Buy 2015 LX or 2016 LC?

[MagnumP45]

Hi everyone. I am new to the forums here but have been reading everything I can find about the 200 platform. I’d like to be in a new to me 200 series by the end of the year. I test drove a 2015 LX and really liked it a lot. Then I drove a 2016 LC and loved it too. I’m torn on how to proceed. I really like the luxury feel of the LX (including power lift gate), but loved the newer infotainment and front end on the LC. The 16 LX is out of the question due to cost, and not super crazy about front end on it.

I have a wife and two girls under 10 and a dog. I do light off-roading and some camping. I’m not interested in any mods that I can think of. I want a low mileage vehicle that I can keep for 10 yrs.

I can get a 15 LX with 20-35k for around $50k. A 16 LC with same mileage is $62k.

Or I can get a 16 LC with 50k miles for $55k.

I’m really torn on what to do. I change my mind each day. I have a cap of spending $50k.

Do I wait until prices drop on a low mileage LC? I could be waiting for a while.

Do I not worry about the 15 LX having older tech and just get it now?

Is the 8-speed transmission worth waiting for over 6-speed?

Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[WillW]

8 speed is NOT > the 6 speed.

Get the 15 LX.


Edit:

15 LX with 20-35k for around $50k. A 16 LC with same mileage is $62k.

Or I can get a 16 LC with 50k miles for $55k.

The above bolded and underlined numbers are why the 15 LX is by far the best deal for what you want and need.

 

[ckkone]

If you can afford the 16 get it, I have a 13 and it’s very outdated compared to the 16+

 

[BennyGP]

The only push me away from the LX is they require premium gas......it add up if you go on long trips.

 

[LaserNomad]

The only push me away from the LX is they require premium gas......it add up if you go on long trips.

I fill at costco all the time seriously the difference is between $3-7 per fill so yeah but no, I use regular in my gx...

 

[Chocolate]

The only push me away from the LX is they require premium gas......it add up if you go on long trips.

Over 200,000 miles reported on 100 series LX that stated premium gas REQUIRED and no issues.
Over 100,000 miles reported (so far) on 200 series LX that stated premium gas REQUIRED and no issues.

Toyota also states that you MUST remove the Rock Warrior bead ring when mounting tires, even though it is not even a fraction of a mm larger than the wheel.

The stated difference in power is 381 vs 383 horsepower, and in a number of miles/gallon comparisons I have done with Exxon 87 vs 93, there is zero mpg difference. I run 87.

 

[04UZJ100]

LX because I’m biased. The interior, ride, ridiculous sound deadening, stereo, and HIDs are worth it.

 

[mcgaskins]

16+ LC. It feels much more than just a year newer than the 15 LX which is 99% the same from 08-15, and that design was created years before the release of the truck. That means the 15 LX has the design language of a car from ~2005 whereas the 16+ is more like ~2014. Both are dated, but the 16 is significantly more modern feeling. If you can comfortably afford either and you intend to keep for several years, the 16 makes more sense IMO. If budget matters a lot, look for an 08-09 LX for under $30k like I did because it’s going to drive the same as the 15 LX but cost significantly less.

 

[04UZJ100]

16+ LC. It feels much more than just a year newer than the 15 LX which is 99% the same from 08-15, and that design was created years before the release of the truck. That means the 15 LX has the design language of a car from ~2005 whereas the 16+ is more like ~2014. Both are dated, but the 16 is significantly more modern feeling. If you can comfortably afford either and you intend to keep for several years, the 16 makes more sense IMO. If budget matters a lot, look for an 08-09 LX for under $30k like I did because it’s going to drive the same as the 15 LX but cost significantly less.

There are still a pathetic amount of 12V power sources though!

 

[mcgaskins]

There are still a pathetic amount of 12V power sources though!

Not relevant when you run 6 gauge wire to the back along with a nice big fuse block and add accessories and power outlets wherever you want!

 

[04UZJ100]

Not relevant when you run 6 gauge wire to the back along with a nice big fuse block and add accessories and power outlets wherever you want!

View attachment 1799934

Yeah but you missed my point. A Chevy Spark has more power sources. A Tahoe has something like 14. Overkill? Maybe. But they’re certainly a nice convenience.

It’s sad how, in some ways, far behind the Japanese are.

EX: the LX did not get HIDs until 2013......

 

[mcgaskins]

Yeah but you missed my point. A Chevy Spark has more power sources. A Tahoe has something like 14. Overkill? Maybe. But they’re certainly a nice convenience.

It’s sad how, in some ways, far behind the Japanese are.

EX: the LX did not get HIDs until 2013......

