Scaling Back V8 > V6 and other stuff...

[charlier180]

More UNNECESSARY wear and tear. Why would any driver need day in and day out 4WD from a V8? They don't.

In some driving situations when traction is an issue the last thing the driver needs to be worrying about is switching into 4WD. I have been in some accident avoidance situations where I could simply not afford the time or distraction of having to switch into 4WD.

More expensive oil changes.

All of my oil changes at the dealer have been < $25 each. Don't know how much cheaper an oil change can get.

More tire wear.

Last inspection the measured tread depth of my Original Dunlops with 21K miles on them was a "7" on each tire. My tires seem to not be wearing all that bad.

More UNNECESSARY None of this differences present a huge issue at all, but still, it's more.

Agreed, and for some of us V8 owners it is even less than some think.

More UNNECESSARY Also, I think V8's are required to "sip" premium fuel. For the V6, regular is ok with premium recommended for higher performance.

As others have already pointed out, V8s do not require premium.

BTW, have any V8 owners spent $1000 to replace just the timing belt?
I cannot seem to remember any posts over the last 6 years saying a forum member paid that much for just the timing belt.

 

[DC Dude]

In some driving situations when traction is an issue the last thing the driver needs to be worrying about is switching into 4WD. I have been in some accident avoidance situations where I could simply not afford the time or distraction of having to switch into 4WD.

And how often does this happen? And what do people in cars do?

You may want to consider slowing down.

 

[GMZ]

Hey Gang...

Been a while since I posted last. Hope all is well.

So I got an outside sales gig that has me driving quite a bit. I work in the sporting goods world mostly for cycling and triathlon. So I lug a lot of gear/bikes/clothes/etc around.

I was considering maybe unloading my '05 Limited V8 and getting an '06 Sport Edition with a V6. I would get better gas mileage (maybe only slightly) and I wouldn't be so worried about the leather and all. It's going to get 25K miles a year on it and I'd rather put that on a different truck than my pimped out Limited. I'v considered a Rav4, Highlander or hell...even the Honda Element. I need better gas mileage, but hate to give up the luxury and ruggedness of the 4Runner I have.

Any thoughts? Am I splitting hairs with this? My Limited has 75K miles on it right now and runs like a dream.

Ive had both. Keep the V8, not to mention youd probably lose your ass in a trade. I sure did. Gas would have to be north of $5/gal for another car to be even remotely worthwhile.

 

[charlier180]

And how often does this happen? And what do people in cars do?

You may want to consider slowing down.

Unfortunately, I must live and drive in areas where other drivers are flaming idiots. When those idiots cross a double yellow line and are going to hit me head on I try to get out of their way.

People in cars do not have the higher center of gravity that a 4Runner has and are typically LIGHTER than a 4Runner as well. Both of those factors impact handling as well as traction characteristics AFAIK.

FYI, in my multiple accident avoidance situations (yes there have been more than a couple) I was not exceeding the posted speed limit.