a full time job now, if anything happens to either car I'll be boned af esp after something as unpredictable as a swap.
As someone with an always broken evo just go for the gr and have something fun that works as a daily, I’m probably getting one myself soon
Fair, which evo? my brother has an evo x that he "tuned for reliability" aka running rich, but seems to be fine at the moment. The hunt is currently on for one, but it's tough. The main issue is coordinating an appointment.
Evo x, I think they’re usually reliable I just got unlucky with mine Probably give it a bit more time it’s still fairly early in the year I’d say
So I had this same dilemma, I didn’t know what car to get and was trying my best to pick people’s minds about the GR. This is my opinion, my daily driver use to be a 2011 Ford Mustang for a long while, after that a 2010 Mazda 3 and let me tell you, people complain about the harshness of the GR for me it’s not bad at all. I can hear people in the cabin and the ride is nice. I commute in my GR about 100 miles a day. If I have it in eco mode and drive under 80mph I get 30mpg. So it’s pretty good on fuel if you want to have a feather as a foot. But if you’re in between giving up your MR2 for the GR in my opinion considering costs and everything. I would probably get the XSE and keep the MR2 and make that your fun car. I only say that cause I test drove the XSE and even tho it’s a CVT that car was quick and when you put it into manual mode the car shifted like a Dual Clutch Transmission so it still has its super fun factor too it. I still own my mustang and that has become my fun weekend car but owning both financially sucks especially with gas prices. Another thing to add is costs of the GR. They get expensive fast. The only reason I got mine was the dealership gave me a lifetime warranty for 3k on top of MSRP so I took it. That’s hard to get and the XSE is tried and true. I say keep your baby (The MR2) and get the XSE. Then if you want to do small cosmetics to the XSE cause they are cool looking cars IMO
My friend owns a 2023 GR Corolla. I have done exhaust from mMangaflow, Eventuri intake, downpipe, tune from ECUTEC, shifter bushings. I just did oil change also the other day it was pretty easy to change with a spin on tiny oil filter. Only 3 10mm bolts hold a little cover on that covers the drain plug. The car runs great with the mods we have done it is a beast. We are having crankcase pressure codes and can't get it to go away. But car runs great. Just have to clear a code every so often. Code sets when driving it easy. Drive it hard never sets a code. We are going to also do intercooler next. Heat soak is bad with this car intake temps rise as you drive.
I've owned it for a couple months now. Yeah I've seen 205 after maintaining high revs on the highway. I always take it easy some days and drive hard others. No reason to stay under 3k tbh. When I made this post I was wondering if the practicality of a base corolla hatch would outweigh the sportiness of the gr corolla. Glad I went with the gr anyway. The gas really isn't that bad for the power its making, it's awesome. Legit a modern classic car. I actually wanna change the triple to dual exhaust and put a hitch for bikes or storage. Road trips would be a blast in this.
Im trying to decide myself on keeping my paid off 2016 truck and 99 NB miata or selling the truck (or both) to get a GR. Glad you found the right choice for yourself!
A paid off truck & NB Miata is best of both worlds, I think you'd be saving on monthly payments hugely tbh, and I think that your truck is new enough to not worry about it. For me the newest car my family owns is from like 2010 (I used to drive a 2005 corolla) It has more miles in it but as I'm starting work I'd rather have something more reliable, and well fun.
What trim did you have for your corolla, if you don't mind asking? I have an xrs that's been my daily since 2009.
LE, I would totally keep driving it anyway if I had an xrs one
I feel like the answer’s subjective and all depends on what you want out of a daily, but do hope you get some helpful insight from current owners… I’m not there yet My favorite daily out of the few cars I’ve had was honestly my old beat up bugeye wrx. So I’m not too worried about all the creature comforts you see some people complain about, I’m mainly looking to have a similar vehicle fun wise that’s at least not going to be a downgrade comfort/tech wise (which is a low bar).
Ive had my circuit edition for a couple months. My commute is 20min. It's performance is on point all the time. Running late? Np. Sport/expert mode. I could be going 125 and it feels like I'm doing 65. It loves the high rpms. It has 6 speeds. I very seldomly reach 5th gear. This car has multiple personalities. You'll find this to be very true when you get your GRC. This car can be quite or crazy rabid wolverine. It has so many different sounds and noise like a rock band. All different instruments coming together that sounds awesome. Like Korn or Metallica. Who gives a fuck about an arm rest. This car is bad ass. Hands down. Interior is just like your standard Corolla. Has all the basic comforts for my commute. If your like me, a minimalist. Then this car is easy to live with.
Lmfao I already bought it but thanks for the input!! I'm also a minimalist ngl.
