New 2015 or 2016

[brrrlington]

After years of envying LC owners we are ready to purchase one, but are faced with the dilemma of the new 2016 vs. new 2015s still on lots. I see the styling and transmission changes, but would appreciate any wise opinions on real world differences. My husband will get to be daily driver and I want to make sure he is happy (though I don't think we can go wrong with either.)

Also, any advice regarding evaluating best pricing on those 2015s would be appreciated. I understand pricing doesn't move a lot but it is an unusual situation and I'd like to know if we went with older model year new we were getting best price possible. I read some posts on 2016 pricing that were helpful.

This forum is amazing. Thank you for all the information. It is really helpful and awesome to see what you all do!

 

[Romer]

It comes down to preference. The 2016 has a better layout on the console and a huge screens on the back of the front seats. The 8 speed transmission and a few other features. The style upgrades are very nice

The 2013-2015 are identical. I went a 2014 Certified under factory warranty and saved 20K off of the Invoice with 25K miles. I toyed with a new 2016 or 2015 and decided I didn't like the big screens in the 16 (personal preference). I also decided the 20K discount for a year old paid for the mods I added to my truck: Front/Rear Bumpers/Lift, Front/Rear Lockers, Skid Plates, New wheels and a few more

It really comes down to what you want

 

[brrrlington]

Sounds like you found a great deal and a good balance! Yes, it is superficial but I was surprised by the choice to put in the non- removable screens- odd in the iPad age.

I will pass along your advice. Thank you.

 

[kreiten]

After years of envying LC owners we are ready to purchase one, but are faced with the dilemma of the new 2016 vs. new 2015s still on lots. I see the styling and transmission changes, but would appreciate any wise opinions on real world differences. My husband will get to be daily driver and I want to make sure he is happy (though I don't think we can go wrong with either.)

Also, any advice regarding evaluating best pricing on those 2015s would be appreciated. I understand pricing doesn't move a lot but it is an unusual situation and I'd like to know if we went with older model year new we were getting best price possible. I read some posts on 2016 pricing that were helpful.

This forum is amazing. Thank you for all the information. It is really helpful and awesome to see what you all do!

I roll a 2013 and love it, but I do think there are some updates to the 2016 that would make life a bit better, i.e. updated steering wheel, all of the buttons relocated to the center console instead of hidden for your left knee to hit, and the birds eye view camera angle! Oh and I heard but have not confirmed that the 2016 comes with bigger front brakes? which if true would be nice to have! But like you said either rig is going to be awesome for ya! See what the lowest price you can get on both is and then call the ball. Congrats on joining the forum and the 200 when ya grab it!

 

[aausmana]

It comes down to preference. The 2016 has a better layout on the console and a huge screens on the back of the front seats. The 8 speed transmission and a few other features. The style upgrades are very nice

The 2013-2015 are identical. I went a 2014 Certified under factory warranty and saved 20K off of the Invoice with 25K miles. I toyed with a new 2016 or 2015 and decided I didn't like the big screens in the 16 (personal preference). I also decided the 20K discount for a year old paid for the mods I added to my truck: Front/Rear Bumpers/Lift, Front/Rear Lockers, Skid Plates, New wheels and a few more

It really comes down to what you want

I have to agree with Romer. I purchased a 2014 with 9K miles on it, warranty, etc. etc. and saved over $20K off sticker.. it was a dealer owner car so not even registered.

I do like some of the changes made, those were already addressed above.

The other thing to consider is modifications. Are you planning any? If not for the next 2-3 years then he ramp for production after-market products on the 2016 will not bother you as much. The 200 series is just getting to the point where there are good options available. Just my $0.02

 

[T4Runner]

I purchased a leftover '14 in Feb of '15 with no miles on it and got it for 11K less than sticker. I had to drive to NJ from VA to pick it up, but I was pleased with the deal. It's my daily driver and I love it. When my wife gets a chance to drive it she loves it.

We looked at a '16 a couple months ago and other than liking the dash layout a bit more and the 8 speed (that doesn't seem to get any better mileage), we didn't have the slightest twinge of remorse for not waiting for one.

The '16 isn't bad and there are definitely worse things than to have to choose between a '15 and a '16. You may get a slightly better price on a '15, but if you like the '16 more go for it. If you're patient you will find a decent price on that to. LC200's are like a secret deal anyway, since the masses don't even know what they are and don't buy them the demand is always low and dealers don't want them hanging around in the lot endlessly.

 

[karprive]

I purchased my 2016 late last year and it seems like pricing has gotten a little better. Based on posts from others as well as my own experience, the 2016s can be purchased for around invoice, so that's about $7k - $8k off MSRP.

