Nearly every disposable appliance cookie cutter commuter cars have what I consider ‘must-haves’ as minimum standard already. Specifically, CarPlay.
BUT for niche sportscars or performance variants, buying the ‘Performance Package’ or the performance trim is a must. That generally includes an LSD. Sometimes, upgraded brakes and suspension too. Which to me is crazy, since all sportscars and performance variants SHOULD come it LSD as standard. Offenders of this are the MX-5, Z, GR Corolla, 718 Cayman/Boxster, 911, just to name a few. With the Porsches, the 3 performance options should be ticked. Sport Chrono, PTV(LSD), and Sport PASM. Furthermore, having performance options will have it retain its value in the long run.
That being said, I feel like the omission of these LSDs as standard is a way to lower the starting advertised price. Factory bait and switch. It’s actually rare to see a non-performance packaged GR Corolla Core, or even Z. Heck, I see a lot more MX-5 Club trims than base.
People who cheaped out of the $1-4k performance packages will say it’s not really needed. It is needed on any car with sporting intentions. They’re coping with buyer’s remorse. Never heard anyone say, “man I can’t believe I paid extra for way better traction and power delivery at corner exits and slippery road conditions.” But I always hear people who cheaped out on performance options say, “well, you don’t really need that on the street and I don’t even drive like that!” Why’d you get a sportscar then, chief?
Paying extra to improve your car’s performance is this poster’s top tip. But if you had to choose between upgraded brakes, suspension or an added limited-slip diff, what would you pick?