v6 or v8

[KB084RUNNER]

I picked the v6 because I don't tow much more than a small uhaul trailer. I average 20mpg city 21.5 hwy with 87 fuel and QTP or QHP 5w30 oil. The v6 has a timing chain versus the v8 timing belt. I won't buy a vehicle with a timing belt due to the extra $500 replacement cost which is enough to pay for 100,000 miles of oil changes.

 

[Ridger]

Thanks for the comments and input all. It's appreciated.

Willy I would love to hear your follow up towing experience following your trip.

I am leaning toward the V8 for the extra HP and torque along with the comments regarding how smooth it is (which I have experienced first hand in a test drive - have not tried a V6 yet) plus the extra towing capacity.

I guess the fact that I will only be towing between 8-12 times a year, whereas I will be driving it almost daily, makes me hesitate a bit (not to mention the concern that the little extra worse gas mileage might make the wife concerned) on a V8 over a V6. Although it sounds like that dozen times a year I will be towing I will be glad I went with a V8.

Currently looking at a 2006 SR5 Sport Edition V8 (black) and had it for a test spin. The three things that really jumped out at me during that drive was (1) how smooth and nice these ride and corner, (2) how tight and peppy it was, and mostly (3) how quiet it was, even on the highway.

Course I'm going from a 2002 Dodge Caravan which couldn't be less sporty or quiet. The road noise is horrible in it and the 4Runenr was so quite it was almost eerie.

The only problem my wife had with it was that the passenger door armrest was a bit too high for her and a bit u uncomfortable and although the driver’s seat adjusted up and down, the passenger seat did not.

 

[Ridger]

I picked the v6 because I don't tow much more than a small uhaul trailer. I average 20mpg city 21.5 hwy with 87 fuel and QTP or QHP 5w30 oil. The v6 has a timing chain versus the v8 timing belt. I won't buy a vehicle with a timing belt due to the extra $500 replacement cost which is enough to pay for 100,000 miles of oil changes.

Any idea how often the timing belt needs replacement?

 

[Ducman]

Ah yes

Ah this old discussion again... :biggrin2:

Having driven both I can tell you if you are a guy who enjoys torque (especially low end torque) GET THE V8!

They are both very decent engines, the 8 has a nice note to it (albeit muffled with the stock exhaust) and you will find most of your around town driving only requires pushing the gas pedal about 1/8 the way down. The thing just makes gobs of power even low in the rpms.

The 6 moves the truck just fine too, but it took a little more coaxing.

The timing belt replacement is really not a huge deal to me every 90-100k just like plenty of other vehicles out there (audis, subaru wrxs etc...) You spread that cost out over the life of the truck and its really nothing.

 

[JG1911]

V6 sounds like a vacuum cleaner. No problems with either motor in regards to my friends who own both, mainly the V6. I prefer my V8, I sure wish I had the vvti V8 though.

I own an M3, I don't feel the V8 4Runner is either slow or "underpowered", I has great torque and will get up and go.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I picked the v6 because I don't tow much more than a small uhaul trailer. I average 20mpg city 21.5 hwy with 87 fuel and QTP or QHP 5w30 oil. The v6 has a timing chain versus the v8 timing belt. I won't buy a vehicle with a timing belt due to the extra $500 replacement cost which is enough to pay for 100,000 miles of oil changes.

I drive about 10K a year tops, and have about 38K on my 2006, plus I can work on the truck myself, so I'm not worried about a timing belt. Interesting reason to not get a particular vehicle. To each his own... Not to mention, it's fun to drive like a 16 year old with a V8 now and again. :guitar3:

Of course, I've never had car payments either, so one "car payment" at 90K is not going to bother me.

 

[warpwr]

I had a '96 V6 and my son has a 2000.
My wife has an '07 with the V8 and I like it the best of them all because of that engine. All of them automatics.
I have an '09 Tacoma and I wish they had an available V8 too.

