2015 vs. 2016+??? (1 Viewer)

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I bought a 15 LX CPO in the last year (27K miles) and it's the nicest car I or anyone I know owns by far. The AHC suspension is exceptional on all surfaces and I would describe the highway ride as the best in any car I've been in. The gas mileage is an abomination, but low gas prices and other priorities (Safety, Comfort, Utility) invalidate the issue pretty quickly.

While the 2016+ interior are a definite upgrade over 2015 LX, the 15 LX interior is an upgrade on any other 2015 make/model vehicle from any other brand I was interested in buying. Its like comparing a 50" Flat Screen to 65" Flat Screen, when all you've ever watched TV on is a 32" tube tv.

Well said. I suspect I would feel exactly the same way.
 
Thought I would chime in on my experience- all pre 2016. Had a 2010 LX, 160k miles, ran like new (AHC is amazing). Traded it in for a 2015. Layout of interior is the same, which i am OK with. No complaints. Radar cruise in the 2015 was a nice upgrade. Updated nav and electronics are improved. Heated steering wheel a big plus.

IMO, the 6 speed transmission is perfect for this truck. It is useful for downshifting when driving through the mountains to hold the gear instead of ridding brakes to control speed.
 
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Thought I would chime in on my experience- all pre 2016. Had a 2010 LX, 160k miles, ran like new (AHC is amazing). Traded it in for a 2015. Layout of interior is the same, which i am OK with. No complaints. Radar cruise in the 2015 was a nice upgrade. Updated nav and electronics are improved. Heated steering wheel a big plus.

IMO, the 6 speed transmission is perfect for this truck. It is useful for downshifting when driving throught the mountains to hold the gear instead of ridding brakes to control speed.

Very helpful. I live in the foothills of the Appalachians...not so tall but often very steep. As an ex-motorcycle rider I understand the mountain issue and how useful that tranny can be.
 
It's great to have first world problems. While there's differences, they are all excellent. Much of it perhaps coming down to personal style and preferences.

In regards to the 6speed vs 8speed. The 5.7L is a great motor, with a huge and wide powerband. I think the 6-speed suits it well. For @Bob Frame , I'd agree that a 6-speed may even suit you better if you're leaving it stock. Perhaps the particular use case where the 8-speed has an advantage is when burdened. Meaning if the vehicle is built up, has larger than stock size tires, and towing. Even more-so when it's all 3.

The 8-speed has a huge gearing spread. 1st gear is about what the 6-speed is with aftermarket gears. And 8th, taller than the tallest 6-speed granny gear. I believe some feel that the 1st is probably geared too low for a stock vehicle as the 5.7L has tons of grunt making it unnecessary. But again, when burdened, the added gearing could be useful. i.e. merging uphill from a standing start when towing 7500lbs with 33's. Same with engine braking. When towing at the upper GVWR, on a very steep downhill, there's been times when I wish there was a 1.5 gear in the 6-speed for more engine braking. It's always manageable but optimizing never hurts. First world problems right?
 
I very much appreciate all the excellent input you guys have given me. It really helped me to refine my search. The current airbag recall has slowed me down...dealers can't sell anything new and they can't certify anything, which really limits the warranty I could expect on most 2015's. As soon as the recall is cleared up I'll start looking again.
 
Excellent perspective on the 8spd tranny. I do not tow, nor haul heavy bumpers. So 6spd is no problem for my use cases. But I can clearly see its merits for a fully armored rig, tow machine, etc.
 
The 2016+ LX cup holders were placed right next to the climate controls. Get in one and put a 32oz. Yeti cup in it. Then try to access all the buttons. Also note your cup is scraping against your expensive LX interior.

This is the single worst ergonomic decision Toyota made on the LX when they did the upgrade. That and the weird controller instead of touchscreen would lead me to a 15.

I hated the haptic controller enough to buy a TLC instead of the LX. (And to avoid the hideous front fascia.)
 
Thought I would chime in on my experience- all pre 2016. Had a 2010 LX, 160k miles, ran like new (AHC is amazing). Traded it in for a 2015. Layout of interior is the same, which i am OK with. No complaints. Radar cruise in the 2015 was a nice upgrade. Updated nav and electronics are improved. Heated steering wheel a big plus.

IMO, the 6 speed transmission is perfect for this truck. It is useful for downshifting when driving through the mountains to hold the gear instead of ridding brakes to control speed.

