Any V6 owners here wish that they'd gotten the V8?

[ScottAW]

Just curious on those V6 owners and how they have liked having the V6 instead of the V8. I'm still undecided on which engine really I want to get. I won't tow, or if I do, it won't be very often and won't be anything heavier than a snowmobile or two. Not sure if I'd notice a difference in fuel mileage either, as they are both close.

Any food for thought out there?

 

[srbigbutt]

I was wondering the same thing. I ordered a V6 even though deep down you really want to get the V8 even if you don't need it just for show.

 

[Mark86]

The only reason I got the V8 was because of the full-time 4WD. Did not want to go switching back and forth from 2WD to 4WD, especially with the weather we have out here!

 

[Biff]

Just curious on those V6 owners and how they have liked having the V6 instead of the V8. I'm still undecided on which engine really I want to get. I won't tow, or if I do, it won't be very often and won't be anything heavier than a snowmobile or two. Not sure if I'd notice a difference in fuel mileage either, as they are both close.

Any food for thought out there?

V8, trust me you wont regret it.

 

[Thai]

The only reason I got the V8 was because of the full-time 4WD. Did not want to go switching back and forth from 2WD to 4WD, especially with the weather we have out here!

Hmm, ya know, on V6 models, you can just leave it in 4wd all the time...would be the same as in V8.

 

[TechWrench]

I have the V6, and I have driven my friends V8, and though the V8 is a sweet engine it's not that much different than the V6. If they had offered the part time 4WD drivetrain with the V8 I would have gotten it. But since they don't, IMHO, the part time 4WD was the deciding factor. So, I'm not sorry I got the V6.

 

[srbigbutt]

If toyota didn't make a great V6 I definately would have gotten the V8. I've driven both and of course notice the difference but if you don't need it, why buy it.

 

[nathannookie]

I drove the both at the dealership, before I got my V6, which has more HP but less torque.

Hard to tell the difference, is what Car and Driver Mag. said.
I had to agree. You 'do' have to wind the V6 up more to get the power though. The V8 was quicker off the line, but not that much.

If I was towing, I'd have gotten the V8.

Now that gas is over $2 a gallon here in CA, I'm happy with each extra mile I get per gallon, but even in that respect, they are close.

 

[mswscco]

As soon as we're out of our lease for the V6 I think we will buy a V8. Extra towing capacity and perhaps a SC down the line somewhere...

 

[sharp4runr]

I'm happy with my V6. I test drove both the V8 and V6 Sport and the difference wasn't all that much. I don't do much towing and I live in the Washington DC Metro area so sitting in traffic wasting gas was a concern. I also liked the ability to switch to 2WD to conserve gas. Weather only gets really bad around here a couple of times a year so thats when I switch to 4WD. I do some off roading when I go play paintball, so switching to 4WD when I need it is not a big deal.

Plus I checked out the window sticker on the V8/V6 and the V6 had about $1100 less in yearly gas costs. That is $1100 every year in my pocket I'm saving on top of the extra $1000-1500 the dealer wanted for the V8.

The new X-Runner is using the same V6 as the 4Runner. It's rumored that the X-Runner will have an optional Super Charger. Guess what that means for us V6 owners

When it comes down to it, it's a personal preference. Sure I'd like to say I got the V8, but it just wasn't practical for me. So weigh your needs and your "wants" and make a choice. Either way, they are both great engines and I'm sure you'll be happy with both. Let us know how it goes and post when you purchase.

 

[HuntRunner]

If you think you might tow more in the future, than I say get the v8. I think this is where you will see the biggest difference. If you think your towing will stay at a minimum, the v6 will probably do everything you want. I have been in the v6 towing the same boat as my v8 tows......the v6 has to work a lot harder and burns more gas in the process. I prefer to not hear the transmission downshift all the time.

 

[jharris2]

The only reason I got the V8 was because of the full-time 4WD. Did not want to go switching back and forth from 2WD to 4WD, especially with the weather we have out here!

Intersting -- that was one reason I got the V6 instead of the V8. I didn't want full-time 4WD, because in the south we don't need it.

I drove both, evaluated them, and made the choice based on what fits best for our needs. Quite simply, I don't expect to be towing anywhere near 5,000 pounds, didn't need full-time 4WD, wanted the extra mileage.

