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It takes a lot to impress someone who’s driven multiple cars throughout their life. But every now and then, a vehicle comes along that breaks through expectations and reminds people why they love driving in the first place. And when that vehicle has a Toyota badge on the front, it tends to catch even seasoned enthusiasts off guard. That’s what happened to Brian Meen, a member of the “2023+ Toyota GR Corolla Group” on Facebook who shared his experience and mods with the GR Corolla so far.
He wrote, “I just want to say, I have had dozens of cars over the years ranging from race cars to luxury cars and I want to add my 2 cents to the general consensus here… this thing is sick. A very special car. I’m actually shocked Toyota is making cars like this. I’ll share with you lovely folks what I’ve done so far that’s improved and maintained my ownership. So far I have 4,500 miles on it. To give you some context, I bought this as my fun daily. Something new that I could enjoy and not worry about breaking down (I have enough project cars). I also am an OEM+ kind of guy but on a budget lol let’s begin:
Kept her under 5k RPMs until first oil change at 622 miles with Liqui Moly GF-6A special tec 5w-20 and Toyota filter. (Not trying to start a war haha. I like their oil and Amazon had a good deal. Don’t overthink it. Any oil that meets the spec will do.) I did the rear differential and transfer case fluid at 2,500 miles. (Read the manual for the type of oil to use.) I’m not going to lie, they were dirty. I can’t believe there’s only .4 qt of fluid in that transfer case. I’m going to replace it again maybe at 6k just to see the condition.
Mods around 1k miles:
-Started with full ceramic tint 20% all around and 70% windshield. I live in SoCal so I really felt the difference this summer.
-Next felt the 1-2 gear shift jerkiness and thanks to this group I saw the issue was the pitch mount bushing being really soft from the factory. I did not want to change the whole mount due to cost and NVH so went with $38 Whiteline inserts part number KDT985. Figured they will do for now. It was a super easy installation and I’m really happy with the results. Shifting is much nicer, and jerking is around 80% gone.
-Next on the cheap/free mods list was the exhaust valve mod. Super easy and basically keeps the valve open the whole time. Honestly it is much louder than I thought. I’m very happy for a free mod that’s 100% reversible.
-The last mod I have done is the gas pedal spacer. I don’t know if you guys noticed but it’s hard to rev match smoothly because the gas pedal is so much lower than the brake pedal. I didn’t want the Cusco extender pedal which I’ve heard good things about and is half the price of the spacer because I have big feet. So, I bought VF Engineering’s spacer. Issue solved! Easy install.
The only thing left on the mod list will be wheel spacers. Can’t decide on what to get. 15mm and 25mm rear seems to be the sweet spot. I just don’t want to put new wheel studs. Anyways, zero issues so far and I drive the crap out of this thing. I don’t feel like I need more power on the street. Plus, the suspension feels amazing. That’s it! Enjoy your cars! Cheers.”
A Blueprint for Thoughtful Ownership
What really makes Brian’s story jump out is that this car isn’t just good. It’s the kind of good that stops you in your tracks if you’ve spent years bouncing between high-dollar luxury and raw track toys. He’s genuinely shocked Toyota is even making a car like this. And honestly, he’s not alone. The GR Corolla has slowly become a sleeper hit in the enthusiast world, especially among drivers who never thought a modern Toyota would be the car that made them feel something again. This is the same company behind the Camry and Highlander, yet here they are, building a car that stirs up the kind of love we usually reserve for 90s tuner legends.
Brian’s approach to ownership also offers a solid blueprint for how to maintain a GR Corolla for longevity and fun. From doing the first oil change at 622 miles using Liqui Moly GF-6A to changing the rear diff and transfer case fluids at 2,500 miles, it’s clear he treats the car with the kind of care that ensures it performs at its best. His comment about how dirty the transfer case fluid was helps other owners who might be wondering if it’s worth checking early, and it’s clear that it is.
Simple Mods That Make a Real Difference
Then there are the mods. What makes this particular list so appealing is that each upgrade is affordable and reversible. The Whiteline pitch mount insert helped smooth out the jerky 1-2 gear transitions without introducing harsh NVH. For those unfamiliar, NVH stands for noise, vibration, and harshness. It’s a term used to describe the unpleasant sensations or sounds you sometimes get from parts. Brian avoided swapping the entire mount to keep those unwanted cabin buzzes and shakes from creeping in. Meanwhile, the gas pedal spacer from VF Engineering solved a genuine drivability issue for those who enjoy spirited driving but struggle to rev match due to pedal offset. If you own a GR Corolla and haven’t heard about these, they might be worth looking into.
