Thoughts on the GR:Corolla ?

[romanLegion9574]

I've had the GRC alongside the Supra for 3 years now. The GRC functions as a daily and is good at being a jack of all trades car. Engaging and a good driver's car, is practical, not too difficult to drive, the core model was reasonably priced for an AWD hatchback back in 2023, etc.

But on the flip side, it being a jack of all trades means it's a master of none. It doesn't really excel at anything. Can't really make the engine more powerful without it being a money pit. Also takes money to get it to a decently track-ready state, whereas the Supra was way more ready from factory.

From the daily perspective, it's functional, but there's always something better than it no matter how you look at it. It's a bit lacking on space (better than a Supra for usability, but you're better off with other hot hatches for space), the interior is cheap, and the ride can be harsh.

I think it makes sense if you want that all-in-one package and are willing in compromises in each, but if you have to prioritize certain functionality, you should choose something else.

Sponsored

 

[NocturnalEmber]

I've had the GRC alongside the Supra for 3 years now. The GRC functions as a daily and is good at being a jack of all trades car. Engaging and a good driver's car, is practical, not too difficult to drive, the core model was reasonably priced for an AWD hatchback back in 2023, etc.

But on the flip side, it being a jack of all trades means it's a master of none. It doesn't really excel at anything. Can't really make the engine more powerful without it being a money pit. Also takes money to get it to a decently track-ready state, whereas the Supra was way more ready from factory.

From the daily perspective, it's functional, but there's always something better than it no matter how you look at it. It's a bit lacking on space (better than a Supra for usability, but you're better off with other hot hatches for space), the interior is cheap, and the ride can be harsh.

I think it makes sense if you want that all-in-one package and are willing in compromises in each, but if you have to prioritize certain functionality, you should choose something else.

The engine is rather limiting. that whole $10,000~ barrier to any meaningful gains is off putting, but honestly I feel like a GR:C would be a solid car at 400-450 whp.

My issue I have with my Supra is that everything just feels so effortless. Yeah, first world problem, I know, but I wish there were a way to liven it up a little. Turbo inlet pipe maybe? I love the GR:C's level of OEM NVH. What I do not love, however, is polyurethane engine mount levels of NVH.

 

[MisterSkiz]

I never understood why anyone would choose a Supra for a daily driver, even if you are a single person - the car is just too small and low.

Single person? Buy a small sedan or awd SUV.

Married with Kids? Just buy a Minivan, stop fighting it - they are wonderful.

 

[J29DB03]

I never understood why anyone would choose a Supra for a daily driver, even if you are a single person - the car is just too small and low.

Single person? Buy a small sedan or awd SUV.

Married with Kids? Just buy a Minivan, stop fighting it - they are wonderful.

What if the Supra was your daily driver and the minivan was the weekend car?

 

[MisterSkiz]

What if the Supra was your daily driver and the minivan was the weekend car?

 

[Subydude]

To me the GRC harkens back to the 2004-2007 STi. Something that had reasonable daily usage, needed to be wound out to really go quick, and had a fun personality. Neither platform was able to get a ton of power without opening the engine up, both needed some suspension to really do well on track, but both were great cars in their own right.

When the GRC came out I still had a 2005 STi so I didn't buy one. I had tried a 2022 BRZ, but sold it after it fell prey to the RTV issues at 5k miles with 0 track days on the clock. Ended up buying the Supra and while it's slightly smaller inside than the BRZ, it's a much better car. I use the Supra as the daily now and ended up selling the STi since it just languished in the garage. If I lived somewhere it snowed I might have something with a bit more ground clearance, but in South Carolina it's pretty spot on. Even at 6'2" and 220 lbs I don't find the Supra too small, and have easily spent a week for a road trip in it with no complaints. The ability to track the car and punch well above it's weight while also puttering around town to the grocery store or gym really sells it to me. If I had to start over right now I'd find another Supra.

That said, I have a few friends with the GRC and they love them, so I think it just depends on what your goals are. If I were hunting a hot hatch, I'd be looking awfully hard at the Type R before I really considered the GRC.

 

[hhm007]

I've had the GRC alongside the Supra for 3 years now. The GRC functions as a daily and is good at being a jack of all trades car. Engaging and a good driver's car, is practical, not too difficult to drive, the core model was reasonably priced for an AWD hatchback back in 2023, etc.

But on the flip side, it being a jack of all trades means it's a master of none. It doesn't really excel at anything. Can't really make the engine more powerful without it being a money pit. Also takes money to get it to a decently track-ready state, whereas the Supra was way more ready from factory.

From the daily perspective, it's functional, but there's always something better than it no matter how you look at it. It's a bit lacking on space (better than a Supra for usability, but you're better off with other hot hatches for space), the interior is cheap, and the ride can be harsh.

I think it makes sense if you want that all-in-one package and are willing in compromises in each, but if you have to prioritize certain functionality, you should choose something else.

As someone who also has a 2023 GRC Core, you hit the nail on the head exactly.

Great car as a daily driver, light, nimble and more than enough power to get through traffic to and from work. Space is also not too bad as a grocery getter.

As a "primary" sporty car, there are definitely better options for the money. But as a secondary car that can do everything, it's great.

 

[screamer_chaotix]

I've been considering one myself recently, so I appreciate all the info. I'd love to have only rwd but here in snowy VT it's just not a good idea. Doable, sure, but the awd is what makes the Corolla appealing. For right now I'm just dailying my 20 year old Evo IX in the winter months with a metric ****ton of undercoating.

 

[jmikes]

The GR Corolla is a pretty sick car, and in person it looks a lot better than in photos (seems to be the case with 95% of cars these days....), "hot hatches" grew on me quite a bit as I've gotten older and I think it's the best one that's out now. Don't really love the interior though, heard bad things about its quality and finish.

That being said, I'd never get one because for me personally, if I was going to spend $40-$45K on a "more practical / dailyable" car that's just a performance model of regular traffic, I'd rather just get a used M340i x-drive and have a car with a vastly superior interior + more space + better comfort. Yes that's comparing a compact hatch to a sedan, and new to used, but price for price that's a much smarter buy to me.

I never understood why anyone would choose a Supra for a daily driver, even if you are a single person - the car is just too small and low.

It would work just fine for me as a daily if it was my only car, granted I'm still (somewhat) young and single. Plenty comfortable and not that bad to get in and out of, but I'm sure when I hit my 30's here in a few years I'll change my mind.

 

[screamer_chaotix]

It would work just fine for me as a daily if it was my only car, granted I'm still (somewhat) young and single. Plenty comfortable and not that bad to get in and out of, but I'm sure when I hit my 30's here in a few years I'll change my mind.

<-- Old and married and it would still work fine if not for VT winters.

Sponsored