V6 vs V8

Quote from dancojgl;

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Re: V8 vs V6

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


quote:
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2.) I think of a V6 as a packaging solution and a shaker that has to employ tricks to run smoothly.
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Huh? To what *tricks* are you referring?

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Let me respond to those two Questions:

First, Consumer Reports had issued a magazine saying the 4Runner V8 is much better than average and the 4Runner V6 is much worse than average. It seems hard for me to figure out how Consumer Reports can figure this out in literary a few months.

Second, the tricks that the V6 would employ might be a all aluminium engine, variable valve timing with a higher compression engine. That to me is high tech stuff. Remember the V6 is .7 liters smaller and has more power, you don't get that without a few "tech tricks".
 
peter said

Second, the tricks that the V6 would employ might be a all aluminium engine, variable valve timing with a higher compression engine. That to me is high tech stuff. Remember the V6 is .7 liters smaller and has more power, you don't get that without a few "tech tricks".

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'has more power' , horsepower is just one way to describe power. What about torque?

My turbo Volvo has 252 hp but won't pull the trailer I pull with a V8 4Runner.

I just would like to know where CR gets their information and what make them reat the V6 worse than average.
 
When I planned my purchase back in 2002 winter, I was almost determined to get the V6. I need it for towing and I saw that both engines were advertised at 5000lbs (later I found in the owner's manual that V8 actually can tow a lot more).

I was waiting patiently for the V6 to arrive and hoping that it would be about 2-3 thousand dollars cheaper. In addition, in a long run, the V6 might save me some money on maintanence --- at least 2 less spark plugs to buy. :o

HOWEVER, when the pricing of the V6 was published, I was greatly disappointed because the price difference was only at a mere $1100! The 5spd transmission itself on the V8 can worth more than $1100 already IMO. Because of so little in price difference, I ended up getting the V8 and didn't even bother to wait for the V6 to arrive.

I think Toyota has made a right choice on offering these 2 engines. However, their pricing is a little screwed up that it's really not too justifiable to buy a V6......
 
myrunner said:
People that argue in favor of V6 only do so, as a result of their bad purchasing decision. Had they had a chance to reverse that decision, they would have done it yesterday.

V8 is clearly a winner. See my earlier thread on how I reversed my decision, thankfully just in time.

So long V6.
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Don't beat around the bush, tell us how you really feel....:50cal:

Speaking as a somewhat outsider, (I have a 3rd generation) I don't know getting a V6 4.0 is exactly considered a bad purchasing decision. Maybe getting the new Kia SUV at full list might be considered a bad purchasing decision.
 
myrunner said:
People that argue in favor of V6 only do so, as a result of their bad purchasing decision. Had they had a chance to reverse that decision, they would have done it yesterday.

V8 is clearly a winner. See my earlier thread on how I reversed my decision, thankfully just in time.

So long V6.
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As a V6 owner -- and a happy one at that -- you can't reasonably make the generalization you did in your post.

My wife and I each drove both engines, studied our needs, and the V6 was clearly the better fit with the part-time 4WD system. The price differential was not a contributing factor to the decision.

The V6 has plenty of power and acceleration for our driving habits and needs. At highway speeds, we have more than enough reserve power to blow past an 18-wheeler when needed. We don't need the low-end torque to pull large loads (if I needed that, I would have kept my pickup truck).

Yes, it is somewhat more noisy than the V8, but not substantially so, in my experience. Indeed, there is no vehicle I have ever driven that I would consider acceptably quiet (my V6 Camry is too noisy to me).

And the extra mileage (the 22 mpg I have measured against the 18 mpg the dealer's president measured is a 22.4% improvement) is a nice boost to my personal bottom line.

At the same time, if you want/need full-time 4WD, need the extra torque, etc., then you have a very good engine and drivetrain to choose. If you don't, you likewise have a very good engine and drivetrain to choose.

Instead of bashing ( :bash: ) those of us who chose the V6, just be satisfied that you chose the best alternative for you and your family, and that you're happy with your decision; at the same time, please accept the fact that there are others out there who do not have the same needs as you, and we are equally happy with our decision.

There is a place for both engines and drivetrains -- just figure out your wants and needs, then choose accordingly.

Now, let's stop the debate and go enjoy the truck!!
:dancin:
 
jharris2 said:
Instead of bashing ( :bash: ) those of us who chose the V6, just be satisfied that you chose the best alternative for you and your family, and that you're happy with your decision; at the same time, please accept the fact that there are others out there who do not have the same needs as you, and we are equally happy with our decision.
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Ditto.

Let me remind everyone, the WORST thing is fighting among brothers! Let's be civil. NO BASHING among brothers. Period!

Save your energy for the trolls from Ford/Chevy!

Thank you.
 
myrunner said:
People that argue in favor of V6 only do so, as a result of their bad purchasing decision.
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myrunner, just to put it in persective, the last 3 people giving you a hard time, own a V6, including me.
;):
 
myrunner said:
So please, stay quiet in your under powered runner until your lease or finance term is up and go get a decent truck with a decent engine.
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Right on, those people with 5 less horsepower how can you live with yourself. Stick with the V6.:lmao:
 
I know someone has pointed out that V6 maintenance issues were on another thread, but which one?

Isn't the biggested difference a new high tech engine vs a older proven design and the future resale value?

At least neither vehicle is a Ford, Chevy or a Dodge.

If that's it then what's the problem with the V6 service ratings?

