I've been thinking about getting a newer 4Runner, and I definitely like the looks of the sport package. The only problem is that I think I would dig leather seats and the digital climate control... but were they even an option on Sport 4Runners? As far as I could find only the Limiteds had leather and the digital CC. Anyone know for sure?

 

Some of the SR5/Sport models had leather, but it was a dealer add-on. It was not factory. They also did not have the digital temp control.

If you want digital temp control (not sure why you would!) and factory leather, gotta go limited.

 

Digi HVAC is nice but they do have more issues than the manual ones of course. The most common is the backlight burns out and it's PITA to replace the bulbs and the motors that control airflow behind the dash can fail but that's not real common.

 

If you're looking for more comfort features, I gotta say, you have to go 4th Gen. The prices have really come down on those.

But you spent all that time and money on your 98. I'd just hold on to that!

 

Sport models came standard with the "sport fabric" interior which resembled a combination of mesh and cloth. You got the aluminum skid plate too, which was asthetically pleasing I guess.

 

Ha ha I know I know... and I do love it, but it's technically my dad's, and he's lookin at buying his own 4Runner, so I'm thinking I'll just buy one for myself and give my '98 back to him. Plus I've always envied the Sport package look. The 4th gens are nice, but they haven't grown on me... So I was looking at getting an '01 or '02 with low miles.

 

The biggest thing about the 01-02 is that the VSC/TRAC sucks. You live in the same area as I do, and when I had my 02 Sport, there were times where I was scared for my life. I was making a left onto a main street, the rear tires slipped a little going over some gravel. All power was cut and I was literally CRAWLING across the street. Had there been a car that was coming the other direction, it wouldn't have been pretty. Same with being in snow.

The 4th Gen's have fixed this problem and is much better in snow/mud/gravel. Plus, the V6 is much better, IMO. If I were looking for a daily driver, I'd go 4th Gen all the way. They're quite capable off-road, too. For more of a trail/expedition rig, I'd stick with a 3rd Gen.

 

Like DC said, leather was a dealer installed option only on the Sports. I came across a couple Sports that had leather when was I shopping around, but at the time, I didn't care for leather...thus I steered clear of it. (Although now, I wouldn't mind having it.)

You could just purchase a limited model and add a sport hood .

 

Avoid the '01 and '02's. I went from a '99 to an '02. Big mistake. I have been in cackalak's situation too many times but when cars are coming. TRAC has got to be the most dangerous system ever put in a car. If you don't like ABS go ahead and get one just disable the abs, trac, & vsc. You can still find lower mile '99 and '00's though.