Dude, your logic makes zero sense.
First, the fact that you have said iPad that would need an expensive case, would indicate that you already bit the bullet $500+tax at minimum for an iPad 4.
Secondly, the fact that you also said 'due to iPad 5' would mean you're going to buy that one. This wouldn't be a big deal except you also hinted that the same case would be used for the iPad 5 which means you will be getting rid of said 'iPad 4' in favor of the iPad 5.
You'd either trade yours in or sell it, both of which will at minimum, cost you about $50-75 in loss just purely on upgrading when a newer more powerful unit is out.
So in one single thread, you managed to show people:
You're liberal and high spending enough with your budget to dump $50-75 in pure loss on the latest iPad when you have the most recent generation.
But you're also too cheap to spend $50 on a case that would protect the previous generation iPad enough to maintain its condition which would give you the added benefit of:
Adding the value of the used case to your resale value
Keeping the iPad in prime enough condition to maximize the second hand value you sell it
So I'll let you in on a secret:
You're the only guy in that predicament. The rest of us who invest into such nice electronics, are conscious enough in mind to protect our investment with a case and probably accidental/theft insurance. Why? Because at a minimum, investing 10% of what you spent to protect the investment is a smart decision. I'm not buying an iPad 5, but even if I was, I would've gotten the Smart Case. Even if I knew for some reason it wouldn't fit, I would have gotten it. Because it keeps mine in good condition for resale and because I'd at least make back $25-30 for it on Amazon if I decided to sell it.