Trying to decide between two rigs and going in circles (2 Viewers)

[kcjaz]

Both are the same exterior and internal color.

Rig 1: 2014 with 142k miles @ $42K
Rig 2: 2015 with 76k miles. @ $52K

Both are very clean. Rig 2 is near mint and single owner southern truck. Maintenance records look good for both.

This would replace my 2013 with 176k miles that has been totaled. Either truck will get scuffed and pinstriped almost immediately after I build it and start using it.

The question in my mind is, is the extra $10k worth it for the fewer miles and a MY newer? They both have been to the dealer every 5K miles and all the stuff has been done.

I like the idea of the lower miles for Rig 2 in that maybe it’s more likely to run longer and have fewer issues but it’s hard to see that Rig 1 is likely to give me $10K of trouble over Rig 2. What would I really be getting for the extra money?

 

[mfeferman]

I'd say if the money doesn't matter then get the 2015, because I like the lower miles.

 

[TeCKis300]

For anyone else, I'd suggest the later one with half the mileage.

For a trail rig that's going to see hard use right off the bat, is going to get a heap of aftermarket parts, and to an owner that's very capable of DIY maintenance, I'd save the $10k.

 

[bloc]

Only 10k to halve the mileage is tempting.. to me it would depend on how much I was extending myself financially to do the build. I totally get it being a trail rig meaning super clean and low miles isn't quite as important, but at half the mileage it probably has half the living in too. Half the odds and ends with a little wear & tear..

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I'd say go with the 2015, but I respect your conundrum: $10k in mods goes a long way too!

 

[Zill]

2015 is my vote

 

[clrussell]

For anyone else, I'd suggest the later one with half the mileage.

For a trail rig that's going to see hard use right off the bat, is going to get a heap of aftermarket parts, and to an owner that's very capable of DIY maintenance, I'd save the $10k.

I agree with this.

IIRC there are no significant changes between 14-15 to justify the 10k.

Maybe you could talk the 15 seller down some but even at 8k for your use I still agree and say save the money.

 

[Supra Turbo]

It would be a no brainer for me to pay $10k more and get the rig with less miles.

Things that do not get modified like bushings, radiator, wheel bearings, weatherstripping, leather, etc all wear out too...

 

[relaxing]

No one wants to make the argument that the higher mileage car probably did more highway miles, and therefore less stop and go and fewer starts = less wear on the mechanicals?

...

I'd say if you're paying cash and getting the cheaper one means you actually have 10k in your pocket for mods, do that.
But if you're financing either way, half the mileage is a no-brainer.

You also didn't say where rig #1 was located (rust belt potential?)

 

[bloc]

No one wants to make the argument that the higher mileage car probably did more highway miles, and therefore less stop and go and fewer starts = less wear on the mechanicals?

The higher mileage truck only did 15.7k/year, which isn't really traveling salesman territory. It is possible that the 15 did more start/stop, but with that low mileage it's also possible it was a second vehicle or was located at a second property.

You're taking a risk of start/stop with either one.. IMO these vehicles can tolerate it better than most, and I still believe the ability to halve the mileage for an extra 25% would be really tempting.

 

[Sinister]

2015.

 

[FerrisBueller]

That really is a significant difference in mileage. The 2015 is the super easy choice (assuming finances are not a concern, since you're clearly considering either rig as a legitimate option).

Think of it this way: the remaining life of the vehicle amortizes the cost of the mods you're going to install. Would you rather spend $X on mods on a vehicle that still has another 150,000 miles of life in it, or on a vehicle that has 225,000 miles of life left (at least)?

 

[xeuxaz]

2015 if you can afford it. Half the mileage is a big incentive to spend the extra money in this scenario.

 

[TLC2013]

One thing that comes to mind is the radiator. Has either of them been replaced with the newer OEM design? Considering my 2013 starting showing the common crack around 80,000 miles I'd be ticked spending $10k more for the lower mileage vehicle to then have to spend time and money replacing the radiator.
Plus Its easy to get carried away with the "while your in there" repairs which leads to $1000 in parts between radiator, water pump, belts pullies..etc.

 

[TimCFJ40]

Tough Call (Maybe)
I think the floor on 200 series Land Cruisers is around $20k at 300k miles (LXs get cheaper). If you assume you'd keep either truck that long, your cost per mile on depreciation is almost exactly the same. The 2015 in that case has a longer useful service life for you if you think you'll keep it that long.

If you're likely to keep it for less time than that, if only depends on the opportunity cost of the $10k up front. Would you do more useful mods or go on more trips with $10k extra laying around?

 

[trudd]

Resale doesn't seem like a factor on your radar. Do you typically keep cars a long time?

We all know mods don't really help resale value, but lower mileage certainly does. 50k miles from now, a built rig with 126k will stand out better than one with 196k. Not $10k worth, but enough that I'd consider the 2015.

 

[linuxgod]

2015 is my vote.

Mathematically: 75k is 15-25% of the life of the truck (300-500k miles). It's a $90k truck so the depreciation is worth somewhere between $13.5k and 22.5k.

Emotionally: If you're going to put your $20k in existing mods into the truck, that's a bunch of work so why not put them in a vehicle which will give you another 5+ years of fun before you have to do it again? (Assuming you drive it until the wheels fall off)

About the only $0.02 I'd offer is that if I was buying a 200 series now I'd look for a facelifted 2016+. But that's just me.

 

[TeCKis300]

All good arguments for a typical buyer IMO.

The trick is the perceived value of less miles on the 2015 may never be recouped once turned into a trail rig. As a trail rig, I assume it will also not see accumulation of mileage that a normal daily driver would. The advantage of cleaner paint and interior, and even typical wear parts aren't of much value for trail type use as hard use is the main driver to failure. These are also 200-series and we know the core and mechanicals of these rigs are sound into 250k+ miles.

 

[Itsky]

I bought my 2013 5 years ago with 72K and now it has 142K. So somewhat tracking between your options 1 and 2.

I still love the truck and would gladly pay $10k to add 5 more years of life to my truck.

Trucks like this are going to harder to come by in five years. I'd say pay the extra $10k for the truck.

Also, I recommend not modding the trucking too much. Addition by subtraction.

 

[Gr8Daneger]

Umm, what color way are both rigs? That would a factor for me as well!

NM: just saw that they are the same.