Sport or Limited? Which to buy?
- Thread starter 00HiluxSurfLTD
- Start date
20034RunnerV84x2
New member
Mine are really comfy..
Sport
Well it depends on what you are coming from. I was driving a Evo Lancer MR, and I dont miss it driving my sport (and I loved that car). To be honest, I test drove probably 20+ 4runners (all V8s Sport, SR5, and Limiteds) and I personally liked the ride of the sport best. It feels "tighter" than the rest. I wanted leather and everything, but after looking at a few 4runners I realized that I didnt like the leather much at all in the runners.. The charcoal cloth is where its at imo. Now the leather in our limited highlander is a different story.. much softer/comfortable.
I love my 2008 Sport V8.
Well it depends on what you are coming from. I was driving a Evo Lancer MR, and I dont miss it driving my sport (and I loved that car). To be honest, I test drove probably 20+ 4runners (all V8s Sport, SR5, and Limiteds) and I personally liked the ride of the sport best. It feels "tighter" than the rest. I wanted leather and everything, but after looking at a few 4runners I realized that I didnt like the leather much at all in the runners.. The charcoal cloth is where its at imo. Now the leather in our limited highlander is a different story.. much softer/comfortable.
I love my 2008 Sport V8.
zerowkul98
New member
Im a big fan of the Sport Editions, but i wouldnt "put down" any other model. Like others have already stated, "It all comes down to your specific tastes". I really like the hood scoop, the V8 and the tube steps & rack, so I got a 2008 Sport Edition. My first purchase of a 4runner was of my 2003 Sport Edition V8, with the textured gray plastic cladding, the OEM push bar in the front (yes, i know its just plastic, but i like the look!) and i still own it to this day.
Others who want some more luxury, want the NAV or the leather go for the Limited. Some who dont need any of the above and go with the SR5, it'll do the same job without the fluff. Again, it all comes down to your personal preference.
Others will wanna :AK47: me, but i would just add that i hope that if youre buying from a dealer that you'll haggle a bit and get an extended warrantee. I didnt get one on my 2003 only because i bought it from an Acura dealership in NH. The truck was NEVER "problematic", but there were some typical items that needed replacement: The front calipers 2 times, the blower motor's resistor, the CV boots, and thats all covered on the warrantee. I paid $1000 for the one i bought for my 2008, and it's already paid for itself when it needed new front calipers, costing $1100. Again, i didnt pay a dime, got a free rental, etc.
Good luck, and remember to take pics and post them in here when you pick it up!
Others who want some more luxury, want the NAV or the leather go for the Limited. Some who dont need any of the above and go with the SR5, it'll do the same job without the fluff. Again, it all comes down to your personal preference.
Others will wanna :AK47: me, but i would just add that i hope that if youre buying from a dealer that you'll haggle a bit and get an extended warrantee. I didnt get one on my 2003 only because i bought it from an Acura dealership in NH. The truck was NEVER "problematic", but there were some typical items that needed replacement: The front calipers 2 times, the blower motor's resistor, the CV boots, and thats all covered on the warrantee. I paid $1000 for the one i bought for my 2008, and it's already paid for itself when it needed new front calipers, costing $1100. Again, i didnt pay a dime, got a free rental, etc.
Good luck, and remember to take pics and post them in here when you pick it up!
STRAP22
Member
Sport was my choice. V-8 was a must since the milage difference was not much different. I have Dealer installed leather and in Texas didn't need heated seats, although that is a nice feature. Nav can be added. The Bigger brakes are great when towing. Xreas is an awesome system, but I agree when it breaks it is expensive to repair. (There is procedure to change out only the bad components vs. the entire system. Toyota Technical can advise your Toyota dealer on how to do it or they can use TIS to find the procedure and follow the instructions.)The non functioning hoodscoop does look good and if you really need it to function, you can modify it so it is. Since I use mine off road I am glad it is non functional.
Good luck and be sure to post up some pictures.
Good luck and be sure to post up some pictures.
09SportRunner
New member
I had the similar decision to make when I got mine recently. Ultimately the decision was kind of made for me because of the choices available as far as pre-owned vehicles available from reputable dealers with age, mileage, condition and price all being factored in. I ended up with the Sport model and I'm happy, and probably would have been happy with the Limited as well.
00HiluxSurfLTD
New member
I thought I would update this thread. In the end I didnt find any Limiteds that made the cut and it was between a silver 05 Sport and a black 03 Sport. I preferred the black to the silver but preferred the 05 updates over the 03. Both had the same mileage/options. The 03 has a frozen actuator but maybe I can free it up. I decided to go with the 03 because the deal was just too good to pass up and the seller of the 03 was much more accommodating.
Now I just have to wait until it gets delivered. I post up a pic or 2 once I get it.
Now I just have to wait until it gets delivered. I post up a pic or 2 once I get it.
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Duck'n
New member
:iagree:
This is pretty much what I would have written! I just purchased an 03 Ltd after looking for quite a while. I started looking at SR5's...decided I really wanted a Sport (love the look of the hood scoop) but then I drove the Ltd and really liked the extras as mentioned above. All that said, I really like them all so I guess it will boil down to what moves you when it comes time to write the check!
00HiluxSurfLTD
New member
Here is it.
rebelbowtie
New member
looks good, cant go wrong with black (except cleaning it) looks like it already has some all terrains on it too.
I'm struggling with this same conundrum!
2007 V6 RWD Limited with 102k miles vs 2008 v6 RWD Sport with 114k. IDENTICAL price.
The 2007 is a 1 owner vehicle with 42 service history records, no damage or accidents. Unfortunately, I don't see water pump replacement or anything "big" in the service records. Just fluid changes and battery swaps. The tint is peeling off one of the windows, but other than that it looks great.
