I expect the CE to be dropped (perhaps a limited edition trim will be available with exteremly low production numbers similiar to the ME numbers along with exclusive paint and interior options), with the core and premium left as the only two regular trims. BF will be added as a premium only color with HM dropping off as color choice. Perhaps the ME tune will be standard.
Color options for a limited edition trim could be windchill pearl white, matte "smoke" gray, the aforementioned solar octane, blue mica, etc.

 

How do you know that the Circuit Edition will be dropped for 2025? Do you have proof from Mike Tripp or a chat with him recently?

 

I think it depends on 2024 sales numbers through the first two quarters. If Toyota sees sales numbers drop off some I wouldn’t be surprised if they added the 8AT to the MY2025.

 

yes it depends on the sales agree

 

I don't know if you mean GRC announcements in 2025 or MY2025 being announced this year. GRC has at least one more year before it's due for a refresh, the car just came out. Remember the GRY and GRC were at least a couple years apart. In my opinion, 2024 should be the year Toyota announces a GR86 refresh (and whatever agreements they have for BRZ).

Edit: I assume you're talking about a refresh since you specified the torque bump

 

I was talking about MY2025. I think there will be a slight spec bump for MY2025 and a facelift/refresh for MY2026.

 

I think they will bing the 8AT in 25 for the sake of sales. What I got from Tokyo was Akio felt they should have an AT but it had to be the right one. I.E. fast shifting F1 type not anything slow or slushbox standard TQ converter . I drove an Auto trans GR and the trans in that car sucked even with the paddles . It just did not function well, that is not what Akio would have desired.

As for anything else going by what I was told from someone in marketing it would be 26 model year refresh announced in 25 and released in late 25. I was told don’t buy now wait with the comment it will be a better car. It’s hard as Premiums are dropping like mad around here . Dealers are hitting me up every week now. I literally let another one slip by on friday in Heavy Metal for $41,900 more cars are coming .

 

As for anything else going by what I was told from someone in marketing it would be 26 model year refresh announced in 25 and released in late 25. I was told don’t buy now wait with the comment it will be a better car. It’s hard as Premiums are dropping like mad around here . Dealers are hitting me up every week now. I literally let another one slip by on friday in Heavy Metal for $41,900 more cars are coming .

Definitely ask yourself what "better" means. If the current GRC is what you're after, it doesn't matter in a refresh is a "better" car. Better to a marketing person could very well mean AT, hybrid, adjustable dampers, or a bunch of bloat features in a GRC that weighs 3400 lbs.

I have no doubt that a refreshed car will be higher performing (otherwise, why refresh anything other than appearance?), but I don't know that it'll be a GRC I like more. Currently, I know that I like what the '24 GRC Premium is, so if '25 is more of the same, I'm in on that. As for '26, even if there's a power bump, I'm not too worried about sweating detailed updates that are highly marketable but that don't translate into a meaningful difference in my street car/daily driver.

 

There seems to be an abundance of premiums. Went to a dealer last week that had one on the lot for over 40 days. Went from $10k over down to MSRP and they were willing to knock a few hundred off that. I have been waiting for a circuit since April of 2022 and have an ice cap CE at MSRP expected to be delivered in late February. Trying to decide on wether to take it or wait for 2025.

 

I think MY 25 changes are going to be pretty mild. Other than maybe offering the AT, I don't think we'll see much other than a new color or maybe a bigger infotainment screen. I do think that it's likely the last model year. I'd be pretty surprised if the E210 Corolla wasn't replaced for 2026 and I think it's unlikely they'll want to spend to do a whole new development cycle to produce a 2nd gen GRC. If there is a 2nd gen GRC, I think it will probably made in large numbers on the regular Corolla production line and watered down for mass market appeal.

 

Definitely ask yourself what "better" means. If the current GRC is what you're after, it doesn't matter in a refresh is a "better" car. Better to a marketing person could very well mean AT, hybrid, adjustable dampers, or a bunch of bloat features in a GRC that weighs 3400 lbs.

