Better value: Used 2015 SR5 / or New 2016 TEP

[NYSLC93]

I'm looking at two 5th Gen options right now:

-2015 SR5 35k-miles $25.5k
-2016 Trail Premium New $38k

With the new 2018 coming out, I'm sure jealousy will kick in and I'll want to trade up.

What do you think will devalue more in 2-years....the new TP or the used SR5?

Keep in mind that I put on very minimal miles per year (like less than 5k)...I plan on doing a light lift / wheels to either vehicle I get.

In researching prices, it seems that the pre 2014 runners go for noticeably less than the newer ones.

Thoughts?

 

[Toffees]

I'm looking at two 5th Gen options right now:

-2015 SR5 35k-miles $25.5k
-2016 Trail Premium New $38k

With the new 2018 coming out, I'm sure jealousy will kick in and I'll want to trade up.

What do you think will devalue more in 2-years....the new TP or the used SR5?

Keep in mind that I put on very minimal miles per year (like less than 5k)...I plan on doing a light lift / wheels to either vehicle I get.

In researching prices, it seems that the pre 2014 runners go for noticeably less than the newer ones.

Thoughts?

I'd think the SR5 will devalue less because it looks like you've already assumed some in the listed price. But your 16 TEP should still have a good value in 2 years (75% 3-year value, if I recall correctly).

And then there's the question of which fits your needs better... with what you've written here it's hard to say what may fit you better.

 

[salong53]

If you're looking to by a 2018, I'd just keep your 2002 for a few more months.

The SR5 seems like a pretty good deal to me if it's 4wd. Not so much if it's 2wd.

 

[Quentin]

I traded my 4 year old, 38k mile 2010 SR5 in 2014 for $27,500 (sticker was $36k, paid $32k). It was equivalent to a Premium 4WD (moonroof, leather, etc). That seems like a great deal on the 2015. If you truly do low miles, in a few years you will have a 4 year old truck with 45k miles which won't look like high miles like that SR5 appears at the moment. I'd go SR5 in this scenario unless it is something like a salvage title.


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[wcjeep]

Finance rates are usually better on new vs old. Calculate out to the end of the loan. Trail also has a rear locker. Big plus.

 

[Timberlinhvo]

I'm looking at two 5th Gen options right now:

-2015 SR5 35k-miles $25.5k
-2016 Trail Premium New $38k

With the new 2018 coming out, I'm sure jealousy will kick in and I'll want to trade up.

What do you think will devalue more in 2-years....the new TP or the used SR5?

Keep in mind that I put on very minimal miles per year (like less than 5k)...I plan on doing a light lift / wheels to either vehicle I get.

In researching prices, it seems that the pre 2014 runners go for noticeably less than the newer ones.

Thoughts?

If you can afford either or - I say get what you want. I know this is a common saying but it's true. Many moons ago, I bought a brand new 2006 Tacoma TRD off-road over the TRD Sport to save a few thousand. At the time it was a lot for me. Three months into owning the Tacoma, I regret not getting the TRD Sport because I so badly wanted the hood scoop and non-chrome pieces. Fast forward to present day, I was not going to compromise on what I want. In my neck of the woods, finding a white TEP is basically like trying to find a unicorn. I waited and waited, passed on some awesome SR5P and Limited deals. I even passed on a used white TRD Pro because one of my must-haves is a sun-roof. I've owned my 4R for a little over 3 months now I can honestly say I dont regret not settling and waiting months. Good luck with your decision. You will be happy either way.

 

[(none)]

If you aren't planning to really go off-road and have no need for the rear locker, go SR5 all the way. No need to spend a bunch more money for something you'll never need/use. As others have mentioned, the used car big depreciation hit has already been taken care of no the SR5.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I feel like I saw this question a few days ago..... anyways I would go with the SR5. There is a huge price difference for a vehicle that will not be driven much. On top of that, the SR5 has already taken an initial depreciation hit, where as the Trail has not. Even though the 4Runner holds its value quite well, you will still be loosing a lot on the Trail even if it is simply sitting in your garage.

