Which one 2k3 limited or 2k4 sport 4Runner will you pick?
 

Greetings:

Can someone please tell me what is the main difference between a 2k3 and 2k4 4Runner Sport ed.?

If it were you, which of the following SUV will you pick assuming that there will be a $2000 difference between 2K3 Limited and 2K4 Sport Ed.


$29674 2K4, 4Runner 4x4, v6 sports ed. with
1. Double decker cargo system
2. Power tilt & slide sunroof
3. Rear spoiler w/ Center high mounted stop light
4. 5 Pieces Carpet / Cargo mat set
5. Daytime running lights

2K3, 4Runner 4x4, v6 limited ed. with
1. Power tilt & slide sunroof
2. Rear spoiler w/ Center high mounted stop light
3. 5 Pieces Carpet / Cargo mat set
4. Daytime running lights
5. Hood protector

Your insight thought is greatly appreciated.

I actually did a lot of research and justification between the 2003 Limited and the Sports Ed. Here are what I found to be the difference:

Limited ONLY Standard Options
* Granite Trimming
* Power Leather Seating and Surfaces
* Heated Front Seats (Driver/Passenger)
* Silver Painted Lighted Running Boards
* Illuminated Gauge Needles
* Illuminated Vanity Mirros (Driver/Passenger)
* Dual Climate Control (Driver/Passenger)

Limited Standard/Sports Options
* Anti-Theft Alarm System (Limited Standard/Sports Option)
* 115 Volt AC Power Point (Limited Standard/Sports Option)
* Compass Rearview Mirror (Limited Standard/Sports Option)
* Homelink System (Limited Standard/Sports Option)
* Double Deck Cargo System (Limited Standard/Sports Option)

Sports Edition Standard Options
* Hood Scoop

Sports Edition Standard/Limited Options
* XREAS Shocks (Sport Standard/Limited Option)

If you fully load both the price difference between Limited and Sports is a little less than $3,000. The Limited ONLY standard options make up the price difference. For me it was hard to swallow that it was that much different, but I really like the heated seats leather seats and granite trimming. PLUS, at the time I purchase my Limited, there were not a lot of fully painted Sports Edition with HomeLink and Compass mirrors (which I also Had to Have). Although, I do like the faux Hood scoops on the sports, and would like it on my limited (as an option).

But, according to carsdirect.com for Los Angeles, the 2003 Limited has a $1500 rebate. I would go with the 2003 over the 2004. With that rebate, it would certainly make the extra Limited options a lot more appetizable.

Your time and help is greatly appreciated.

Let see if I can find 2k3 limited with X-reas in the dealer's lot tomorrow with the right price and I will go from there.

If you plan on wanting a lift later, Don't get Xreas. you won't be able to lift with that system.

Thanks for the advice.

I do not plan to lift it at all. This SUV will only be use as daily driving from work to home and goes down the shore point during week end, no towing or off road.

If that is the case, why don't you save yourself even more money and get a 2WD?

2wd sounds better considering you won't be doing any offroading/towing.

Also your insurance will be cheaper because it's not 4wd.

As for the difference in the 03/04's.... All I can comment on is if you plan on keeping this vehicle for a very long time (i.e. alteast 5-10 yrs) then it doesn't matter which one you get :) If you plan to keep it for a short amount of time, then I'd suggest ponying up for the 04.

Good luck!

Actually, you can lift with the X-REAS. I added the 3" Revtek to an '04 Limited with X-REAS. Just DO NOT remove any of the hoses to the system. You will need to buy new shocks if you do.

http://www.sportschoice.com/new_runner.htm

I was at the dealer today, and the 03 v6 runners are listed at a little over $31,000. That is $2000 less then what I paid for my 02. Was there that much of a price drop for the new body style?

The 03 V6 gets a bad rap in Consumers Report. This might hurt resale value on down the road. A lot of people don't want to buy a used car in the first year of a major re-design like with the 03 Runner.

You can only get leather with a Limited? That makes 0 sense.
If you buy a 03- it will be two years old in 4 months.:mad2:

The 04 has lifetime trans fluid and super long life coolant, those will reduce the cost of maintenance don't know about the other fluids, don't know if the late model 03 have the lifetime trans fluid also, if they have no dip sticks then I would guess yes.

Buying an 03 you loose value on the MY, so when you go to sell it you already lost more then your initially saved unless you drive it for 200k in which place resale does not matter.

My 03, build date 06/03, has a trans dipstick and lifetime trans fluid (says it on the stick and in my owners manual) and coolant good until 105,000 miles (I think that's the mileage, could be 120,000). It literally says to never change the transmission fluid unless used under severe conditions. Don't think I'll go with that recommendation but it does require a refill with Toyota fluid (can use others on a "temporary" basis but must refill with Yoda at the earliest opportunity) so I guess it will have to be a dealer item when the time comes. This sounds like one of those things that a few years down the road (well out of warranty) that we'll hear a oops! we were a little off on that recommendation (can you say head gasket recall).

So the 04 must have no dip stick but the 03 just have been a mid year change, my 03 has a production date of 11/02 so no lifetime fluid, I wish I got lifetime fluid

Remember, mine's a V6 w/4 speed auto, yours is a V8 w/5 speed auto so maybe that's the difference? I would think there is still a dipstick because they still say to check the transmission fluid level in the maintenance guide. I wouldn't be too upset about not having the "lifetime" fluid as I think it would be very foolish for someone to never change the trans fluid and once the warranty is up, lifetime doesn't mean a thing.

OH yeah the lifetime trans fluid is in the 04 V8 5speeds, well suppost to be I would guess Toyota will eventually put it in all the vehicles