I have no doubt that a refreshed car will be higher performing (otherwise, why refresh anything other than appearance?), but I don't know that it'll be a GRC I like more. Currently, I know that I like what the '24 GRC Premium is, so if '25 is more of the same, I'm in on that. As for '26, even if there's a power bump, I'm not too worried about sweating detailed updates that are highly marketable but that don't translate into a meaningful difference in my street car/daily driver.

Well said...
I'm pretty sure most marketing people arent car enthusiasts. I like how "raw" the current GRC is. Reminds me of my old Evo 8. If by better, they mean more refined, well then its like when Mitsubishi released the Evo X. Was it a better more refined car than the Evo 8/9? More refined? Objectively so. Better? Subjectively no.

 

I normally would tend to agree but this marketing person was on a Tokyo Auto Salon trip that I was on . He is a total enthusiast including owning track cars and campaigning them so ya i do take his words with some consideration.

Ya and no gaslighting going on this was straight up enthusiasts having a convo. This place sometimes reeks with absolute pessimism.🤣

 

I'm hopeful that a Polar Edition will debut with fully functioning heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

 

'23 -> '24 took packages that people generally wanted and borrowed some interior parts from the circuit to create a Premium trim. The Core got streamlined down to just 1 package. Circuit moved even a little more upmarket with the forged wheels. IMO, the trims will remain more or less the same for '25. New color for the Circuit, maybe Morizo gearset, tune, and tires to create a little more space between the Premium and the Circuit. The AT... could be '25 or delayed a year until '26. Hard to say.

 

Not sure how Toyota will play the assignment of an AT to each model. From a purist's perspective, I'd like to think that they'd keep a manual in whatever we're calling a track focused edition. Let me just slip on my flame suit now.....

 

I wonder if they'll move the nav screen down into the dash and move the rearview mounting point up higher and lower the seating position to give better visibility like they did in the new GR Yaris.

 

If the forum gets its way, MY25 will have dual climate control, an armrest, and a bigger volume knob. 😂

 

Lmao just like all the people last year “tHe 24MY wIlL hAvE aN aRmReSt

 

And a tpms setting that stays, memorized imt and drive modes, etc!

 

I think I'd notice a missing armrest in something like my 4Runner, but it has never been a concern in my manual transmission cars. On long highway trips where I'm not regularly shifting, I have my hands draped over the steering wheel because the lane centering yells at me if I don't.

 

I gotta say, I thought I'd want an armrest. But after my first 1000 miles, I'm good without one. I rest my hand on the e-brake and my elbow seems to be happy resting against the side bolster of the seat. It feels natural.

 

I speculate 2 trims for the Core model, both 6mt. CE would only come with automatic transmission.

 

CE with AT only. You think Toyota is as dumb as Subaru? 😅

 

With the unveiling of the 2024 GR Yaris, I thought it would be interesting to discuses what changes the community believes GRC will see for the next model year.

I speculate that all models will receive the 2023 Morizo tune with 295 lb-ft like the GRY. I don't believe the 8 speed will be available just yet as it will likely coincide with a revised interior and exterior for 2026. The Circuit Edition will continue on for another year but Blue Flame will replaced with another color already in Toyota's catalog (possibly Solar Octane w/matching stitching along with Heavy Metal).

Has anyone dynoed a Core/Circuit Edition back to back with a Morizo for comparison's sake? To a degree I'm doubtful that the Morizo really has more torque. It's already been shown over and over again that the Core/CE published torque figures are underrated.

I think they will bing the 8AT in 25 for the sake of sales. What I got from Tokyo was Akio felt they should have an AT but it had to be the right one. I.E. fast shifting F1 type not anything slow or slushbox standard TQ converter . I drove an Auto trans GR and the trans in that car sucked even with the paddles . It just did not function well, that is not what Akio would have desired.

