Skip to main content

Toyota GR Corolla Owners Are Trading In Their Cars With Less Than 10K Miles - But Why?

Discover the shocking reasons behind the sudden appearance of nearly new Toyota GR Corollas at used car lots across the country.

In a recent post on the "2023+ Toyota GR Corolla" Facebook group, member Trae Evans expressed his curiosity and concern over the abundance of used GR Corollas popping up at dealerships with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer, far more frequently than he had observed with other hot hatches like the Hyundai Veloster N and Elantra N. 

A facebook screenshotEvans posted

Hi guys! I'm heavily considering a GR Corolla being my next car. I wanted to join the group and see if there are any reliability/dependability concerns with these cars, or common issues popping up?

I see a ton of these cars used on lots with less than 10k miles, more than I did even with my previous stint with shopping for Veloster N/Elantra Ns (I've owned both prior to my RX-8). I'm hoping this is just a case of people having too much money/time on their hands.

 

I test drove a 25 P+ at a local dealership and fell in love a couple weeks ago, but I'm hoping to find a Blue Flame Circuit at the right price. Sorry for not using the search bar and thanks for anyone that can take time to share their thoughts or experiences!

The responses he received painted a complex and intriguing picture, highlighting both the joys and drawbacks of owning Toyota's performance-tuned subcompact car. Some owners suggested that the GR Corolla's reputation as a purist's driving machine, while thrilling for enthusiasts, may not translate to the practical considerations and daily driving realities of the average consumer.

What Is The GR Corolla?

  • Toyota introduced the GR Corolla as a high-performance variant of its humble subcompact car, aiming to capture the hearts of driving enthusiasts with its turbocharged engine, rally-bred chassis, and standard all-wheel drive.
  • The GR Corolla has proven to be a polarizing figure, with some owners praising its exceptional handling prowess and others finding its stiff ride, limited practicality, and high price to be significant drawbacks.
  • The unusually high frequency of used GR Corollas appearing at dealerships with low mileage has sparked a lively debate about the long-term appeal and desirability of this niche model, some attributing the trend to unrealistic expectations, influencer hype, and the rapid evolution of automotive tastes in the modern market.

Owners Chime In

Many owners chimed in with their own positive experiences, praising the GR Corolla's handling and the sheer joy it brings them behind the wheel. However, some commenters found the car to be an exciting but ultimately impractical daily driver, with its firm suspension, minimalist interior, and high cost proving to be too great a compromise for their needs. Others experienced more serious issues, such as expensive clutch and flywheel replacements at low mileage, which they attributed to a known problem with the car's three-cylinder engine.

Tad Steadman's experience with the Toyota GR Corolla was short-lived, having traded in his vehicle with a mere 3,000 miles on the clock. In his words,

“Just traded mine in with 3k miles. Ima be honest, it got real boring, real quick. Once it got boring I quickly realized I was riding around in just a quicker Corolla with the interior of a consumer car that I overpaid for. And sure, I could maybe build it into something I’d enjoy long term but I don’t trust the longevity of a built 3cyl and don’t want to daily drive a built car rn.”

GR Corolla Being Traded InThe Goal Of The Discussion 

The discussion ultimately painted the GR Corolla as a niche product that will delight driving purists but may not be the best fit for everyone. Looking beyond the question of the GR Corolla specifically, the highest-level takeaway concerned the shifting landscape of automotive enthusiasm in the modern era.  

Perhaps it was inevitable that some consumers would feel a certain detachment or plateau with even the most thrilling of vehicles in an age where exotic designs, insane acceleration, and tenacious cornering are within reach of the masses. 

GR Corolla Wheels

The discussions around early trade-ins, while certainly unusual, might signal a coming paradigm shift in how we frame the notions of ownership, satisfaction, and the perpetual pursuit of driving excitement. What do you think is behind the high number of used GR Corollas popping up at dealerships, and do you see this trend continuing as the market for hot hatches evolves? Share your thoughts in the comments, please.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.

Comments

Andy G (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 4:06AM

I bought a 6 month old 2024 GR Corolla with 4K on it. I wanted a 4WD stick for the winter that made my drive as fun as my M2 in the summer.

Risks did the previous owner break it in properly I don't really know but the 10K discount on a new one was worth it, plus it bought it down to boring Subaru money.

1 month in and the daily commute is fun, not as much as the M2 but for aless than half price,I smile a lot.

J (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 6:18AM

I think it does come down to overly stiff suspension and cheap interior. Similar experience with a Kona N. Loved the car but it got to be too much.

NMK (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 6:53AM

I have said it for a while now. The GRC is the most over hyped over rated car for decades. Its just not that good. I actually had ordered one and when my allocation came in, I hated the car so much I left without it. People didnt believe me. Now you see people dumping them for a loss. Glad it wasnt me.

