Oh give me a frickin' break. There is no noticeable difference between the two.

He's right, but most people probably won't notice it.

I test drove a few V8's and V6's. The 4 speed V6's were pretty horrible, would not recommend due to gear ratios and power. The early V8 felt ok down low, but seemed to very quickly lose its steam. With 4WD handling is pretty poor. One I test drove returned 16.5 mpg in city driving on the trip computer, so about 15 mpg actual. My V6 2WD will do 21-23 mpg actual on the same area.

The 2WD V6 actually turns into a corner pretty well because the front is fairly light. Ultimate grip is low up front due to factory camber curves, and to promote "safe" understeer.


BTW - most people that have track driving experience are probably comfortable driving at a level that would make the average driver crap their pants. So realize that if you're driving like Suzie Soccer Mom, you won't notice these nuances. Hell, I can tell if my <2500 lb track car has a full or half full tank of gas within one lap out on track. A 180 lb passenger completely changes how the car drives, and the actual line the car wants to take to be fastest.

Your 4runner is even lighter than most since it's 2WD only. The reduced weight also helps explain the better gas mileage. The later V8 probably does a bit better than the early ones since it has VVT-i.

appreciate the input, but i certainly noticed it when i test drove both. i didn't say that it was glaring, but simply pointed out that the difference it steering (front end handling) was not attributed to the actual steering equipment, but rather the difference in weight.

I've got a 4spd v6, nothing horrible about it

It's a fine rig I'm sure, but the power/lower end torque on the one I drove plus the wider gearing was just not a good combo.

The VVTi V6 and non-VVTi V8 honestly didn't feel all that different to me above ~2k RPM.

LOL! Well not that much! You hit the nail on the head with your line about being half the man my dog thinks I am!

ill give you that, the early motors are similar in the high end, an area i rarely get into lol

There's really not a huge difference between the two, unless you're towing. The V8 doesn't make *that* much more power, and the V6 doesn't get *that* much better gas mileage. I drove both and barely noticed any difference in peppiness with the V8. I was coming from a modified turbo car, so they all felt pretty pokey. Which is fine for what they are.

With the lift, tires, and Bajarack, I get 17-20mpg with my V6, hand calculated and tracked by GPS. Pretty inline with what a V8 would get. Maybe 1-2mpg difference. Honestly, once you start lifting, tire-ing, and rack-ing, it's gonna be bad, no matter what.

I like the V6 for the slightly lower maintance (timing chain), but wish I'd gotten the V8, for the rumble. The V6 sounds awful with an exhaust on it.

Which one works the hardest ? Wears the most ?

The one with the most cylinders, most torque...
Does the V8 stress the transmission more than the V6 (torque vs. shift-shift-shift vs. overall revs to get down the road)?

I dunno

The mpg difference is negligible. The v8 is smoother, quieter, and more powerful. Great engine and definitely worth spending the time to try to find one to test out before getting a v6.

It's funny how this has turned into V6 vs V8 owners.

Go back to my original post. It's based on facts, not opinion.

I own a vehicle with a 351W. I have nothing against V8s.

Not sure why anyone would suggest a V8 is quieter, that's preposterous. Heck if i were ever to buy a V8 it's because it sounds so much better (read louder)

The 4.7 V8 was the original Lexus V8 which was designed to be very quiet, and is indeed much quieter than the V6.

Many people prefer to annoy others with loud engines and exhaust. I'm not one of those people.

I selected the V8 after renting the V6 because when traveling down mountain trails I prefer the sounds of nature, tires crunching on sticks and rocks, and wind in the trees, to that of an engine.

The V6 is freer revving and keen to perform. The V8 is high torque and smooth, as I can drive in traffic all day at less than 2,000 rpm and never hold-up traffic. The V6 is energetic like a race horse, and the V8 is solid and powerful like a Clydesdale.

But then, my use isn't on a race track but off-road, around town and cross country trips.

A ~20% difference in mpg between the two is not negligible.

I drove both around town. (Can't speak to bird watching) and as i said, i liked the sound of the V8 better but i wouldn't have described it as quieter, just "better".

In the end if you need more torque and don't mind spending more money for it, you should get the V8.

If not, i'm sure the the V6 is more than adequate.

I love V8 power, I traded a Charger R/T for my 4Runner. My 4Runner is a V6 and I have to say I am very satisfied with the V6, plenty of pep in my opinion. Disclaimer: I do not tow anything and yes, there are days when I miss my Charger and the sound of a Hemi winding up.