As for anything else going by what I was told from someone in marketing it would be 26 model year refresh announced in 25 and released in late 25. I was told don’t buy now wait with the comment it will be a better car. It’s hard as Premiums are dropping like mad around here . Dealers are hitting me up every week now. I literally let another one slip by on friday in Heavy Metal for $41,900 more cars are coming .

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how you're justifying a wait time of years for a supposed update that might never come, and if it does will almost certainly be minor. At the drop of a hat you're thinking about waiting 3 years? Perhaps interest rates will be more favorable then (God help us if they're not) but the car itself will almost certainly cost more then as well. I'd imagine a 2026 MY GRC will be $3000 more than it is today. And if the past 4 years has taught us nothing else, it's shown how quickly the world can be turned on it's head. Who knows what will happen in 2-3 years. Strike now while you can, IMO.

I think I'd notice a missing armrest in something like my 4Runner, but it has never been a concern in my manual transmission cars. On long highway trips where I'm not regularly shifting, I have my hands draped over the steering wheel because the lane centering yells at me if I don't.

Why don't you just turn it off? I cannot stand that lane keeping nanny. It stays off.

 

Why don't you just turn it off? I cannot stand that lane keeping nanny. It stays off.

I'd look at it from a different angle. They should make it BETTER, that way more people want to use it. I remember driving a hybrid accord about 2 years ago and I took a 3 hour trip without barely touching the wheel. It was fantastic.

On the GRC, it's more of a nuisance than anything. Not helpful enough, but just enough to be annoying.

 

Hmm pessimistic much.. 😂 You look at the worst case scenarios for everything? First off the way they are producing both the GR Yaris and Corolla are successes. They are selling every single car they produce plus Toyota has pretty much indicated they are in it for the long term it’s not a 3 and done deal. As the GR Yaris has already been out 3 years and had some significant things done on the refresh including a power increase. Now that clearly flies in the face of your assement.

Saying the car will cost more again shows you are not or do not follow economics as closely as you should. Indeed the last 4 years were unusual we had an a Black Swan event .Economics go cyclical and honestly we are coming off a Black Swan event followed by a short boom and then a pull back due to inflation due to a supply chain disruption . Which we are coming out of now. Nothing that has not happened before and is usually followed by a bull market. indicators also point to that and unless someone is an absolute pessimist its kind of obvious your forecasts do not ring true.

I have said this before and I will say this again inflation is coming down and fast. Not going up, when inflation comes down so do prices not the other way like you propose above. Granted you will complain about not seeing lower prices at the stores and whatnot yet because groceries , retail and the like tend to lag indicators. Again if you don’t invest or are a bear you will disagree be it out of lack of knowledge. or just having a bearish outlook on everything.

Even if we wind up having a recession again that spells less expensive . Albeit maybe you will not be in a position to afford though some of us are sitting pretty good though. A recession will just mean we don’t make as much but are still good.
Either way everything forecasts prices coming down in the near future rather than going higher like you seem to feel. Also two years is not 3-4 to quote your own words. In fact a 26 model year will get announced and released mid to late 25 . Japanese Automakers especially start rolling out the next year models production wise in August and start heading towards showrooms in fall. It’s now Janaury 24 exactly two years from now is Janaury 26 not 3 years not 4 years.

allegorically….
I first came across Fiesta ST’s in 2016 I put my deposit on my built to order FiST in Feb 18 and took delivery at 5k below MSRP and below invoice in July of 2018. Could have rushed in and bought one in 2016 thinking your way, not got exactly what I wanted but had a consolation prize of owning one earlier. Instead my patience paid off got an insane deal and equipped exactly how I wanted it.
You can think what you want experience has taught me otherwise.