 

[rtinniste]

I agree with the sr5 that's a good price I paid $30k for my 2014 sr5p with 29k miles they were asking $33k but my neighbor is the used car finance manager for the dealer so I got the "friend discount"

The trail is nice because you get the locker but with the money you save you can always get a arb down the road if you really need it. Atrac has worked pretty good for me besides rutted deep sand hill climbs where I need the power.

 

[jamesac83]

Neither.. Why spend money on a car you'll only have for 2 years and 10k miles? It sounds like you don't necessarily need it or make much use of it. And if you know you're going to get rid of it before even buying it, seems pointless.

If you have to choose one, the SR5 will likely take the least loss. The extras of the Trail are certainly not worth the price difference to the average buyer down the road. I am curious though, is the SR5 a Premium?

 

[NYSLC93]

Regular SR5, not a premium.

Neither.. Why spend money on a car you'll only have for 2 years and 10k miles? It sounds like you don't necessarily need it or make much use of it. And if you know you're going to get rid of it before even buying it, seems pointless.

If you have to choose one, the SR5 will likely take the least loss. The extras of the Trail are certainly not worth the price difference to the average buyer down the road. I am curious though, is the SR5 a Premium?

 

[Brandonium]

That is why it's important to be in a situation where you are a patient seller and position yourself so that product intelligent people who know what a Trail is are the ones who bite..

Not everyone is able to do this but that is where you want to be if you want/have to sell.

I've said it 100x. I don't buy nice things so I can give it to other people for free. Might even put that shit on my tombstone.

Neither.. Why spend money on a car you'll only have for 2 years and 10k miles? It sounds like you don't necessarily need it or make much use of it. And if you know you're going to get rid of it before even buying it, seems pointless.

If you have to choose one, the SR5 will likely take the least loss. The extras of the Trail are certainly not worth the price difference to the average buyer down the road. I am curious though, is the SR5 a Premium?

 

[GBBT4R]

Neither.. Why spend money on a car you'll only have for 2 years and 10k miles? It sounds like you don't necessarily need it or make much use of it. And if you know you're going to get rid of it before even buying it, seems pointless.

If you have to choose one, the SR5 will likely take the least loss. The extras of the Trail are certainly not worth the price difference to the average buyer down the road. I am curious though, is the SR5 a Premium?

My thoughts exactly. The SR5 will be a better purchase of the two, but if you can just wait why not get one a little down the road?

 

[philsey]

I'm looking at two 5th Gen options right now:

-2015 SR5 35k-miles $25.5k
-2016 Trail Premium New $38k

With the new 2018 coming out, I'm sure jealousy will kick in and I'll want to trade up.

Your original premise (see bold) is wrong if by "new" you mean "6th Gen". You/we do not know that to be true - sure there'll be a 2018, but just how new it'll be is anyone's guess.

SR5 vs TEP = apples/oranges. If you're so 'worried' about the '18, don't buy anything. $.02

 

[Simpleman74]

get the SR5 and spend the saved money on mods.... 2018 might end up being a minivan

 

[ScottR]

My recommendation for low mileage drivers is to buy used vehicles. Why take the depreciation hit on new. Besides, the newness is already worn off and when the inevitable ding or scratch happens it is less traumatic for the owner. My OCD appreciated this for the '14 TEP I purchased used.

 

[Brandonium]

I tried this but taking a depreciation hit is easier on me than having a vehicle someone else potentially mistreated, hacked on, etc. I like knowing the history of my vehicles from day 1 and for long term vehicles this is more important to me than getting something cheap.

My recommendation for low mileage drivers is to buy used vehicles. Why take the depreciation hit on new. Besides, the newness is already worn off and when the inevitable ding or scratch happens it is less traumatic for the owner. My OCD appreciated this for the '14 TEP I purchased used.

