Differences in trim levels?

[integra89ls]

Hi everyone, nice to meet all of you. I currently drive a 1989 Acura Integra. I've had it for over two years now and it's definatly time for a change. It's way to tempting to speed in those little things!I'm tired of driving a stick, so I want an automatic. I'm tired of being scared of dirt roads and having to slow down for every little bump in the road, so it's time for a truck or suv! After a lot of debate between a Jeep, Pathfinder, or 4runner. I think I've decided it's going to be a 4runner! I think I want to go with the 3rd generation. My question is this. What are the the differences between the base model, SR5 and Limited? I don't want leather seats because of my dog. My buddy has a 4runner and I don't like the wood grain dash. I think I want a SR5? What is the difference between the base and the SR5? What should I look for in a 3rd gen 4runner? Thanks...

 

[lee]

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist3.html

read through that. it will tell you equipment and equipment changes per year.

the 3rd gen has a lot of options in that you can get it stick, v6, i4, leather, cloth, 4wd, 2wd, base, fully loaded, upgraded sound, crappy sound, 15 inch rims, 16 inch rims, etc.

if i were you id read the history, and start the hunt. whats your price range? the most popular choices (as far as height, equipment and technology) are 99 and 00 4wd's, because they sit an inch higher yet benefit from the upgraded headlights and better/newer overall equipment.

sounds to me like a 99 or 00 sr5 is your next purchase

good luck.

 

[integra89ls]

Wow. 82 views and 1 reply? Thanks for the info Lee. I think the 99/00's might be a little out of my price range. I was looking to spend around 13k max, if possible. I've read in other posts that that the ride in these things are really bouncy? Is it that bad? Are the second generations ride even worse? Hmmmm... Maybe I should go with a Jeep? I'm sort of going for all around reliability, but I don't want to sacrifice better ride quality for less reliability.

 

[wm69]

Wow. 82 views and 1 reply? Thanks for the info Lee. I think the 99/00's might be a little out of my price range. I was looking to spend around 13k max, if possible. I've read in other posts that that the ride in these things are really bouncy? Is it that bad? Are the second generations ride even worse? Hmmmm... Maybe I should go with a Jeep? I'm sort of going for all around reliability, but I don't want to sacrifice better ride quality for less reliability.

I have jeeps (CJ's not the barbie jeeps they make now) and an 01 limited and you do NOT want a Jeep. My Jeeps are classics but they are mechanical and engineering nightmares. The newer ones since Chrysler took over have only gotten worse. You should be able to find a 4wd SR5 in your price range. 4runners ride fine for a SUV. They have a softer ride than you integra but they aren't floating or anything (like say a Caddy). Stick with the 4runner. I spent 2 years searching for an SUV (had to go bigger due to more kids) and ended up with the 4runner and am very happy with it. The SR5 IS the base model, Sport has a few more bells and whistles, and the Limited is the top of the line. All trim levels have autos (no sticks available anymore on the 4runner) and will have PW/PL/AC/Cruise (basic options). I'd look for an SR5 4wd. You should be able to pick one up in your price range if you look around. I paid $19K for our 01 4wd Limited with 60K on it (Toyota Certified used car with warranty) and that was at the stealership.

 

[peter78]

Hi everyone, nice to meet all of you. I currently drive a 1989 Acura Integra.

My car before the 4Runner was an Integra. The third generation started in 96. Hopefully you can find a good one.

Here is a picture of my little old Integra, I sold it last year:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=4103&highlight=previa

 

[lee]

I've read in other posts that that the ride in these things are really bouncy? Is it that bad? Are the second generations ride even worse? Hmmmm... Maybe I should go with a Jeep? I'm sort of going for all around reliability, but I don't wnt to sacrifice better ride quality for less reliability.

do NOT go with a jeep!!

the 4runner's ride is quite smooth, and can be fully customized for your own needs. in other words, if you want it to be a smooth highway/on-road vehicle, get some michelins and some new shocks and it will be just that.

even stock its pretty smooth.

i have 265/75 knobby-ass mt/r's and bilstein HD shocks, and its still really smooth.

