[Tokyotexan]

So takes this for what it's worth. The past few weeks I have been frantically looking for a manual trans premium 2022 GR86 to no avail. I reached out to numerous dealers and left my contact info with them.
One of the dealers reached out to me today and I told that person that I am no longer interested in a GR86 and have instead placed a deposit on a GRC at a local dealer. This was our exchange verbatim.

Dealer:
"What did they estimate your wait time to be? I had heard we won't have the first one until November-ish and I had to call one of our Toyota Corporate trainers to even hear about them because they're not telling Dealerships anything."

Me:
"IDK. Supposedly the car will be released in October barring no delays.
I am the first one on the list at my dealership who put a deposit down on the car, so the first one they get will be mine if I want.
I dont mind waiting, I dont need a new car right now anyways.
Care to share what else the toyota Corporate trainer told you about the car??"

Dealer:
"That he couldn’t tell me anything or he’d have to kill me…uhm.."

Me:
"LMAO... C'mon man. Share something? A little nugget of info wouod be greatly appreciated! Mainly just want to know when they will reveal the car to the public. I hear its soon, especially if they plan on sending them to dealers Oct/nov"

Dealer:
"Expect the same engine and dash configuration as everyone’s talking about. Suspension and AWD he refused to confirm anything but from his tone I’d expect it’s almost a guarantee and it’ll have the same front styling as a high-end corolla hatch"

Me:
"Ahhh... Very good! Im pretty sure it will be AWD. The teaser that Toyota put out on their social media says GR-Four on the side of the camo'd prototype, which basically confirms AWD"

I then showed him a pic of the camo prototype with GR-Four on the side.

Dealer:
"They’re planning to release info in October. Planning is the operative word though. I was told Nov. is the target for having the first ones but he wouldn’t tell me which factory would make it and when production would start. I think if the rollout proceeds the way the Corolla Cross did, though, that we won’t actually get them until about January I worry."

The conversation then shifted to any word on the manual equipped supra, but the dealer did not know anything and said the factory where the supra is being built did not go under any updates or shuffling of production, so thats not a good sign for people hoping for a manual supra in 2023.

Like i said, take it with a grain of salt... The most dissapointing thing I got out of it if what the dealer said was true about corporate spilling some of the beans is the use of the same front bumper as the Corolla hatch, meaning probably no wider front fenders... Still a possibility for front and rear fender flares....

 

[killer23d]

Good to know.

As much as I want a wide fender, coffee table on the back end (like the CTR). I very much prefer a sleeper, the cops are just too nosy in where I am and it's expensive and inconvenience for a VI (vehicle inspection) if the car is a little too hot in their eyes. Porsche owners already got a taste of VI handed to them and they all pass, and exotic car dealers are tired of doing inspections because there is nothing wrong.

I am happy if we get some Japanese Toyota tech, not some poverty junk from the last era.

 

[Jeonsa]

So takes this for what it's worth. The past few weeks I have been frantically looking for a manual trans premium 2022 GR86 to no avail. I reached out to numerous dealers and left my contact info with them.
One of the dealers reached out to me today and I told that person that I am no longer interested in a GR86 and have instead placed a deposit on a GRC at a local dealer. This was our exchange verbatim.

Dealer:
"What did they estimate your wait time to be? I had heard we won't have the first one until November-ish and I had to call one of our Toyota Corporate trainers to even hear about them because they're not telling Dealerships anything."

Me:
"IDK. Supposedly the car will be released in October barring no delays.
I am the first one on the list at my dealership who put a deposit down on the car, so the first one they get will be mine if I want.
I dont mind waiting, I dont need a new car right now anyways.
Care to share what else the toyota Corporate trainer told you about the car??"

Dealer:
"That he couldn’t tell me anything or he’d have to kill me…uhm.."

Me:
"LMAO... C'mon man. Share something? A little nugget of info wouod be greatly appreciated! Mainly just want to know when they will reveal the car to the public. I hear its soon, especially if they plan on sending them to dealers Oct/nov"

Dealer:
"Expect the same engine and dash configuration as everyone’s talking about. Suspension and AWD he refused to confirm anything but from his tone I’d expect it’s almost a guarantee and it’ll have the same front styling as a high-end corolla hatch"

Me:
"Ahhh... Very good! Im pretty sure it will be AWD. The teaser that Toyota put out on their social media says GR-Four on the side of the camo'd prototype, which basically confirms AWD"

I then showed him a pic of the camo prototype with GR-Four on the side.