So no, I have not regretted buying the V6 at all -- been very happy with it. And if I were buying again, I'd buy the V6.

 

[toybox]

Plus I checked out the window sticker on the V8/V6 and the V6 had about $1100 less in yearly gas costs. That is $1100 every year in my pocket I'm saving on top of the extra $1000-1500 the dealer wanted for the V8.

I barely SPEND that much in gas a year on my V8 let alone just the difference between the V6 and V8.

Hypothetical situation:

15,000m/yr divided by 17/mpg = 882 gallons per year X 1.80/gallon gasoline + $1588 yearly fuel cost V6

15,000m/yr divided by 15/mpg = 1,000 gallons per year X 1.80/gallon gasoline + $1800 yearly fuel cost V8

Difference $212 yearly.

 

[sharp4runr]

Hmmm, what numbers was I looking at on the sticker then? Anyone one have thier sticker off a V8? The number I'm looking at is on the bottom left corner under the Fuel Economy Information.

 

[barneyfife911]

I debated the V6 vs V8 forever. Towing or 4WD was not important to me (not a lot of snow in Charlotte, NC). I drove the V8 and V6 back to back on two occasions and could not believe the difference. V8 felt so much "quicker" and much more responsive when you accelerate. There was no comparison. Very easily worth the 1-2 mpg difference in gas mileage to me for the V8, but that's just me.

 

[steven_newyork]

V6 for me

I ended up with the V6, but not by choice. I was leaning toward the V8 (MPG almost on par with the V6, higher tourque, 5 speed transmission, proven reliable engine although tranny is new) but dealer said the configuration I wanted (SR5 with 3rd row seat) is not available in the Northeast unless special ordered.

I have to say that I am liking the V6 despite my initial reservations. I will not be towing so that is not an issue to me. It feels nearly as fast as the V8, but it works a bit hard to get the vehicle moving with all 3 rows occupied. I am hoping that the problems with the V6 when it was new in 03 have been worked out and this engine prooves as reliable as the V8. On a plus note, the transmission is a time tested model.

Day to day the V6 is really a pretty sweet engine and it moves the 4Runner quite nicely so I'd be comfortable in recommending it based on my experiences so far.

 

[rabeet]

I didn't notice any real difference given how I drive. Seems to me the V6 has plenty of power when you need it.

Definitely would buy the same thing again. Even with the exhaust header noise.

 

[tkr128]

Sometimes I wish I had the V8 only because it's a bit quieter, IMO. Otherwise, I am extremely happy with my choice.

 

[DDahl]

I tried a V6 and a V8 and opted for a V6. The V6 seemed to have better power at low speeds. The V8 seemed to labor to get out of its own way, unless you punched it (then it really moved). Also the V8 had an acceleration vibration at 55-65. The V6 would do it too if in 4wd. However the vibration was gone with the V6 was switched to 2WD. I also like the better mileage 20-22 with 25 or so bests at 55-65 in the mountains. I have over 18,000 miles on it so far. I have a bit of valve clatter on the left bank (probably caused by uneven thermal expansion -- uneven heating -- of the aluminum head around the middle cylinder. It doesn't use any oil. I like the use of a timing chain (much better than a timing belt) in a truck engine. I would buy the V6 again in a heartbeat!

 

[NoDak]

well im gonna try and post my reason again after the work proxy ate it the last time.

i have had a 94/98 v6 runner. on those 2 runners, i never wished i had a v8 except when i pulled a 6x12 uhaul trailer loaded from ga to nd in the 98 v6. i got about 150 miles per tank and had some really fun times going up and down the mountains around atlanta/tenn. border or any decent hills

on my 04 runner, i opted for the v8 for several reasons.

1. v8 has been around longer (tundra/lexus) than the new v6
2. FT4WD only available in the v8, and in ND the winters can get nasty up here (we only have 2 months of spring / 2 summer / 2 fall, rest is winter so to speak)
3. if i ever have to pull a trailer again, i dont want to deal with the v6 lack of torque
4. the mpg between the v8 and v6 equated to me filling up once every 5 days compared the v6 once every 7 days


but in the end, after driving either the v6 or v8, you eventually come around to realizing your engine choice was the correct choice, the both have there pro's and con's.