The Eternal Question: V6 vs V8....

[JB.]

the two biggest marks against the v8 would be: Mpg, and timing belt. Full time 4wd is also a bit of an annoyance - i'd prefer something i can switch off (although i love the idea of the multi-mode - i've never had that before as my 99 was an sr5 with conventional 4wd.)

so my questions for the group would be divided into two directions, one for the v8 owners and one for the v6'ers:

V8 owners: Besides the t-belt (which my local independent shop will do for ~$535 or $1050 for the full water pump, pulleys, tensioners, etc) are there any other maintenance requirements that are unique to the v8?

There's nothing else that approaches the timing belt, all evidence, by the way, suggesting that 90k is a very conservative interval. Somewhere around 2004 the time interval went to 9 years instead of 6. Not sure if physical change or administrative one.

On a much milder level, there is a difference in the wearout patterns of the diff oils. On the v8, the front requires the most frequent changes, but is also the only one that can be a pain (skid plate removal, a high torque drain bolt that can be problematic). With the torsen center the front only gets 40% of the torque, but also only half the gear oil.

Regarding the exhaust manifold, (1) the diagnoses is very hard to establish and there have been other sources pointed to for ticking sounds (fuel line pulsing, etc) so the actual prevalence is uncertain. (2) in the event it occurs, the leak is apparently very small and it has the classification of an annoyance (sound).

do the v8's typically come "up-optioned", i.e. With more "goodies" than the v6?
v8s have an external trans cooler and there were/are differences in the hitches though i'm sketchy on that one. The v8 should allow the trans to get to lockup more easily. That, combined with the external cooler should make it considerably easier on trans fluid.

what kind of "real world" mpg are v8 owner's getting?

For 4x4, the worst case scenario is a difference of 2 and 3 based on the latest epa procedure. The old procedure produced 1 and 2. Probably most of the difference between the two is because of opposite rounding effects because 2wd, currently, is 1 and 2 also.

So call it 1.5 and 2.5 at most.

finally, any v8 owner's out there wish you'd gone with a v6? If so, why?

No, but that doesn't mean i wouldn't feel the v6 was right if i owned it.

....

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you have to ask if you want a V6 or a V8 then you really want the V8. I have been in love with mine for 9 years now. As stated you will have a hard time finding a V8 owner wishing he had a V6. I love the deep growl the V8 makes at initilal acceleration.

 

[jimithing]

lol, ok here's the math of my statement ( stop and go= 14-15 hwy = 22-23)
add together 14+15+22+23= 74...... 74/4 (hang on dont let me get ahead of you this is how you average a series of numbers together add the numbers then divide by the number of measurements being averaged) anyways 74/4 eqauls 18.5

so as i stated the V8 stock over all gets an average of 18 mpg's 14-15mpg's stop and go 22-23mpg's highway.

Do you have fuel logs to back up those numbers? Because looking at Fuelly here are the V8 averages by year:

2003 - 16.3
2004 - 15.1
2005 - 15.5
2006 - 15.5
2007 - no data
2008 - 15.5
2009 - no data

Edit: Here's the link in case anyone wants it:

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/4runner/gas v8

 

[M1911]

so as i stated the V8 stock over all gets an average of 18 mpg's 14-15mpg's stop and go 22-23mpg's highway.

I'm sorry, but there is no way in heck a V8 4WD 4th gen is getting 22-23 mpg on the highway. No way, no how. 18 on a good day? Sure. But 22 or 23. Nope. And yours has a 3" lift and bigger tires? Nope, you're not getting 23 mpg on the highway. And, btw, if you haven't regeared your speedo, your odometer is running 7.4% slow: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

The EPA rating for an '03 V8 4WD 4Runner was 14 city / 17 highway and that is about what a stock V8 4Runner will get.

The computer might tell you that it is getting 19 mpg on the highway, but as I said, the computer is at least 1-2 mpg optimistic.

