2007 / 4th Gen T4R: Is this a Sport Edition, or well disguised SR5???

[tryceratop]

Can someone please help me determine if this 2007 T4R is a true Sport Edition or a well-disguised SR5???...

I'm considering driving to a bordering city to inspect/purchase a 2007 T4R that appears to be a heavily customized Sport Edition, but I'm concerned that the owner replaced the SR5 badging with the Sport Edition badging and is trying to be deceptive. I'm trying to understand if this vehicle could actually be a Sport Edition, or if it's just an SR5 in disguise. The current owner is a very poor communicator, so I had a hard time getting this info from him.

Here is why I suspect foul play:

-1- The roof racks and running boards are NOT tubular, as is the (typical/expected) style for the Sport Edition. I'm unsure if the alternative roof rack / running boards were options upon initial purchase.

-2- The hood scoop is custom (and ridiculously large), so this isn't a distinguishing factor to tell if it's a true SR5 or Sport Edition

-3- The owner mentioned that it has a removable 3rd rear seat option (and I thought this was only available on SR5 and Limited trims)

-4- If you look closely at the "Sport Edition 4WD" badging on the side of the car, the "Sport Edition" seems to be exceptionally far away from the "4WD" badging...in fact, the spacing seems to be similar to that of the "SR5" and "4WD" spacing.

I've attached some pics to help in the identification of the vehicle's trim. Not sure if this helps, or not, but the interior is all black leather.

Also, the owner only listed the first 13 of the 17 digits in the VIN...not sure if anyone out there knows the naming convention of T4R VIN #s...but here it is: JT43534678534

So, what are your thoughts? True Sport Edition, or SR5 in disguise???

Also, as a side question, I noticed that "TRD" appears in the grill...does anyone know what TRD option might be installed on this vehicle?

Thanks!

 

[Desert Fox]

Does or did it have XREAS suspension? That will give it away

 

[xpeppyx]

Looks like an SR5 to me, it really doesn't have anything Sport besides the badge which like you said is spaced incorrectly. It's a poorly disguised SR5.

The TRD badge is a $13 ebay special. There is no TRD in that 4Runner.

 

[tryceratop]

Man, thanks for the quick response, guys! The advertisement doesn't state if it has XREAS suspension, and it doesn't have that badging on the tailgate, either, so it's unclear or not if it has that.

Also, thx to xpeppyx for the info on the badging. I suspected that was questionable, too.

 

[philskeeter]

I agree about the xreas but he probably won't tell you and you'd have to drive up and see for yourself but I would say it's an sr5.

 

[tryceratop]

Yeah, I doubt he'll mention the XREAS stuff, either. Here's the link to the ad:

toyota 4 runner 4wd like new

If you (struggle to) read his description, you'll see what I mean when I say he's a poor communicator.

Guess I'm interested in people's thoughts, in general what they think this vehicle is worth, with the information they have from the ad. 46K miles is low, but if the owner is trying to be deceptive with the trim level, who knows what else is mis-advertised about the car. In all fairness, he didn't actually list that it was a Sport Edition in his ad...I just noticed the badging in the pictures, and was confused when the cosmetics of the car didn't add up to be a "Sport Edition."

 

[Nathana92]

Wheels, grill and interior are also wrong for a sport.

 

[JB40]

Not a Sport. Looks like the mirrors are black plastic. On the Sport they would be painted black to match. Plus the inconsistencies you pointed out.

Also, he DOES state it is a Sport, in his KBB estimates and screenshot.

It looks like a V6 according to the 4WD selector, although I can't be sure from the small pic.

The proper SR5 Value, for Zip code 77449 (where he is located according to the dog spa next to his house) is as follows:

Good news is that the difference between Excellent and Very Good is only ~$500.

You could call him on his bluff. Let him know that he is full of it because:

1. Grandma's 2 mile per day 4R wouldn't need green LED interior.
2. or DVD headrests. (Seriously? The damn things won't even boot up that quick)
3. A fake hood scoop.
4. Fake Sport badges.
5. Black wheels.

You could point out the actual value - Feel free to use my screenshot, it's accurate - and offer him a couple thousand less for the hack job as no telling what that custom hole in the hood brings with it. Of course, hoods can be replaced, but not free....

