Looking at a 2009 Sport Ed, V8, 4x4, ... few questions

[webby]

Hi,

I've been shopping for a 2006-2009 4th Gen V8 4x4 for some weeks, in a white or champagne color, with leather, and preferably navigation, and priced right. I have found one in another city. It is a 2009 Sport Edition with V8 4x4 with leather, V8, and navi, competitively priced. I was looking for a Limited, but this Sport Edition books out a little under $3800 lower than a comparative Limited, due to that Limited label, even though this particular vehicle has most of the goodies that the Limited has! Wow! So I have become quite interested in the vehicle. I would have to fly to the city where the vehicle is located, so I am doing my due diligence now.

I have a few questions that I know you knowledgeable folks here might be able to shed some light on:

1) Was leather available from the factory on the Sport Edition? Or would this probably be dealer-installed leather (it's a one-owner)? If dealer-installed, are these quality leather and quality installations generally?

2) I have read that the Sport Editions all have XREAS suspension. Is the suspension the same as the Limited other than the XREAS addition? My concern is that I don't want a harsher ride than I would have with a Limited, as 95% of our driving is city and highway, as opposed to off-road, so I don't want to lose any street ride comfort from what the Limited would offer.

3) I think tire size is smaller on the Sport than on the LE is that correct? But am I correct in saying that the tire height difference leaves the vehicle height the same for the Sport Ed. as for the LE?

4) Any thoughts on the Sport Edition that I should know, as compared to the LE? It has the hood scoop, which I'm not particularly crazy about, but certainly is no deal-breaker for me by any means.

5) The picture below is of the cockpit of the vehicle. Can someone tell me what each of the buttons on the bottom left dash, and the on the console are? This would be our first T4R (we own a Highlander now).

Thanks in advance!

 

[badburro]

From your picture the buttons I think you are referring to are as follows from left to right: AC power switch, center differential lock, vehicle stability control off, and side curtain airbag off switch.

Leather was not factory option.

The nav system in picture appears to be aftermarket as Toyota nav has the CD slot behind the LCD screen, not above (08 and 2010 nav as examples)

X-REAS standard on sport edition.

Ltd standard with 18 inch wheels. Sport edition had 17's.

I love my 08 sport edition but I like 2010 better so I'm looking at trading mine in.

Hope that helps.

 

[Autbond]

The on-road ride is possibly better with the XREAS than the standard suspension, seeing as it is an option on limiteds. It will have better body roll control for sure.

 

[Jed]

1) Was leather available from the factory on the Sport Edition? Or would this probably be dealer-installed leather (it's a one-owner)? If dealer-installed, are these quality leather and quality installations generally?

The earlier Sport Editions did not have factory leather as an option. I'm not sure about the later ones though....factor leather may have been optional. But either way, it seems that most of the aftermarket leather companies offer higher quality leather than the factory. At least that's what I've heard...

2) I have read that the Sport Editions all have XREAS suspension. Is the suspension the same as the Limited other than the XREAS addition? My concern is that I don't want a harsher ride than I would have with a Limited, as 95% of our driving is city and highway, as opposed to off-road, so I don't want to lose any street ride comfort from what the Limited would offer.

XREAS doesn't at all have a harsh ride. If anything, most guys think it is too soft. Personally, I love it....very smooth and not harsh at all over bumps/potholes.

3) I think tire size is smaller on the Sport than on the LE is that correct? But am I correct in saying that the tire height difference leaves the vehicle height the same for the Sport Ed. as for the LE?

The actual tire height is the same on the Sport and the Limited. The difference is that you get 17" wheels/tires on the Sport and 18" wheels/tires on the Limited. But they made the sidewalls smaller on the Limited because the wheels are an inch bigger and the overall height/diameter stayed the same. If anything, you'll be a little better off with the 17" Sport wheels because you value ride comfort. The larger sidewalls will cushion the ride a bit more than the lower profile of the Limited tires. The height of both vehicles will be the same.

4) Any thoughts on the Sport Edition that I should know, as compared to the LE? It has the hood scoop, which I'm not particularly crazy about, but certainly is no deal-breaker for me by any means.

You get the tubular roof rack and running boards on the Sport. But I love that hoodscoop, so that was the thing I really liked about it.

5) The picture below is of the cockpit of the vehicle. Can someone tell me what each of the buttons on the bottom left dash, and the on the console are? This would be our first T4R (we own a Highlander now).

For whatever reason, I can't see the picture.

Thanks in advance!

......

 

[drbiii]

I believe 06+ did have a factory option for leather.

Check the seat and there should be a tag that says "Liquicell". The factory leather option uses this and they are VERY comfortable seats.

 

[Maz]

I have a 2009 Sport Edition, and leather was not an option in that year. That being said I've seen leather in a T4R that was port installed and it's very nice. You'd be hard pressed to see any difference, in fact I'd say you'd never know the difference.

As far as XRES it's a more sporty ride i.e. less body roll, and it was an option on the Limited. My guess is if you're a cruiser you may not notice the differenc, but if you drive a little agressive you'll like it better.

You're the buyer, but it sounds like you're getting all the attributes of a Limited with the NAV and leather, but at much less price. Personally I think the tube steps and rack both look better, and are much more practical if you end up modding your rig for off road. In addition I find the hood scoop a much better look to most people who will observe your vehicle.

Good luck.