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Offered a Core at MSRP, but no LSD...what to do???

21K views 52 replies 34 participants last post by  Dave H  
#1 ·
To my complete shock yesterday, my local dealership whom I've been on a waitlist with for half a year called me out of blue and let me know they were getting a white Core in and wanted to know if I wanted to put a deposit on it. They also confirmed it would be MSRP only with no markups. I almost instinctively said yes, but decided to first ask if it had the Performance Package (PP). Funny enough it has nearly every other option and package EXCEPT the PP. After a brief discussion with the saleman and thinking it over I decided to pass on it due to the lack of the LSD. I've since researched how important the LSD is in terms of performance on the GR (already knew it was a pretty big deal, but wanted to see if I was somehow mistaken) and it seems the experience of driving the car is significantly altered depending on whether it has an LSD or not.

Still, I have not been able to think of much else and am not sure if I should just wait for a CE or a PP equipped Core. I do plan on occasionally tracking it, but it will live 99% of its life as a back road and twisties machine. It's also going to be a weekend/fun car since I already have a daily.

What are everyone's thoughts? Am I stupid for passing on the Core with no PP, or was it a smart move to pass on it wait for a model to come in with an LSD?
 
#2 ·
I think you are doing the right thing. If you are anything like me, you probably wanted a Circuit Edition when they were announced. Now seeing at how limited all of them are going to be, and realizing the Core with PP is mechanically a Circuit, Ive committed to the first Core with PP my dealership gets. (allocated and on its way)

I think most enthusiasts would gets buyers remorse if they got a core with no PP pretty quickly. We already arent getting the super cool Circuit or Morizo, at least make sure to get the PP.
 
#3 ·
I originally called wanting to be put on the CE waitlist, but put myself on the Core as well in the event they got one in with an LSD. I love the cosmetics of the CE and it really completes the look of the GR imo, but the way it drives and handles is what I'm primarily interested in. Pretty much all I'd have to do is swap the tires out on a LSD equipped Core and I'd have pretty much the same car underneath the skin. Still, I was certain I wouldn't be getting a call on one of these for 2-years or more, so it happening so soon really threw me a curveball and had be second guessing the importance of a LSD.
 
#41 ·
I guess it depends on you.

if you're tracking it, the LSD helps. street driving it won't.

resale (short term) it'll matter. non LSD will bring less in trade.
This is not true at all. It won't make any discernible difference if you're just casually driving stop light to stop light, but it is very noticeable whenever you are turning while applying power. A helical LSD creates the feeling of the car pulling through the corner. Especially on FWD only car, it is a night and day difference, this would be no difference even with AWD.
 
#8 ·
Yeah I think you made the right choice, seeing as this is your weekend car.

If it was your daily and you were just going to rack up miles on it (which would be my use for the car) then the LSDs really aren't going to make a lot of difference for that scenario. I mean. The WRX and all non-LE focus RSs didn't have LSDs, for comparison.
 
#9 ·
In my opinion everyone who isn't intending to build a dedicated track car should go for the PP. Weekend warrior, snow driving, resale, all favor having the diffs. The factory torsens do great.

If your anticipating swapping to aftermarket LSDs for more aggressive hookup then I'd skip it.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
I would pass on any core that doesn't have the lsd's as the price to get them after the fact and then install is going to tack on another 4 or 5 grand. Also let's say you end up in some dire situation and need to sell the car or for whatever reason want to sell the car. You aren't going to get as much back later on down the road. NOW cusco does offer lsds for our cars now it seems which will arguably be better than stock but the price of that corolla needs to reflect the cost to upgrade to them.
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#13 ·
I would pass on any core that doesn't have the lsd's as the price to get them after the fact and then install is going to tack on another 4 or 5 grand. Also let's say you end up in some dire situation and need to sell the car or for whatever reason want to sell the car. You aren't going to get as much back later on down the road. NOW cuscor does offer lsds for our cars now it seems which will arguably be better than stock but the price of that corolla needs to reflect the cost to upgrade to them. View attachment 7814
That's the thing. I know I can swap in an after market one, but it would a) void the warranty, and b) cost way more than the 2k or whatever it costs for the PP. I posted something about this in another forum and I got a ton of "just swap in a after market LSD bra..." comments like it was some $20 steering wheel cover lol. It's nice to have much more level headed comments like this.
 
