Did I make a bad decision? V8 instead of V6

[kimberco]

Hey all,
I just purchased my first 4runner and I'm picking it up on Friday. It's a SportsEdition SR5 with the V8 and I'm wondering if I made the right choice versus the V6. I know the obvious power difference between the two, but are there are cons towards the V8 and being 4WD all the time?
Thanks, and I look forward to gleaning from all of you as the 4runner becomes modded!

 

[snowbrdr033]

I think you'll be happy with your decision, especially since you are in Colorado, it won't hurt to have the 4WD in the winter and in the mountains. Obvious downsides are the decrease in mileage, but as long as you don't have a lead foot, do easy accelerations/decelerations, you should be satisfied!

 

[nashman69g]

be glad you have the V8!

 

[MICA4R]

Hey all,
I just purchased my first 4runner and I'm picking it up on Friday. It's a SportsEdition SR5 with the V8 and I'm wondering if I made the right choice versus the V6. I know the obvious power difference between the two, but are there are cons towards the V8 and being 4WD all the time?
Thanks, and I look forward to gleaning from all of you as the 4runner becomes modded!

its a little late to repent. buyer's remorse is a b*tch so just be happy with it. goes without saying that you should have read the forum before you bought it. anyways its 50/50 split on the opinions here.

my $0.02, the v8 will last forever and esp in co you'll really enjoy it.

 

[kkz]

I wish I had the V8. Just be glad you own a V8 4Runner from the only generation that got offered in a V8.

 

[ThrottleJock]

No, it's a sweet V8 they put in these things. Smooth as butter, wonderfully torquey and sounds awesome.

 

[progress4m]

There are no cons of having 4wd all the time… I have looked into that long and hard before getting into 4th generation.. 4runner 4wd works seamless; you do not feel that you are in 4wd. Just FYI: I am not sure if you know that, but Lexus GX470 has the same powertrain as V8 model of 4Rnnners and it is 4wd all the time, also all LC, LX 470, LX 570, GX460 are all 4wd all the time as well.

As far as V8 vs.V6… I do not want to start another “battle” here.. you do a search on this forum and you will see a LOT of info on that subject…

I can tell you that I have seeing people here wanting to upgrade from V6 to V8 and talking about it, I have also seeing people selling their V6 and buying V8, I have even seeing 5 gen owners selling their 5th gen in favor of V8 in 4th gen…. But I have not seeing anyone wanting to sell V8 and switch to V6..

I think you did the right thing.. my $.02
Enjoy it!

 

[shifthis]

I have a v8 and a v6. the v8 is more enjoyable to drive and smoother.

 

[jimithing]

You'll be fine with the V8 as long as you can handle the decreased gas mileage. Both engines are good engines. That said there are two issues that I'm aware of on the V8's. The first is the exhaust manifold cracking. The second is the transfer case leaking. Search the forums and you'll find multiple threads about both issues. But don't let those scare you away. Neither one has been enough of a problem for a recall. I'm not even sure there are TSB's for them. Maybe there are, I dunno.

The V6 has had some head gasket issues - so don't feel like it's a bulletproof engine either. The HG problem seems especially common in the 04 V6's for some reason. IMO either engine will last a long, long time if properly maintained. When buying a used 4Runner the most important thing to me was a good service history and condition of the vehicle. When I found the one that was the color I wanted and the condition I wanted for the price I wanted I bought it. I would have been happy with either the V6 or the V8 - and yes I test drove 4Runners with both engines.

 

[stanleybb50]

You'll be fine with the V8 as long as you can handle the decreased gas mileage. Both engines are good engines. That said there are two issues that I'm aware of on the V8's. The first is the exhaust manifold cracking. The second is the transfer case leaking. Search the forums and you'll find multiple threads about both issues. But don't let those scare you away. Neither one has been enough of a problem for a recall. I'm not even sure there are TSB's for them. Maybe there are, I dunno.

The V6 has had some head gasket issues - so don't feel like it's a bulletproof engine either. The HG problem seems especially common in the 04 V6's for some reason. IMO either engine will last a long, long time if properly maintained. When buying a used 4Runner the most important thing to me was a good service history and condition of the vehicle. When I found the one that was the color I wanted and the condition I wanted for the price I wanted I bought it. I would have been happy with either the V6 or the V8 - and yes I test drove 4Runners with both engines.

Just an fyi that leaky transfer cases aren't just v8 specific.


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[bensanders]

As long as you can afford the gas mileage the V8 owns the V6 in every aspect.

 

[sr5hi]

Love my V8. The better performance is worth the lower gas mileage to me. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

I have had two V8 4th Gen 4Runners, both have run like a champ and never given me any motor issues at all. My father has a 2009 V6, and honestly, his has been running like a champ, too. That said, he's driven my V8's and made the comment that he felt the V8 was a little smoother than his V6, but that the power and responsiveness didn't seem to differ a whole lot. I've driven his V6 also, and felt his assessment was pretty accurate.

For what it's worth, I do believe that both engines are very solid performers and you can't go wrong with either.

Ultimately, I prefer my V8's for towing long distances over his V6 simply because the V8 has a factory transmission intercooler installed - something my old man's rig hasn't got for whatever the reason. It's not an absolute necessity, but it gives me a little more peace of mind on those hot summer cross-country drives through the various mountain passes with a load behind me.

Also, the all-time 4WD on the 4WD V8 models is a nice feature to have for those not versed on how to properly get the rig into 4WD in those tough spots (such as my wife), but again, not a necessity.

 

[progress4m]

Just an fyi that leaky transfer cases aren't just v8 specific.


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

That is 100% correct.

 

[MikeInNH]

One of the reasons most people buy a Toyota is it's long term durability. V6 or V8...Both are EXCELLENT engines with a solid proven track record. While my 4runner has had some issues in the past 200k miles (mainly calipers)....it's been far far more reliable then the last GM vehicle I owned (which was pretty much junk after 120k miles).

V6 or V8?? Doesn't matter. Keep the maintenance up....drive an enjoy the ride for the next 300k miles....That's my plan anyways.

 

[04rnr]

There are no cons of having 4wd all the time…

I have to disagree,,,, I have the V8, but in my case I needed a vehicle FAST, and thought the V8 would be sweet, which it is, but I didnt know that the V8 is full time 4WD, or I would have got the V6, I want to be able to select when "I" want 4wd, I still would like to slide it around corners in the snow

When you snap a CV out wheeling, you better have a spare with you :violin:

from my understanding, the stock power difference in real world, isnt much so thats not worth chatting about lol
The V6 you can do a supercharger IIRC, the V8 you "might" find a s/c but they are very rare.

 

[BReardon21]

Love my v8, I believe you will love yours too!

 

[xlaxx]

Here we go again.

:snacker:

 

[T4rman]

I had my v8 loaded up with 5 people, 2 dogs, full ski/board gear, a cooler and, some leftover road trip gear at 10k feet in the snow going up the mountain and had tons of power. I'm happy with it. Plus you get to tell all your friends "yeah it's a v8"

 

[DC runner]

NO! Slay it before it grows! Kill the beast!!!

Seriously. There are like 1000 of these threads. If you need your ego stroked in regards to whatever direction you go.. feel free to look around and enjoy.

Do we need ANOTHER thread to clutter the mix?