2002 Toyota 4Runner 4WD SR5 Premium

My history with Toyota

Since the mid-1990s I have owned almost exclusively Toyotas. My wife drives a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport (She LOVES IT!!). I used to ride a Harley Road King, replaced it with a 2013 VW Beetle Convertible diesel 6sp manual (Still wind in my hair fun to drive, better fuel mileage and lots safer).

My first forerunner was a 1998 4-wheel drive, 5 speed manual-shift. SR5. However, my wife did not like manual shift. In 1999 I replaced it with an automatic Limited. In 2006 I purchased a 2003 Sequoia (2-wheel drive). Having a large boat I found the eight cylinder better for trailering. However, it needed help pulling the big boat out of the ramp. I then purchased a 2004 Sequoia 4-wheel drive. It was destroyed by an errant high-speed driver who ran off the road and totaled it while parked in my driveway. I replace it with a 2007 Sequoia which I replaced it with a 2018 Sequoia. Still have today.

This 2002 Toyota 4runner SR5 Sport Edition

DISSCLOSURE: There is nothing I know wrong or needing attention. No fault lights, noises, leaks. Minor cosmetics: rear bumper minor dings, a few minor scratches in paint hardly noticeable. EVERYTHING works: EXCEPT the power antennae. Broken in a carwash. Not needed with new Apple/Google play A/V 7 display receiver.

Having always liked the 4Runner best for styling, handling and better fuel economy. In about 2020 I spotted this beautiful red one in Lowes parking lot. I talked to the owner and gave him my card and asked him to call me whenever he wanted to sell it. He then said his wife was the original owner a was a retired schoolteacher from Kentucky, they now live in central Florida.


Summation of Ownership Vehicle History and Mileage

On March 15th, 2021, he called and I bought it with 221,799 original miles. I ran a CARFAX. (See first page report in photos). A perfect replacement for my wifes jeep. Newer, safer and much more reliable.

Condition when I bought it:
1. Body was in good condition noting:
a. Very minor digs and
b. Few scratches except for fender flares.
c. Fading paint on Fender Flares, Hood, Front Bumper Trim and Scoop and roof.
2. Interior was in good condition, with noting:
a. stains and some wear on carpet.
b. No tears or major stains on seats
3. No obvious suspension problems and NO rust issues, (A Red Flag if present)
4. Engine and Transmission.
a. Obvious miss in engine, but no metallic clanging.
b. Oil leaks under engine.
c. No leaks from Transmission, Differential of Transfer Case
d. Rough running while driving.

Under My Ownership

The 4Runner now has 243,700 +/_ miles. It has been driven about 22,000 miles, a little over 4,000 miles a year.

1. Maintenance: (I have searched high and low for the receipts, most nowhere to be found). If needed I might can have my service guy dig them out).
a. I took it to my local service facility: Almonds Garage, Eustis Fl, second generation owner. My father and I have ALL our work done there for over 20 years)
i. At 221, 800 miles:
1. Replaced Timing Gear and Belt, all Drive Belts, Hoses Clamps, Drain and Flush cooling System and Transmission.
2. Major Tune UP, all Plugs, Wires, and some, may be all injectors.
3. Replaced valve cover gaskets.
4. Full LOF
5. A/C Serviced
6. Full Brake Job
(This work corrected all running issues, RAN BEAUTIFULLY)
2. At 222,015 Replaced tires with Michelin Defender LTX M/S. I have receipt.
a. Alignment
b. Balance
3. Over the last three years or so I have had: (No Receipts)
a. Brake Replaced
b. Catalytic Converters replaced
4. Had an Alpine 7 inch Audio/Receiver ILX-W650 installed
5. Most Recently
a. Regular LOF and Tire maintenance
b. Hood, Fender Flares, Scoop and front bumper restored and repainted.

So why am I Sell my 2002 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition?

1. My Wife does not want it! (She LOVES her Jeep!!).
2. My Granddaughter does not want it! (just got her drivers license). Her other Grampa promised her a TESLA.
3. I still want it, but not needed. We are in our late 70s and have a very comfortable lifestyle. We need to pare down.

So Here It Is For YOU.

