I'm still looking .....

[Falls]

But I drove a v6 & a V8 and liked them both alot . I think I will opt. for the v6 since I drive about 25k + per year. I think it goes great for a v6 . It all boil's down to the add'l milage/cost .

Do you guy's think I nut's ??


I also am surprised at the sales rep's and how little they actually know about truck's re:4x4 system's & axle ratio , nobody there seem's to know. I also asked about the central lock feature and they said I can't use it for driving in snow or anything , only use it if I'm stuck . I asked if it became a 50/50 split after I locked it together and know one know's that either . Well in that case of being stuck I would lock it up in 4lo to get out. I too am a little confused about how Toyota's 4wd system work's on the v6 and v8 because of conflicting stories from the rep's . I've had 4x4's my whole life and am familiar with them , but the conflicting stories are confusing to me.

 

[sharp4runr]

Gas mileage on the V6/V8 isn't dramatically different but remember you have to pay extra for the V8 at purchase. V6 has more than enough power for daily driving and if you don't tow much then you don't really "need" the extra grunt of the V8. Now if you want the extra power, feel free to get the V8. They are both outstanding engines.

You CAN lock the center differential in snow. VSC is disabled when you lock the center diff so maybe that is why they said not to use it. You want VSC on because it may save your butt in bad driving conditions. Locking the center diff splits power 50/50 between the front/rear axles.

Take a look at this thread for some helpful links: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=4297

 

[veloindy]

The million dollar question

I, and many others have had the same question.

I purchased the V6 for the following reasons:

1. I think the V6 handled better in 2WD, instead of all wheel drive. I like the option of telling the car when I want 4WD.

2. Slightly better gas mileage. I'm getting 22mpg (hand calculated) mostly city but usually a mountain ski trip per tank too. The car has less than 2k miles, so I'm hoping that number goes up slightly.

3. I never tow anything.

4. Easier to change my own oil.

5. The V6 does just fine at altitude. Drove both up I-70 to Vail pass, couldn't tell much difference.

Those are my reasons. People will argue it's just as easy to change the oil in the V8. For them it might be, these are my reasons for you think over.

Gool luck, they're both great choices. You're going to be happy with either engine.

 

[chunderboy]

Do the v6. Yes, the mpg isn't that diff, but the thing that sold me was the ability to change b/w 4wd and 2wd. And plus i don't tow anything.

As far as dealers knowing nothing, it is just a fact. They guy i got mine from didn't even know the size of the brakes on the thing. That is when i just stopped asking questions

 

[AlexJet]

Look at this from this point of view.
Yesterday I was in my dealership. I asked about what they have on the lot (used). My salesman (I know him 5yr. and I trust him, he is my good friend) told me that he has few V8, but no V6 on the lot, he also checked other dealers around - no V6, only V8. He also has a line of customers who are waiting for V6 coming to the lot after lease.
By the way, V6 has higher resale price then V8 after 3yr. in my city.
This may mean something.

 

[OUTRNNR]

This isn't coming from someone who has driven both the V6 and the V8, so take it for what its worth.

Allow me to layout a few reason to go for the V8. First off, the gas mileage does make a significant difference but only on the highway:

2WD (V6; V8) 18/22; 17/20 City/Highway (Same for all 3 models)
4WD (V6; V8) 17/21; 16/19 City/Highway (Same for all 3 models)

There is only one mpg difference in the city w/ the V6 and 2 mpg on the highway. These estimates are from Toyota's website and there probably is some varience to them. I get 17 mpg combined, and I'd say I do 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving. This may seem low because I would rate my driving habits as "Spirited to Excessive" I just love the acceleration of the V8. See my avatar...

Secondly, I just don't see how the 2WD could possibly handle better than 4WD (which behaves more like AWD because of the open Torsen Center Diff) Besides, torque is split up to 80 percent rear bias on dry roads anyway, until the computer senses a handling situation where more torque is required up front. Now, like I said, I haven't driven both, so maybe the 2WD DOES handle better, but why would cars like Audi and Subaru claim their AWD (which have torque splitting center diffs also) handles better than cars with RWD? AWD is a proven way to improve handling and road stability during hard cornering situations.

As far as performance goes, I've heard that there isn't much difference in passing power between the two (which I still don't believe, but agian I can't comment here as I haven't driven both) but I know for a fact that the V8 is faster 0-60 by a half second. In response to Veloindy's post I've had my 4Runner since July and I've driven several dry runs up to Vail and back. One included a run up the backside to eisenhower tunnel where a Porsche Cayenne S couldn't shake me. I have a hard time believing the V6 could keep up in this situation.

I think the brakes on the V8 SE are the biggest offered in the entire 4Runner line-up (The V6 SE brakes might be the same size, this would be worth checking up on).

Consider how much towing you will be doing. The V8 4Runner is magic while towing. Although it has one of the lowest rated HP in the mid-size SUV segment, it boasts one the highest torque figures on the market. I tow occasionally and I plan on getting a wave-runner which shouldn't faze the V8 at all. Not saying it will faze a V6 either...

You will pay a premium for the V8, but I've seen and heard about alot of dealers offering larger rebates on the V8 just to get them off the lot because of relatively recent high gas prices. See what kind of deal your dealer will make you in this regard. Tell him you want the V8, but you are concerned with fuel economy and see if you can get one for the same price as a V6.

Lastly, This IS America. The land of the V8. (I shed a tear).

