Buying V8 vs. V6?

[4Fishing]

My 90 4Runner (185K miles) is about to die, and I'm deciding what to get this Labor Day. I really wanted a 2005 4WD V6 for gas milage purposes, but with a rebate of $2500 (V6 has a $500) and ZERO percent financing on 2005 V8s only makes me re-think.

I'm new, so any comments on what you would do would be great.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Either way, you shall not be disappointed.....but I don't think you need the V-8 unless you plan on towing something large with your 4Runner.

 

[tcpoob]

rebate AND zero financing? are you sure you can get both? what part of the country is "the oc" if you dont mind?

if i were you, i'd go for the V8. i have v6 and it's great, but i keep thinking "would have", "could have" ...

My 90 4Runner (185K miles) is about to die, and I'm deciding what to get this Labor Day. I really wanted a 2005 4WD V6 for gas milage purposes, but with a rebate of $2500 (V6 has a $500) and ZERO percent financing on 2005 V8s only makes me re-think.

I'm new, so any comments on what you would do would be great.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

You may have to sit down with a calculator and figure out if the lower interest rate (Zero % in your case, apparently) is going to save you enough money to overcome the difference in fuel economy.

That V-8 will chug some extra go-go juice, you know. Resale value might be worth considering, too. Jeez.....so many variables! Whatever you decide, just do whatever makes you happy so you don't have to sit around What-iffing yourself crazy for three years of payments.

Again, you're going to enjoy your 4Runner no matter which model you purchase or lease. They're good trucks. I just got back from a 1500-mile trip to Michigan and back. It was great - except for me having a hard time getting comfortable in the driver's seat. I can't pin it down, but you gotta get that sucker adjusted exactly a certain way or you get a leg cramp.

The 4Runner has acceptable road manners, good brakes, adequate handling and PLENTY OF POWER - even with the V-6. I consistently did better than 20 mpg on the open road, and I have a very heavy foot. Had I kept it close to 60 mph, I probably could have broken the 24 mpg barrier.

Anyway, good luck whatever you decide! You will learn a lot on this forum, sir.

 

[tkr128]

Hate to burst your bubble, but it's $2500 cash back OR 0% for 48 months or 1.9% for 49-60 months.

If you don't mind filling up often and can afford to spend more on gas, go with the V8. You can get a V8 for less than the price of the V6 (with the $2500 rebate), so it helps to make up some of the money spent on more gas, and you get the more powerful motor. I love my V6, but if I could have gotten a V8 for less than what I bought mine for back in 2003, I would've went with the V8.

Drive both, you'll either really like the V8 or feel like the V6 is a better value. It's really up to what you're going to feel more comforatble driving.

 

[jbrhymer]

I have the v8 and love it. Also, the epa rating is 19 vs 21 on the highway and 16 vs 17 in the city. What is 1 -2 mpg really? I guess it depends on how many miles you drive a year, but for me it was a no brainer. Plus if you live in snow country, the v8 is great for pulling newbies out of snow banks / drifts...

 

[<<<<]

If you plan to do your own maintnance get V-6. Example: in V-8 you have to remove skid plates just to change oil, and filter is in dificult location. Good Luck.

 

[biglatka]

My 90 4Runner (185K miles) is about to die, and I'm deciding what to get this Labor Day. I really wanted a 2005 4WD V6 for gas milage purposes, but with a rebate of $2500 (V6 has a $500) and ZERO percent financing on 2005 V8s only makes me re-think.

I'm new, so any comments on what you would do would be great.

I've had them both and all I can say is drive them first. The V6 is excellent but the V8 is so much better. Besides, the EPA figures (4WD) are 16/19 for the V8 and 17/21 for the V6, not much difference in mileage but the $2000 rebate difference buys a lot of gas.

The mileage will have more to do with the driver in this case. I get 20mpg on the road and 16mpg around town with my V8. I have found that around town they're pretty close in mpg, it is on the highway where the V6 gets 1-2mpg better. I believe it is the ability to drive in 2WD in V6 vs only 4WD in the V8 that probably has the most to do with any mileage difference.

In any event, go for the SE and test drive them both, that ought to cinch it for you.

Good luck!

 

[boston_kevin]

Drive both of them in the trim level you like, keep 'em over night if the dealer lets you, then go back and get the one you want. My advice, drive the V8 first for comparison.

All of those EPA figures have been hit back and forth between V8 and V6 threads for many months now. Yea, based on the window stickers, it would take a long time to regain the fuel savings in the initial cost of the vehicle buying a V6 over a V8. However the best reported highway mileage for a V8 is under 20 mpg, best reported V6 highway mileage (consistently) is around 25 (24-26). Most people who buy purely for gas mileage end up being disappointed if they really like to drive. Gas mileage is just one of the factors involved in buying the car. This is something you will keep for many years to come, and is the second biggest investment after your house. Get the one you want after driving both.

 

[doctob]

I consistently get 20-21 MPG highway with my 05 v8. Never have I averaged less than 20 on highway. Around 16 in city and stop and go. I would never give up the power and torque of my v8 for the v6 for a couple miles (at best) per gallon. Not worth it in my opinion....Besides, you get that little v8 badge.