Dealer:
"They’re planning to release info in October. Planning is the operative word though. I was told Nov. is the target for having the first ones but he wouldn’t tell me which factory would make it and when production would start. I think if the rollout proceeds the way the Corolla Cross did, though, that we won’t actually get them until about January I worry."

The conversation then shifted to any word on the manual equipped supra, but the dealer did not know anything and said the factory where the supra is being built did not go under any updates or shuffling of production, so thats not a good sign for people hoping for a manual supra in 2023.

Like i said, take it with a grain of salt... The most dissapointing thing I got out of it if what the dealer said was true about corporate spilling some of the beans is the use of the same front bumper as the Corolla hatch, meaning probably no wider front fenders... Still a possibility for front and rear fender flares....

An employee on MKVForums confirmed the manual for 2023. Doesn’t mean much to me but everyone who wanted one will be happy

 

[Jeonsa]

So takes this for what it's worth. The past few weeks I have been frantically looking for a manual trans premium 2022 GR86 to no avail. I reached out to numerous dealers and left my contact info with them.
One of the dealers reached out to me today and I told that person that I am no longer interested in a GR86 and have instead placed a deposit on a GRC at a local dealer. This was our exchange verbatim.

Dealer:
"What did they estimate your wait time to be? I had heard we won't have the first one until November-ish and I had to call one of our Toyota Corporate trainers to even hear about them because they're not telling Dealerships anything."

Me:
"IDK. Supposedly the car will be released in October barring no delays.
I am the first one on the list at my dealership who put a deposit down on the car, so the first one they get will be mine if I want.
I dont mind waiting, I dont need a new car right now anyways.
Care to share what else the toyota Corporate trainer told you about the car??"

Dealer:
"That he couldn’t tell me anything or he’d have to kill me…uhm.."

Me:
"LMAO... C'mon man. Share something? A little nugget of info wouod be greatly appreciated! Mainly just want to know when they will reveal the car to the public. I hear its soon, especially if they plan on sending them to dealers Oct/nov"

Dealer:
"Expect the same engine and dash configuration as everyone’s talking about. Suspension and AWD he refused to confirm anything but from his tone I’d expect it’s almost a guarantee and it’ll have the same front styling as a high-end corolla hatch"

Me:
"Ahhh... Very good! Im pretty sure it will be AWD. The teaser that Toyota put out on their social media says GR-Four on the side of the camo'd prototype, which basically confirms AWD"

I then showed him a pic of the camo prototype with GR-Four on the side.

Dealer:
"They’re planning to release info in October. Planning is the operative word though. I was told Nov. is the target for having the first ones but he wouldn’t tell me which factory would make it and when production would start. I think if the rollout proceeds the way the Corolla Cross did, though, that we won’t actually get them until about January I worry."

The conversation then shifted to any word on the manual equipped supra, but the dealer did not know anything and said the factory where the supra is being built did not go under any updates or shuffling of production, so thats not a good sign for people hoping for a manual supra in 2023.

Like i said, take it with a grain of salt... The most dissapointing thing I got out of it if what the dealer said was true about corporate spilling some of the beans is the use of the same front bumper as the Corolla hatch, meaning probably no wider front fenders... Still a possibility for front and rear fender flares....

 

[ArtJDM]

Styling-wise, if they just get rid of the fake exhaust tips, I'd be happy.

 

[Wynorrific]

They definitely will be replacing the fake ones with real ones

 

[98]

Yes for sure. Also if its a bit wider will need a whole new lower fascia in the back.

 

[luluna]

As much as I want a wide fender, coffee table on the back end (like the CTR). I very much prefer a sleeper, the cops are just too nosy in where I am and it's expensive and inconvenience for a VI (vehicle inspection) if the car is a little too hot in their eyes. Porsche owners already got a taste of VI handed to them and they all pass, and exotic car dealers are tired of doing inspections because there is nothing wrong.

I echo this - I drove a cheapo (relatively speaking) and fairly slow first gen Veloster Turbo - no one had seen it before and it looked super aggressive in that era (a decade ago, lol) - I got so much sass. From cops pulling me over for going 35 in a 30, to noise complaints (it wasn't loud - I even measured it compared to other cars...), to random drivers matching my speed on the highway trying to get my attention so they can race me. I just want to get to Costco in peace 😭(pre-pandemic, Costco made up 80% of my drives; I took public transit into the city, lol).