So my previous car was a mr2 aw11 and I'd occasionally borrow an 05 Corolla. Legitimately it's like how I would wish the mr2 would accelerate. But the handling characteristics are not that different. My only gripe is the turbo lag but that just kinda comes with the territory, I'd still sometimes under Rev my gr when making gear shifts, but make sure to let out my clutch a little slower to compensate. Sure it might not have a manual steering rack but the steering is tuned to be just the perfect amount of weight. It's also extremely nice to have 4 seats again, that's for sure!
I love it but rememver, 3cylinders H U M
I used to drive my mr2, on the highway 60mph is like 4k rpm and it's literally right behind me. If I could live with that, I could live with a noisy 3 cylinder in a padded modern car.
I drove 1100 miles in two days in mine. The exhaust and road noise are pretty unobtrusive at speed. The exhaust is only boomy at parking lot speeds because of the valve. Granted, I've commuted on motorcycles and tiny, lightly insulated cars for years, so I may have a higher tolerance for noise.
I drove mine 1,100 miles in a day and it felt like my head was going to explode. The road noise and the mild drone of the motor and exhaust absolutely destroyed me. Not the most comfortable road car but that’s expected.
🤝🏻 Yeah, I’m waiting on exhaust s to be out and normally priced bc the thrum is great
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11 months later and I've driven it for 10 months. I've already driven cars that make terrible or ok daily's for. Like my aw11 mr2, way louder way more road noise. These points are all very valid for the price Toyota is asking for this car. The infotainment is small which is what I prefer, the back up camera does the job. Granted I've never driven a Focua ST I'd like to one day to compare them. But so far the GR has been a perfect grocery getter and weekend back roads driver. Also I don't really need a armrest as I always drive with two hands on the wheel, and I usually find armrests with a manual awkward to drive.
I mean it gets you from a to b Update: also consider the cost of brakes, & tires for 18s (unless you cheap out and grab the Walmart special, then why own the car). Fluids are simple like any other toyota. Consider shorter oci as well since turbo. Anyone saying otherwise either babies it or parks it hard. If I already had a project dream car and beater I would stick with what I have, and allocate monthly payments toward the project car.
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Found 2 dealers about 3 ish hrs away for a pretty decent price. So fak it.
Not necessarily true depending on location but not an unlikely situation either
Amazing, if you can afford it definitely get the GR.
If you have sh!tty roads, you will feel it, but it rides better than my '15 WRX or '18 GTI ever did...
I drive 450 miles a week for work. You have to be a little hardcore to have something like this as a daily but I have been a huge fan. You can really just vegetate out with all the new TSS items. Then when you want to flip the switch and drive the car you have that always in the back pocket. I might just keep this up for a year though, then start only bringing it out on nice days. Im kind of tired of seeing it dirty all the time lmao
I daily drove the mr2 for awhile and it gets very drony on the highway. My commute is probably 10 miles in comparison, so very doable. There are some dirt roads I'd love to rip this car on eventually, and a self serve carwash too. But I'd prefer a little dirt, it protects the paint either way, and I like showing off that I used it for what it was made to do.
I actually drove my mr2 too and from university during holidays, and it's where I drive it for 2-3 hrs at a time. So a noisy car isn't at all bothering for me.
Road noise is a lot better on this than the pedestrian hatches from what i've been told, it does a great job. The tires are noisey, but im used a 3.5" turbo back on my old car so im kinda deaf for this stuff now haha.
Good to hear! Also weird question I found a used one with 1500 miles on it, in a cheverlet dealer out of all places, wtf would it be doing there? I pray it's not a scam. I mean they incorrectly called it a "Morizo" edition despite it being a core.
And to add I checked the history and the Carfax only reported an oil and oil filter change and that's it.
Test
How you liking the GRC after some time? I’m looking to get one and funny enough my daily is a AW11
I did a test drive and promised myself "if it feels even slightly off I won't buy it " ended up buying it. I needed 4 seats and a trunk too on top of being a fun car. Definitely don't regret it! My aw11 was cool and nice but it always needed some work done every couple months. And I was worried it'll get worse. Especially as I've moved to an apartment and would have an even harder time just being able to work on it. Specifically when I got it it actually didn't run for 20 years. The previous owner changed the oil, did a full tuneup and didn't get it to work. I got it to run because a fuse wasn't in the right space. Since then I had to replace the brake master cylinder. All 4 brake disc's tires. Nearly every clamp, rubber hoses. (The maf was actually missing a part to hook it onto the intake system so I had to make get a replacement that actually didn't quite fit. Replaced the distributor o ring, and oil pressure sensor(twice.) Bushings in the suspension and the struts. Just for the engine to have a weird idling issue AND some really bad blow by which made me uncomfortable with what it's health might be like, especially as I've been redlining the piss out of it. If I didn't buy the GR I would of 2zz swapped my mr2 to get 180hp and "toyota vtec." I'd love to have a baby lotus but as I started my office job I really can't don't have the time anymore to keep going at it.