#11 ·
Just my .02 but I think it's probably worth the 4-5K to get aftermarket LSDs (ala the Cusco stuff above or whatever gets released down the road from other vendors) and skip the PP if the car is going to be used on track. Agreed that you take the hit on value/resale down the line but I think that's probably a wash regardless, it's a niche car with a niche market and a well sorted LSD install - or any install for that matter - should help future enthusiast buyers down the line if the car has to be resold.

But if you're selling to Carmax, Carvana or some random Ford dealership, yes, they'll want the PP installed for more trade-in value for sure.
 
#12 ·
I bought a non LSD because it was cheaper and I was able to buy it. I will put better aftermarket LSDs in it if I want later. My WRX didn't have LSD and was amazing on road and in snow so I'm not too worried about it. Tracking cars is not one of my hobbies yet...All depends if you can get a PP without markup. If you are trying to keep it stock as a collector I would go for PP.
 
#15 ·
To my complete shock yesterday, my local dealership whom I've been on a waitlist with for half a year called me out of blue and let me know they were getting a white Core in and wanted to know if I wanted to put a deposit on it. They also confirmed it would be MSRP only with no markups. I almost instinctively said yes, but decided to first ask if it had the Performance Package (PP). Funny enough it has nearly every other option and package EXCEPT the PP. After a brief discussion with the saleman and thinking it over I decided to pass on it due to the lack of the LSD. I've since researched how important the LSD is in terms of performance on the GR (already knew it was a pretty big deal, but wanted to see if I was somehow mistaken) and it seems the experience of driving the car is significantly altered depending on whether it has an LSD or not.

Still, I have not been able to think of much else and am not sure if I should just wait for a CE or a PP equipped Core. I do plan on occasionally tracking it, but it will live 99% of its life as a back road and twisties machine. It's also going to be a weekend/fun car since I already have a daily.

What are everyone's thoughts? Am I stupid for passing on the Core with no PP, or was it a smart move to pass on it wait for a model to come in with an LSD?
No doubt you made the right decision!
 
#17 ·
I am wondering if anyone else on here has a car without LSD and actually has driven it and has some feedback??? I have had my GRC for a while (core without PP or tech pkg) and I swear I can't make it do anything on the street that would indicate it needs an LSD or two. Full throttle launches in the rain, full chooch in first gear out of a 90 degree turn, etc.
I don't plan on this being a track rat, but it will go to the track eventually. The viscous coupled rear diff fundamental weakness of overheating would be more of a concern to me if I wanted a track car.
Previous car was GR86 that I did 3 track weekends with and have had lots of cars with and without LSD diffs and over 100 track weekends so I am not really a newb to the whole tire spin and traction thing. LSD is nice (critical) in high hp rwd cars, but dang you guys make it sound like the GRC is worthless without it. I raced a spec miata without LSD for a few years....spun the inside rear tire in 3rd gear coming out of some very particular turns at 70 mph but sure wasn't so slow and sure didn't ruin the fun.

Just wondering if everyone is just repeating what some dude on the internet said one time. Not saying I wouldn't prefer the PP (def would if nothing more than resale from internet lore) but really interested in what exact street driving scenarios a real owner can say the lack of LSD has caused an issue.
 
