As I procrastinate over the weekend.....

In a previous post about which model to buy Steve (SW17LS) made the succinct point to buy the latest model you can afford with the specs you want.

I’ve been shopping since May for a fully loaded 2017 Ultra-Luxury coming off lease.

Things looked great Friday with the primary one I targeted becoming available, at $55K.
RWD, one owner, 14k miles and CPO. (All options except Exec seating)

Then out of the blue and referred by another member here, a local 2014 Ultra in my preferred colors shows up at $42K. AWD, one owner, 8k miles and CPO. Same specs, other than AWD.

Other than the improvement in the navigation screen/interface and about a $1500 higher cost to extend the CPO warranty out to 6-7 years, are there any significant reasons not to go with the 2014, assuming all other aspects are equal?

Assume about a $12k difference with AWD not being a significant deciding factor. I don’t need AWD, but not adverse to it.

Thoughts?

 

It's possible the 2017 shows album cover art. It seems my neighbors 2016 does. Someone will confirm or deny that. Otherwise, the split screen is the main difference.

 

Do you intend to keep it past the warranty? If so don't get the AWD version

 

I agree, it will stay under CPO until I sell it. Mostly a question as to how long I might keep it and the CPO cost.

2014 LS 460
CPO Expires - 10-12-2022 Miles unlimited

1 extra year: $1,000. ($1000) 10-12-2023 3 Years
2 extra years: $1,730. ($865) 10-12-2024 4 Years
3 extra years: $2,515. ($838) 10-12-2025 5 Years
4 extra years: $3,415. ($853) 10-12-2026 6 Years
5 extra years: $4,425. ($885) 10-12-2027 7 Years
Car is 13 years old

2017 LS 460
On the first car, the certified warranty runs until 04/27/2023. Miles unlimited.
1 extra year - $815 ($815) 4-27-2024 4 Years
2 extra years - $1,210 ($605) 4-27-2025 5 Years
3 extra years - $1,625 ($541) 4-27-2026 6 Years
4 extra years - $2,105 ($526) 4-27-2027 7 Years
5 extra years - $2,640 ($528) 4-27-2028 8 Years
Car is 11 years old

 

Get the newer one then lol

 

The 2016 does show album cover art.

 

While I like the bigger split screen, I’m not sure it’s worth $10k. :-)

I know Toyota advertised additional adhesives and other structural enhancements, but I’m not sure how to quantify that.

A previous thread about cost reductions in production in the last years of a model and a reference to Consumer Reports saying 2014 was the best year also come to mind.

All pretty marginal aspects, so the 2014 is apparently the rational choice, while the 2017 is appealing as the last year of the V8 in a full spec car.

 

I had both MY cars and other than the display there was no difference in ride quality or anything else. If I were in your shoes I would go for the 2014 MY car as the 2017 MY car doesn't really have an advantage that is worth $13K more.

 

I like my 2017 more than I liked my 2015, but its optioned very differently. By and large driving experience wise I would say they are the same.

 

Thanks guys, I bought the 2014.

 

Congratulations on the purchase. As with any used car purchase, you decide where you want to stand on the depreciation curve to balance your perfect blend of newness with forward looking resale value.

 

Congrats! Welcome to the family!

 

Very glad to hear that it worked out for you, Ralph - congratulations!

 

thank you Chris, as it was your lead. I’d just been searching for 2017s so wasn’t even on my radar.

FWIW the 2017 had another buyer right behind me, even at the asking price of $55k.

 

Folks just aren’t digging the LS500.