Yes, like you say at the end, its what I think. Do I think the next 4 years will be as unstable as the last 4? No. Could it be? Yes. And that's what I said. Also a reduction in inflation doesn't result in prices going down. A reduction in inflation results in a slower rate of price increase. Supply & Demand is where price decrease (and increase) happens. Which I'm sure you know but I'm just clarifying.

Because it works really well with the radar cruise control. I have the lane departure alarm turned off and leave the lane keep assist on. That seems to be the sweet spot for having a relaxing interstate drive. It is good technology; it just doesn't seem to register my hand on the wheel if I have my arm resting in my lap and my left hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. If I have both hands on the wheel, it practically steers itself down the interstate which is nice for a 200mi jaunt to my brother's house or visiting my parents.

Yeah I don't use the radar cruise either. To hell with that. Far far far too sensitive. For me. Diff Strokes....all good!

 

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Yes, like you say at the end, its what I think. Do I think the next 4 years will be as unstable as the last 4? No. Could it be? Yes. And that's what I said. Also a reduction in inflation doesn't result in prices going down. A reduction in inflation results in a slower rate of price increase. Supply & Demand is where price decrease (and increase) happens. Which I'm sure you know but I'm just clarifying.

When the tightening of supply combined with growth and demand the result was inflation . We just experienced that.
A reduction in inflation in this case is being caused by an easing on supply vs demand when there is an increase in supply vs demand prices stabilize and can drop . Sure one can rate hikes by the fed caused it slowing down the economic engine but what really happed beside that was the easing of supply chain issues allowing it to catch up with demand.
So ya the two are interconnected and yes a reduction in inflation can cause a price decrease because of that.
What is amazing is the fact that we pulled off a soft landing without a recession. As in the past with high inflation fed control has usually driven us into a recession. Anyways we have alternative views of what’s going to happen. We can agree to disagree .

 

The most worrying thing now for me if you want to wait for a MY25 GR Corolla if they do offer the automatic, getting a GR will be much harder. There will be more competition to get one along with today's stupid allocation system you won't be granted a manual if you want one. Like WolfpackAWD with supply & demand saying if the demand for the auto is much higher than manual. They will make much more of the auto if its sells better. I also found that the Circuit Edition was only for 23 but they extended to 24. They might not keep the forge roof for cost and to free up some production for the GR Yaris. The big thing is MY26 what will they do to really change it up. I wonder if they will do what they did with the new Camry and just keep the same platform and just add new screens and interior along with new body panels. That could fix a lot of the issues with the current GR, but another thing would be demand. I don't even want to know how hard it will be to find one if it's like the Type R when the FL5 released.

But right now, I'm goanna play it safe and get myself a 2024 Circuit Edition in Blue Flame which should be here in June.

 

The most worrying thing now for me if you want to wait for a MY25 GR Corolla if they do offer the automatic, getting a GR will be much harder. There will be more competition to get one along with today's stupid allocation system you won't be granted a manual if you want one. Like WolfpackAWD with supply & demand saying if the demand for the auto is much higher than manual. They will make much more of the auto if its sells better. I also found that the Circuit Edition was only for 23 but they extended to 24. They might not keep the forge roof for cost and to free up some production for the GR Yaris. The big thing is MY26 what will they do to really change it up. I wonder if they will do what they did with the new Camry and just keep the same platform and just add new screens and interior along with new body panels. That could fix a lot of the issues with the current GR, but another thing would be demand. I don't even want to know how hard it will be to find one if it's like the Type R when the FL5 released.

But right now, I'm goanna play it safe and get myself a 2024 Circuit Edition in Blue Flame which should be here in June.

