V6 vs V8

[barneyfife911]

Need a little help, please. May buy a 2004 4Runner Sport and just curious if the V8 is worth spending the extra money for vs the V6? Any comments would be appreciated. Does it offer that much more power? Is gas mileage difference substantial? Thanks for any input!

 

[Thai]

Here are a few threads for your viewing pleasures:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showt...80&perpage=15&highlight=fulltime&pagenumber=1

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=306&highlight=fulltime

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=858

Hope this helps.

 

[richardyc]

take the V8 if you like lexus-like quiet and smooth engine. If you like to hear your engine roar ALL the time, get the V6.

 

[waskillywabbit]

v6

The v8 has less total hp than the v6 and gets worse gas mileage, for a measely 30 ft-lbs of low-end torque and I am sure a big whack in the wallet to boot. If you want a v8, get a Sequoia, one in a 4Runner seems pointless overkill to me.

And yes, I've driven both

My 0.02

:guitar:

 

[jharris2]

take the V8 if you like lexus-like quiet and smooth engine. If you like to hear your engine roar ALL the time, get the V6.

I would disagree with your assessment -- I have one of the first V6 models produced for the US market, so if anyone experiences problems, it should be me. Yet, "roar" is not a word I would use to describe it.

Yes, it is louder than the V6 in our Camry, but I just finished a nearly-1,500-mile trip and the engine noise was never an issue.

And 22.4 mpg highway sure helps the wallet. :

 

[EDGE]

V8, opinions will differ but either 1 will do the same job: it really comes down to your own personal preference, depending on your driving habits gas mileage may not be that different, if you really want to focus on fuel put into tank verse amount of money needed to fill that tank then get a Corolla or 4Cylinder Camry even a Prius, debating gas mileage between an SUV with similar sized engines is pointless.

Test drive them both, some guys feel the same way about the V6 as those who are diehard V8 owners.

I got the V8 cause I wanted a V8, if the 4Runner only came with a V6 I'd be driving the V6.

waskillywabbit
overkill is always good,

 

[EDGE]

V8 comes with the 5speed and AWD:

This is how I feel in my V8:50cal: this is how others look in their V6's to me :artist:

:jester:

 

[Thai]

Yes, it is louder than the V6 in our Camry

Also, remember that the Camry has a TON of sound insulation. The Camry was made to be tomb-like quiet...4runner is not (although it is one of the quietest SUV on the planet).

 

[jharris2]

Also, remember that the Camry has a TON of sound insulation. The Camry was made to be tomb-like quiet...4runner is not (although it is one of the quietest SUV on the planet).

Exactly my point -- not as quiet as the car, but still darned quiet and not a "roar."

 

[Larry]

V8 vs V6

I read that the V8 in the 4 Runner is much better than average for maintenance and the V6 is much worse.

I bought the V8 because I expected it to be like the Tundra V8 and the idea of a V6 does not appeal to me. I think of a V6 as a packaging solution and a shaker that has to employ tricks to run smoothly.

I am happy with my choice except for one minor detail, the oil filter location. On The V8 you have to remove the forward skid plate and the V6 is up on the very top. Other that that, you can hardly tell the engine is running at times and it has enough power to suit me.

 

[BURNIN M]

Re: v6

Yes, but being able to easily out accelerate you and most other vehicles on the highway does huge things for my simple ego.

The v8 has less total hp than the v6 and gets worse gas mileage, for a measely 30 ft-lbs of low-end torque and I am sure a big whack in the wallet to boot. If you want a v8, get a Sequoia, one in a 4Runner seems pointless overkill to me.

And yes, I've driven both

My 0.02

:guitar:

 

[barneyfife911]

I appreciate all the feedback here. It has truly been helpful.

I just got back from a dealer's lot and drove a V6 2WD Sport and a V8 2WD Sport back to back. Let me tell you, not even 5 minutes into my V8 drive I knew I had to have it. Felt much more powerful (almost effortless compared to the V6), was much more quiet and was markedly quicker than its V6 counterpart. Nothing against the V6, as I'm sure it is a good engine, but the difference was astounding to me. I LOVED the V8!

 

[dancojgl]

Re: V8 vs V6

I read that the V8 in the 4 Runner is much better than average for maintenance and the V6 is much worse.

The V6 is a new engine. How do you know the maintenance is going to be *much worse* than the V8? The maintenance schedules look about the same to me...

I think of a V6 as a packaging solution and a shaker that has to employ tricks to run smoothly.

Huh? To what *tricks* are you referring?

Other that that, you can hardly tell the engine is running at times and it has enough power to suit me.

I can say the exact same thing about my V6.

