NEW MEMBER in need of buying advise (time sensitive)
- Thread starter clawfilm
- Start date
I have the v6 and live in utah. I drive up and down the mountains all the time. The v6 was very quick and plenty powerful...until i lifted a little and went with bigger (mostly heavier) tires, that kinda slowed it down a bit. But honestly if you drop a gear you can go up any grade at anytime. No worries there. I would keep what you got.
mrrab
New member
He'll feel inadequate when he sees a 4th Gen. 4Runner with a V8 badge on the grill in the rear view mirror as it's about to pass him when going up a mountain pass. Can't say what his reaction will be when he sees it towing a boat! LOL!
stanleybb50
New member
This is actually a good point... If the op will resent his vehicle over the span of ownership, then he should go for the 8, but for all intensive purposes, the v6 should do quite nicely.
rebelbowtie
New member
He can pass him right back at the next gas station...
Because 1mpg better is gonna get you far
NJshadow93
New member
Don't worry, it was pretty clever :artist2:
OP, I would be kicking myself today if I would have settled on a V6. The only reason I say settled is because I had my heart set on a V8, but every truck had problems that I wouldn't have gone with. There was a V6 that I was ready to go and look at again and probably buy, but decided to check out this one more V8 that I have been avoiding simply because of the location (small used car dealer on a street corner in Paterson, NJ). I went, checked it out, and now we have been together since July! Go for the V8 now before it's too late and you're driving with regret.
rebelbowtie
New member
I was also dead set on a v8, 1-2mpg more wasn't worth losing the torque and v8 rumble
haha - this all sounds like the conversation I had with myself... pros and cons seem pretty even.
Stanely, Setty , Jeff & Earth: valid points and good info!
mrrab: That was the answer I expected out of post, but was surprised
Last question as I think I will be deciding this evening.
-For being completely new to toyota and the v6 engine I have, will I be able to do some upgrades to get it closer to the v8? Or at least find a happy medium?
I'm looking for a truck that I can call mine for 300k miles and brag to people that I didn't put a lot of $$ in maintenance. If both the v6 and v8 hold up equally then I'm back to square one.
Thanks again for all the activity on my first post. Regardless of which truck I end up with, I'll definitely become an active member. My gf and I will be taking a trip from Chicago to WA, OR, & CA this summer. On our way back through CO we hope to sign for an apartment.
Stanely, Setty , Jeff & Earth: valid points and good info!
mrrab: That was the answer I expected out of post, but was surprised
Last question as I think I will be deciding this evening.
-For being completely new to toyota and the v6 engine I have, will I be able to do some upgrades to get it closer to the v8? Or at least find a happy medium?
I'm looking for a truck that I can call mine for 300k miles and brag to people that I didn't put a lot of $$ in maintenance. If both the v6 and v8 hold up equally then I'm back to square one.
Thanks again for all the activity on my first post. Regardless of which truck I end up with, I'll definitely become an active member. My gf and I will be taking a trip from Chicago to WA, OR, & CA this summer. On our way back through CO we hope to sign for an apartment.
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stanleybb50
New member
I definately hear you on this rebel. Even my wife loves driving my 4r and the Magnaflow rumble. I find myself driving with the volume turned down mist of the time (when by myself at least).
NJshadow93
New member
Haha, this reminds me of when I'm in the truck with my girlfriend, and have the back window rolled down. I lower the radio and say "You hear that?" and "She's just like "what?" I say, "Listen to that rumble." She shakes her head and turns the music back up. Love my Gibson and love my V8!
rebelbowtie
New member
Just put a Magnaflow on my truck and loving the sound!
The v6 seems to have more performance parts and tuners available because it's also in the Tacoma and stuff. Either one will get the job done and last a long time. Most people will remind you that the v8 requires a timing belt maintenance
The v6 seems to have more performance parts and tuners available because it's also in the Tacoma and stuff. Either one will get the job done and last a long time. Most people will remind you that the v8 requires a timing belt maintenance
They're both good engines. The V6 has a few cases of leaking head gaskets. The V8 has some cracked manifolds reported. Both are expensive to fix. But don't let either one of them steer you one way or another.
The V6 has it's peak power at a higher RPM range than the V8. What that means is that the V8 has more torque at lower speeds. So unless you're hauling a boat or trailer on these trips I see no reason to get the V8 given the age difference in vehicles since they're the same price.
IMO the gas mileage between the V6 and V8 is more like 3-4mpg difference. So that's around $10 difference for the V8 to drive the same distance that the V6 does in 1 tank of gas. That's going to add up over the course of a long road trip.
rebelbowtie
New member
Fuel mileage is highly subjective and based on where you live and how you drive. I average 17mpg mixed city/highway
The v8 has a spendy timing belt maintenance that the v6 doesn't need to worry about. need to change the spark plugs slightly more regularly on the 6. So far i've been happy, I have about a year and a half of owning mine and it's at about 141k miles with no major issues, i mean cv boots and stuff but that's expected about this time. I'm thinking some wheel bearings sooner than later but it's solid and I'm happy. BTW I just ran a v8 jeep grand cherokee and still beat him in my old v6. Just sayin!
mrrab
New member
Great this is going to turn into a V8 vs. V6 debate. Believe this has been thoroughly discussed.
Like you, I too had my mine set on the V6 only because it has a timing chain and potentially better gas mileage. But once I opened up to the V8 and thought about the difference in gas mileage -- at the end of the day it's not that big of a difference. And after reviewing the discussion on this board about the V8 vs. V6, imo the V8 wins. I've seen many members state they wish they had the V8. I don't think I've seen a member wish they had the V6. Also, when I heard of the head gasket problems on the V6, I was that much happier I got the V8. Plus, I believe the V8 has an iron block!!! Iron blocks ROCK!
Like you, I too had my mine set on the V6 only because it has a timing chain and potentially better gas mileage. But once I opened up to the V8 and thought about the difference in gas mileage -- at the end of the day it's not that big of a difference. And after reviewing the discussion on this board about the V8 vs. V6, imo the V8 wins. I've seen many members state they wish they had the V8. I don't think I've seen a member wish they had the V6. Also, when I heard of the head gasket problems on the V6, I was that much happier I got the V8. Plus, I believe the V8 has an iron block!!! Iron blocks ROCK!
That's definitely a valid point about people not wishing for the v6. Though I think this post leaned a little more towards the v8, I wouldn't say it's a landslide.
What I've decided after reading through all the feedback; Tomorrow I'm calling the dealership and asking them to give me a specific monthly payment. If they can meet me on that, I'll then be with the 2004 v8.
Thanks again for all the input.