OR, you could pass, and find a nice, well maintained, taken care of 4R that the seller isn't a total scam artist. Normally I'd recommend this, but the mileage is low.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That is not a Sport Edition based on those pictures, the hood is a dead give away. The true Sport Edition hood actually smoothly transitions into the hood and looks "melted" in. That hood scoop is too wide and looks like a Cobra tack-on for a Mustang or something.

There was no TRD trim for the 4Runner, those badges pop up on a lot of Tacomas also. I think it was either a dealer thing or owner purchased item.

The Sport Editions only came with one style 17" rim and that is not it, those are typically seen on SR5 and some Limiteds. As far as I have seen all Sport Editions had silver roof racks, while SR5s seemed to have Black as an option. I don't recall ever seeing a chrome grill on a Sport Edition either. I can't see too well, but there doesn't seem to be any steering wheel controls on the vehicle, SR5's were the only ones that didn't come with at the very least volume controls.

 

[Jembrmstr]

IF youre still planning on buying it be careful! I dont know how many 67 year old grandmothers would let their kid put all those carbon fiber decals on the inside let alone the aftermarket head and tail lights. This thing is Ebay Modded like crazy. check your wiring and actual facts before buying this. This guys story is all over the board contradicting himself a lot!

 

[Guitarplaya39]

Due to those "mods" and grammar.... I would not give it a second look. Definitely not sport! And I didnt realize Weathertech mats were $500...

Question though... Do all sports have color keyed mirrors?

 

[DC runner]

Scam. Scam. Scam.

I lived in Tx for awhile and when I was car shopping via craigslist, I had a ton of these. People who lie so much in an ad that you must walk away.

Seriously. That isn't a sport. I own a sport and the moment I saw the photos I called BS.

As for everything else, it just shows how untrustworthy the seller is. No 67 year old mom tools up a car that bad. Black rims. Crappy fake TRD badge, which means nothing since there isn't a TRD trim for it. Horrible looking rear light gaurds that would do 0 in an actual offroad situation. A half bull gaurd up front.

Good god...... That car has been so totally tooled up that it is clear his mom doesn't drive it. She may own it, sure. So her 18 year old son can spend his arbys money turning a perfectly grand sr5 model into a monstrous nightmare.... And then try to pass it off.

The same person that did this probably also tried to "sup" up and race....run it ragged, gun it, redline.

Walk away.

 

[Bossman]

Here are some links to threads on VIN number decoding:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-vehicles/962-contemporary-vin-decoder.html

http://www.yotatech.com/f123/decoding-your-vin-166201/

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Agree with all above comments, it's not a sport. It is so modded up it looks gaudy. I would pass

 

[Buckles]

Going off the address listed on there, thats about 10 minutes from my parents.

 

[tryceratop]

awesome - thx for all the input / feedback from everyone; learned some stuff from everyone's comments.

 

[preacher35]

Yeah, I doubt he'll mention the XREAS stuff, either. Here's the link to the ad:

toyota 4 runner 4wd like new

If you (struggle to) read his description, you'll see what I mean when I say he's a poor communicator.

Guess I'm interested in people's thoughts, in general what they think this vehicle is worth, with the information they have from the ad. 46K miles is low, but if the owner is trying to be deceptive with the trim level, who knows what else is mis-advertised about the car. In all fairness, he didn't actually list that it was a Sport Edition in his ad...I just noticed the badging in the pictures, and was confused when the cosmetics of the car didn't add up to be a "Sport Edition."

What a bunch of crap. His 67 year old mother sure did a lot of modding on a vehicle that she only drove 1-2 miles per day!?!? Blacked-out headlight mod, aftermarket leather, plasti-dipped SR5 wheels, faux carbon fiber accent/sticker kit, cheap-ass aftermarket hood intake, and a baby seat? This is a tasteless poser rig.

 

[riceandpho]

i think i remember the user here, his name was tiger wong i think, something like that, he did had a mustang hood scoop, also can be found on toy120.

 

[riceandpho]

Tiger Wong's 2005 Limited V8 Build - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

 

[riceandpho]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gallery/107574-tiger-wongs-rock-ninja.html