'06 Sport Edition V6 or SR5 V8?

M

Mutombo

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I've been lurking on the forums for a while and have gotten a lot of good info from the site. I'm in the process of shopping around for a new car, and thanks mostly to this forum have decided upon an '06 4runner (over a Jeep GC Limited).

4runner limited is a little out of my price range, so I'm trying to decide between a 4WD SE with a V6, or a 4WD SR5 with either the V6 or the V8. I love the way the SE looks, but am having a hard time deciding if I'd rather have the better looks and the X-REAS, or the more powerful engine. Is there anything else that the SE adds over the SR5 that I can't live without?

I'm not crazy about the rear spoiler, and probably will want a model without the sunroof (I'm 6'4"). I guess it will come down to test driving both models and deciding for myself, but I wanted a little input from the peanut gallery to make sure I have all the info I need.

Thanks!
 
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Both engine's are great. I pick up my new 4x4 sport on thursday nite. You can get the V8 in the SE. That's what I did.
 
the v6 is a great engine and really you do not give up a whole lot in the way of performance with it..i would chose the Sport with the V6 if i couldnt have the 8
 
Still trying to figure out my budget, and am thinking that the SE V8 might be a little expensive. Otherwise I probably wouldn't be having this problem :)
 
If you don't plan on any major lifts, I'd go for the Sport because of the XREAS. The onroad performance is awesome for a SUV.

Upping to the SE usually gets you smaller things but you don't know how nice it is until you have it. I love the heated side mirrors. Also the mirors are color keyed compared the the SR5's black plastic (may not matter to you, but I like a monochromatic look). Telescoping steering wheel is not available on SR5. Leather wrapped steering wheel with radio controls standard on Sport, optional on SR5. Hoodscoop, hello! 17" rims standard as well as they being unique to the SE.


The V8/V6 thing you can search for. Gives me a headache thinking about how many threads there are just on this topic alone...
 
Go for the Sport. The SR5's in So. Cal. don't come very well equipped and you'll always wish you had gotten one with more equipment.
 
I love my 06 Sport V8. The V6 vs. V8 discussion has been done to death and it's clear the V6 is a great engine, but I love having all that power on tap with the V8. If price is a consideration, keep in mind that the current rebates on V8s should bring the price down to about what the less expensive V6 models sell for. As far as Sport Ed. vs. SR5, as others have said, the SR5s don't come as well equipped and the added benefit of XREAS is something most of us wouldn't want to live without now that we've had it. I'm definitely biased with my preferences, but you'll be happy with whatever you choose.
 
Given that choice I'll Pick Sport V6 over SR5 V8
or
Sport V8 over Sport V6
or
Sport V8 over Limited V8/V6

I got what I wanted in my Sport V8.

Both engines are capable.
 
Tough choice, i just bought a 4wd SR5 V8 for my wife the first of the year, absolutely love it. I'm 6'2' and no sunroof problems with the seat down. The V8 is one sweet engine. Good luck on your choice.
 
Definately get the Sport Edition. Not only does it have XReas - which makes the truck handle like a car (dare I say BMWish), but it also has larger brake rotors in the front.
 
I would choose the sport without even thinking. I love the standards you get with an SE. XREAS- 17 inch wheels (whichI think look much better the the SR5 wheels)- And one of my favorites the SCOOP!!. But hey a 4runner is a 4runner so cant go wrong wither way.
 
Spert!

Well I love my Limited (with the 17" wheels and 65 profile tires) but I would choose the Sport over the SR5 for the relatively small difference in price. V6 or V8 - both great engines. I personally like the eight, especially for the minimal impact on mileage and the fulltime 4WD.

But......as others have said, the X-REAS is the biggest advantage between the two models. I would rather have a V6 Sport than a V8 SR5 beacuse of that feature. The hood scoop looks cool but the purest in me doesn't care for it's non-functionality. (I felt the same way about fake hood latches on muscle cars of my youth).

The '06 Sport model also comes with color-keyed heated mirrors, larger brake rotors, tilt AND telescopic steering wheel, illuminated vanity mirrors, and tubular roof rack and side steps.

Choices, choices.
 
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If you can wait for rebates, historically the V8 ends up cheaper than the V6. $1500 vs. $500. Maybe President's Day or this spring.
 
I got my SE last August and never considered the SR5. It seemed so stripped down that it almost didn't count as a 4Runner. I might as well have started looking at a nice little Highlander instead of an SR5 4Runner. For me, it was between the Limited and the SE. I traded my '02 Limited 4Runner in for my new SE because I wanted a V8. I miss some of the amenities that I had in a Limited...mostly the seat heaters, but I don't miss the leather. That leather gets pretty raggedy looking pretty fast no matter how well you care for it. Anyway, I just could not justify the cost for a new Limited. My SE came with plenty of extras. Besides, I think the SE looks better than the Limited. As for the 4WD, I had a Toyota pickup with 4WD. I never used it! I just got back a few days ago from an off-roading trip through Northern California. My 2WD did just fine. Of course, I don't do the kind of off-roading that some of the guys on this site do, but I just could not justify the $4000 Toyota charges for the 4WD feature however, I now kinda wish that I would have gotten the full time 4WD just to have it, but I still keep thinking about the $4000 it would have cost me, 'just to have it!'
 
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Some other things to think about......
Do you plan to tow? The v8 will serve you better for heavier items. Any kind of lift in the future? I may be the exception to this Xreas thing but if I was buying a new one, I would save my money. Simply because it is an expensive item to replace and it limits you on lift options. Don't get me wrong, it does do a great job at on-road handling. So if you don't have it, you will actually have to take curves like you are driving an SUV.
Can you not got an SR5 with options you want that are on the S/E (besides Xreas)?
 
HuntRunner said:
Some other things to think about......
Do you plan to tow? The v8 will serve you better for heavier items. Any kind of lift in the future? I may be the exception to this Xreas thing but if I was buying a new one, I would save my money. Simply because it is an expensive item to replace and it limits you on lift options. Don't get me wrong, it does do a great job at on-road handling. So if you don't have it, you will actually have to take curves like you are driving an SUV.
Can you not got an SR5 with options you want that are on the S/E (besides Xreas)?
Click to expand...

I'm not planning to tow in the immediate future, but it might be a possibility in a few years.

I wont be lifting the truck.
 
I went with the Sport because, 1. Limited seemed overpriced for what you got and I wasn't dying for leather. 2. I think it has the best-looking wheels of the 3 models. 3. I like the way the XREAS suspension felt. 4. Liked the leather wheel with audio buttons 5. My wife said I was "too old" for a hood scoop but its growing on me.
 
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