Considering what the state of the economy is becoming, just in this week alone... the reality of a large purchase, like a GR Corolla, is going to come to a real decision very soon.
For some it's a go regardless of anything that is happening in the country, add in the MSRP and you may end up in a situation that is far from ideal, with a high car note, higher interest rate, higher inflation, and threat of job/career cost.
I'm on the list of an MSRP dealership at #2 or #3 (depends on if the person ahead of me decides to hold out for a Circuit or takes the first Core offered), but even with that... I'm paying CLOSE attention to what is happening.
I know things aren't the best when my childhood friend, who has the means to buy what he wants, is telling me he isn't buying anything big, or that he moved these investments here and telling me to cool off. And he has the money.
So, something is coming.
The GR Corolla is on the shortlist for me. Actually, there might as well not be any list, I WANT this car. However, a 7-10% interest rate over 60-72 months, on a car that will MSRP at around $39,000 with TT&L, potential ADM and we have ourselves a $45,000 car plus more than DOUBLE the interest rate I paid on a 2022 Sienna last year.
I'm hoping that doesn't become the case, because the numbers don't lie. If the economy moves to that state, and those numbers become the reality, for me, I see a situation where I will comfortably wait it out and put money towards assets that are on sale.
I LOVE the car, just on paper and from the first drive videos, but I can't look at numbers like that and tell myself that's an educated, smart choice. It wouldn't make sense.
I'm realistic and hoping it isn't all "doom and gloom"... the worst-case scenario I'm prepared for is tabling this entire thing until this time next year. By then, the aftermarket will be in full swing, the economy will be in a state where we can foresee what is coming and the GR Corolla's initial hype wave should have settled down.
Or they call me in a month and I say "YOLO".