#18 ·
I am wondering if anyone else on here has a car without LSD and actually has driven it and has some feedback??? I have had my GRC for a while (core without PP or tech pkg) and I swear I can't make it do anything on the street that would indicate it needs an LSD or two. Full throttle launches in the rain, full chooch in first gear out of a 90 degree turn, etc.
I don't plan on this being a track rat, but it will go to the track eventually. The viscous coupled rear diff fundamental weakness of overheating would be more of a concern to me if I wanted a track car.
Previous car was GR86 that I did 3 track weekends with and have had lots of cars with and without LSD diffs and over 100 track weekends so I am not really a newb to the whole tire spin and traction thing. LSD is nice (critical) in high hp rwd cars, but dang you guys make it sound like the GRC is worthless without it. I raced a spec miata without LSD for a few years....spun the inside rear tire in 3rd gear coming out of some very particular turns at 70 mph but sure wasn't so slow and sure didn't ruin the fun.

Just wondering if everyone is just repeating what some dude on the internet said one time. Not saying I wouldn't prefer the PP (def would if nothing more than resale from internet lore) but really interested in what exact street driving scenarios a real owner can say the lack of LSD has caused an issue.
the average owner, or most, will almost never encounter any situation where an LSD will actually do anything meaningful for them
 
#23 ·
This article says the LSD equipped GRY has less understeer on the track: Track test: How much faster is the GR Yaris Rallye than the regular GR Yaris?

I’ve only had one AWD car and on dry pavement and wet roads traction is not a problem. In the snow 3WD (open diff in front, center and rear LSD) is amazing and fun. Not sure if it was open rear would change it or not.

On my 2WD cars LSDs are desperately needed.
 
#24 ·
For the OP do you know where you are on your dealers wait list? If you are not #1 or #2 then I doubt you'll be getting a circuit edition. Thinking long term your dealer probably went down their list and got to you. The market for this car once it is in production and assuming no Covid repeated shortages will be small. By going with a non PP car you are severely limiting your resale. Those that want this car want LSD as evidenced by the responses in this thread.
 
#25 ·
I was #10 originally, but I have no idea ATM. I'm assuming I'm #1 now since they called me about it, unless they just called everyone on the waitlist and I was the first to pick up the phone. My local dealer is pretty small in an area dominated by domestic brands, so I can't decide if this is working for me or against me. In terms or GRs they are getting in, they said they don't imagine they'll be getting more than 2 for all of 2023. I'm hoping car #2 is a CE, but who knows. I'm willing to wait though, especially since I originally thought I'd be waiting years to get a call back about one.
 
#27 ·
People keep acting like installing a performance LSD is cheap, it’s not. Factory LSD is a bargain

I’ll be tracking my car, no brainer to hold out for the right spec. Same debate happens on Miata forums and most real world buyers don’t care about LSD, all the hardcore enthusiast and forum users do.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Same debate happens on Miata forums and most real world buyers don’t care about LSD, all the hardcore enthusiast and forum users do.
Owner of a modified Miata that is active on Miata.net forum here. The difference is that you are just as likely to see a hairdresser driving an automatic Miata as you are an enthusiast driving a modified Miata. "Miata is always the answer" is a known saying in the community. That is not going to be the case with the GR Corolla. People that will buy this car are going to be the enthusiasts that are going to require the PP option. Just look at the unknowing fellow that bought his second GR Corolla, this one without the PP option, and has been trying to flip it.....At what price would you consider buying that car? Maybe 35k?

If you are interested in the car...Try to figure out their cost on the car and offer them that which will be below MSRP. I would agree with Cptnslo they called the 9 other folks in front of you offering them the car. If i was the dealer, I'd probably be looking at what the cost is to add LSD to the car and sell the car at MSRP+those costs. Unfortunately, I don't think the dealers have any choice in the options on the cars they get.
 
#31 ·
I agree with your judgement. I skipped some local allocations that didn’t have the PP and drove out of state to get my car that has it. It probably won’t make much of a difference with the way I’m driving the car, but it’s my money and I wasn’t going to compromise on that one specific item.
 
