Pros and Cons of Trading Highlander

[girlbuffalo1]

I'd love to hear people's opinion on my situation.
I have a '12 Highlander 4cyl that I purchased new and have owned for just slightly over 2 years.

Apparently it has held it's value well and I have been offered only $3k less than what I paid for it.
So in 2+ years and 38k miles It has only depreciated $3k. I paid $23k.

I am looking now at the '15 Highlander v6 FWD base. Cost is $31k.

That means I can trade in my just out of warranty vehicle with 38k miles for a new model with a V6 for just over $11k.

I own my car outright and would pay the difference outright.

My other thought is to wait another year till the 16s come out.

Thoughts?

I tried to look at scenarios online but generally they deal with cars that are depreciating much more than $3k over 2 years.

I really think either trading now or waiting a year are probably equal.
I will need to pony up actually more money if I drive my car another year and possibly the 16 will be priced slightly higher?

Thoughts?

[pepe_lepew]

Pro's:
you get the new-car smell
4-cyl Highlanders are rare

Con's:
unless you sell it yourself, you lose money in the trade-in
4-cyl Highlanders are rare

Do you WANT a new car or NEED a new car?

[girlbuffalo1]

No I don't really want or need one--I just thought if it held it's value so well I wasn't really losing out on anything but gaining the bumper to bumper warranty back and 3 model years.

My thought is this pay the $11k and get a 15
or wait until next year and pay maybe like $14k to get a 16
Or wait really long till like the 2018 model year and pony up $20k or more.

[trlhiker]

It is your money. If you can afford it, do what you want.

[joqua]

Since the Highlander underwent styling and drive train changes in 2014, I doubt there will be significant changes again anytime soon. Here is a good article on the changes:

2013-vs-2014-toyota-highlander-whats-the-difference.jsp