Scaling Back V8 > V6 and other stuff...

[DC Dude]

Why go with a V8 when you neither need V8 power nor 4WD full time?

Go with the V6 where you can decide on 2 or 4WD when you want.

It's not just the gas mileage, but the extra unnecessary wear and tear.

 

[Uneek]

I would stick with your V8. You know the history of it, rather than getting one that's unknown.

 

[RIrunner]

Why go with a V8 when you neither need V8 power nor 4WD full time?

Go with the V6 where you can decide on 2 or 4WD when you want.

It's not just the gas mileage, but the extra unnecessary wear and tear.

the only reason to go with the V8 in his situation is because he already has it. He would more then likely not save any cash by switching now.

 

[progress4m]

I would recommend to keep your V8 4runner. You have the most powerful, smooth, quite and fastest 4Runner ever build (to this day)… if you sell it it’s gone for ever... The way the economy is right now you may not see V8 in 5-th generation 4runner.. and who knows what 6-th gen will look like. The difference in MPG will be 1-2 mpg if you lucky or it may be the same.

....but the extra unnecessary wear and tear.

I do not believe this statement have any grounds: there is no data out there that shows that torsen, CV shafts or front dif last longer on V6 v V8. But what you do see is issues with V6 transfer case not able to switch from 2WD to 4WD, if actuator is not “exercised” regularly and that normally happens just when you need 4WD. IMHO that is a primary reason why LC and V8 4runners have fulltime 4WD: system is simpler so it is more reliable.

 

[M1911]

Why go with a V8 when you neither need V8 power nor 4WD full time?

Go with the V6 where you can decide on 2 or 4WD when you want.

It's not just the gas mileage, but the extra unnecessary wear and tear.

1) He already owns it. He'll lose a lot of money in the transaction -- money that he'll never make back in fuel economy savings.
2) As others pointed out, he knows this history of his car. He won't know the history of the 4Runner that he buys.
3) What extra wear and tear? What is the difference in maintenance between a V8 and V6 4Runner?

 

[DC Dude]

1) He already owns it. He'll lose a lot of money in the transaction -- money that he'll never make back in fuel economy savings.
2) As others pointed out, he knows this history of his car. He won't know the history of the 4Runner that he buys.
3) What extra wear and tear? What is the difference in maintenance between a V8 and V6 4Runner?

3: Full time engaged front differential for the V8 for no reason.

It's nice to have the V8 4WD, but most people don't need it most of the time.

 

[DC Dude]

If your primary concern is not adding additional wear and tear on your Limited, then by all means get another vehicle for business use if you can afford it, while keeping the Limited for personal use. If it is just the fuel cost factor, then keep the Limited and because you use it for business you should be able to take some tax deductions at the end of the year to help offset some of the extra fuel cost for the V8.

Toyota 4R is not a work truck. It's an SUV for off roading/camping and getting around during inclimate weather.

You're not going to see many/any T4R's pulling around landscaping trailers with a Bobcat on it or have snow plow blades up front.

 

[M1911]

3: Full time engaged front differential for the V8 for no reason.

And the extra maintenance that results from that is what, exactly?

 

[DC Dude]

And the extra maintenance that results from that is what, exactly?

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

More expensive oil changes.

More tire wear.

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

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

 

[Burt]

I too condidered another "commuter" vehicle. But once I weighed the purchase, insurance, routine maint requirements, it was not worth it.
Run that 4Runner! A few bucks in fuel savings is not worth it.

 

[JB.]

More UNNECESSARY wear and tear....

At the margin, there's probably a little more wear in 4X4 just due to mechanical principles, but it's much less than you think and might reasonably be categorized as negligible.

For instance, the added front diff wear is offset by reduced rear diff wear. As for tire wear, rotation makes that moot but the same principle applies. Any pulling the fronts do, is pushing the rears don't have to. Total tire mileage is very similar between models in comparable driving.

As for need, some people with multi-mode who have been less than diligent about exercising their systems have found that they didn't have 4WD when they needed it.

Also, V8s don't require premium.

 

[Teqeeler]

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

More expensive oil changes.

More tire wear.

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

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

Nah you can use 87 grade for the v8

 

[DC Dude]

At the margin, there's probably a little more wear in 4X4 just due to mechanical principles, but it's much less than you think and might reasonably be categorized as negligible.

For instance, the added front diff wear is offset by reduced rear diff wear. As for tire wear, rotation makes that moot but the same principle applies. Any pulling the fronts do, is pushing the rears don't have to. Total tire mileage is very similar between models in comparable driving.

As for need, some people with multi-mode who have been less than diligent about exercising their systems have found that they didn't have 4WD when they needed it.

Also, V8s don't require premium.

As I said, most of the differences are subtle.

WRT to some V6's not having 4WD when they need it, I guess that's not as extreme as V8's exercising their 4WD's when they don't need it, which is most of the time.