I assume that the 8 speed can be downshifted in a similar manner, if needed. :D
 
Just read through and so much good information for your search.Having owned a FJ40,FZJ80,UZJ100 And now a 2014 200 LC.Wow so much Hp around 380 stock and so much power! By far the most comfortable LC we’ve owned.I have to say wish I would have held out for a 16.I just like the redesign on the dash,because the 14 has the 2 big recessed deep round areas for speedo and rpms.Also not impressed by the non led daytime running lights,they look like a almost dead old D cell mag flashlight! But overall we just love it,had it a year so far .Picked our 14 up on Carmax so they ship nationwide to a dealer nearest you.Pretty reasonable and no haggling on prices.Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with!
 
Just read through and so much good information for your search.Having owned a FJ40,FZJ80,UZJ100 And now a 2014 200 LC.Wow so much Hp around 380 stock and so much power! By far the most comfortable LC we’ve owned.I have to say wish I would have held out for a 16.I just like the redesign on the dash,because the 14 has the 2 big recessed deep round areas for speedo and rpms.Also not impressed by the non led daytime running lights,they look like a almost dead old D cell mag flashlight! But overall we just love it,had it a year so far .Picked our 14 up on Carmax so they ship nationwide to a dealer nearest you.Pretty reasonable and no haggling on prices.Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with!

That “Dead D-cell flashlight” look (that’s s great description) can be VASTLY improved by installing LED hi and low beams. No new housing. Just bulb replacement and...WOW. I am continually amazed at my 08’s improvement even 2 years in.
 
I hated the haptic controller enough to buy a TLC instead of the LX. (And to avoid the hideous front fascia.)

I have a 16 LC and my wife has a 17 LX.

LX is a better truck but ugly and I also hate that controller
 
That “Dead D-cell flashlight” look (that’s s great description) can be VASTLY improved by installing LED hi and low beams. No new housing. Just bulb replacement and...WOW. I am continually amazed at my 08’s improvement even 2 years in.
Markuson,thank you for the tip on bulb replacement.Ill definitely look into it.As always lots of good info and good folks here on mud!
 
This post has been very helpful as I had the same question about the difference between the ‘15 & ‘16. Thank you to all who took the time to share your thoughts.

Great work finding an existing thread to answer your questions! It helps keep the forum streamlined when there aren’t new threads constantly asking the same questions over and over! :cheers:
 
My question on this interesting topic, is how much factor is just the one year newer in the price? IE, at the same color, miles, everything, how much premium is there in the used market for the year being newer? Some of the price difference has to be from that.

Also, it may just be a tipping point spot that you are considering. This time last year, was there a similar difference between '14s and 15s? This time next year, will the 16s even out more, but you'll see a sharp jump in the 17s?

Anyway, I don't know any of these answers, just some thoughts.

I have not bought yet, but decided for myself, the extra features (like All Speed Radar Cruise) of the 16 LX are what I want. I will wait however until the prices are more palatable to me.
 
This time last year, was there a similar difference between '14s and 15s? This time next year, will the 16s even out more, but you'll see a sharp jump in the 17s?

I don't think so. As I mentioned in my opening, the typical price difference in my non-scientific study between '14 and '15 model years was in the $2-4K range, while the jump between '15 and '16 was dramatically different. Between '16 and '17 the price diff was similar to the '14-'15. So I think the bump is explained by how the market views the '16 "upgrade". The '15-'16 bump is just way too much to be simply attributable to a one year difference alone.

FWIW, I finally decided on an '18 LX with 5k miles. I like it, but I don't love it. Stupidly complex, floaty handling on highway and body styling that is....well...different. I could have saved $20K on a low mileage '15 if my parents had passed along just a smidgeon of patience. Also jumped on a model without the Mark Levinson stereo...massive f-up on my part. If I could do it again, I'd have looked much closer at an LC. The LC styling is MUCH more to my liking.
 
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I don't think so. As I mentioned in my opening, the typical price difference in my non-scientific study between '14 and '15 model years was in the $2-4K range, while the jump between '15 and '16 was dramatically different. Between '16 and '17 the price diff was similar to the '14-'15. So I think the bump is explained by how the market views the '16 "upgrade". The '15-'16 bump is just way too much to be simply attributable to a one year difference alone.

FWIW, I finally decided on an '18 LX with 5k miles. I like it, but I don't love it. Stupidly complex, floaty handling on highway and body styling that is....well...different. I could have saved $20K on a low mileage '15 if my parents had passed along just a smidgeon of patience. Also jumped on a model without the Mark Levinson stereo...massive f-up on my part. If I could do it again, I'd have looked much closer at an LC. The LC styling is MUCH more to my liking.
Bob, like you I like what I like! The only styling on a 200 series I like so far is it 2013 through 2015 model so I got a 2015 maybe things will change in the future model changes, I also like my tunes so mine has Mark Levinson system. Plus I had to have the color I wanted, plus I put BFG AT/KO2’s on which to me improves the handling and the ride. so to each his own I hope things work out for you
 

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