Better to buy an SR5 and DIY the options?

[whiteblazer01]

(Just registered on the site, but have been lurking for a while, lol)

I'm in the market for a 2006 4Runner 4x4. I live in So Cal, but travel around a lot (Nat'l Parks, mtns, camping, etc...).

I've been reading the differences between the SR5, Sport, and Limited, and it seems the only real options I fancy are leather seats, seat warmers, sunroof. (Don't care much for the hood scoop, tubular roof rack, painted door handles, etc...)

The Limited 4x4 appears to be just that--limited (who knew?). Finding very few on Craigslist, and same with Sport 4x4.

So my question is: Buying an SR5 seems to significantly widen my options. Would it be better to get an SR5 4x4 and install aftermarket options, or I might as well get the Limited/Sport?

 

[Range]

Are you only looking on craiglist?

 

[whiteblazer01]

Are you only looking on craiglist?

Yes, just Craigslist so far, but I'm open to consider other resources (though I won't buy from ebay, and I'd prefer to see the vehicle in person and kick the tires before buying it). And I'd like to buy from a private party as opposed to a dealer (personal preference).

 

[guiltyxxspark]

Took me a while to find mine. In socal there are a lot of 4runners and tacomas but most are terribly over priced. Just keep looking every few days. Good deals pop up every now and then.

 

[46runner]

For what it's worth, my new to me SR5 has leather, seat warmers and sunroof. I guess they were options.

 

[ARunner]

There were plenty of Limiteds out there when I was shopping a few years back and I'm sure there still are if you don't mind traveling for the right vehicle. Seemed to me when I was shopping there wasn't a lot of extra cost associated with the Limiteds and they were plentiful. There are options that would just be cost prohibitive to add to a non Limited model, such as the climate control.

 

[chitown40]

I did just that. I didn't want the XREAS suspension and I didn't care about painted door handles, mirrors etc, so I bought an SR5. I also did not want the JBL or NAV stereo.

I threw on sport wheels, and color-matched painted the mirrors and added heated glass to them. I'm not a huge fan of leather, so I stayed cloth and added seat covers and weathertech floor liners. Replaced stereo with a single DIN and pocket. Now I'm happy and have every option I need.

 

[whiteblazer01]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll keep looking and post once I find something good.

 

[Davy180]

It took me a while to find the one I wanted in SoCal and ended up picking up an 06 sport edition with a few options. I really wanted a limited but it was really hard to find. I have already started doing a lot of work to mine and am making it more appealing to me. If you plan to do work to it your better off with an SR5 or sport, it's a clean slate to build what you want.

Good luck with your search. Like everyone said, check every few days and search all car sales sites.

 

[@Lurch]

I was looking nationwide for a 07-08 after not having luck with CL in the southern California area. I ended up finding one on Cars.com in the next town over from me with exactly everything I wanted. Just gotta stick with it, it takes awhile.