Potential buyer needs advice: V8, V6, 4WD

[chaz]

MPG

as far as i know , at least back in 06, the V8 & V6 were rated at the same mpg. but i guess real world figs show differently. i sure do like my V8 , AWD , but have the V6 in my 08 highlander.

 

[p nut]

I agree, the Tundra has more of a "truckish" ride, and feel to the engine. The engine doesn't feel as smooth in it, but still gives you the sense of torque that made me like the 4.7 to begin with - not too little, not too much, just right (considering MPG and all). Of course we'd all like more HP and TQ, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. One of the reasons the engine feels better in the 4R, IMO, is that it is a 5 speed tranny (Tundra is a 4 spd) and that makes the spacing a little nicer between the gears.

Just to clarify, Tundras AND 4Runners (V8) have both come with either the 4sp (up to 04) or 5sp autos (05+). Just FYI, just in case people get confused.

EDIT: Friday brain at work :bash: 4Runner V8's have had 5sp transmissions all along. Tundra's had 4sp until 04 and 5sp from then on.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

You can't compare a truck to an SUV. Trucks have a different suspension, because they're made to haul and tow, which is why you find leaf springs out back instead of coils.

hi hater, i'm referring specifically to the engine. it's obvious the pickup truck will ride diff.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

I agree, the Tundra has more of a "truckish" ride, and feel to the engine. The engine doesn't feel as smooth in it, but still gives you the sense of torque that made me like the 4.7 to begin with - not too little, not too much, just right (considering MPG and all). Of course we'd all like more HP and TQ, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. One of the reasons the engine feels better in the 4R, IMO, is that it is a 5 speed tranny (Tundra is a 4 spd) and that makes the spacing a little nicer between the gears.

ALso agree on the fit and finish. It's decent enough, but at 9 model years old (my Tundra is a 2000 MY/Gen 1) and with 130k+ miles, she has a few rattles, and the seatbelt retracts don't really retract anymore. I've only had my 4R since 12/26/08, but can already tell the fit and finish are far superior. Of course my 4R is a Limited, my Tundra is an SR5 - that makes a difference too.

Otherwise, I like the Tundra enough that I still own it and have no intention of selling it any time soon. Owning it gives me the option of using a "beater" to tow with at times so I don't have to hook up the new 4R if I don't want to (and a truck bed for lumber and other larger payloads) - but fully intend to tow with the 4R and that was the final kicker in my decision to go ahead with the V8.

yea man the tundra's a solid pick-up truck and i'd never sell yours to get a new one. it'd be a complete waste of money unless you're the typical american rat racing.

i like that the 4r is made in japan as it should be. and the v8 isn't just smoother cuz of the tranny.. it just operates smoother. silky.

 

[p nut]

hi hater, i'm referring specifically to the engine. it's obvious the pickup truck will ride diff.

and the v8 isn't just smoother cuz of the tranny.. it just operates smoother. silky.

Then you are delusional, since they are the exact same motors. And the transmissions are the same, too!

But I guess that is one of the signs of fanboy-ism, so carry on. :bigok:

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Just to clarify, Tundras AND 4Runners (V8) have both come with either the 4sp (up to 04) or 5sp autos (05+). Just FYI, just in case people get confused.

are you sure there are v8 4runners that came with 4-speed?

 

[p nut]

true and i think the limited v8s came with the 5 speeds as standard at least it is on my truck...

Oh, shoot, my bad, I was getting the V6's and V8's mixed up. Actually, the Tundra V8's came with 4sp up until 04 and in 05, they switched to a 5sp. 4Runners have had 5sp in V8's since 03. But now, Tundras have a 6sp.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Then you are delusional, since they are the exact same motors. And the transmissions are the same, too!

But I guess that is one of the signs of fanboy-ism, so carry on. :bigok:

hi hater,

i'm talking about the '08 tundra i drove around as a loaner. it is what it is. the tundra engine was rougher than the v8>v6 4runner. period.

but both pale in comparison to the flat-six i drive around with porsche 911 stamped on it.

bye hater.

 

[p nut]

hi hater,

i'm talking about the '08 tundra i drove around as a loaner. it is what it is. the tundra engine was rougher than the v8>v6 4runner. period.

but both pale in comparison to the flat-six i drive around with porsche 911 stamped on it.

bye hater.

First, "hater?" How old are you? Let's keep the teeniebopper talk out of this. Secondly, they are the same V8's made in the same plant. Same goes for the transmission. I'm sure you would say that a Land Cruiser V8 or the Lexus GX470 V8 aren't "silky" as your 4Runner, right? Thirdly, it's funny that you always have to brag about your $30k porsche. At least you can get it started now, right?