You've stated your opinion and bad-mouthed the V6, without any hard facts. What's your point here?

 

[barneyfife911]

I have no idea what you are talking about. I started this "lame thread" because I had legitimate questions about the V6 vs the V8 engines in a 2004 2WD Sport. All of the responses have been very helpful to me and are all appreciated. You obviously own a V6 and take offense to others who say the V8 is better. I'm glad you like your V6. I'm sure it is a fine engine. But after reading others experiences and, most importantly, driving both the V6 and the V8 last night, it is my very definite opinion that the V8 is one awesome engine. There was no comparison for me, personally, and that is what I will be buying. Thanks to all who gave their own opinions.

 

[toybox]

The oil filter on my '97 was a real pain in the ass to get to and keeping the engine and skid plates from getting oil on them during a change also sucked. I have yet to chane the oil on the '03 V8 and I hope it is not as bad as my '97 was.

 

[Ian]

We just bought a V8 last night and my wife chose the V8 during a blind test. We test drove three 4Runners back-to-back and one of them was a V8. She is not too technical and never noticed what she was driving, but subjectively she said one of the 4Runners felt "smoother", "quieter", and "felt like it pulled out into traffic better" -- I think she meant more low-end torque. It turned out that the 4Runner she liked was the V8.

It would be interesting to overlay the torque curves (torque vs. RPM) of both the V8 and the V6. I suspect the V8 has more area under the curve, especially at lower RPMs. This would account for a faster more powerful feel in city driving, IMO.

I do think they are both fine engines and we would have a V6 4Runner had the V8 not been available. The V6 is much smoother than our old 5.2L V8 Grand Cherokee.

 

[Swaro]

whew...this is 100! i've changed the oil 2x on my V8 and it really isn't too bad.

1. No jack required.

2. Toyota as always looking after the minor details, put two hooks on the front skid plate so the one side doesn't just fall down on you after removing the last bolt.

3. You don't have to remove the rear skid plate, just the plastic snap in cover.

4. The filter isn't bad to get to...but beware the cheesey aftermarket cap wrench the dealer sells. It's slightly too big.
Toyota doesn't make one according to my dealer...their mechanics use a strap wrench.


On the V6 issue, I know what you meant by not really liking the V6 configuration. I'd go with a straight 6 everytime when talking six cylinders. Unfortunately, the car makers have mostly gone V6 for space considerations even though it is common knowledge that a straight six is inherently a better design balance wise.

Careful, though. BMW added counterweights to the jackshaft in the inherently rough 3 cyl. 750cc K75 motorcycle engine (effectively making it a balance shaft), and created IMO one of the greatest motorcyling engines of all time.

 

[EDGE]

Re: V8 vs V6

I read that the V8 in the 4 Runner is much better than average for maintenance and the V6 is much worse.

I bought the V8 because I expected it to be like the Tundra V8 and the idea of a V6 does not appeal to me. I think of a V6 as a packaging solution and a shaker that has to employ tricks to run smoothly.

I am happy with my choice except for one minor detail, the oil filter location. On The V8 you have to remove the forward skid plate and the V6 is up on the very top. Other that that, you can hardly tell the engine is running at times and it has enough power to suit me.

What exactly do you mean by better then average for maintenance, the only difference that I know off hand between the 2 engines is the V8 needs a quart more oil, but overall cost of ownership would be equal between the 2.

The V8 came out in 2000 or early 99 as a brand new engine and it had it's minor problems just like the current 4.0 V6 but still their are many happy owners with V8 built in 99/00 that have no problems that others experienced, the V6 sounds like a V6 what more can you expect.

The V8 was a smart move by Toyota and probably grabed more customers who would have looked at Sequoias or other models with V8, some guys are just die hard V8 and now I understand why.

As to what you say as the V6 being a packaging solution, your right, but the same can be said for the 3rd gen when they had commercials advertising a 4Runner for less then 20k, it's all about what gets customers in the dealerships.

I've changed the oil on my truck and the filter is in a pretty good location easy and clean in my opinion, actual puts a smile on my face after changing the oil on my Pathfinders.

The engine is smooth, I luv it:50cal: and drive hard gunning it even to go a block, the power is good for now until I get an SC but even if I had a V6 I drive it the same way.

 

[EDGE]

Dang, I was just kidding. This subject has been debated forever and ever. I am just mad at myself for posting in it and falling into the debate! Never again!

Ian, Yeah the V8 has a clean torque curve and a really short 1st for towing (which also gives a good kick for city driving).

Don't worry a V6 does not make you any less of a man:50cal: see my post further up in here, cause this topic is killing me :artist:

 

[EDGE]