 

[aha2988]

Do you have fuel logs to back up those numbers? Because looking at Fuelly here are the V8 averages by year:

2003 - 16.3
2004 - 15.1
2005 - 15.5
2006 - 15.5
2007 - no data
2008 - 15.5
2009 - no data

Edit: Here's the link in case anyone wants it:

Toyota 4Runner MPG Reports | Fuelly

I could care less about fuel logs or fuelly for that matter, i get "fuelly's" averages running 33" tires. I calculate my average the same way everyone else does. So no im not going of the stupid average gauge on the dash. I calculated an 18mpg over all average of my daily driving tatics, no i didnt calculate them for someones lead foot sorry i cant be of assistance there. I'm not here to prove it either. I will say going off the dash on stock tires if i hit the reset button and drive a mile and just read the average over that mile @ 65 mph i saw 28mpg's used over that one mile no i didnt have my foot on the gas and no i wasnt going down hill i was just cruising on cruise control on flat ground seeing what the computer would say. theres times when your rolling down hills that you get 30 miles per gallon as your engine is just idling, sometimes your going up hill and you get 7 miles per gallon. MPG's arn't relevant to one thing in particular certainly not relevant to the number of pistons you have, more so relevant to the combustion chamber displacment. but im not getting that detailed because......

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[aha2988]

I'm sorry, but there is no way in heck a V8 4WD 4th gen is getting 22-23 mpg on the highway. No way, no how. 18 on a good day? Sure. But 22 or 23. Nope. And yours has a 3" lift and bigger tires? Nope, you're not getting 23 mpg on the highway.

The EPA rating for an '03 V8 4WD 4Runner was 14 city / 17 highway and that is about what a stock V8 4Runner will get.

The computer might tell you that it is getting 19 mpg on the highway, but as I said, the computer is at least 1-2 mpg optimistic.

well im not in heck fortunatly because i've seen those mpg averages under my own eyes and calculations. I'm not going off the stupid dash, and im talking about a stock vehicle not my lifted truck, did the OP say anything about a lift? no geez guys way to beat a dead bleeding horse to pulp......

This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
This is the thread that never ends!!!
Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
martinjmpr started posting it not knowing what it was,
And we'll continue posting it forever just because...
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Yes, it goes on and on my friends....
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[mrrab]

It seems to me this should be a no-brainer if you life in CO (Altitude) and tow.

I would never consider a V6 over V8 if I lived in CO and was going up and down the mountains.

 

[jimithing]

well im not in heck fortunatly because i've seen those mpg averages under my own eyes and calculations. I'm not going off the stupid dash, and im talking about a stock vehicle not my lifted truck, did the OP say anything about a lift? no geez guys way to beat a dead bleeding horse to pulp......

How can you comment on stock mpg when you aren't stock?

 

[zimm]

I haven't seen any V8 owners wishing they had bought the V6....

The reason I bought my 4runner over another model was that it was one of the few body on frame mid-size SUV's with a V8 and good tow rating (7,300 lbs).

 

[boondoggle]

Hi martinjmpr,

I skipped reading most of the thread because even though I've only been on the forum for a month or two I think I know what it's going to say. However, we're in the same basic area (I'm in the Highlands up north) so I'll chime in on a couple of things.

When I was looking to buy mine I went either way on the engine too but am happy to have found one I want with the V8.

1. My V8 under 70Mph commuting on I70 everyday gets me around 17mpg to the tank. That's with the occasional trip up past Morrison or up Clear Creek Canyon for some fly fishing. If I start gunning the V8 a lot that number drops obviously.

I took a road trip out through KS and MO at 80MPH and got down in the 15-16MPG range. Speed is everything on these things.

I haven't done any real mountain trips yet so can't comment but I'd think the V6 would be OK. I know my V8 won't have problems.

