Car Deal of the Year: A Nearly New Toyota GR Corolla Found a New Owner at a Bargain Price
Benefits of Buying Nearly New Cars
The story of this Toyota GR Corolla from the Cars & Bids auction clearly demonstrates how much more advantageous buying a nearly new car can be compared to a brand new one. Although we all dream of being the first owners of vehicles, this example shows the real financial benefits of such a decision.
Buying a new car is the stupidest thing
Technical Features and Car Condition
This is a base Core model, registered just a few weeks ago in August. According to the window sticker, its initial price was $41,377, including delivery and some basic options. However, this month, with only 750 miles on the odometer, it was sold for just $34,500.
Perfect Condition Without Overpayment
Except for the documentation, there is nothing to indicate that this is not a brand new car. It looks perfect – not only on the top and inside but also underneath. We, of course, do not know the full circumstances of the sale, why the first owner is getting rid of the car so soon, and exactly how much he paid the dealer. But it seems that he suffered significant financial losses, and the new owner got a real deal.
Technical Updates of the 2025 Model
As a 2025 model year car, this GR received an updated version of the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The power remained unchanged at 300 hp, but the torque increased by 22 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft.
Standard Equipment and Transmission Choice
Front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials are standard even for the base Core model. And although the eight-speed automatic transmission was already available at the time of ordering this car, the first owner chose the six-speed manual transmission.
Comparison with Future Models
We recently tested the 2026 model year version, and although it has some improvements, such as additional structural adhesive to increase body rigidity, a new engine cooling channel, and modified rear suspension arms for better traction, these improvements are not significant enough to outweigh the savings that this car offered. Perhaps the seller wanted to free up space for a future, even more powerful GRMN Corolla model?
Additional Costs and Dealer Options
Besides the nearly $7000 depreciation that the seller had to absorb, a couple of things catch the eye, both related to additional equipment from the dealer. The multimedia screen protector for $129 and four smartphone cables for $79 look like a real rip-off. Is it just our opinion? It seems not.
This case clearly illustrates the dynamics of the modern car market, where rapid model and technology changes create unique opportunities for cautious buyers. The phenomenon of quick resale of nearly new cars is becoming more common, especially among enthusiasts who are constantly looking for the latest technologies and improvements. The used premium car market continues to surprise with unexpected deals, when even exclusive models can be purchased with a significant discount just a few months after use. This situation opens up new prospects for car enthusiasts who are willing to forgo the status of “first owner” in favor of smart savings.