 

[mybabydaddy]

I tried this but taking a depreciation hit is easier on me than having a vehicle someone else potentially mistreated, hacked on, etc. I like knowing the history of my vehicles from day 1 and for long term vehicles this is more important to me than getting something cheap.

So not to stray far off topic, but this is primarily my sentiment as well. I haven’t bought too many used cars in the past 15 years... and when I did, I ended up having several large issues (and that was an Acura). Now I still loved the car, but I remember saying to myself, “this is why I buy new”. I’d rather take the depreciation hit, then spend time & money solving problems that come with used cars/trucks. I don’t have the time/luxury of working on vehicles like I used to earlier in my life, so it’s a trade-off. I put pretty decent mileage on my cars, and trade-in every 3-4 years, so it’s a losing investment no matter what I do. But then again, unless you’re buying a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, your car is going to be a (at least somewhat) bad investment no matter what.

Back on topic.... If you are serious about looking at 2018s, I wouldn’t buy either. If you aren’t too serious about it, I’d roll with the SR5 and mod it to your liking.

...just my worthless 2 cents.

 

[ScottR]

So not to stray far off topic, but this is primarily my sentiment as well. I haven’t bought too many used cars in the past 15 years... and when I did, I ended up having several large issues (and that was an Acura). Now I still loved the car, but I remember saying to myself, “this is why I buy new”. I’d rather take the depreciation hit, then spend time & money solving problems that come with used cars/trucks. I don’t have the time/luxury of working on vehicles like I used to earlier in my life, so it’s a trade-off. I put pretty decent mileage on my cars, and trade-in every 3-4 years, so it’s a losing investment no matter what I do. But then again, unless you’re buying a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, your car is going to be a (at least somewhat) bad investment no matter what.

Back on topic.... If you are serious about looking at 2018s, I wouldn’t buy either. If you aren’t too serious about it, I’d roll with the SR5 and mod it to your liking.

...just my worthless 2 cents.

To each his or her own...do what feels right in your situation.

 

[Todd308]

It a tough call, for me if I'm already thinking I'd want something different I'd be better off waiting or buying what I want now, because if I settled I'd just regret it later. It also depends on what you want to do and your income, $13,000 buys a lot of accessories, but if you have plenty of $ to throw all the toys you want at either of them, then that's not a factor.

I've had really good luck in decades past being a patient buyer and getting a 2-3 year old vehicle with low miles for a huge discount. When I bought my 98' S10 blazer in 2001 it was 3 years old with 35K and was under half what a new one cost. However, that seems pretty much impossible to do these days.

Honestly I can't even fathom buying a used 4-runner with the prices they are asking for them around here. I've been looking at used or new TRD Pro or Trail Premiums for about a year now and for what they ask for used ones, I'd rather buy new. IMO you'd have to be out of your mind to buy a 2 year old vehicle with 30K to save $2k compared to new.

A quick search of cars.com for used 4 runners near me in PA was all I needed to see to not even bother with used. For reference I've been offered 2016 TRP new for $39K with KDSS, and there are 17' TRD Pros on lots with 150 miles for $44k-$45k.

2015 TRD Pro, 20K mi, $48K
2016 TEP, 5K mi, $43K
2015 TRD Pro, 30K mi, $43K
2016 TRD Pro, 14K mi, $42K
2015 TEP, 15K mi, $39K
2016 TEP, 18k mi, $36K
2015 TEP, 21k mi, $36k
2014 TEP, 5k mi, $36k
2015 TEP, 29k mi, $36k
2014 TEP,29k mi, $34k
2014 TEP, 42k mi, $34k

There isn't a single one in this list I'd touch instead of buying new, not even close. Like I'd ever buy a 3 year old vehicle with 40K+ miles on it to save $4K compared to new, no thanks. I'm not sure if dealers just put these prices on hoping to hook an idiot, but I wouldn't touch used with the prices I see.