2. Good used 4Runners can be surprisingly tough to find out here if looking to purchase by owner. I see 4th Gens everywhere but good ones don't come up on Craigslist very often. By a "Good one" I mean a Colorado car (not East coast/Rust Belt) and good maintenance records, as few owners as possible, and 100k miles or less. Be VERY careful buying one from used car dealerships. Schomp Honda down in your neck of the woods always has a bunch but they get them from Auctions on the east coast = rust. I was lucky and got mine from a 73year old retired AF captain. 1 owner and beautifully maintained so the 100k miles he put on it didn't phase it (or me) one bit. I was AF too so we were able to strike up a nice deal. $14,500 was what I paid and I think that was a very good deal for out here.

I quickly realized if you see a good one, act somewhat fast, but be patient. You were in the military so you know how to hurry up and wait.

Stevinson Toyota out west had several when I went out there last week to check out their tire prices. They aren't all listed on their website either. FYI

3. In regards to #3 you'll probably end up paying a bit of a premium out here compared to what you'll find on KBB/NADA etc.

Good luck and if you get desperate and feel like way over paying I'll sell you my T4R for a cool $25 Grand. Kidding (but not really).

I'll keep an eye out for a nice one for ya.

Cheers,
sb

Edit: here you go. A nice red one. More than double what I paid but low miles and CPO. Has Leather, but I'm pretty sure all Limiteds do. And all Sports have XREAS. So if you don't want leather and you don't want XREAS you'll have to get the SR5 (stripped down somewhat on options but nice nonetheless). You didn't mention your price range.

http://www.stevinsontoyotawest.com/...-4Runner-10fadb590a0a00640153352855e0b803.htm

 

[OzarkRunner]

My '08 V8 is un-lifted, running a mild A/T tire. I average about 16 in the city, and can get 19 on the highway at 65 MPH (both hand-calculated, and repeatable). I didn't have a preference on engines when I bought it, but I am really pleased with the V8. I think I have a slight manifold crack, but it really doesn't bother me and quiets down fast. I like having full-time 4WD; I often run down fire roads in the early morning where visibility is fair at best. It's nice to know I'm already putting power to the front when I hit some clay or mud.

 

[Javelin]

These MPG threads are getting rediculous.

These are SUVs and they aren't designed for good MPGs. If you want good MPGs go buy a Prius or why not walk to work.

BTW there's no way your getting 22-23 with a V8. Sorry to burst your bubble there chief...

 

[aha2988]

How can you comment on stock mpg when you aren't stock?

My truck was stock when i bought it. Drove it stock for a year an a half before any modifcations. I guess i was gifted with a memory and the ability to read and write (probably not spell so good but) to document things like that. no worries I'll be back to factory RPM's very soon and still be able to get 18mpg average with 35" tires and a V8. I have no reason to lie about what I've experienced with my vehical what good would that do for the forum?

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I've never thought twice about my sunroof leaking. I'm only maybe 20 miles from you and my sunroof gasket still feels great. I garage every night (I'm home) however. It rattles like a sum*****, however. THAT would be the reason I'd avoid it.

Toyota is a bland, boring company. The color choices are one example of that. You think you'd ever see a Corolla in the same color palatte as the Camaro? Think again. Another example: you want to fall asleep while driving due to sheer boredom? Get a Camry. My .02.

Have you driven the 2012 Camry SE V6? Its not that that bad, but it isn't a BMW either. The new Scion FRS isn't bad either but lacks power. Subaru also helped, but handling isn't bad. Oh, a different have you driven a Lexus?

 

[jimithing]

My truck was stock when i bought it. Drove it stock for a year an a half before any modifcations. I guess i was gifted with a memory and the ability to read and write (probably not spell so good but) to document things like that. no worries I'll be back to factory RPM's very soon and still be able to get 18mpg average with 35" tires and a V8. I have no reason to lie about what I've experienced with my vehical what good would that do for the forum?

Alright man, maybe you should give Toyota a call and ask if they want to look at your engine and see what makes it different than everyone else's V8. They may want to copy whatever is special about it. It's not just me in this thread that has a hard time believing it.

 

[TRDCal]

Another example: you want to fall asleep while driving due to sheer boredom? Get a Camry.