The 2008 looks super clean too. 3 owners, but no accidents. I haven't seen it in person yet (going first thing in the AM).
I'm super torn. I love the stance on the Sport, and that it's a year newer, but the 2007 has lower miles.
This thread is pretty old. Any issues pop up between these two years/trims that might make my decision easier?
EDIT:
Putting in the VIN on the Toyota owner page brought this up for the 2007 Limited (last entries before it went to auction):
3/12/2020
CK ENG LT ON
CK ENG LT ON~|~THE CUSTOMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-ADVISE PERFORM COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH CHECK. IN SOME CASES THE ENGINE LIGHT CAN COME BACK ON AFTER A REPAIR IS COMPLETE DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPROPER READINGS FROM FAILED PART.~|~ ~|~DRIVABILITY DIAGNOSIS ALL
Customer Pay23/12/2020
GENERAL REPAIR
GENERAL REPAIR~|~VEHICLE IS SOUNDING UNUSUAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS DRIVING A TRUCK~|~REAR DIFF NEEDS TO BE R@R~|~CUSTOMER DECLINED WORK
2007 V6 RWD Limited with 102k miles vs 2008 v6 RWD Sport with 114k. IDENTICAL price.
The 2007 is a 1 owner vehicle with 42 service history records, no damage or accidents. Unfortunately, I don't see water pump replacement or anything "big" in the service records. Just fluid changes and battery swaps. The tint is peeling off one of the windows, but other than that it looks great.
The 2008 looks super clean too. 3 owners, but no accidents. I haven't seen it in person yet (going first thing in the AM).
I'm super torn. I love the stance on the Sport, and that it's a year newer, but the 2007 has lower miles.
This thread is pretty old. Any issues pop up between these two years/trims that might make my decision easier?
EDIT:
Putting in the VIN on the Toyota owner page brought this up for the 2007 Limited (last entries before it went to auction):
3/12/2020
CK ENG LT ON
CK ENG LT ON~|~THE CUSTOMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-ADVISE PERFORM COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS AND HEALTH CHECK. IN SOME CASES THE ENGINE LIGHT CAN COME BACK ON AFTER A REPAIR IS COMPLETE DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPROPER READINGS FROM FAILED PART.~|~ ~|~DRIVABILITY DIAGNOSIS ALL
Customer Pay23/12/2020
GENERAL REPAIR
GENERAL REPAIR~|~VEHICLE IS SOUNDING UNUSUAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS DRIVING A TRUCK~|~REAR DIFF NEEDS TO BE R@R~|~CUSTOMER DECLINED WORK
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y=mx+b
New member
Just my personal opinion, the trim package starts to matter less over time and overall condition will begin matter more. I think the only differences in trims really are xreas, jbl sound, drl, hood scoop, wheels, leather, heated seats, and lighted running boards. Some of these might be important to you, and most can be replaced or upgraded to get the features that you want.
Another thing to note is that a RWD 4runner will not be as capable or valuable when it comes time to sell. I imagine since you're looking into a few different 2wds, that you may have already thought about this. If you don't intend to do any offroading and keep the vehicle for a while, then a 2wd might be fine for your situation.
I see you posted in the other thread on pre-purchase info, which is great. One thing that plagues older Toyota's is rust, and taking a good look underneath can save you a lot of headache later. Living in texas is a good start, but these are the places that I would inspect:
- front skid plate mounting crossbar, should be underneath the radiator
- All suspension mounting locations, front and rear. Take a wheel off to get a good idea. My passenger side sunroof drain spit out right on the frame rail, creating a rust spot.
- frame near the cats and exhaust. Anywhere that gets hot will be rough on the original paint
- Fuel Tank Straps
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
Personally I don't think I'd buy anything but a Limited but I like the heated seats for winter which isn't something you should need. Curious, to the lesser models have the dual visors on both sides? Love those things. 
y=mx+b
New member
Personally I don't think I'd buy anything but a Limited but I like the heated seats for winter which isn't something you should need. Curious, to the lesser models have the dual visors on both sides? Love those things.
I have an sr5 with the dual visors on both sides, so it most likely is a standard feature.
4runnerlexky
New member
why I chose sr5
When I first looked at 4runners. I thought the limited would be great. I'm not saying it is but there is one big con. Bag suspension to raise and lower. This is something that will go out over time and with high mileage and traveling you wouldnt want to deal with this on the side of the road. The one piece of the limited that I own in my SR5 is the shift bezel with the optional heated seats inserts. This is only for my camping lights attachments. With the SR5 you have a wide range of options that you can be able to attack. If you like camping you can set up different options. There is alot more electronics such as the 115v relay spot free in the fuse panel. Same with under dash. I am lifting mine right now and creating a mobile work site for it. I have the v6 and with mileage under 100,000 for an 03 you cant beat it.
When I first looked at 4runners. I thought the limited would be great. I'm not saying it is but there is one big con. Bag suspension to raise and lower. This is something that will go out over time and with high mileage and traveling you wouldnt want to deal with this on the side of the road. The one piece of the limited that I own in my SR5 is the shift bezel with the optional heated seats inserts. This is only for my camping lights attachments. With the SR5 you have a wide range of options that you can be able to attack. If you like camping you can set up different options. There is alot more electronics such as the 115v relay spot free in the fuse panel. Same with under dash. I am lifting mine right now and creating a mobile work site for it. I have the v6 and with mileage under 100,000 for an 03 you cant beat it.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
The air bag suspension was an option not standard equipment on the Limited model, so all Limited models don't have the air bag suspension.
