Is it worth paying extra for a 2020 Launch Edition?

[ravenwest]

I'm currently in the market for a new car, and I'm kind of overwhelmed with options atm especially cause this is my first car purchase.

A dealer (kind of) close to me has a pre-owned 2020 Launch Edition with less than 100 miles on it for sale for $53.5k, although I could get it at $52.5k + TTL.

It seems kind of overpriced when I can get a 0 mile 2021 3.0 Premium for $48.5-$51.5k, but then again I don't know.

Additionally, there's a 2020 Premium near me with 7.7k miles for $46k that was used as a General Manager demo.

I want a model with an unlocked ECU, but then again in the back of my mind, I have this feeling that I might regret it with the 2021's 6 port head and the possibility that the ECU gets unlocked as soon as I buy 2020. Otoh the thing stopping me from buying 2021 is the chance that the ECU doesn't get unlocked for years and the oil issue.

I just wanted to see if that asking price for the 2020 LE is insane or not? The dealer is pretty adamant at not negotiating the price at this point so I'm not sure if I should look elsewhere or roll the dice on a 2021.

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[XtremeMaC]

Does black wheel, red driver side on LE's appeal to you and do you have a color preference?

7.7k demo. I'd personally stay away from it.. I don't know how well Toyota's "certified used" for a BMW would be...

 

[ravenwest]

Does black wheel, red driver side on LE's appeal to you and do you have a color preference?

7.7k demo. I'd personally stay away from it.. I don't know how well Toyota's "certified used" for a BMW would be...

So it's red which I think might be the one I want and the black rims are a plus since it'll stave off me buying new wheels for a while. Ultimately I'm not sure it's a toss-up between RR 2.0, Nitro Yellow and Turbulence Gray for me.

Good call on the demo, I was paranoid about how much of a beating it took from 0 -> 7.7k especially knowing about the 2021 issues now and given the type of car it is.

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Agree with above... black wheels main benefits of Launch Edition. Also, if the dealer never flashed the ECU, there is a chance you won't need to get it bench unlocked (~$400 cost). You can easily find a used 2020 (or even 2021) for less $$ with a tunable ECU.

*Also - when was the date of original purchase? Remember warranty starts from that day.. if you do buy it, see if they will certify it

 

[Supraboi7]

I wouldn’t do it, the LE isn’t special IMO. I would almost rather more for a premium and not have ugly cranberry interior and tacky red mirror caps but that’s just me

 

[ravenwest]

Agree with above... red leather and black wheels are main benefits of Launch Edition. Also, if the dealer never flashed the ECU, there is a chance you won't need to get it bench unlocked (~$400 cost). You can easily find a used 2020 (or even 2021) for less $$ with a tunable ECU.

I wouldn’t do it, the LE isn’t special IMO. I would almost rather more for a premium and not have ugly cranberry interior and tacky red mirror caps but that’s just me

Well with the red exterior the interior is black, and I believe feature-wise it's the same as the premium. I really do want the black wheels though (but then again these will be replaced down the line with 18" ones anyway).

But I get your point.

I think with the prices being so close on used and new 2020s it'll be easier to just get a new one because I could get better financing terms, but I would also get a 2021 model if I could find one with a tunable ECU -- but I feel like the chances of that happening is slim at this point I feel like.

I initially passed on this one for a 2021 but you guys have a point that I shouldn't circle back to it in light of other options looking better. haha

 

[ravenwest]

*Also - when was the date of original purchase? Remember warranty starts from that day.. if you do buy it, see if they will certify it

Good call on this one. I didn't even think about that haha. I've never bought a car with a warranty before so that didn't even cross my mind.

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Well with the red exterior the interior is black, and I believe feature-wise it's the same as the premium. I really do want the black wheels though (but then again these will be replaced down the line with 18" ones anyway).

But I get your point.

I think with the prices being so close on used and new 2020s it'll be easier to just get a new one because I could get better financing terms, but I would also get a 2021 model if I could find one with a tunable ECU -- but I feel like the chances of that happening is slim at this point I feel like.

I initially passed on this one for a 2021 but you guys have a point that I shouldn't circle back to it in light of other options looking better. haha

I have a launch edition, but its black and I really liked the black wheels and the red interior. But most of all I wanted one of the first ones back in 2019. Now I don't see much reason for the launch edition

 

[ravenwest]

I have a launch edition, but its black and I really liked the black wheels and the red interior. But most of all I wanted one of the first ones back in 2019. Now I don't see much reason for the launch edition

I mean you have a point especially given the upgrades on the 2021. I guess I'll just hold out and try to find one with a pre 06/2020 ECU.

 

[Octane]

2021's are better than 2020's IMO.

I'd rather spend less and get one brand new. Unless you really care about the limited edition, i'd prefer to be the first owner and put on all the miles myself.

 

[Nocturnal LE]

Another thing to think about: did the owner who only put 100 miles on it first spend $2-3k on ceramic coating and PPF? That’s a huge cost most people spend right after purchasing a new car.

Also, sounds like you are more than willing to walk away, so that puts you in a powerful negotiation position. You can tell the dealer your position and then say look I’ll give you $49k today, if not no problem there are plenty of them out there.

EDIT* also Toyota CPO program not bad, maybe you could use that in your negotiation. It adds an addition 12 months/12k miles to the factory basic 3 yr/36k and ups the power train to 7 year/100k warranty. Although if you plan to tune yours then the added powertrain warranty probably doesn’t help you much.

 

[Nocturnal LE]

2021's are better than 2020's IMO.

I'd rather spend less and get one brand new. Unless you really care about the limited edition, i'd prefer to be the first owner and put on all the miles myself.

I tend to agree with this.. just find a pre June 2020 ECU date and a car that doesn’t have the oil consumption issue if buying used. There are tips in the oil consumption thread on how to drive it that may (or may not) decrease your likelihood of having the oil consumption issue if you buy new.

 

[Axix23]

I personally think it’s definitely worth it since that LE is basically brand new.

 

[RichSC]

Have an LE now and I'd go with it still even against a '21. I prefer the interior, black OEM wheels was a plus and I've had no issues with tuning or reliability.

 

[ravenwest]

I tend to agree with this.. just find a pre June 2020 ECU date and a car that doesn’t have the oil consumption issue if buying used. There are tips in the oil consumption thread on how to drive it that may (or may not) decrease your likelihood of having the oil consumption issue if you buy new.

I haven’t been able to find any pre 06/2020 2021s, but yeah the oil consumption issue is definitely on my radar and is the the biggest con of it that’s stopping me from pulling the trigger on one. The ECU ultimately I’m fine with going with a JB4 and hedging my bets on someone unlocking the 2021 ECUs eventually.

I personally think it’s definitely worth it since that LE is basically brand new.

It being new (77 miles new) is why it continues to hang around my list, despite being at the bottom with the highest price.

Have an LE now and I'd go with it still even against a '21. I prefer the interior, black OEM wheels was a plus and I've had no issues with tuning or reliability.

Are the interiors on the 2021 Premiums not the same? Both the LE and 2021 Premium I’m looking at have red exteriors with black interiors.

The black OEM wheels are a plus, but ultimately I intend on replacing them with black Titan 7s or something from BC Forged anyway so I doubt they’ll be that worth it for me imo.

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