 

[Northof49]

Bleh, this has been gone over so many times it's not even fun anymore.

Drive both and see what YOU like is the best advice. Some people find notable advantages to the V8, others don't. Some people feel the gas mileage difference is signifigant, others don't. Personally, if I was buying a vehicle (even an SUV) based primarily on gas mileage, it sure sure as hell wouldn't be ANY 4Runner.

That said, if your 1990 4R is a V6.....either a V8 or V6 4rth gen will probably get better your current mileage.

 

[IIIBradIII]

C'mon you know you want the V8 - you're just hoping someone here will talk you out of it.

- Signed,
That little devil on your shoulder :satan:

 

[seancgn68]

This is a decision I agonized over for a month before I finally bought my V6. At the time I bought, I would have had to pay about $2K more for a V8. That was my first strike as I was on a limited budget. Another thing I really do like about the V6 vs V8 is the ablilty to run in 2WD or 4WD. It's not a gas mileage thing (although that certainly helps), I just like to have control of that option.

That said, I will chime in with my MPG averages. I drive fairly spiritedly.

17 City
19.5 Mix
23 Hwy

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I just came back from a 1500-mile trip to Michigan and back. I typically got 21 to 22 mpg with my V-6. My driving was almost all on the Interstate, but let's just say I was not in the "slow" lane. I had some local, run-around driving while there, but it did not affect my average mpg very much.

The 4Runner is a very nice highway vehicle, despite its 'truckiness' and non-aerodynamic shape. She'll easily outpace traffic without even having to drop out of overdrive, unless you're on a steep hill. The only gear-hunting I experienced was on parts of the PA Turnpike and on I-70 between Breezewood, PA and Frederick, MD. That is easily overcome by knocking the shifter into the "4" position temporarily. Now that type of long hill might be easy for the V-8 and it probably has enough torque to keep you crusing in high gear.

It's just my opinion - and we know what opinions are like - but I doubt you really will need the V-8 unless you're planning on towing something with your 4Runner. In all honesty, the current V6 will outrun, outpower and outpull many V8 engines of just a few years ago. Just be careful with any new 4Runner. You will be up to 80 or 85 mph on the highway without even realizing it!!

 

[tcpoob]

Jeff, great report and neat house too. i get similar highway mileage in a trip 600 miles. the tranmission being so smooth, i hardly noticed any downshift. next time if i climb up a hill, i'll pay attention. i am rather insensitive to gear hunting - not sure what it's like.

 

[>MR2turbo4evr<]

I haven't driven the V6 4Runer yet, so I can't really say good or bad things about it, but the V8 is just amazing. The engine is so smooth, quiet and powerful. I have never driven any car/truck with such an amazing powertrain. Plus the V8 comes with a transmission and oil cooler (I think the V6 comes with the oil cooler too though). I guess it comes down to what you want. Testdrive both and see which one you like best.

 

[>MR2turbo4evr<]

If you plan to do your own maintnance get V-6. Example: in V-8 you have to remove skid plates just to change oil, and filter is in dificult location. Good Luck.

This is not true. Once you remove the skid plate (only 2 bolts), the filter is in a very easy-to-remove position. It can't get much easier than that.

 

[Bluto]

This is not true. Once you remove the skid plate (only 2 bolts), the filter is in a very easy-to-remove position. It can't get much easier than that.

2 bolts or 4? I always remove 4 and drop the plate.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Here in AZ, I noticed that the V8 is cheaper than the V6 in list price. That's because you can get the V8 (even in the sport ed.) w/o useless features like the moonroof (that's given many on this board so many problems w/ creaking) but with useful features like the curtain airbags, while w/ the V6, you can't get the curtain bags option w/o also paying for the moonroof. I'd rather have a manual 4wd xfer case lever like on the LC Prado than the electronic dial on the v6 (what if the switch or other electronic gizmo fails?). In this sense, the full-time 4wd is one less electronic item that can go bad. I do, however, like the fact the V6 has a timing chain rather than a belt like the V8. The best situation would be a V8 w/ part-time 4wd to save some gas. Why doesn't Toyota offer that, I don't know. The Tundra's have V8's w/ part-time 4wd, right? Or better yet, offer the V6 w/ 6spd manual transmission! Since the FJ Cruiser will supposedly be offered w/ a 6spd manual is is based on the Prado/4runner chassis and has the 4 liter V6, I'd presume one could convert a V6 4runner to manual using the FJ bell housing/crossmember/t-case. With the V8, there are 5spd w/ V8's sold overseas in the LC 100 (I think the Tundra 2wd even came w/ a manual at some point), so one could do the same thing.

 

[beeper]

You must be sick of hearing about milage by now but all those posts are good.I have a V6 SE and its great,plenty of ummf..but if I had to do it over I would get the V8 even now with the price of gas as is. When I bought the V8 it was $1500 more but you are not only getting it for free but a $2500 rebate ...WOW. That will more than pay the gas. Tell you what I like about the V8....I didn't consider any kind of heavy towing but I should have...didn't even give it a thought. Now I realize I could use it. But if you positively know you don't need it,the V6 will be great.
Gas is just one piece of it,either way you go you will like the truck without a doubt. Its my first Toyota and its just fantastic. Good luck !