I decided with the 2016 over the 2015 because I liked the additional features that were included such as blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, updated camera system, revised interior, and for me, the dual screens were a great (we have ipads too, but find the screens to be more convenient - and I can make use of my entire dvd collection).

I originally wanted a 2013-2015 model, but there weren't too many in my area. The ones that I found were mostly dealer demos, with some dealers not even willing to sell theirs since the owner was still driving it around. I never considered a 2016 and I originally liked the exterior of the 2015 more. I lucked out as someone on this forum directed me to a dealer that had agreed to sell its 2016 at invoice...so for me the comparison was a 2015 demo or a brand new 2016 for about the same price...no brainer for me.

I also found a 2013 with 60 miles and a brand new 2014, but passed on those since I didn't love the color combinations and didn't like the fact that they had been sitting on the lot for so long (both had some cosmetic blemishes from years of dealer/customer traffic).

Had I found an aggressively priced, brand new 2015, I'm not sure what I would have done, but I am so thankful that that didn't happen. I absolutely love my 2016 and as so glad there were no viable 2015s in my area during that time. I agree that you can't go wrong with either, but I know that I'm just happier in my 2016.

Also, I got the terra (brown) interior, which comes with the black headliner, which I absolutely love.

 

[brrrlington]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. Great to hear.

 

[2016lc]

Ordered 2016 and got 9k off sticker. On order now. Can't imagine much better for a 2015 so I went for the updated version.

 

[arich]

If I find a 2016 that's aggressively priced and I get a good trade in for mine or I can sell as is here then I'd go for a 2016 and either swap my parts or start over. The terra interior looks great. I hate my boring gray.

 

[2016lc]

I did the trade in on edmunds and on the Toyota site. Was very happy with the trade in value. Very happy with my numbers.

 

[JtBrown]

Because of depreciation I would pick up a 2016 at this point. Typically Toyota will throw dealer cash which ranges from $1500-$3000 on the outgoing model (this is something customers don't know about). In other words 10k off should be a good offer on new 2015 or just buy a 2014-15 cpo. I just bought a 2013 for $58k including shipping across the country!

 

[Canyonero]

My comments mirror those of the others but I would add a few things:

1) I have a 2015 and the infotainment is a depressing throwback to 2007. It's seriously terrible. Like an Atari 2600 in your dashboard.

2) no blind spot monitor on an $80,000 Land Cruiser?! The visibility is great, but I'm still disappointed that there is no blond spot monitor on the 2015's. (Wait-is that a typo? Blonde monitor? Million dollar idea...) I mean, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control but no BSM? Nuts.

3) the DVDs player does not play bluray. Not sure if that's an issue for you, but we have the Star Wars box set on bluray and can only enjoy in on minivan trips.

4) some people are complaining about the 8 speed transmission not shifting very smoothly. It isn't going to give any noticeable increase in mpg, so not sure if that's an upgrade.

5) storage inside is non-existent. No cubbies to speak of. Get a Thule cargo box for your sunglasses, seriously

All told, these are really minor gripes! I do love my 2015.

I have over $20k into my 2015, so it's not going anywhere, but for someone starting fresh these would be my main "gripes"

 

[linuxgod]

I solved #2 with a $5 pair of 2" stick-on blind spot mirrors. This is my 3rd SUV and every time it has been the best upgrade I've ever done, bar none. Aside from being able to tell if someone is in my blind spot without turning my head, they're incredibly helpful when parking - you can see the lines even when the mirror is in the normal position.

 

[linuxgod]

For rear entertainment I'm seriously considering building a mini PC (raspberry pi?) and running Plex home theater on it. I run it at home, and it has the ability to sync movies to the client (tablet, phone, PC, etc). I'm thinking I can build a video player that would be the size of a deck of cards but would hold a hundred or so movies for $200.

 

[Angelo1]

I just drove my 14' LC with the family to Scottsdale for spring break to escape the snow in Colorado and have to say, it did extremely well holding 85mph on the flats and inclines with plenty of passing power. It had plenty of interior room and didn't feel like I need anymore cubbies. I personally wish it had massage chairs like my CLS63 but I didn't have any back issues and didn't feel cramped.

However, after test driving a new Range Rover with SC engine when the new body style came out, the LC does not compete for long distance travel. The RR was so comfortable. If they could make it as realiable as the LC I would buy it in a heartbeat. We all know that's not going to happen, so I'm very happy with my '14 and don't see getting rid of it for more bells and whistles. Once it hits 75k, I will get a new LC to replace it because I really want the newer layout and terra colored leather with the black headliner. "LC4LIFE"