All things equal, should I get the V6 or V8

Since I haven't had any problem keeping 2 vehicles well past 300k miles and I tow a 2500lb camper several weekends every summer...WITHOUT ever tearing into the transmission or engine....then based on what you're saying...you should be able to 500k miles!!!! Any my current vehicle (05 4runner with the V6 has a little over 190k miles) shows no engine or tranny problems.

Will the V8 be easier on the tranny...probably...but so what??? If you can still get 300k miles with the V6...what is the V8 buying you???

Answer - NOTHING

So what am I missing????
 
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Since I have a V8, of course I'm going to say go for the V8. But go for what you want. I liked the heavy feel of the V8 better, not to mention the power, sound, full time 4WD and the list goes on. Good luck with finding one.
 
I dont think anyone can give you the right answer, only you can answer the question which one suits you. I have a V6 and find it's got enough power for my needs. If I had a V8, I would be kicking myself now because we recently moved and distance to work is a lot further now. In Canada, gas prices are a lot higher, so I'm glad i have a V6 instead of a V8.
 
MikeInNH said:
Since I haven't had any problem keeping 2 vehicles well past 300k miles and I tow a 2500lb camper several weekends every summer...WITHOUT ever tearing into the transmission or engine....then based on what you're saying...you should be able to 500k miles!!!! Any my current vehicle (05 4runner with the V6 has a little over 190k miles) shows no engine or tranny problems.

Will the V8 be easier on the tranny...probably...but so what??? If you can still get 300k miles with the V6...what is the V8 buying you???

Answer - NOTHING

So what am I missing????
Click to expand...

PLEASE, it's an ENTIRELY different driving EXPERIENCE.

I tried CAPITALIZING words to add EMPHASIS like YOU DO.
 
As I said it depends on WHAT they are towing....


Towing a 1500lb trailer.....the driving experience will be insignificant....

Towing a 3000lb trailer..then sure they MAY be a difference..but nothing I'd say you MUST get a V8 for.
 
For what it's worth, I tow 4,000lbs with my V6 in the foothills of CA. It does just fine. The limits of the 4Runner when towing, whether it is V6 or V8, is the short wheel base. The tail will start wagging the dog on heavier loads. The V8 won't help you there.

These V6/V8 threads crack me up. It's the same thing every time and usually ends with someone getting pissed at someone esle. Classic.
 
Can someone please summarize the difference between the different models for me or point me to some online source?

For example:
What is the difference between the SR5 Sport with the V6 vs. V8 other than the engine?

I will be checking out a bunch of 2004's tomorrow and I just want to be a bit more educated about what I'm looking at.

For example, I've seen a 2004 Limited with a V6 but it's not the sport model (fake scoop on hood) and it has 3 rows of seats. Yikes, I don't want 3 rows of seats!

I've seen the SR5 Sport V8 without leather as well as the SR5 Sport V6 without leather.

Is the pattern here that the SR5 models don't come with leather. What other difference is there? Are the wheels different?

Do all the sport models come with the X-REAS suspension?

What are all the colors that the leather comes in? What about the fabric version - what colors do they come in? Are they tied to the exterior color choice?
 
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SilverGs said:
Can someone please summarize the difference between the different models for me or point me to some online source?

For example:
What is the difference between the SR5 Sport with the V6 vs. V8 other than the engine?

I will be checking out a bunch of 2004's tomorrow and I'm just want to be a bit more educated about what I'm looking at.

For example, I've seen a 2004 Limited with a V6 but it's not the sport model (fake scoop on hood) and it has 3 rows of seats. Yikes, I don't want 3 rows of seats!

I've seen the SR5 Sport V8 without leather as well as the SR5 Sport V6 without leather.

Is the pattern here that the SR5 models don't come with leather. What other difference is there? Are the wheels different?
Click to expand...

GOOGLE BRO.

Top4Runners.com - Toyota 4Runner Informational Website
 
MikeInNH said:
Since I haven't had any problem keeping 2 vehicles well past 300k miles and I tow a 2500lb camper several weekends every summer...WITHOUT ever tearing into the transmission or engine....then based on what you're saying...you should be able to 500k miles!!!! Any my current vehicle (05 4runner with the V6 has a little over 190k miles) shows no engine or tranny problems.

Will the V8 be easier on the tranny...probably...but so what??? If you can still get 300k miles with the V6...what is the V8 buying you???
Click to expand...

