Advice needed 2008 LC vs 2011 LC (1 Viewer)

[defun]

Hi All,
New to the forums. Looking to buy my first LC. I am looking at two options 2008 with 170k miles for 20k and another one 2011 LC with 60k miles for 45k. More than the twice the money from 2008. Which one would you suggest to go with. Budget not the main issue but how much of a trouble 170k mile LC can be.
Thanks for your time.

 

[TonyP]

Maintenance?

 

[defun]

yes mainly regarding maintenance and any issues that might come up on high mileage LCs. I know that LCs are well regarded in terms of longevity. Just checking to see do I need to worry about anything with 2008 model year and high mileage.

 

[Markuson]

Hi All,
New to the forums. Looking to buy my first LC. I am looking at two options 2008 with 170k miles for 20k and another one 2011 LC with 60k miles for 45k. More than the twice the money from 2008. Which one would you suggest to go with. Budget not the main issue but how much of a trouble 170k mile LC can be.
Thanks for your time.

I think of unused miles as additional years of use I'll get to add to my own ownership.

For me, the extra 135,000 unused miles would be worth $25k to me...as it means probably 5 or 6 years of use before I got to 170k of the other.
In 5-6 years...you arrive at the miles of the 2008--so is 5-6 years of use worth the $25k to you? Only you can decide. It would be to me--especially given that I put a lot of money into mods.

 

[mcgaskins]

If budget isn't an issue, then I'd look for a lower mile newer one, preferably a 13+ in clean shape with maintenance history.

 

[marketShark]

If budget isn't an issue, then I'd look for a lower mile newer one, preferably a 13+ in clean shape with maintenance history.

@defun there was a 2013 facelift for the 200 series. IMHO it improved the front end styling.

To that point, 2013's can be found in the low $40's and even at the $40k mark at about ~80k miles give or take.

 

[Citius]

I think that 40k for a 2011 is high. I got my 13 for 48.5k with 23k miles on it

 

[Reckless]

Go for the $20k, if it drives nice. LC life can't be measured in miles. Plus whatever money you save can go for upgrades or another LC. This is the route I am taking.

 

[defun]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My main motivation going for cheap one is to put the savings in mods. I'll also look for 2013s given the inputs. Thanks again.

 

[Citius]

Take your time in looking for the right vehicle. Buy what suits your financial and ultimate needs/desires. You'll get great advice from this board bar none, but you're the one that is going to be living and paying for the truck. Seems like you're on the right track.

There have been some posts recently about maintenence on higher mileage vehicles. These trucks are reliable if they have been cared for properly.

 

[sPaulp]

Respectfully, I prefer the look of the '11 better than the '13-'15 models not just because I own an '11, but because I just think it's aesthetically more pleasing (now the '16+ models blow all previous years out of the water). With that said, there are some electronic upgrades on the '13+ and the face lift as others have mentioned. Likewise, the '11 has features that the '08 doesn't. I agree with @Markuson that the lower mileage '11 is worth the extra $25k. I paid $43500 for my '11 three months ago with 49k miles. I do see some '13+ models with 70k+ miles going for the low to mid $40's now. But, if the '08 has a good maintenance history, is preferably a southern rig with no rust and has been taken care of, then $20k is hard to ignore. I am confident you can drive the '08 for 5 years, and then sell it with 250k miles or so for close to the $20k asking price. More details on both rigs would help members chime in with a more accurate opinion.

 

[Mogwai]

yes mainly regarding maintenance and any issues that might come up on high mileage LCs. I know that LCs are well regarded in terms of longevity. Just checking to see do I need to worry about anything with 2008 model year and high mileage.

I think Tony was asking about what maintenance has been performed on each, service records? Where has each vehicle lived? How many owners?

I would look into the various years, the 2013 was a facelift but also some other goodies that may or may not be important to you. Decide from there, seems like there are more and more options out there since I was in market 15 months ago.

 

[TonyP]

Maintenance?

I think Tony was asking about what maintenance has been performed on each, service records? Where has each vehicle lived? How many owners?

I would look into the various years, the 2013 was a facelift but also some other goodies that may or may not be important to you. Decide from there, seems like there are more and more options out there since I was in market 15 months ago.

Yup, that's what I meant. I was whisked away and couldn't finish typing my post.

Maintenance is key. If it's well taken care of, the higher mile unit is the way to go. Or just wait until a '13+ comes up for sale as we all know the '13+ is the best year of the 200

 

[defun]

Thanks everyone replies.
1. 2008 with high mileage is well maintained. Single owner and all the maintenance records are available.
2. 2011 is dealer car still getting more info on it. Its a single owner car.

 

[steenh]

For me the answer to your question would come down to what your intended usage of the truck is. If you are going to daily drive it and put a ton of miles on it, I'd probably go with the lower mileage truck. If you are going to build it and use it as your 2nd vehicle and play toy, I'd definitely go with the '08. Spending cash for mods and less worry about beating it up, and it will easily last a LONG time.

 

[fireball]

@PaulLx470 What does the 11 have that the 08 wouldn't? If the 08 has the luxury package I thought most everything else was the same 08-11?

To the original poster, the price of the '11 would be too close to '13 territory for me. I have been looking at 08-09 range in the 20s. After that it sounds like the low to mid 40s will get you a 13+.

 

[Reckless]

TBH, I never understood why someone would pay $20k more for a 2013+. Also, I never understood buying an LC brand new for close to $100k. I love my LC dearly but why spend $10,000s more just for a little bit of unnecessary tech. Plus, the way I drive my LC, I don't treat it like a $100k car.

 

[mcgaskins]

TBH, I never understood why someone would pay $20k more for a 2013+. Also, I never understood buying an LC brand new for close to $100k. I love my LC dearly but why spend $10,000s more just for a little bit of unnecessary tech. Plus, the way I drive my LC, I don't treat it like a $100k car.

People don't pay $20k more purely for the upgraded tech. They're typically (like me) paying for a vehicle that several years newer with less wear and tear, usually a warranty, lower miles, often fewer prior owners and the upgraded safety tech, info tech, facelifted interior and exterior are a bonus. The biggest driver for price seems to be miles on the truck, but it's clear there's a big jump in value from the 08-11 to the 13-15 generation regardless of miles.

 

[Evoking]

I think of unused miles as additional years of use I'll get to add to my own ownership.

For me, the extra 135,000 unused miles would be worth $25k to me...as it means probably 5 or 6 years of use before I got to 170k of the other.
In 5-6 years...you arrive at the miles of the 2008--so is 5-6 years of use worth the $25k to you? Only you can decide. It would be to me--especially given that I put a lot of money into mods.

Holy cow you drive your truck! 135k miles is more like 10 years of use at 13.5k per year! If you use that many in 5 years thats 26k per year. Good for you for literally being an actual l-a-n-d c-r-u-i-s-e-r of a person LOL

 

[Markuson]

For me and my 2008, the ONLY tech I wish for involves additional cameras. As a guy who often wheels solo (no spotter), I think the additional camera would be helpful. But all the other tech? Meh... I don't even leave my parking sensors active...and just prefer control over stuff vs. a computer deciding things. Some people love the auto stuff, so I'm not knocking it. I just personally don't want it, so the fact that my 08 was in mint condition at almost 7 years old when I bought it (with 48k miles) was gold to me.