Add 5 years where literal grandmas are in Velosters (typically non-turbo, but some Turbos...because we nod at each other awkwardly, lol), and now no one bats an eye, lol. Yay.

I much prefer a sleeper.

For giggles for those who haven't seen the old Celica ad:

 

[Wynorrific]

My FJ isn't sleeper at all but no one cares other than other FJ's 😂
The Lexus I wanted to build as a sleeper but every car guy knows IS300's get turbo'd or GTE swapped all the time

 

[007]

Fake vents are an unfortunate trend these days: Civic Type R, Supra, etc.

I don’t understand what manufacturers are thinking. They must think they’re catering to idiots.

My problem with fake vents is not that there’s no air passing through them. If they want to block that area off because it serves no purpose, cool. It wouldn’t be a fake vent if they left the damn thing closed off and didn’t go out of their way to make it look like a vent.

Fake vents are enough to make me not consider a car. Yeah, it’s that bad.

 

[Wynorrific]

Yeah it makes me wonder why they don't do actual vents or a flat body piece. Surely the fake vents cause more drag than a normal piece and usually you'd sacrifice that drag for cooling. I know with the Supra they claim it's for aftermarket companies to make them into real cooling vents but why not just make it a real vent to begin with?

 

[luluna]

I wonder if the reason is more practical than logical - like, maybe it's easier to get certain certifications and approvals with the fake vents - while making it easier for modders to add in their own vents without the need to cut the metal themselves. Like how we heard that there might be a rear-seat delete, but it would a dealership option instead of a factory option because there is a difference between importing a 2-seat coupe vs a 4+ seater.

 

[killer23d]

I echo this - I drove a cheapo (relatively speaking) and fairly slow first gen Veloster Turbo - no one had seen it before and it looked super aggressive in that era (a decade ago, lol) - I got so much sass. From cops pulling me over for going 35 in a 30, to noise complaints (it wasn't loud - I even measured it compared to other cars...), to random drivers matching my speed on the highway trying to get my attention so they can race me. I just want to get to Costco in peace 😭(pre-pandemic, Costco made up 80% of my drives; I took public transit into the city, lol).

Add 5 years where literal grandmas are in Velosters (typically non-turbo, but some Turbos...because we nod at each other awkwardly, lol), and now no one bats an eye, lol. Yay.

I much prefer a sleeper.

For giggles for those who haven't seen the old Celica ad:

Totally understand as I first owned the first gen Mazda3 back in 2004, it is a very hot looking hatchback. I got pulled over a few times because the cops want to check if I have done any mods, which it was still bone stock.

Fast forward to now, we don't really want the attentions.

 

[ArtJDM]

I'm guessing it's a cost cutting measure, like most things people see and are like "Why?" Cheaper to have a big flat-black, molded insert than a nice, painted piece. Eventually it becomes normalized all because it saves the company like 10 cents per unit or something.

Also when the new BMW design language came out, I read in an article somewhere that China, who is on the way to becoming the largest car market in the world, really likes giant grills. It's kind of like a status symbol or something.

 

[Ari Speed]

Also when the new BMW design language came out, I read in an article somewhere that China, who is on the way to becoming the largest car market in the world, really likes giant grills. It's kind of like a status symbol or something.

Yep, they love big and ridiculous looking grilles in China, they consider it as "domineering".

 

[Wynorrific]

I'm guessing it's a cost cutting measure, like most things people see and are like "Why?" Cheaper to have a big flat-black, molded insert than a nice, painted piece. Eventually it becomes normalized all because it saves the company like 10 cents per unit or something.

Also when the new BMW design language came out, I read in an article somewhere that China, who is on the way to becoming the largest car market in the world, really likes giant grills. It's kind of like a status symbol or something.

Owning a BMW in China alone is a huge flex. Import cars are double the price over there and with how their licenses work, it's a luxury even to drive a basic Corolla. I've been to China and the amount of knock-off companies or weird China-only companies are strange. Saw one company called BYD and the car was just like a 2010 Corolla but had illuminated badges from factory. Our basic Toyota's, Honda's, etc are all prices of our BMW's, Porsche's, etc over there. It's insane

 

[98]

I also think I read insurance over in China is super crazy as well