I kind of like the V6 oil filter location, every time I change my V8 engine oil.
 
After the oil sludge issues with the IMZ V-6 engines, I would not touch any V6 from Toyota anytime soon, re-designed or not.
 
I just bought a 2004 Sport Editiion V6. I drove both V8 and V6 and went with the V6 because I didn't want full time 4 wheel drive and felt the V6 will do anything I will ask it for. I was surprised how little difference there was in normal driving between the two. My neighbor has a V8 Tundra and complains about the milage everytime I see him. I have a 1999 4Runner Highlander and can't believe the difference between the two vehicles. Very, very happy so far! Had no trouble with the 1999 and have 55000 on it. Being an old time drag racer, I never thought I would pick a V6 over a V8. It is all in what you want your truck to do, thats why there is an option. Money did not enter into the choice, but the additional milage of the V6 is a plus, along with the easy maintenance of oil changes, which I still do myself.
 
Larry said:
I know someone has pointed out that V6 maintenance issues were on another thread, but which one?

Isn't the biggested difference a new high tech engine vs a older proven design and the future resale value?
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There is a thread about Consumer Reports making the 4Runner on the Most Reliable List and Least Reliable List, that might be what your talking about:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1361

Also, I think your right about the 2 engines, the V6 has a lot of neat new stuff and the V8 is more a mature design, of course it does have DOHC and 32 valves, hardly low tech.
 
Bluto said:
After the oil sludge issues with the IMZ V-6 engines, I would not touch any V6 from Toyota anytime soon, re-designed or not.
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So I know of the whole Toyota engine sludge problem, and I've heard that it was basically the 3.0L V6 found in the Camrys, Minivans and whatever other vehicle including Lexus that shared the same engine.

I don't know the exact engines or years which had the problem but the Toyota V6's had 197 hp where the Lexus had 210, but both V6's where still 3L and they both still had sludge problems.

I also have a 2003 ES300 with the 3L 210hp V6, I read that they revised the heads to creat less heat which was I guess the source of the problem, and not changing the oil does not help it.
 
Slightly Off Subject

EDGE, I think your basically correct, the sludge issue was in the 3.0 liter V6, Toyota said they had some problems with the 4 cyl. in the Camry. Toyota gave a 8 year warranty in 2001 to all existing owners against the build up of sludge. It was my understanding it was mainly in the 3.0 liter engines and the mini-van was hit the hardest.

These new engines with increase in power, using varaible valve timing and such put a stress on the engine. This incident with sludge gave me a appreciation in changing oil often.

If I owned the 4.0 V6 in the 4Runner which has a aluminium engine with varible valve timing I would make a special effort in changing the oil often.

Also, I have not heard of too much problem with the old 4Runner V6 3.4 liter engine for getting sludge.
 
Last edited:
MYRUNNER...this is your SECOND warning...cool it down! There's no need to be insulting to other 4runner owners!

Well, doesn't the Lexus RX330 come only with a V6?? How about: Acura MDX and Volvo XC90??

What do you think are best sellers on Chevy Trailblazers/Envoy/etc.??? How about Ford Explorer?? How about Jeep Grand Cherokees?? More than half of these vehicles are sold in the 6-cylinder variant.

BTW, the 3.4L V6 engine on the 3rd gen 4runners were NEVER affected by the sludge issue.

Thanks...please be kind to other members.
 
Thai said:

BTW, the 3.4L V6 engine on the 3rd gen 4runners were NEVER affected by the sludge issue.

Thanks...please be kind to other members.
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Thai, I find it very interesting that one of our members from Japan has his new 4Runner with the 3.4 V6.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1949

It is neat to have the biggest and the best, but if we ever get prices of gas to equal Japan's I bet getting a V6 will look a lot smarter.
 
peter78 said:
Thai, I find it very interesting that one of our members from Japan has his new 4Runner with the 3.4 V6.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=1949

It is neat to have the biggest and the best, but if we ever get prices of gas to equal Japan's I bet getting a V6 will look a lot smarter.
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There are 3 engines available in Japan.

1) 2.7L, 4-cyl, 150ps, 235Nm
2) 3.4L, V6, 185ps, 294Nm
3) 3.0L, 4-cyl Turbo, 170ps, 352Nm

The 3.0L Turbo is actually the "top of the line" engine. Even though it has less horsepower than the 3.4L V6, it has 20% more torque and the torque curve peaks and is perfectly FLAT from 1400rpm to 3400rpm.

The engines here in the US are unique for our market to compete with other SUV with big engines.
 
I don't know why exactly I'm posting this but I have a 2000 Sienna and I've had the transmission go at 22,000 miles and just recently the engine went at 48,000 miles.

The engine went due to the sludge problem. You should of heard the song and dance they were giving me about my engine. They asked me how often I changed my oil and if I had any proof. They asked me if I changed the oil every 3k miles and they said if I couldn't support that they may not be able to do anything. I said "How often does the owners manual say to change it" (knowing what the answer was). He said, after realizing how stupid he was going to sound "every 7k miles.

Also he sad the sludge issue was not a warranty issue and if toyota does fix it they are doing it in good will. I said " does oil come with sludge in it" "no"; Is an engine supposed to produce slude" "no" Then explain to me why this is not Toyota's problem if I do my maintenance at the recommended intervals.

But in the end they fixed for free. The van is great and we love it but I'm not so confident about this one now. I'd love to trade it in but I just got the 4Runner so a new van will have to wait a few years.
 
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