2014 SE or 2016 LE?

[Lair]

I'm looking for my third Yaris, and I've narrowed the search down to two candidates.

First one is a Blazing Blue 2014 SE with all the USDM options, and the second is a super white 2016 LE. Everything else is equal except the price. The 2016 is still cheap at $500 more.

Which one would you choose? The only real advantage the 2016 has is age, color, and a slightly better stereo head unit. The 2014 SE has everything else.

[scratchpaddy]

The 2016 sounds like a better deal, but I would go for the SE all the way. All the cool convenience and appearance stuff to make you happy, and there aren't many SE models out there at all. Plus, Blazing Blue is the best color.

Don't park a white LE near a rental agency or they might assume it's theirs.

[NYC-SE]

As the owner of a 2014 SE can you guess what I would say?

[Kalispel]

The Sexy Blazing Blue 2014 SE all the way IMO.

[Dodge Aries K]

You can easily install the fancier radio into the 2014, as I have done. Plug and play.

[Lair]

I like the blue, but I'm an old guy who might look a little conspicuous in it. I drive 100-300 miles per day as an insurance adjuster, and the Yaris is perfect for my occupation. My first one was a red base two-door, and I got more comments on it than I ever did on my other cars. All I did was put 17" wheels on it.

Only one vote for the white one today - and that was from my buddy's wife.

Thanks for the opinions. Looks like I'll be driving a Blazing Blue SE this week.

Karl - what did you have to pay for the later radio? Did you get it from a dealer?

[thebarber]

personally id get the SE, but the '16 LE makes more sense fiscally

[Dodge Aries K]

I paid around 140 bucks shipped I think for a used one out of a wrecked Yaris.

[kimona]

How many miles on the cars in question?

[scratchpaddy]

Originally Posted by Lair

I like the blue, but I'm an old guy who might look a little conspicuous in it. I drive 100-300 miles per day as an insurance adjuster, and the Yaris is perfect for my occupation. My first one was a red base two-door, and I got more comments on it than I ever did on my other cars. All I did was put 17" wheels on it.

Only one vote for the white one today - and that was from my buddy's wife.

Thanks for the opinions. Looks like I'll be driving a Blazing Blue SE this week.

I don't think anyone would look too conspicuous in a stock Yaris, no matter what the color. A bright blue SE should be just the right amount of spice to make you a cool old guy. People will look at you and think, "there's a guy who still enjoys life."

[justanotherdrunk]

i like the LE wheels

[Lair]

SE has 15k.

LE has 13k.

[Lair]

Originally Posted by Dodge Aries K

I paid around 140 bucks shipped I think for a used one out of a wrecked Yaris.

Too cheap!

[kimona]

Hmmm... The LE is 2 years newer with less miles, a colour you prefer, and a better stereo head unit... and better resale value. If both are in excellent condition, well maintained, and accident free, I'd go with the 2016LE rather than the 2014SE. After all, the difference between the Yaris LE and SE is basically only cosmetic.

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by justanotherdrunk

i like the LE wheels

Those are the same wheels that came on the 2012-2014 SE models.

[Lair]

It really is a tough call. I just drove the LE, and it is basically a brand new car. One fender ding, a couple of chips, and one paint scratch - otherwise flawless.

[NYC-SE]

BTW I find the stock radio in the 2014 great in terms of sound quality and functionality. It is a little unconventional in design, it may take an extra effort to figure out how to perform certain tasks, but the learning curve is not too steep. I have no experience with the radio in the later models so I can't give a true comparison however.

[Kalispel]

I would rather have the OEM radio from the 2014 SE than the blinding, glarescreen...err touchscreen radio in the 2015+. It's annoying as hell (at least here in sunny AZ). Luckily I never need to touch it for much of anything, as it is just one oversized MP3 player that randomly plays my music collection off my flash drive. I have no use for the CD player in it, the bluetooth or the radio tuner.