LOL!!!

@ OP:

It's already been said but I'm going to say it again. If you have to ask which one to get, then you want a V8 so don't be a cheap bas**** hiding, $500 extra in gas a year isn't going to kill you. That's less than a coffee a day

Timing belts aren't that bad, I don't know why people are so scared of them. At least with a t-belt your forced to open the hood and get down and dirty every 100,000kms and check things out.

Also, as for the cracked manifolds, I'm currently getting a set of stainless steel headers custom built for $1600 installed with a lifetime warranty, so your not necessarily stuck with $2000+ bill from Toyota to get the issue fixed.

For me it was V8 no questions asked, but there are two things about the V6 that I'm jealous of, obviously not deal breakers but I still wish the V8 4x4 had the option to run in 2wd also I wish the V8 had a more available TRD supercharger but that is more of a pipe dream than anything.

Either way you go, enjoy your new 4runner.

EDIT: To everyone that says the V8 won't get more that 18mpg on the highway... are you ****ing serious? My 4runner (with 125k miles on the odo) easily gets 19mpg @70mph. If I went 55-60mph I have no doubt I could get 20-22mpg. And before you ASSUME i'm just using the readout, yes that is hand calculated!

 

[aha2988]

Alright man, maybe you should give Toyota a call and ask if they want to look at your engine and see what makes it different than everyone else's V8. They may want to copy whatever is special about it. It's not just me in this thread that has a hard time believing it.

I'll be changing gear ratio's to adjust my RPM's to my larger tire size. I've done all the things toyota recomends to do to maintain my vehicle's engine's performance. Its never missed a scheduled oil changed, plugs have been changed every 15k, clean the air filter regularly, timing belt every 70,000 on this engine. keep the brakes in check, wheels aligned, tires properly inflated, driveshaft/ u-joints greased, transfer case, front diff, and rear diff, and tranny fluid every 30,000 miles. oh and the gas pedal doesnt always have to touch the fire wall to move forward. If i see my vehicle isnt running efficiently as possible i make the adjustments in which are necessary.

 

[Flyer]

I have a distinct preference for the V8. It hits 70 around 2100-2200 RPM, is quiet and powerful. I went up one tire size and I get 18-19 in mixed driving now. I get 20-22 MPG at 55-65 and 20 at 70-75. 18.5 at 80 MPH. Love the torque and easy revving V8. I hand calculate it each time and usually GPS it too, but I drive pretty conservatively and avoid pure city driving too. The lowest I have ever got is 17.5. My computer always reads higher by 1-2 MPG.

My driving style gets me more MPG for sure. I get 21 MPG on my 2012 Wrangler Rubicon at 70-75. At really careful driving 55-60, I get as high as 24 MPG. Crap driving gets me 18. I brake and accelerate carefully, and plan stops and passes when I can.

My Forester- 27-29 MPH. I always get at or above the max range of any vehicle I have owned...always hand-calculated too.

 

[kobresia]

It seems to me this should be a no-brainer if you life in CO (Altitude) and tow.

I would never consider a V6 over V8 if I lived in CO and was going up and down the mountains.

I live in the mountains in CO (9000' above sea level!), and have pulled many a loaded trailer up here, trailers that weighed a few tons loaded. I have no complaints whatsoever about the V6, I can't say I've ever found myself wanting for sufficient power to keep-up or even ahead of traffic. and would never trade it for a V8 solely for the engine. Since I don't even haul so much cargo anymore (I used to be in the surplus business), I especially wouldn't trade for a less economical engine just for more power.

 

[M1911]

I have no reason to lie about what I've experienced with my vehical what good would that do for the forum?

I don't know whether you are just wrong or whether you are lying -- I've got no crystal ball into your mind. But there is no way you are getting 22-23 mpg on the highway, stock or modified. And we're not going to let you mislead someone who is looking for advise on what kind of mileage to expect.

The factory rating is 14 city, 17 highway. To the OP, you'll get within a couple mpg of that.