OK. Sorry about the long-winded post, but this is as many relevant points as I can think of between the V6 and V8. This topic has been covered in many other threads so do a search with words like "power" "torque" "fuel economy" etc. and I bet you will find even more info.

I love my V8!!!

 

[Koz]

The V6 is a very capable tow vehicle; it just has a 2K lb less rating. It can easily tow 3 to 4K lbs., which is enough for most light weight trailers or a large pop-up.

Koz

 

[veloindy]

In response to OUTRNNR

"Secondly, I just don't see how the 2WD could possibly handle better than 4WD (which behaves more like AWD because of the open Torsen Center Diff)"

The all wheel drive to me, felt like it handled/turned slower. It's also heavier in the front. I could feel that turning and braking too.

"Now, like I said, I haven't driven both, so maybe the 2WD DOES handle better, but why would cars like Audi and Subaru claim their AWD (which have torque splitting center diffs also) handles better than cars with RWD? AWD is a proven way to improve handling and road stability during hard cornering situations."

Are you going to tell me an all wheel drive Audi or Subi handles better than a rear wheel drive BMW? I've owned two subaru's and an Audi A4. And I DON'T THINK SO!!! There's a reason why most performance cars/race cars are still rear wheel drive. The few super cars that are now all wheel drive, that's only b/c they produce too much hp to go to just 2 wheels.

"As far as performance goes, I've heard that there isn't much difference in passing power between the two (which I still don't believe, but agian I can't comment here as I haven't driven both) but I know for a fact that the V8 is faster 0-60 by a half second. In response to Veloindy's post I've had my 4Runner since July and I've driven several dry runs up to Vail and back. One included a run up the backside to eisenhower tunnel where a Porsche Cayenne S couldn't shake me. I have a hard time believing the V6 could keep up in this situation."

I don't race Cayenne's up the pass, nor do I plan to drive like that on I-70, so I don't know....

This thread will go for weeks and weeks in debate.

 

[OUTRNNR]

Look dude, I wasn't trying to start a war here, I'm just trying to be objective about what I see in my V8 4WD.

You're right about BMW's they do handle better RWD than AWD Audi's etc. I realize this and I guess I didn't take it into account for some reason. A RWD car will always handle better than an AWD car on DRY roads. I guess the advantage I see is being able to have the traction on wet roads "less understeer" or snowy roads (where you, Veloindy, would simply reach down and turn the knob to 4WD).

So, that being said, allow me to restate. I like having the convenience of full-time 4WD in CO because due to the ever-changing road conditions (especially in the mountains) in the winter simply because I don't have to mess with the knob and think, hmm should I turn it to 4WD? Then when the road gets dry have to remember to switch it back to 2WD. Well, that and I wanted a V8 from the start, which incidentally has the full-time 4WD as the only drive system which I see as an advantage. And I know other people on this forum DO NOT see it as an advantage. So to everyone their own...

Yes this debate will go on for weeks. But I've said my piece, so I'm done here.

 

[JungleJim]

By the way, V6 has higher resale price than V8 after 3yr. in my city.
This may mean something.

I've suggested this might be true in past posts, especially with fuel prices. But I've never seen any statistics.

 

[Uneek]

Re: The million dollar question

I, and many others have had the same question.

I purchased the V6 for the following reasons:

1. I think the V6 handled better in 2WD, instead of all wheel drive. I like the option of telling the car when I want 4WD.

2. Slightly better gas mileage. I'm getting 22mpg (hand calculated) mostly city but usually a mountain ski trip per tank too. The car has less than 2k miles, so I'm hoping that number goes up slightly.

3. I never tow anything.

4. Easier to change my own oil.

5. The V6 does just fine at altitude. Drove both up I-70 to Vail pass, couldn't tell much difference.

Those are my reasons. People will argue it's just as easy to change the oil in the V8. For them it might be, these are my reasons for you think over.

Gool luck, they're both great choices. You're going to be happy with either engine.

For the same reasons veloindy mentioned, I'm getting a V6.

For #2, I've read it only gets better on the Tacoma forum over at Toyotanation.com. I got less than a 1k on my '05 Taco, but some are seeing as much as 25mpg after 5k, many getting 22-23mpg, granted the Taco's lighter than the 4R. Many have said, it takes a good bunch of miles before the V6 is fully broken in with good mileage, ~5k+.

Good luck.

 

[Northof49]

I've suggested this might be true in past posts, especially with fuel prices. But I've never seen any statistics.

Around here it's not a debate....the V8's have higher resale, everytime.

But this is the land of big burly trucks and SUV's, so not necessarily congruent with them ther city slickers

If you want to do lists.....I bought the V8 because:

- It's faster and quicker
- It has more torque thoughtout the rev range
- It's quieter, much smoother and more refined
- The VSC and ATRAC systems take all the fun out of 2wd anyways, so might as well be in full-time 4wd......if I could have 2wd with no electronic nannies, I'll admit that might be interesting.
- It tows my boat easier and with less racket.....although for how much I tow it (couple hundred miles a year) I could probably use a Festiva.
- Fuel mileage is good enough that I will gladly sacrafice 1 or 2mpg to the V6 models for a more refined and powerful engine.

I'm not going to pull at straws like "easier oil changes," because I couldn't care less and that is one of the more ludacris arguements for buying a vehicle I've ever heard. If that was a concern, I would buy a 1972 GMC pickup where I can sit in the damn engine bay with my toolbox and work on the thing.

 

[chunderboy]

YEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW