Toyota Stalking, er...um, SPOTTING with Charlie™ (Cars, vans, SUVs, Lexus, Scion, and brochures)!

1997 Mark II Grande


September 3rd, 2023:

Warminster, Pennsylvania

 

This is the first GR Corolla that I have seen at Thompson Toyota, and despite having just over 1,150 miles on the odometer, it is listed as pre-owned; Thompson has been one of fairest dealerships in my area when it comes to pricing on new vehicles, but they have been selling used ones for obscenely high prices. A fully loaded GR Corolla Core with every option you can get has an MSRP of just under forty grand; I initially thought that this Supersonic Red GR was a legally-new demo with the Circuit Edition trim level, and that this price wasn't too bad. I saw that it had been reduced by $3,000 and almost fell for it, but then I did some research (picture comparisons on Toyota's website) and confirmed that this one at Thompson is in fact a Core. Like I said, even a fully loaded brand new Core goes for less than forty grand ($39,870 to be exact), and Thompson has this one priced higher than a brand new Circuit Edition. Before being marked down, this GR was only three grand less than a Morizo Edition! I have seen so many examples of the Core in the wild that I have lost count, and three Circuit Editions, but I have yet to see a Morizo Editon. As for why there's a "used" 2023 GR Corolla at Thompson with barely more than half the miles I put on my truck in a month, I'm guessing that somebody with money bought one and decided they didn't like it (my friend's rich dad has done with cars costing as much three Morizo Edition Corolla GRs), or it was owned by a manager or someone in the Thompson family who decided to title and register it rather than drive around on a dealer plate. There was no window sticker, so I don't know if this one has the options I'd want (upgraded stereo system, limited-slip diffs, etc), but a Supersonic Red Core is presently the GR Corolla that I yearn for!!!

Still too expensive though, and if it doesn't have the standard "Performance Package with Options (Heated seats/steering wheel, and Torsen LSDs, but no JBL audio; $1,680) at a minimum, then this price is even more insulting...


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

2021 RAV4 Prime (Plug-In Hybrid) with cool aftermarket wheels


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

I actually like the looks of the all-new Crown, plus it's built in Japan, so the impending UAW strike won't jack up the price!


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

The Toyota only uses Camrys, Corollas, and C-HRs as loaners from what I can tell. However, the Lexus and BMW dealers get 4Runners, Sequoias, and now apparently Crowns. This Crown Limited is identifiable as a loaner by the numbers in the windshield and rear window...


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

1996 Geo Prizm LSi with only 128K original miles!


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

I spotted this car at Thompson Lexus, sitting all by itself. It was just inspected in May, and aside from the paint/body issues that are common with these cars, this one seems to be in halfway decent condition!

 

The interior was mint!

 

I spotted this car at Thompson Lexus, sitting all by itself. It was just inspected in May, and aside from the paint/body issues that are common with these cars, this one seems to be in halfway decent condition!

 

A/C and a stereo cassette; I'm the assuming that the A/C probably works...

 

Nonsmoker!

 

Only 128K miles, which is nothing for this Corolla clone!

 

The all-new Lexus TX; I thought it was new LX at first, but I found out that it's based on the Highlander...


September 10th, 2023:

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

 

2001 Camry LE


September 16th, 2023:

Warrington, Pennsylvania

 

2003 Sienna LE, with a wheel cover from a 1998 Ford Windstar...


September 17th, 2023:

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

Same car, yet again wearing different wheels...


September 17th, 2023:

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

1995 Daihatsu HiJet


September 17th, 2023:

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

1989 MR2 with factory supercharger; I didn't even know that these were a thing!


September 17th, 2023:

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

 

150hp with the supercharger!

 

My girlfriend and I stopped at a nearby Wawa after the show, and the owner of the 1989 MR2 was there with his buddies, so I was able to get some interior shots...