I was in the exact same boat a week or so ago. Like GCATX, I’m always getting the itch after a year or so of buying something. It’s a problem...I know.
I bought a 2017 King Ranch in late 2016. Ironically, had an order on a Raptor but the dealer slowed played the order to the point where I had to move with the military and I had to bite the bullet and just get a King Ranch. Military moved me to DC, I hated having a full sized truck, and I sold it. I lost $8k after owning it for 8 months. I got it for something like $10-11k off MSRP, so I didn’t completely overpay for it. Biggest loss I ever took on a vehicle.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I had been driving a Tacoma TRD Pro for a while. It was ok. I definitely never got excited about driving it after the first week. My wife hated that truck, and she is normally pretty apathetic about vehicles.
I got permission to get rid of it and go back to a full sized truck. Narrowed it down to another King Ranch or a Raptor. Had a $2500 private offer from Ford in addition to the super low prices on the leftover 2019s. I was down to like $16-$17k off MSRP on a King Ranch. I talked to my wife about the price difference between that and a Raptor (significant at this point) and she said “You’ve always wanted a Raptor, if we can afford it, don’t cut corners this time. Every time we’re driving down the road in your KR and you see a Raptor you’ll point it out like you do now.”
I’ve owned the Raptor for a week now and it’s been the best vehicle decision I’ve ever made. I constantly make up reasons to drive it. It’s a completely different experience than a Lariat/Platinum/KR. There is nothing wrong with those trucks. They are great trucks. The Raptor is a great experience. It’s just completely different.
I am also fairly confident that in 4-5 years, my Raptor will be worth more than the difference I would have paid getting the KR. Even if the difference isn’t covered and I spent a little more on the Raptor, I won’t care a bit. I giggle like a school girl every time I see it in the lot and start it up. Even my wife said “wow, this is kinda cool” the first time she rode in it and we stomped on it a bit.
The decision is yours! But I know what I would do in your case...