#33 ·
These cars shouldn’t have had an optional LSD, it should just of been standard. Getting a 40k corolla without every performance option is a waste, like isn’t that the whole point? I wouldn’t have bought mine if it didn’t have it, that was the only thing I wanted tbh. I probably speak for a lot of people when I say that. Either get a loaded up core or a CE anything else is going to be over 💰
 
#37 · (Edited)
Does anyone remember the open diff Federal Elise in 2005.You can probably google what Lotus had to say. They did release a limited slip version in 2006, and the lsd continued with the exige and exigeS.

I have had a chance to purchase TP/PP Core and a Base Core. I did not turn either car down, I am not missing out on this car. If I can or want to upgrade to a CE or ME if one comes my way thats great, but I’m not holding my breath.

In the mean time the TP/PP red car is my daily. The black Base Core is the one I set aside.

As someone else stated here the non optioned poverty model. Well that gentleman did have the upgraded red paint. My Base Core is black, so I must be below the poverty level :)
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#38 ·
Not missing out?! Did you get the non-PP car first, and that's why you have two? haha

I wasn't expecting that with the Elise, never knew that. It makes sense though. The LSD story is much different for AWD though (and also higher power.)

A GRC with PP will have more understeer tendency at low to mid-range speed/throttle as the Torsens bias more torque to the slower (inside) wheel when there is a speed delta left/right but no slip. Once the inside tire manages to break traction, the tables turn and you get outside wheel with more torque, no wheels spinning and it's all helping you around the corner. One happy coincidence for Torsen is that the inside wheel will be induced to slip a little sooner than with open diff due to that torque bias, getting you to the lock-up point sooner.

With how insane this thing is, it shouldn't take much to lock em up. But it has so much grip, you'll really need to be pushing and it'll usually need to be tight and/or low grip surface. I also wonder if you'd get any binding/bucking sensations when the inside wheels alternate between slip/grip. I feel that in my GR86 sometimes in certain tight corners when the inside wheels are really unloaded. I think GR86 has just enough torque to lock up the diff in low-mid speed corners. And of course LSD is critical to getting the car to do it's signature bite-sized drifts.
 
#40 ·
I think FOMO has really ruined people's perceptions and priorities in general, so I do my best avoid it. I'd rather not get a GRC than get one I feel is compromised too much. While the Morizo would be nice, it doesn't have anything that I'd say is a must to fully experience this car compared to the two lower trim models. However, no LSD is a deal breaker for me and I won't buy a GRC without it. There are plenty of other excellent cars out there that I can buy if the GRC passes me by.
 
#43 ·
I am wondering if anyone else on here has a car without LSD and actually has driven it and has some feedback??? I have had my GRC for a while (core without PP or tech pkg) and I swear I can't make it do anything on the street that would indicate it needs an LSD or two. Full throttle launches in the rain, full chooch in first gear out of a 90 degree turn, etc. I don't plan on this being a track rat, but it will go to the track eventually. The viscous coupled rear diff fundamental weakness of overheating would be more of a concern to me if I wanted a track car. Previous car was GR86 that I did 3 track weekends with and have had lots of cars with and without LSD diffs and over 100 track weekends so I am not really a newb to the whole tire spin and traction thing. LSD is nice (critical) in high hp rwd cars, but dang you guys make it sound like the GRC is worthless without it. I raced a spec miata without LSD for a few years....spun the inside rear tire in 3rd gear coming out of some very particular turns at 70 mph but sure wasn't so slow and sure didn't ruin the fun. Just wondering if everyone is just repeating what some dude on the internet said one time. Not saying I wouldn't prefer the PP (def would if nothing more than resale from internet lore) but really interested in what exact street driving scenarios a real owner can say the lack of LSD has caused an issue.
I live in the mountains and bought mine without the PP like you with open diffs, and I have to say, the first thing I do is going to be an upgrade of LSD’s. In the snow, it didn’t feel great and I had blizzaks on it. Having a cannon carver that can’t handle the snow truly does defeat the purpose of buying a GRC IMO. Buyers remorse is accurate who ever said that lol.