Back in '03, Toyota recommended premium for their V8's. Whether that has officially changed from Toyota, I do not know.

 

[Uneek]

I do not believe this statement have any grounds: there is no data out there that shows that torsen, CV shafts or front dif last longer on V6 v V8.

True. The front axles rotate on the V6 4WD whether it's in 4H/4L or in 2H, so the wear on the CV is the same as a V8.

But what you do see is issues with V6 transfer case not able to switch from 2WD to 4WD, if actuator is not “exercised” regularly and that normally happens just when you need 4WD. IMHO that is a primary reason why LC and V8 4runners have fulltime 4WD: system is simpler so it is more reliable.

I disagree. It could be as much of a problem for the V8 as the V6, maybe even more so for the V8 because it's always in 4H. The V6 has the recommended 10 miles per month in 4WD to keep the front end lubricated. Both V6 and V8 have experienced siezed actuators if it's not shifted to 4L periodically.

 

[JB.]

....V8's exercising their 4WD's when they don't need it, which is most of the time.

If you're comfortable adjudicating the boundary between need and want for other folks, don't let me stop you. Just don't be surprised if you meet some resistance from people who'd prefer to determine that for themselves.

 

[JB.]

But what you do see is issues with V6 transfer case not able to switch from 2WD to 4WD, if actuator is not “exercised” regularly and that normally happens just when you need 4WD. IMHO that is a primary reason why LC and V8 4runners have fulltime 4WD: system is simpler so it is more reliable.

I disagree. It could be as much of a problem for the V8 as the V6, maybe even more so for the V8 because it's always in 4H. The V6 has the recommended 10 miles per month in 4WD to keep the front end lubricated. Both V6 and V8 have experienced siezed actuators if it's not shifted to 4L periodically.

What is indisputable, though, is that V8s will have a form of 4WD no matter what and that the mechanical sequence required to achieve 4WD high, locked is more complicated in the multi-mode.

 

[M1911]

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

What is it that you think wears and tears on the AWD system of the V8? I've got 90,000 miles on mine with no unusual maintenance of the driveline.

More tire wear.

Huh? I've got about 50,000 miles on my Michelin Cross Terrains, and they still have lots of tread left.

Also, I think V8's are required to "sip" premium fuel.

Nope. It is not required by Toyota on my 2003 and mine runs fine on regular.

The V8 uses a bit more gas than the V6, but beyond that there isn't much difference, if any, in running costs.

 

[charlier180]

Lots of good feedback pro & con.

If I were the original poster I would ask myself some additional questions about this situation. First and foremost how comfortable are you that this job has a stable future??? If there is any question that due to the economy in general or the company's financial health in particular you may not have this job very long than keeping your V8 4Runner might make more sense. Trading the V8 for a V6 for a few more $$$$ in gas won't make any difference if you lose the job, will it?
The work mileage will disappear and so will the cost savings.

Don't know your situation but with this job can you claim work related mileage and/or expenses on your state/federal taxes? If so, are you taking advantage of that?

If you decide to trade your V8 for a V6 you have to ask yourself what are the chances that you will find another 4Runner as reliable as yours? If you don't, what will be the implications to your work if the new 4Runner breaks down? Can you afford (in terms of time, etc) to have your 4Runner in the shop for unscheduled repairs? Would paying for a rental vehicle while the V6 is in the shop wipe out most/all of your gas savings from the V8 to V6 trade?

Just some other things to think about.

 

[Pegleg]

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.

Howdy Triguy, I hate beating up my baby for the daily grind too. I spend up to several hours per day sitting in bumper to bumper creeping Houston commuter traffic. I have 2 BIG dogs and 2 boys (11 and 13) so I am almost always hauling a load of stuff around, so my seats and carpet are showing wear, not to mention it has almost 65k miles on it already also! :driving:

After weighing the pros and cons you have I decided to look for around a 2000'ish Tacoma Prerunner V6 with a camper shell on it. They're great trucks and you can pick them up dirt cheap around here right now...certainly for less than the costs incurred via loss through selling/trading and taxes!

Here's a pic of my old Prerunner. I loved it and want another one. It got about 22 mpg around town and 24-26 on the highway with a 4 cyl even after adding the extra weight of the shell and grill guard.

*Plus it could be a good backup toy that you can justify slipping under the radar without momma putting the keibash on ya.

 

[IOP25]

I disagree.
Where talking a an 05 v8 limited to an 06 sport edition. There will be very little difference in price between the 2 vehicle's and i'm sure with some searching he could find one for the same price he can sell his for. By selling his v8 he will also not have to change the timing belt, thats over $1000 right there.
The mpg difference is definitely more then 1 mpg, I don't see it being to unreasonable to see him come out ahead in the not to distance future

Over a 1000 dollars? What?