GR Corolla first ride

[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