But this is what makes the Toyota GR Corolla so fun to drive and capable in all conditions. It’s not just that it’s fast or grippy or has AWD, it’s that it invites engagement. It rewards owners who want to get hands-on with their car. That kind of platform doesn’t come around often from Toyota.
Real World Feedback from Other Owners
Still, like any enthusiast car, not everyone has the same experience. Sal Loera chimed in with a comment that raised a question some owners may be wondering about. “I agree with how impressed I am with the car coming from a similar background on cars. My only curiosity is that after driving 21k miles, my drive train is humming. Maybe it’s the tires?”
This all adds some nuance to the ownership picture. While Brian’s experience has been nearly flawless, Sal’s concern reminds us that as these cars rack up miles, certain noises or wear patterns might pop up.
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Thankfully another member, Mike Malphrus, jumped in with a helpful solution: “Tires were my issue. They sounded like wheel bearings. Went with 245 Morizo sized Continental DWS+ and I’m very happy.”
It’s this kind of peer-to-peer support that makes GR Corolla ownership such a community-driven experience. Whether it’s maintenance advice, mod suggestions, or just acknowledging quirks, there’s always something to learn from other owners. Speaking of which, some GR Corolla owners are trading their cars with less than 10,000 miles. Whether it’s due to expectations not being met or lifestyle changes, it makes Brian’s story even more refreshing. He’s not only kept his, but he’s doubled down on making it his own.
Another great contribution came from Vince Spencer, who wrote, “I’m so tired of hearing people complain and compare this to other cars. I truly appreciate your post. I’ve got a 9 second Monte Carlo (N/A, pump gas). I’ve owned some pretty cool cars. This car is awesome. Not cheap, not a rocket, but the most fun car I’ve ever owned and operated. It is what it is. Just enjoy this car and then appreciate that it’s a Toyota.”
That last line really hits home. In a time when performance cars are either disappearing, overly expensive, or tied up in EV conversions, Toyota’s decision to build something like this feels increasingly rare.
How It Handles Longer Drives
Then there was Lars M. Engebrethsen, who asked a very practical question: “How is the car on longer drives? I drive a lot for work and it sometimes requires a longer drive around 4-6 hrs. How is it to drive long distances?”
Brian gave a very real-world answer: “The car is stiff. It’s no Camry. It’s a proper sports car with 4 doors and AWD. It’s not quiet on the freeway either. You hear the wind, tire noise, and engine but the seats are comfy and the transmission is perfect. Let me be blunt: This car is for an enthusiast that loves mechanical, emotional cars and has other appliance cars like a Tesla for when he needs to sit in traffic.”
That response alone puts it at how it is. This isn’t a car meant to do everything. It’s a car designed for the person who wants to feel the emotion behind the wheel.
And if you’re the type of owner interested in making more power, it helps to know that there’s one thing about the Toyota GR Corolla you need to know before tuning. The car has its limits and quirks, and even enthusiasts with years of experience are learning that firsthand.
What This Says About Today’s Automakers
I think what Brian’s story shows best is that cars don’t need to be the fastest or most expensive to be the most rewarding. In an age of tech-heavy driving and silent electric acceleration, a car that’s mechanical, responsive, and just plain fun is more valuable than ever. And to see Toyota building something that speaks directly to enthusiasts without an apology is something I can absolutely get behind. If you ask me, we need this kind of personality back from other car manufacturers too.
His ownership highlights the value of budget-minded GR Corolla mods that make a real difference. It also shows that a bit of early maintenance can go a long way in keeping these cars feeling tight and responsive. It’s a reminder that when you get involved with your car, the bond becomes much more personal.
Key Takeaways
- The GR Corolla continues to surprise seasoned car enthusiasts, offering raw driving emotion in a package that still wears a Toyota badge.
- Early maintenance matters. Changing fluids before recommended intervals may help avoid long-term wear and catch hidden issues.
- Thoughtful and reversible mods like pitch mount inserts, pedal spacers, and exhaust tweaks can drastically improve the GR Corolla driving experience.
- The GR Corolla is not a soft commuter car. It’s a stiff, responsive platform built for people who value engagement over comfort.
- If you want more power, make sure you understand the technical limitations and quirks of the platform first.
- Community support and insight from other owners makes the GR Corolla experience far richer and more enjoyable.
And if you’re curious, check out how another GR Corolla owner got hit with a strange P2C90 check engine light on an otherwise flawless vehicle. These stories all add to the real-world picture of owning one.
What About You?
Have you driven a GR Corolla? Did it surprise you in the same way or do you feel like something’s still missing?
And do you think automakers need to bring back this kind of personality when designing new cars?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The “2023+ Toyota GR Corolla Group” public Facebook group and Toyota’s gallery, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
