The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is poised to be the leader of the hot hatchbacks when it hits dealerships later this year. And while you can reserve one now before it drops, there could be other options to consider before doing so. One such option is a used Honda Civic Type R. But would it really be worth it to buy one of those or wait for the GR Corolla instead?

Is buying a used Honda Civic Type R worth it?

Yes, but it depends on what it’s priced at. A nationwide search on CarGurus reveals that the lowest-priced 2018 Civic Type R is selling for $28,000 right now. Keep in mind that it has 75,500 miles on the odometer, aftermarket wheels, and a salvage title – but it still has its racecar charm.

In all seriousness, that car isn’t a flawless creampuff by any means, but if all you want is a fire-breathing Civic hatchback that can keep up with pricier sports cars, then an example like that could suffice.

Otherwise, many of the cleaner examples are selling in the high $30,000 to $40,000 range, which is how much the car cost when it was new. And if you want to buy a new one, you’re looking at spending closer to $50,000 right now with the dealer mark-ups that the car carries with it.

Of course, there’s a chance that the Civic Type R could be worth more at a later date, so that’s something to consider if you have your heart set on this souped-up Civic.

Let’s all remember that the Civic Type R may share the same platform as its more pedestrian lower trim levels, but it’s in a league of its own. Under the hood is a 306-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that can get the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds according to Car and Driver’s testing.

What’s more, it has enough room for five adults, a sizeable cargo area, and Car and Driver averaged 29 mpg in it during testing. The Civic Type R is really quite the Swiss Army Knife of pocket rockets in today’s market.  

Is making a reservation for the Toyota GR Corolla worth it?

On the other hand, if you would rather wait to get your hands on the forthcoming 2023 Toyota GR Corolla, then you can make a reservation for one at your local dealership. Just keep in mind that there’s a possibility that many dealers will be marking up their prices when the rubber hits the showroom floor. According to Car Scoops, one Toyota dealer said that it will be marking up the GR Corolla’s price by $10,000 when it arrives, and to place an order, a customer will need to plunk down $500.

Toyota has yet to release pricing on the GR Corolla but said that it should cost around $30,000. That means that real-world pricing could be around $40,000 to $45,000, which would put it in new Civic Type R territory.

Let’s remember that price gets you a raced-out Corolla hatchback that puts down 300 hp from a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine. The power is routed through a six-speed manual transmission and out to all four wheels. On top of that, buyers have the option of having extra comforts like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and auto climate control. From what we can tell so far, it sounds like you can more comfort and performance out the GR Corolla as compared to the Honda.

Which hot hatchback should you go with?

Ultimately, we would recommend waiting for the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla. Whether you’re the type to get in line first and be a trend-setter or you would rather wait a year or so before the buying chaos runs its course, the GR Corolla sounds like it’s worth the money and time spent. The Civic Type R is still a great car and if you can find a good deal on a used one, then it could be worth the cost. However, a newer car for about the same money could be a better way to go.