 

[rockwall]

ANY 4Runner

When buying a used vehicle you need to simply find the best one out there for the price that you want to spend. Either engine will be great for you and very reliable.

In my case (I bought my 03 Limited 2 1/2 years ago) I intended to go 05 or newer. I found an amazing 03 with 32,000 miles on it. I jumped at it and still can't wait to drive her every day!

 

[DC Dude]

Nevermind v6 or v8, how many people have actually got a good reason for why someone would buy a 4Runner with 2wd only...or for that matter, a truck with only 2wd? :wtf:

 

[Conspearasea]

Nevermind v6 or v8, how many people have actually got a good reason for why someone would buy a 4Runner with 2wd only...or for that matter, a truck with only 2wd? :wtf:

Because my wife refuses to drive a minivan, and likes the extra space and size of the 4 runner over a car....

Mine on the otherhand is 4wd, and about to get a lift and BFGs! :reddance:

 

[galactic_04]

I found that the v6 actually tows rather well for a V6. The V8 I'm sure would make the tailer/truck behind me less noticable but I pulled my 20ft. trailer and the gen1 4runner mud truck on it and it was fine around town. The mileage did suck, but that's about 4500-5000lbs. too. I will say it towed better than my full size blazer did!

 

[DC Dude]

Because my wife refuses to drive a minivan, and likes the extra space and size of the 4 runner over a car....

Mine on the otherhand is 4wd, and about to get a lift and BFGs! :reddance:

What's her beef with 2wd only?

The benefit of prior V6 models is the option to switch from 2wd to 4wd, but I don't get the purpose of 2wd only for a SUV.

 

[Ridger]

Well, I've made my mind up on the engine... will be getting a V8.

... only now I don't know whether I want the Sport or Limited?

I will be towing with it so I like the auto-leveling option on the Limited. However, I am not a fan of leather really, though the heated seats would be nice. But I love the hood scoop on the Sport. Man, I wish you could get that hood scoop on the limited.

Can anyone chime in on the auto-leveling feature. How well does it work when towing? I would just as soon get the Sport Edition... is the auto-leveling option worth the the Limited over the Sport? I don't think there is much difference between those two models (in a V8) other then the leather, heated seats and the hood scope except cosmetics, correct?

 

[Flyer]

The Sport has the X-REAS suspension and probably bigger brakes and different wheels. The Sport suspension leaks quite often so check carefuly for leaks if you buy one. I didn't want the X-REAS and the leather simply gets too hot for me so I went for a SR5. However, you can always get seat covers for the Limited if you want. You can also remove the X-REAS and replace so none are big obstacles.

 

[DC Dude]

The 4Runner definitely looks better with the hood scoop.

Also, the older (not sure about the new) Sports Edition models did come with bigger brakes and wheels.

 

[JB.]

Can anyone chime in on the auto-leveling feature. How well does it work when towing?

PM forum member Koz. He used his a lot.

 

[Ridger]

The Sport has the X-REAS suspension and probably bigger brakes and different wheels. The Sport suspension leaks quite often so check carefuly for leaks if you buy one. I didn't want the X-REAS and the leather simply gets too hot for me so I went for a SR5. However, you can always get seat covers for the Limited if you want. You can also remove the X-REAS and replace so none are big obstacles.

Ahh, okay, I was not aware of the X-REAS issue. I test drive a Sport with that and liked it but have to look into this further along with associated costs, regularity…etc. Good point about the seat covers.

The 4Runner definitely looks better with the hood scoop.

Also, the older (not sure about the new) Sports Edition models did come with bigger brakes and wheels.

Yea, the Sport I’m looking at has larger disk brakes all around which is a plus for towing, and another reason I’m considering the Sport (over the Ltd). And I believe the SR5 has 16” wheels, the Sport 17” and the Limited 18”. This is indeed another difference. I also believe I read somewhere that some LTD’s also have a rear temperature control which again is not a big plus for me because my kids are 5yr & 3yrs old and won’t be touching those for some time.