 

[pat161]

The SR5 is not the base model, the base model is the base model. From 99 on all SR5 Runners had the V6, I'm not positive if you could get an SR5 4 banger before that. You would not want a limited as it would have the leather, though with a dog I would think leather would be a good thing, easier to clean and doesn't hold smell as much. The Limited should be loaded right up with power leather, climate control, auto trans, moon roof and most of the other goodies. SR5's are widely varied, some have the base bucket seats and some have the nicer seats, some have 16" rims and some 15, before 01 you could get a manual or auto, only auto for 01 and 02. Also most SR5's have the painted mirrors which are also usually heated, most base models have the black unheated mirrors. The base models are the most varied as far as options go, though they will have a 4 cylinder. Some base models, like mine, are equipped almost identical to an SR5 and some are pretty bare bones. I would say you would want either an SR5 or nicely equipped base model, if you could be happy with the 4 cylinder. I would urge you to hold out for the better seats, the ones with drivers side lumbar, the base seats suck, I had to upgrade to limited seats so that my back would not hurt all the time. Also the 4 cylinder, rear elocker and manual tranny were discontinued in 2000.

 

[integra89ls]

The SR5 is not the base model, the base model is the base model. From 99 on all SR5 Runners had the V6, I'm not positive if you could get an SR5 4 banger before that. You would not want a limited as it would have the leather, though with a dog I would think leather would be a good thing, easier to clean and doesn't hold smell as much. The Limited should be loaded right up with power leather, climate control, auto trans, moon roof and most of the other goodies. SR5's are widely varied, some have the base bucket seats and some have the nicer seats, some have 16" rims and some 15, before 01 you could get a manual or auto, only auto for 01 and 02. Also most SR5's have the painted mirrors which are also usually heated, most base models have the black unheated mirrors. The base models are the most varied as far as options go, though they will have a 4 cylinder. Some base models, like mine, are equipped almost identical to an SR5 and some are pretty bare bones. I would say you would want either an SR5 or nicely equipped base model, if you could be happy with the 4 cylinder. I would urge you to hold out for the better seats, the ones with drivers side lumbar, the base seats suck, I had to upgrade to limited seats so that my back would not hurt all the time. Also the 4 cylinder, rear elocker and manual tranny were discontinued in 2000.

Thanks for your input. I was thinking cloth seats would be better for my dog because the leather would get clawed up in no time. Do you think the leather would withstand the claws?

 

[pat161]

I think the leather will withstand tearing just as well as the cloth, why not have your dog ride in the back or fold down the second row of seats and give it the whole cargo area?

 

[8084Runner]

Hi everyone, nice to meet all of you. I currently drive a 1989 Acura Integra. I've had it for over two years now and it's definatly time for a change. It's way to tempting to speed in those little things!I'm tired of driving a stick, so I want an automatic. I'm tired of being scared of dirt roads and having to slow down for every little bump in the road, so it's time for a truck or suv! After a lot of debate between a Jeep, Pathfinder, or 4runner. I think I've decided it's going to be a 4runner! I think I want to go with the 3rd generation. My question is this. What are the the differences between the base model, SR5 and Limited? I don't want leather seats because of my dog. My buddy has a 4runner and I don't like the wood grain dash. I think I want a SR5? What is the difference between the base and the SR5? What should I look for in a 3rd gen 4runner? Thanks...

wow, i know how you feel. i had a 98 altima with black widow kit, dropped, the works. got tired of cops and slowing down on bumps. even keeping up with the trends was killing me. so i decided to go up and get a 4runner. i love it although i do miss my altima.

 

[RunnerUp]

i let my year old red nose pit sit in my passenger seat and she hasnt hurt anything yet, lots of jumpin in and out, i just set down a blanket on the chair, but she is usually dirty when she rides with me anyways, so.... the few times she has been in there without the blanket i have noticed scratches, but the leather will not get hole's like cloth will and just to clarify, i believe you can get up to a 99 with stick. buy a 99 sr5 and that will be in your price range

 

[lee]

no, you can get a stick up to 2000

 

[peter78]

no, you can get a stick up to 2000

That is correct, it is also the last year for the 2.7 4 cyl. and wind up windows, not that they sold a lot of the stick, 4 cyl or wind up windows. So, if you want a stick in the 3rd gen. they are a bit hard to find, but they are out there.