Buying decision:'03 vs. '04

[ripplerat]

I am looking to purchase a low mileage 4th gen. TR4 V8 4x4. Fortunately, I have 2 to choose from:

'04 Sport w/ 67K miles, moon roof 2 owners, no accidents, clean. $15,750.
Or
'03 LTD w/ 57K miles 1 owner, no accidents, clean. $15,250.

A side issue is that the '03 is located 350 miles from me and the hassle factor is clearly worth something:$300.00.

Any thoughts?

 

[ATB]

I'd go with the limited, if the owner has taken good care of it. I love having AWD. I'm completely bias though, considering I have the same car.

EDIT: Plus, it has 10k fewer miles, which is pretty significant.

 

[M1911]

I'd go with the limited, if the owner has taken good care of it. I love having AWD.

The 4th gen Sport has the same drivetrain.

 

[ATB]

The 4th gen Sport has the same drivetrain.

I'm pretty sure V8 Limited was the only 4runner with AWD all the time?

Edit: I was wrong, thanks for the clarification.

 

[M1911]

I'm pretty sure V8 Limited was the only 4runner with AWD all the time?

Edit: I was wrong, thanks for the clarification.

Perhaps you were thinking of the 5th Gen 4Runner, where only the Limited trim has the Torsen center differential. That was one of the changes for the 5th Gen that some of us whine about on a regular basis. :sobbing:

 

[034RUNNER]

I would go with the '04 Sport. Does the '03 not have a moonroof? That would be a con for me. Personally I like the looks of the Sport better also. I also would rather get a newer year if you ave the option between those two. They both have pretty low miles considering the ages, so I say you can't go wrong either way.

 

[M1911]

I would go with the '04 Sport. Does the '03 not have a moonroof? That would be a con for me.

Limiteds came with a moonroof.

 

[ripplerat]

as was already pointed out, both have moonroof and awd.

 

[4Beast]

I'd go with the LTD just for the milage factor. Also, does it have XREAS, which was optional on the LTDs? That may impact your decision if you are considering a lift or mods, as without appears to be significantly easier. The LTDS all have body colored cladding ( I think), so it wouldn't be any different looking than the 04. AFA the other benefits of the Sport, you can always pick up a scooped hood for a few hundred, and the brakes same thing, aqnd the LTD wheels should clear the bigger calipers etc. i wouldn't seat the 350 miles. It is a hike, but it's not like you'll be doing it all the time. Since you are only considering 2, it doesn't seem like a big deal.

 

[MikesToy]

I'd take the '03 Limited (lesser mileage and lesser price).

 

[eskimochaos]

LOL 10k miles is nothing.

Are they V6 or V8? How do the maintenance records compare?

 

[anotherrunner83]

i'd go with the limited just because it has more of the creature comforts (leater, heated seats). the xreas doesn't make the lifts any harder, it's only one more connection, no big deal.

 

[MikesToy]

LOL 10k miles is nothing.

In reality, the '04 Sport has been driven 11K+ mi/yr while the '03 Limited has only been driven 8K+ mi/yr.

 

[T4RBoarder]

Personally I'd go with the sport...for me I HATED leather in my LTD and find the amenities in the sport more appealing. The awesome cloth seats, hood scoop, and sport wheels were what made the ultimate decision to go with the sport the second time around. Secondly being an '04 the grey body cladding is gone on the sports and the previously option monochromatic look is now standard. Last, even though X-Reas was an option on the LTD I found it on every single one I looked at so I think it's more likely to have it vs. not.

Just my .02

 

[ripplerat]

Both are V8 with AWD. Think it comes down to creature comforts and looks. The Sport is gray and the LTD is silver. Clearly a personal preference. But I do like the hood scoop on the sport...

 

[eskimochaos]

In reality, the '04 Sport has been driven 11K+ mi/yr while the '03 Limited has only been driven 8K+ mi/yr.

If you want to play that game then...

the 03 could have been bought in the beginning of 04 as a leftover and the 04 could have been bought when it was released in late 03

Furthermore....

more miles per year may mean more highway miles which are better for a car.

so.....the point is moot

 

[MikesToy]

If you want to play that game then...

the 03 could have been bought in the beginning of 04 as a leftover and the 04 could have been bought when it was released in late 03

Furthermore....

more miles per year may mean more highway miles which are better for a car.

so.....the point is moot

But the 04 had 2 owners so who knows which of these 2 took better of the vehicle. While the 03 had 1 owner so only one is to blame. imp:

 

[anotherrunner83]

either way, it sounds like you are about to come into a "new to you" 4runner, so really, can't go wrong. congrats!

 

[Carl_G]

Eskimochaos, I noticed you always get into little irritating arguments on this forum. Whenever there are arguments on here the common factor seems to be you. Try not to do that. It's so irritating.

 

[THEROK]

Both are V8 with AWD. Think it comes down to creature comforts and looks. The Sport is gray and the LTD is silver. Clearly a personal preference. But I do like the hood scoop on the sport...

i have the 03 v8 limited. i'd never ever buy non-leather seats plus you have the top dog model. plus one owner. mine was also a one owner mint mint mint ride with 65k miles 2 years ago. bought it for $16.5. damn these things hold value well.

mine now has 95K miles and is in better shape than mint mint mint. now it's mint mint mint mint.