03 vs. 06

[freezy74]

I'm leaseing an 03 V8 sport and the lease will be up soon. My question is, is the new V8 with VVTi that much stronger? Power is a big concern, so that is going to be a major factor in weather to get an 06 sport or mabie just buy mine out. Anybody drive both have any input?

 

[sharp4runr]

Mark86 had a 2003 V8 and now is cruising in a 2005 V8 so he'd be a good candidate. Actually do a search for his thread because I'm pretty sure he compared them when he purchased his new truck.

 

[biglatka]

I'm leaseing an 03 V8 sport and the lease will be up soon. My question is, is the new V8 with VVTi that much stronger? Power is a big concern, so that is going to be a major factor in weather to get an 06 sport or mabie just buy mine out. Anybody drive both have any input?

Why not consider the 05 V8 SE as one of the choices? You'll get the more advanced and powerful engine at a much better price. I haven't compared the 03/04 V8 to the 05/06 V8 so I can't tell you for sure whether the increased HP will be apparent.

 

[4RunnerRon]

03 vs 06

I have driven my neighbor's 04 Sport Ed. V8 (just prior to the power rating increase) and also test-driven an 06 Sport Ed. V8. There is a noticable difference in power between the two, but it's definitely not as noticeable as the power span between the V8 and the V6. I drove a V6 Sport Ed. two days after test-driving the V8 and could tell the difference right away. While on the test drive, I made my mind up and thought, "I am definitely getting the V8!"

Not that there's anything wrong with the V6, I'm just a horsepower junkie and, if more power is available, I'm gonna get it! The new V8 has that smooth power that always seems to be on tap. I remember my neighbor's 04 was great to drive too, but the increase in power for 05/06 is noticeable for those of us who care.

 

[Mark86]

Like sharp4runr said, I had an03 V8 Sport and now drive an 05 V8 Limited. I would not say that the power difference is that noticeable. My 03 Sport had more than enough power but the 05 is the icing on the cake. The only time I really feel the increase in power is on the steep hills and when really pushing the accelerator down from a stop. Other than that, both trucks are identical. The engines sound exactly alike and feel identical under normal circumstances. For example, my 03 V8 didn't have that extra punch when going up some of the steep hills in my area and my 05 makes it up without breaking a sweat.

Another change for the 2005 V8 was that addition of VVT-I. I get around 1-1.5 mpg better in my 2005. For my 2003, I got around 16-16.5 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg in the city. For my 2005, I am getting around 17-18 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city.

Overall, I don't think the power increase is that noticeable. You probably won't feel a difference 98% of the time. I wouldn't buy a 2006 only for the power increase. I think the new features are more impressive. You will definitely notice that before the power increase!! :

 

[peter78]

Overall, I don't think the power increase is that noticeable. You probably won't feel a difference 98% of the time. I wouldn't buy a 2006 only for the power increase. I think the new features are more impressive. You will definitely notice that before the power increase!! :

I would think that makes sense, I would think you would feel more power in the upper end of the power band of the engine. Since most of us ususally live in the lower power band, i.e. less than 2,500 RPM, the engines should be somewhat the same.

Of course it never hurts to take a test drive.:driving:

 

[freezy74]

Thanks for the replies. The V8 is definately the only option for me, as I do pull a car trailer from time to time. I'll have to see if i can take one for a drive and see how it is.

Mark86, how do you like the limited vs. the sport? I like the whole look and feel to the sport, but like some of the options the limited has. Does it seem like it gave up some torque for the extra power up top or does it seem pretty much the same untill it really starts to rev?

Thanks

 

[cruzmissile]

I noticed a considerable difference going from an '03 to an '05 myself. Maybe because of the fact that I tow a rather heavy load (~6000#). The extra power is most noticable merging into traffic and running up the steep Pocono Mts. I also think it's much smoother without the trailer. Not 100% sure on this, but I beleive there is another gear added to the tranny as well (4 speed vs. 5 speed). The transition from gear to gear is flawless now in the '05. I also noticed I picked up about 3 MPG when towing the very same load on the very same route.
With all of the improvements on the '06 over the '03, I would definitey opt for the newer SE.

My $0.02

 

[sharp4runr]

Not 100% sure on this, but I beleive there is another gear added to the tranny as well (4 speed vs. 5 speed).

The gear change was on the V6 engine. The 2003-2004 V6 models came with a 4 speed automatic while the 2005-2006 V6 have the 5speed that as far as the board can tell is identical to the V8.

 

[Mark86]

Thanks for the replies. The V8 is definately the only option for me, as I do pull a car trailer from time to time. I'll have to see if i can take one for a drive and see how it is.

Mark86, how do you like the limited vs. the sport? I like the whole look and feel to the sport, but like some of the options the limited has. Does it seem like it gave up some torque for the extra power up top or does it seem pretty much the same untill it really starts to rev?

Thanks

The engines basically feel the same until it really starts to rev. IT doesn't feel like it gave up any torque for the extra power. The Limited and Sport basically drive the same. The ride in my Limited is a little smoother because I have the rear air suspension option. I also find the leather seats a lot more comfortable than the cloth seats in my Sport. The Limited also has a few more little things like auto on headlights, dual climate control, heated front seats, cooler looking guages, and power seats which are nice to have on a vehicle. If you get a Limited, get it with XREAS because you had that on your Sport!

 

[trdcorolla]

A while back I saw a dyno sheet comparing a 04 Tundra V8 to a 05 Tundra V8. The dyno sheet showed that the 04 made more power and torque from idle to about 2500 RPM.