 

[eskimochaos]

First, "hater?" How old are you? Let's keep the teeniebopper talk out of this. Secondly, they are the same V8's made in the same plant. Same goes for the transmission. I'm sure you would say that a Land Cruiser V8 or the Lexus GX470 V8 aren't "silky" as your 4Runner, right? Thirdly, it's funny that you always have to brag about your $30k porsche. At least you can get it started now, right?

The v8 in the 4runner, land cruiser, and Gx are made in japan. the v8's in the tundra are made in USA. big difference.

and in the 4r, V8>V6 in every way

 

[p nut]

The v8 in the 4runner, land cruiser, and Gx are made in japan. the v8's in the tundra are made in USA. big difference.

and in the 4r, V8>V6 in every way

We're talking about the engines, not where the vehicles are assembled.

 

[eskimochaos]

We're talking about the engines, not where the vehicles are assembled.

That's funny because that's exactly what my response is about. Was it that difficult to understand?

 

[p nut]

That's funny because that's exactly what my response is about. Was it that difficult to understand?

So you're saying the V8 engines in the Tundras are made in the US? The new 5.7L's are made in the Alabama plant, but not the 4.7L. Get your facts straight.

 

[SubSonic]

Then you are delusional, since they are the exact same motors. And the transmissions are the same, too!

But I guess that is one of the signs of fanboy-ism, so carry on. :bigok:

Don't want to pour gas on a fire here but...

The tranny does make a difference IMO - with shorter spacing between the gears, the resulting quicker shifts, the 5spd makes the V8 "feel" smoother. "My" Tundra's V8 itself feels just as smooth as the one in the 4Runner, it just makes less HP and TQ, and has to rev up a little more through the gears due to having 1 less gear (since it doesn't shift quite as quickly - takes more RPM to trigger each shift).

As to "trucks" riding rougher (leaf springs, et al) sure, but that is offset somewhat by their wider track and longer wheelbase. Make the stance wider and longer, and it will be smoother than shorter and skinnier, IE: my Tundra rides just fine, and is smooth. The reason I think the 4Runner rides better could be described more as "refined". Given that the Tundra is SR5, and the 4R a Limited, I would HOPE the ride would be more refined in the Limited trim.

And as to 6spds...No thanks. I test drove a new Silverado prior to deciding on the 4Runner and didn't like the spacing between the gears in their 6 spd. Every shift felt "too short" (every shift seemed to come somewhere around 1500-1700 rpm)

And I see that you edited your post that followed mine. I can promise you that the 4spd auto was the only option available on my 2000 V8 Tundra. At least I am fairly certain that a manual tranny wasn't an option - I know a 5spd auto wasn't.

And love or hate them, Chevy is on to something with their Active Fuel Technology (Displacement on Demand - 8 cylinders part time/4 cylinders part time) - my wife's 300+ HP 2007 Monte Carlo SS (5.3L V8) has it, an averages nearly 24 mpg. That's the *only* thing I wish Toyota could develop for their 4.7 & 5.7 liter V8s.

We like AFT so much, and like RWD cars so much, we are seriously considering swapping her FWD '07 Monte SS for a new RWD Pontiac G8 GT with the bigger V8 - that also promises 24 hwy mpg due to Active Fuel Technology. You never ever notice the switch from 8 cylinders to 4 and back again - and it really does save fuel. Honestly, that's the only reason I auditioned a Silverado - they offer the 6spd and AFT with their V8 4x4s (combined MPG savers)...but I hated the 6spd and honestly, a Silverado decked out anywhere equal 4Runner Limited trim would've cost me about $4000 more...which is why I consider my new 4R an excellent value for the money. The Chevy would've been LTZ trim ($), add a nav sys, sunroof, and backup camera ($), and they offer no ride height control...it was a no brainer to go with the Toyota IMO (even though I am still basically a Chevy guy...lol). If my 4R comes anywhere close to satisfying me like my Tundra has in the long run, I will own it long past it's Jan 2014 payoff date.

 

[p nut]

Don't want to pour gas on a fire here but...

The tranny does make a difference IMO - with shorter spacing between the gears, the resulting quicker shifts, the 5spd makes the V8 "feel" smoother. "My" Tundra's V8 itself feels just as smooth as the one in the 4Runner, it just makes less HP and TQ, and has to rev up a little more through the gears due to having 1 less gear (since it doesn't shift quite as quickly - takes more RPM to trigger each shift).