1. Reasons for you to buy my 2002 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition
a. It is Rare!!
i. According to AI it is one of about 77,000 4Runners sold in 2002, there is no break down as to models SR5, Sport Edition, Limited.
ii. According to my research of for sale and sold 4Runners, only about one in 5 are Sport Editions. Say 15,000 Sport Editions were sold relation to overall production
iii. According to AI run of colors for the Sport Edition, the Sunfire Red Pearl was about 10-15% of those sold, say 2000 sold.
iv. According to AI about 1/2 of all 2002 4Runners are still running today, So say there are about 1000 still around
v. According to AI, there are only about 10 to 20 Sport Editions for sale. Given only 10% are Sunfire Red Pearl that means one or two available
vi. According to my research of available for sales of the Sport Edition, about 1/2 either have:
1. Salvage titles
2. Non validated milage
3. Do not have sunroofs
4. Are nor 4WDs.
5. Have reported damage

So that brings the condition/features down to rarity of about REALLY REALLY Rare
So that is my story. Good Luck Bidding.
Call me if you have Qs

don

AI Research
Google AI information

The 2002 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition represents the final production year of the highly coveted 3rd Generation 4Runner. Technically an upgrade package built on top of the SR5 trim line rather than its own distinct model tier, the Sport Edition Package added premium mechanical upgrades, distinct aesthetic traits, and dedicated off-road utility. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Core Technical Specifications
Engine: 3.4-Liter 5VZ-FE V6 engine producing 183 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic (manual transmissions were completely phased out for all 4Runners by 2001).
Drivetrain: Available in either 2WD or 4WD (utilizing a part-time 4WD system with a multi-mode transfer case).
Fuel Economy: 15 MPG City / 18 MPG Highway.
Towing Capacity: Up to 5,000 lbs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
________________________________________
What Makes the Sport Edition Unique?
The Sport Edition is highly sought after by enthusiasts primarily due to its distinct styling cues and performance upgrades. [1, 2]
Feature Category Key Attributes
Exterior Styling Non-functional aerodynamic hood scoop
Color-keyed front bumper, rear bumper, grille, and fender flares
Integrated projector-type fog lamps
"Sport Edition" badging on front doors
Mechanical Upgrades Higher-performing 4.10:1 rear differential axle ratio (great for larger tires)
Upgraded Heavy-Duty (HD) front brakes
Additional aluminum front skid plate alongside factory underbody protection
16-inch 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70R16 tires
Interior Treatment Premium charcoal gray/sport cloth seats and matching textured door trim
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Metallic silver instrument panel/center console trim
Sport Edition embroidered floor mats
________________________________________
Factory Exterior Paint Colors
Unlike the base SR5 which could be configured in a wider variety of colors, the 2002 Sport Edition of which was strictly limited to four specific exterior paint colors: [1]
Color Popularity & Rarity Rankings
While exact numbers per color do not exist in a public database, community registries and used-market volume reveal the production distribution from most common to rarest: [1]
1. Thunder Cloud Metallic (Most Common): As the signature metallic grey color featured in almost all the official 2002 marketing brochures and commercials, this was by far the highest-produced color for the Sport Edition. It likely accounted for 40% to 50% of total Sport Edition volume.
2. Black (Common): Traditionally one of Toyota's highest-volume color choices across all models. It was highly popular on the Sport Edition because the monochromatic color-matched bumpers and flares gave it a very aggressive, uniform look. It likely made up 25% to 30% of production.
3. Sunfire Red Pearl (Rare): Considerably less common than silver and black. Finding a factory 2002 Sport Edition in Sunfire Red Pearl is tough today, likely accounting for roughly 10% to 15% of the build share.
4. Stellar Blue Pearl (Ultra-Rare / Holy Grail): This is widely considered the rarest of the four colors. Toyota painted very few Sport Editions in Stellar Blue Pearl before shutting down 3rd Generation production. It is highly prized by collectors today and likely accounts for 5% or less of the total 2002 Sport Edition run.
5. The 20-Year Survival Baseline: According to automotive scrap and registration studies, the average 20-year survival rate for a typical passenger vehicle is around 5% to 10%.
6. The 4Runner Exception: Because the 2002 4Runner belongs to the exceptionally durable 3rd generation, its survival metrics track significantly higher than average. Industry analysts often find that iconic, reliable body-on-frame SUVs maintain a 20-year survival rate closer to 35% to 45%. [1]
7. The Math: Out of the 77,026 models originally sold in the U.S., it is statistically estimated that roughly 27,000 to 34,000 of them remain actively titled and legally registered on the road today.
8. [1]
9. There are very few 2002 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition 4WD models listed for sale nationwide at any given time, usually numbering under 10 to 20 active listings across major platforms since total nationwide 2002 4Runner inventory across all trims typically hovers between 100 and 300 cars. [1, 2]
10. Because exact sub-trim inventories for a 24-year-old vehicle fluctuate daily and individual platforms like CarGurus or Cars.com group trims dynamically, an exact static nationwide count for the specific Sport Edition 4WD configuration changes constantly.


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