Buying advice: 2013 vs 2015

[JCS7282]

Hi all,

Looking for some expert guidance on deciding between a 2013 and 2015 200 series. I have been shopping (used) 200 series, along with (new) 4Runners and Tacos for months now, and I am sold on the used Cruiser. They are just so solid and well built and drive so nicely. I've been looking at a few in particular around me:

The 2013 is a private party sale, only ~30k miles, OG owner.
Looking at a few 2015 options -- all dealer sales, all around 35-45k miles, some one owner, some 2 owner.

My thinking is the '13 is probably the better value. I can probably save some decent money on the 2013, of course, being two model years older and private party. As a bonus, miles are still very low. But, not sure if there are any features I'd lose or other downsides of going older that I am not thinking of? AFAIK features did not change between 2013 and '15, correct?

Also, is there any way to obtain a Toyota Factory Warranty for a truck that's had its original warranty expire? I read a recent thread discussing purchasing such warranties, but it was unclear what the terms/conditions were with regards to what it takes to qualify to purchase such coverage.

I appreciate any thoughts/recommendations/advice you'd share for someone that is new to these trucks and contemplating a purchase.

 

[terdrocket]

A 13 will have all the same features as a 14 or 15

 

[CGP]

Not sure about the warranty question but i'd get the '13. Not enough differences until the '16 came out, you won't miss anything.

 

[TonyP]

Same thing essentially.
But, if I had to buy again, I'd just get an '08 and throw the oem nav in the bin.

 

[JCS7282]

I had one of the 2015s inspected today. Overall it looked OK, but the CEL had recently been reset. Mechanic saw code P1604 "startability malfunction" had been cleared. As a result EVAP system could not be confirmed as operational/OK per NJ State Inspection requirements.

Anyone know about P1604? Other issue with the truck was leaky rear A/C line (friend had the same issue with his 2014) and it needs front brakes (NBD). Overall it looks clean, but, the EVAP code thing seems like a potentially major concern.

 

[MikeVpdx503]

I concur with others. When shopping I was looking at same MY’s and ended up with a CPO 2013 LC for the same reasons. The low mileage and orig owner would be big selling points to me.

I shopped warranty when I purchased my 2013 with 50k miles but they wanted 4 grand for the Platinum. I took the 12 month CPO for free and decided that the 4K would be better for mods or future repairs than another 5 years of warranty. Biggest worries are radiator, starter and water pump in the future from what I read on this forum.

 

[pedroZ]

I once had the P1604 code crop up after a dead battery/jump start situation. Brought it to the dealership. The Toyota Tech told me point blank that the "startability" code shows up for every dam thing.

That being said I have no idea if that's true. He seemed like the kind of old crusty tech who new what he was talking about though. I was led to believe it wasn't anything to worry about, at least in the context of a recent Jumpstart.. Indeed, once the codes were cleared they never returned.

Regarding your EVAP code, I recently had P0441 and P0445 crop up after accidentally driving around without the gas cap on. Both of these codes seemed to involve evaporative dynamics to some degree (see attached) I reset the codes and both resolved after putting the gascap back on.

 

[JCS7282]

So speaking to the local dealer Master Technician, he agrees P1604 is nothing to worry about.

I guess we'll see what the dealer is willing to do on the leaky A/C line.

 

[Bendcruiser]

I was shopping for a 2013 a year ago thought I had a local one locked up and he decided not to sell. So I jumped $12,000 up in price and ended up with 2015 CPO with 30k less miles and full warranty. No regrets.

 

[Xpnsv72fj]

To answer your question, yes you can buy a warranty from a dealer even if you don’t buy it from a Toyota dealership. If you need more information PM me and I’ll let you know cost based on year and miles.

Josh