I didn’t miss your point. You need to keep in mind the 200 was designed in 2003-2006, before the iPhone even existed and every child owned an iPad. It simply wasn’t a design requirement back then, and modern cars build that in today because times have changed. Sure it would have been nice if they gave the 200 more power ports in 16, but they gave it wireless Qi charging, USB port, HDMI, etc. added to the existing 110 and 12v ports. Most of us here are going to mod these as we see fit, so while it would be nice to have more it’s kind of ridiculous to not buy a truck you like because it doesn’t have enough power ports.

 

[04UZJ100]

I didn’t miss your point. You need to keep in mind the 200 was designed in 2003-2006, before the iPhone even existed and every child owned an iPad. It simply wasn’t a design requirement back then, and modern cars build that in today because times have changed. Sure it would have been nice if they gave the 200 more power ports in 16, but they gave it wireless Qi charging, USB port, HDMI, etc. added to the existing 110 and 12v ports. Most of us here are going to mod these as we see fit, so while it would be nice to have more it’s kind of ridiculous to not buy a truck you like because it doesn’t have enough power ports.

You have an answer for everything.

 

[Chocolate]

I don't buy new, so when I was comparing 30k mile 2013s, to have the suspension already done, 19 speaker Mark Levinson stereo, better sound insulation, and same frame, body, motor, transmission, for thousands less, (3x the supply in the used market) I went with the LX.

If you're buying NEW, easy decision... the LC, which not only looks much better than the 16+ LX but will have higher resale value over time.

 

[Dan Higgins]

LOL about the USB charging ports. I can see at some point in the future we'll be complaining that there aren't at least 10 wireless charging pads.

Yes, more USB ports would be useful and it is disappointing (on my MY16) that the USB port that connects a device to the audio systems is a low-power USB port and won't even charge my iPad! So I use a couple of Anker, double-USB, 4.5 AMP, flat-mount plugs for the 12v outlets. They are flush when plugged in and they have intelligent charging so they can do a quick-charge on capable devices. (BTW, the 16+ has a wireless charging pad in the dash which is where I keep my phone all the time.

 

[MagnumP45]

Thank you all for your input. There are good points all the way around for each model which is why I’m having so much trouble. I do feel there is a significant leap forward in design and tech for the 16 LC, but I just can’t find one right now for my max $50k budget unless it has 55k miles. I can wait closer to the end of the year and see what happens with the LC prices, or I can go with the dated, but excellent 15 LX.

If I traded cars in frequently I would just buy the LX now, and then get a newer one in a couple years. But, I plan to keep this for at least 10 years if all goes well.

I can wait a bit, but my goal is to buy something by the end of December.

 

[ryanCA]

16+, hands down. Best of the 200 series.

Lx/LC is your choice.

 

[WillW]

I do feel there is a significant leap forward in design and tech for the 16 LC, but I just can’t find one right now for my max $50k budget unless it has 55k miles.

But, I plan to keep this for at least 10 years if all goes well.

If that's the case then I don't see why it's a no brainer to get a 16+ with 55k miles. Those extra 20k miles are not going to make much of a difference on the actual condition of the car, and you can get one in your budget. Win-win. It's a Land Cruiser, not a BMW 750Li. Those 20k miles are nothing!

 

[blatant]

DH, link to this pretty much flat anker, please?

LOL about the USB charging ports. I can see at some point in the future we'll be complaining that there aren't at least 10 wireless charging pads.

Yes, more USB ports would be useful and it is disappointing (on my MY16) that the USB port that connects a device to the audio systems is a low-power USB port and won't even charge my iPad! So I use a couple of Anker, double-USB, 4.5 AMP, flat-mount plugs for the 12v outlets. They are flush when plugged in and they have intelligent charging so they can do a quick-charge on capable devices. (BTW, the 16+ has a wireless charging pad in the dash which is where I keep my phone all the time.

 

[mcgaskins]

Thank you all for your input. There are good points all the way around for each model which is why I’m having so much trouble. I do feel there is a significant leap forward in design and tech for the 16 LC, but I just can’t find one right now for my max $50k budget unless it has 55k miles. I can wait closer to the end of the year and see what happens with the LC prices, or I can go with the dated, but excellent 15 LX.

If I traded cars in frequently I would just buy the LX now, and then get a newer one in a couple years. But, I plan to keep this for at least 10 years if all goes well.

I can wait a bit, but my goal is to buy something by the end of December.

If you can find a 16 with 55k miles for $50k that’s going be true deal of the century. I watch prices like a hawk and I be honest that’s not a realistic deal unless it’s a rental car with damage history. $60k or even a little more is more realistic for 55k miles, and even that is not easy to come by unless you look throughout the country and are willing to travel / ship. If I was to sell both my 08 LX and 16 LC right now, I’d probably get about $40-$45k more for the LC which is pretty crazy when you think about how similar they are, and they fact they both drive like a new vehicle. That said I still think the 16 is “worth” that amount more, and the secondary market backs it up. Since you intend to keep this one quite a few years, I’d suggest buying the newest and lowest mile one you can afford regardless of which you choose.