Trent (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 1:12PM

I bought a 23 circuit GRC brand new. I kept it for 14k miles.
Suspension was great. stayed planted, handled corners really well, was zippy above 4k(ish) rpm.

Downside....the car payment was a bit much when the only pros are "its zippy and fun"

Its not comfortable for long drives,
gas milage isnt terrible, but still low.
Has no trunk space.
Cannot fit large/tall people in back seats.

Its a fantastic car. but for the price point, I ultimately couldn't justify keeping it. Went for something more practicle.

Griggs (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 3:50PM

Watch Doug Demuro's review. He basically said it's a great weekend car,
not a good only car. It's too narrow in it's design to be your only car, but a great 3rd car.

Dan (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 4:31PM

Bought my Circuit Edition new. Love it! 7k miles on it so far, and every one has been a blast. I also own an A91 Edition Supra and go between cars. The Supra is stored in winter, and in snow the GRC shines. It's like an STI hatch, but better. In a world of 4 second to 60 cars, people expect too much from a manual AWD hot hatch. It is what it is, and if you don't realize that before buying, that's on you.

David (not verified)    January 14, 2025 - 11:27PM

So basically like daily driving an older WRX 2002 per se as they were practically base models with turbo engine. Current have 205k and still love it. Also daily 22 Kona N at 75k miles.

Bob L (not verified)    January 15, 2025 - 7:26PM

Many years ago when I was a 20-something buying my first car, it was a choice between a hot V8 Firebird with a 4-speed manual and an Oldsmobile Cutlass coupe with an automatic. The Firebird was exciting but rode rough while the Cutlass was much more refined and roomy. The best advice I ever got from a car salesman was to buy a car I could "grow into" and be happy with over the long term. I went with the Cutlass and kept it for 11 years. Absolutely no regrets.

Jlud (not verified)    January 16, 2025 - 8:10PM

I got a 2024 core. It was fun and I did enjoy it. Where I live is too congested to truly enjoy it. Being 44 with body aches and pains made it hard to get in and out of it. That was my ultimate decision to trade it in. I went in for my 5k service and drove home in a 2024 4Runner.

BiG_BeAR (not verified)    January 17, 2025 - 12:23PM

Here's what I think is mostly happening. A lot of people think this will be a great daily and fun sports car. The problem is there are too many issues, both small and big. Besides the questionable "reliability" and Toyota's lack of support...The care is mostly fun when you're really ringing out the engine, above 4K rpm, which is impractical for most daily driving and decent gas mileage. Below that, you don't get as much "fun" out if the engine, cause if the small 3 cylinder and giant turbo, you end up with a laggy feel. The car has overheating issues with the rear diff, along with heatsoak issues for the engine, if the car is pushed for a bit. Both of which will either cut power or put you in a sorta limp mode till the car cools off. The suspension isn't adjustable, so you don't have the option of more or less comfort or different personalities like some other competitors. The driver seating position is unusually high relative to other competitiors, particularly for taller people. The interior is relatively cheap feeling and plastiky, compared to other competitors. It's fairly small, with not much rear room. All this while being priced relatively similarly to other competitors. Now some of these issues may be helped or solved in the aftermarket, but not all of them. There still isn't any great solutions to the rear diff overheating. Other solutions can get quite expensive, ie: engine building, new seats, suspension, etc. It maybe a fun platform for a project car, though a bit flawed, however it often ends up being less than what people are expecting in its stock form, particularly for the amount of money they charge for it. Cars like the Golf R, Civic Type-R, WRX, and even the Elantra N, don't share many of these same issues. Which is why you see people walking away from the GR early on in their ownership. It's just not all what they expected or wanted.

Sam (not verified)    January 18, 2025 - 10:09AM

I've had mine for 2 years and nearly 20k miles. You get exactly what it is. A small 5 door that is a hoot to drive.

A lot of people expected some homologation rally car. It has the drivetrain from that, and you can tell, but it's in a Corolla that's been massaged, rather than a bespoke rally car.

Peter (not verified)    January 20, 2025 - 12:05AM

In reply to by Sam (not verified)

I have had my GRC for almost 2 years and have over 20k on it. I drive it daily for my business and I look forward to getting into it every day. I am 64 and laugh when I hear people complain about the suspension being too harsh. For me, it is the perfect daily for all weather conditions. Life is too short to drive boring cars.

Laurence Dougall (not verified)    January 20, 2025 - 1:57PM

The vehicle was for a niche market and enthusiast.
As stated its not an every day drive.
Was always wondering would the 3 cylinder be successful.
Wife has a 2004 1.8 model manual with 245000ks
Only changed brakes and tyres and has been run on 95 and 98 and serviced every 8000km
My mechanic reckons it runs as good as 2024 model.
It still gives these new cars a run for the money on freeway and stil will go to 170kmh in a flash.