That’s ok You do what you like . Do not let us color your decision Though your logic is flawed , Toyota has always had an allocation system it’s just so many cars were being turned out stuff sat on lots. Oh and funny you should mention that more cars are coming in . Ya they are drip drabbimg the Blue Flame Circuit but Circuits are now over priced in my opinion. I do not feel the hood wing and BBS wheels and forged roof are worth the extra 5k plus possible dealer markup because dealers are still trying to scalp on Circuits. I would buy the Premium and those are dropping out like mad. You can’t take whats happened last year as an indicator it was an outlier due to extenuating circumstances. Thing are getting better not worse get off the pessimistic train. 😂

 

I have to imagine everyone that really wanted a GRC already has one by now or is waiting for their spec to arrive. The amount of people that didn't buy a GRC solely because of the manual transmission has to be pretty low. Those people also might have already bought another car instead of waiting. I think manual trans will still outsell the auto but the new auto will bring in a few more people that just don't want a manual trans for whatever reason.

Either way I'm all for it, the more cars they sell the bigger the aftermarket will be.

 

Nobody seems to understand that this is no ordinary auto. Its not a cvt, its not a dct. It's a very good decision from toyota to do it this way, it's as if my wish for a ZF8 speed transaxle came true. This will be legendary, mark my post..

 

Is there any reason to believe the transmission isn't the Aisin F8?

 

^^I think that's a very odd take. It's not like everyone that wants to buy a GRC is in the right financial position to have already bought one. Plenty of people need to do some financial planning, or get a raise, or save up funds, before they can buy one. Its far from a black and white situation.

^I respect others viewpoints, but 2 pedals are 2 pedals...the end. Offering an auto is fine as long as it doesn't hinder/endanger the availability of the manual.

 

^^I think that's a very odd take. It's not like everyone that wants to buy a GRC is in the right financial position to have already bought one. Plenty of people need to do some financial planning, or get a raise, or save up funds, before they can buy one. Its far from a black and white situation.

Or they still haven't had a chance to buy one because they don't live in a big enough city.

 

I’m not sure why everyone is POSITIVE the auto is going to be offered. I’m not under the impression that at any point as of now has Toyota said “we’re putting an auto in the grc”

 

We are speculating positively!

 

I see premiums all over the place. My guess is they’ll make 10k GRCs this model year.

 

The only thing with the GR Yaris still selling strong and getting refreshed, they might already be at their limit of only 5000-6000 a year. The car is hand built which makes it already hard to produce on mass scale.

 

I agree that the Circuit edition is over priced. I would have preferred the option for the Circuit's hood on the premium though. Why not a power drivers seat in the premium? Everything else is there.

 

Manual elitist disregarding every advantage/practical fun from a proper auto will always be irony.

Either way I NEED that anti-lag to come here. I NEED to wake up my enemies at 3:38 AM every day to style on their high property values.


In regards to the AUTO VS MANUAL I'm still on the boat that a sequential is a bitch/expensive as fuck to maintain, so this is a huge plus to my build plan anyway. Manual nowadays isn't the same anymore, but nonetheless its still way more fun even with the electronic hindrance/assist. Throttle cable butterfly valve with manual will always be my favorite. I own a 2001 MR-S with a 2zz swap. I can tell you that I do A LOT of manual driving. Automatic is still just as fun if done correctly. I can tell you that if it's daily, manual will ALWAYS be more fun. Automatic is easier and enjoyable with family drives, but alone on commutes/road trip, manual is king.

Everyone has their preferences. My other car is an AMG with a wet clutch pack manual (no torque converter) and paddle shifters. As far as fun goes, the car would be better with 3 pedals.

lol tell me “manual will always be better for a daily” when you sit in stop and go traffic EVERY DAY for 45 min on the way to work and on the way home from work.

I mean....I commuted in NYC for 3 years and give me the manual every time. I'll admit most people don't feel that way.

 

I mean....I commuted in NYC for 3 years and give me the manual every time. I'll admit most people don't feel that way.

Not NYC, but same bumper to bumper for 20 years. Never even thought about my 5MT or 6MT’s. I will always take a manual if it’s available for the model I’m buying. But I figured out many years ago to have a dedicated DD that was built to be a DD. And save the 6MT performance car for the weekend.