Those are good points. Would liked to have seen them in your other post.
 
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There are dozens and dozens of threads on here discussing the V6 vs. the V8.

The bottom line is that YOU have to decide based on your desired balance of lifestyle, finances and environmental concerns.

Obviously the V8 will perform the best in terms of acceleration and towing, but you will spend hundreds more per year fueling it. The difference in fuel economy between the 6-cyl and 8-cyl will be noticeable - don't think for a second that it's "only 1-2mpg", as is sometimes claimed on here. If that were true, and it was possible to get much better torque and HP at the cost of a small fuel penalty, why would they even offer the V6 at all?

That said, I'm sure the V8 is more fun to drive on account of the extra power and the all-time 4WD.

I have a V6 but I don't regularly tow and I got my "speed fix" out of my system with my last vehicle, an E39 M5.
 
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get2thechoppah said:
The difference in fuel economy between the 6-cyl and 8-cyl will be noticeable - don't think for a second that it's "only 1-2mpg", as is sometimes claimed on here. If that were true, and it was possible to get much better torque and HP at the cost of a small fuel penalty, why would they even offer the V6 at all?
Click to expand...

To add to what you said - why would they have discontinued the V8 in the 5th gen's if the fuel economy was really that negligible?

Bottom line for me when I bought both of my 4th gen's used was to find one that was well taken care of, the color I wanted and close to my house. If that happened to be a V6 then great. If it happened to be a V8 then great. Both engines are good, capable engines and they shouldn't be your deciding factor.
 
Asked a different way (and there are threads on this) . . . how many wish they would have gotten a V8 instead of a V6?

Of those that regret (not the happy buyers but those with buyer's remorse myself included) you will probably find more V6 buyers regrettting not getting a V8 than you will V8 buyers that regret not getting a V6.

Do the math and decide: (mpg will vary but this gives you an idea)

V6
400 miles per week divided by 17mpg = 23.5 gals per week x $3.65 per gal of gas = $85.77 per week.

V8
400 miles per week divided by 14mpg = 28.57 gals per week x $3.65 per gal of gas = $104.28

Difference of $18.51 per week or $962 per year. Again just averages used but it will give you an idea of the difference.

You could save the $18.51 per week for 2 lattes, a Double Double at In-n-Out and a pack of smokes . . . or YOU COULDA HAD A V8!!:banana:

Good luck as either one is good and will give you plenty of worry free miles.

The towing questions always cracks me up. If your towing something longer and heavier than the 4runner than you should not be towing it with a 4runner. (just my opinion of course having towed everything from utility trailers to car carriers)
 
get2thechoppah said:
don't think for a second that it's "only 1-2mpg", as is sometimes claimed on here.
Click to expand...

For 4X4, the worst case scenario is a difference of 2 and 3 based on the latest epa procedure. The old procedure produced 1 and 2. Probably most of the difference between the two is because of opposite rounding effects because 2WD, currently, is 1 and 2 also.

So call it 1.5 and 2.5 at most.

Apologies if the information gets in the way of endlessly fun discussion of gas mileage.
 
I bought a V8 because its wasnt meant to be my daily driver and I always have the "what if" question in my head. To be honest, I dont think I need the V8, but I LOOOOOOVE the 'Grunt'. It never gets old. Its too bad that a discussion such as this has to divide the 4R community.
 
Realistically the MPG debate is about as old as the V6 vs. V8 one and they pretty much go hand in hand as the most significant reason the V6 owners cite for their V6 preference is superior MPG.

As far as I can tell however, there seems to be a greater difference due to driving styles and traffic than there is between the two engines themselves. People on here say they get 16 MPG in a V6 and 18 in a V8, 20 in a V6 and 14 in an V8 and so on. There is probably some savings with the V6 over the V8 but I am quite sure that I get better fuel economy than some V6 owners at times.

If you want to get really technical, premium fuel is recommended for the V6 and not the V8, so there goes your fuel savings...

I drove several V6s before buying my 4Runner (as i am sure many people did). While it did not really struggle to get up and go, it definitely has to "work harder" and definitely seemed to be lacking in the earlier 4 speed form. IMHO V6s do the job, but i don't care for the sound of the exhaust note or the comparatively weak performance, not to mention the less proven engine design.

I think if the V6 consistently got at least 22-24 MPG it might be enough for me to go that route, but in reality it doesn't, and I live with my 18.
 
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