As to "trucks" riding rougher (leaf springs, et al) sure, but that is offset somewhat by their wider track and longer wheelbase. Make the stance wider and longer, and it will be smoother than shorter and skinnier, IE: my Tundra rides just fine, and is smooth. The reason I think the 4Runner rides better could be described more as "refined". Given that the Tundra is SR5, and the 4R a Limited, I would HOPE the ride would be more refined in the Limited trim.

And as to 6spds...No thanks. I test drove a new Silverado prior to deciding on the 4Runner and didn't like the spacing between the gears in their 6 spd. Every shift felt "too short" (every shift seemed to come somewhere around 1500-1700 rpm)

And I see that you edited your post that followed mine. I can promise you that the 4spd auto was the only option available on my 2000 V8 Tundra. At least I am fairly certain that a manual tranny wasn't an option - I know a 5spd auto wasn't.

And love or hate them, Chevy is on to something with their Active Fuel Technology (Displacement on Demand - 8 cylinders part time/4 cylinders part time) - my wife's 300+ HP 2007 Monte Carlo SS (5.3L V8) has it, an averages nearly 24 mpg. That's the *only* thing I wish Toyota could develop for their 4.7 & 5.7 liter V8s.

Yes, that

 

[Benjamin Choi]

First, "hater?" How old are you? Let's keep the teeniebopper talk out of this. Secondly, they are the same V8's made in the same plant. Same goes for the transmission. I'm sure you would say that a Land Cruiser V8 or the Lexus GX470 V8 aren't "silky" as your 4Runner, right? Thirdly, it's funny that you always have to brag about your $30k porsche. At least you can get it started now, right?

my $30K porsche? haha bud, this is hater talk right there. how much $s do you think i paid to get into the one i have now? you have no idea because you can't even dream it. and guess what... i cashed out on all my rides. heck, i have 0 debt. yes, even the condos i own. sure it's not the american way and perhaps this is the main reason why i have your rapt attn.

but ahhh yes... yes... it did and does cost a lot more than your 4runner. sucks to be broke huh? if they hate then let 'em hate is what the haves say to the have nots. WAHAHAHA

i love how you bring $$$s into this discussion but it makes so much sense because haters hate it when they see someone else clearly better off than they are.

and hater, the 4runner mated to the v8 is the ideal combination. about the made in jpn v. bama discussion... i was referring to the plastics, the interior. the whole package. it's clear the 4runner build quality is better than that of the tundra, even the new one i drove as a loaner. but regardless, you've been corrected and you swallowed your error. atta boy.

again, V8 > V6 in the 4runner no question.

 

[p nut]

my $30K porsche? haha bud, this is hater talk right there. how much $s do you think i paid to get into the one i have now? you have no idea because you can't even dream it. and guess what... i cashed out on all my rides. heck, i have 0 debt. yes, even the condos i own. sure it's not the american way and perhaps this is the main reason why i have your rapt attn.

but ahhh yes... yes... it did and does cost a lot more than your 4runner. sucks to be broke huh? if they hate then let 'em hate is what the haves say to the have nots. WAHAHAHA

i love how you bring $$$s into this discussion but it makes so much sense because haters hate it when they see someone else clearly better off than they are.

I will raise the BS flag. Please show proof where your 996 911 is paid for. And your condos. And if by slight of chance that your 911 is paid, I

 

[Benjamin Choi]

I will raise the BS flag. Please show proof where your 996 911 is paid for. And your condos. And if by slight of chance that your 911 is paid, I

 

[SubSonic]

As far as the MPG, the Silverado really doesn

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Ok, I get that the M/C is bullet shaped - but 24mpg from 303/323 HP/TQ in anything? I'm sorry, but that is a genuine feat. My C6 convertible is bullet shaped too - and can't get 24 mpg (doesn't have AFT)...And DoD/AFT is not the ultimate answer, I agree, but it is what we have now, it works, and works well. It's called an interim solution, is already developed (and is more software than hardware anyway). It would not take away *that* much of Yota's budget to develop it while ALSO working on non-fossil fuel solutions IMHO. Hyrbids are not the answer either, they still rely on fossil fuel, so the answer is going to have to be totally non-fossil in nature and we are still decades from anything like that being as reliable as it is viable. We need interim solutions and AFT is a dang good one IMO that doesn't require a new $1200 lithium battery bank every 18 months.

I relish the day we can stop using petroleum fuel - but again - I just don't think it as close to reality as the global warming is killing us crowd would like us to believe. In that vain, anything we can do *now* to squeeze more MPG out of our gas-powered cars is a great thing.

i recently saw the movie There Will Be Blood. hopefully we see the pioneering of a new energy industry that's much greener than black sludge.