PM forum member Koz. He used his a lot.

Thanks for the tip, will do.

 

[Ridger]

Well, I've found a 2006 Limited V8 about 4.5hrs away from me (which funny enough was a trade-in to a dealership, but was from my City).

It has a clean Carfax report with regular services...everything looks top notice. It's in great shape by the pictures. Asking $24,995CAN (which is$24,150 US). Has a bit more mileage then I would like 105,000km (65000 miles) but is everything I am looking for really.

But I am hesitating on making the 4 1/2hrs treck because of the color... as silly as that may sound.

I'm just not sure about it. They call it gold, but I assume this is the Driftwood Pearl. On one hand I don't recall seeing this color around so it probably is a bit rare, thus unique... but I'm just not sure I will walk outside and see this 4Runner and go.... WOW! Like I would with the darker colors. I just don't want to get it and then have regrets whiching I had gotten a different color.

Here is the add..... what do you all think about the color? Anyone on here with this color like to add their thoughts?

Used 2006 Toyota 4runner LIMITED For Sale | Halifax NS

Ridger

EDIT To ADD: I just run a customised appraisal at edmunds.com using Maine as the zip code (being closest to me) and it came back with the following dealer price range from "clean" to "Outstanding" condition... $US $22,200-$23,800 which is $CAN 23,000 - $24,650 so it seems reasonably priced before haggle?

 

[shifthis]

I have a 06 with a v6 and a 05 with a v8. I looove the v8 I wish they were both v8. I would defenitely go with the v8. Also the gas isn't that far off between the two. although the v6 is lifted with 255/75/17's.

 

[Flyer]

The color is just fine. Let me put things in some perspective as far as price goes. A 2005 V8 4x4 SR5 T4R with 65,000 miles (that I just bought a month ago) was first listed at $21,000 but I picked it up for $19,000 at a dealership. It is in immaculate shape and was a one-owner trade. A Limited brings in another $1,000-$1,500 here. I saw one for $20,500 but did not want leather so didn't deal on it.

So the prices seems to be a bit high, though can be brought into the reasonable range with some haggling. They want $25,000...you can start at $20,000 as long as you appear convinced that $20,000 is a reasonable offer. You want to hold at $22,000 and walk away at that. You can always come back later.

A friend just did the same thing and walked away. The next day, the dealership called her back and said they would do it at her price. I coached her.

EDIT- Start at 20, hold at 21, then play games to crawl up to 22 if you have to. Then walk away at 22 and think it over later. If you jump to 22, they will think you can do 23.

Well, I've found a 2006 Limited V8 about 4.5hrs away from me (which funny enough was a trade-in to a dealership, but was from my City).

It has a clean Carfax report with regular services...everything looks top notice. It's in great shape by the pictures. Asking $24,995CAN (which is$24,150 US). Has a bit more mileage then I would like 105,000km (65000 miles) but is everything I am looking for really.

But I am hesitating on making the 4 1/2hrs treck because of the color... as silly as that may sound.

I'm just not sure about it. They call it gold, but I assume this is the Driftwood Pearl. On one hand I don't recall seeing this color around so it probably is a bit rare, thus unique... but I'm just not sure I will walk outside and see this 4Runner and go.... WOW! Like I would with the darker colors. I just don't want to get it and then have regrets whiching I had gotten a different color.

Here is the add..... what do you all think about the color? Anyone on here with this color like to add their thoughts?

Used 2006 Toyota 4runner LIMITED For Sale | Halifax NS

Ridger

EDIT To ADD: I just run a customised appraisal at edmunds.com using Maine as the zip code (being closest to me) and it came back with the following dealer price range from "clean" to "Outstanding" condition... $US $22,200-$23,800 which is $CAN 23,000 - $24,650 so it seems reasonably priced before haggle?