v8 gas economy vs. v6

[seanc06]

Hey everyone...

Well, as posted a few days ago, I'm a newbie to 4runners, but I'm about to trade in my 8 year old Jeep Cherokee and finally run with the big boys!

I have a question about fuel economy. I found a 2004 Black on Tan Limited with 77k miles for about $15k. It seems like a great deal according to KBB. However, it's v8 4wd as opposed to v6. I've heard that the V8 4wd gets horrendous fuel economy when compared to the v6 4wd or 2wd. Is this correct? That, plus the higher mileage then I was looking for are holding me up. However, it's the best "deal" that I've found compared to KBB, and it's fully loaded.

Can anyone help a stressed and confused car buyer!!!

Thanks!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Hey everyone...

Well, as posted a few days ago, I'm a newbie to 4runners, but I'm about to trade in my 8 year old Jeep Cherokee and finally run with the big boys!

I have a question about fuel economy. I found a 2004 Black on Tan Limited with 77k miles for about $15k. It seems like a great deal according to KBB. However, it's v8 4wd as opposed to v6. I've heard that the V8 4wd gets horrendous fuel economy when compared to the v6 4wd or 2wd. Is this correct? That, plus the higher mileage then I was looking for are holding me up. However, it's the best "deal" that I've found compared to KBB, and it's fully loaded.

Can anyone help a stressed and confused car buyer!!!

Thanks!

Welcome. "V8 4wd gets horrendous fuel economy" is quite an overstatement. Most report 1.0-1.5mpg difference. There are so many variables it's really hard to pin down real world numbers. Most V6 guys get a little under 20 and better than 18 it seems. That's before lifts, big tires etc. The V8's seem to take less of an mpg hit when modded slightly. The V8 does have a timing belt at 90k, the v6 does not. There's no V8 owner that choose a V6 and very few V6 owners that miss the V8. It's hard to go wrong...

Check this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44370 This guy is not representative of all V8's. This gets discussed alot. Read aroung a bit... Look in Off Topic and read the sticky on Google tricks, it'll help.

:cheers:

 

[Atlanta_man]

gotta love the exotic mechanical design of the V8

great torque all the time

and it beats working the heart out of the v6 all the time


(65K miles on mine and it runs stronger now than when new)

 

[Falls]

beats working the heart out of the v6 all the time.

Thats total BS ! The V6 is a powerful engine and can hold it's own just fine.

I get what I consider decent milage with my V8 , but if I get a new one and it has all the options I want except it has a V6 in it , I would buy it without question. Great powerful motor.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

I've got an '04 V8 and I gotta say, on a typical day I can pull up to 19.6 MPG when I'm on/off the freeways and zipping around town here and there. I did notice though when it finally got cold I started getting a high of around 18.8 MPG, I think it's because of the cold though (running more AC and all that), and will probably go back up a bit in the warmer season. Even still, those numbers are friggin' nice.

I was expecting like 15 MPG, but not even close man, I get better MPG than a lot of my friend's Jeeps and trucks. Hell, a couple of them even cried BS on me until they went of a trip with me and saw for themselves.

If I stick to nothing but highway driving and put her on cruise, I can pull 22-23 MPG - which, if you ask me, is awesome.

Although I forgot to note, I have not yet lifted my rig or ditched the stock tires. When I do that, I know I will take a bit of an MPG hit. I guess your MPG will ultimately depend on your mods, and driving style - but it should be ballpark.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Thats total BS ! The V6 is a powerful engine and can hold it's own just fine.

I get what I consider decent milage with my V8 , but if I get a new one and it has all the options I want except it has a V6 in it , I would buy it without question. Great powerful motor.

sorry v6 fans, the v8 is not just torquier but it's smoother lexus like.

i get about 15-16 mpg around town. the diff in $ can be made up by drinking less lattes. the upside is... MELLIFLUOUS POWER

the V8 does NOT get 18-19 mpg. on the hwy it's 18-19 at best. even the EPA rates the car between 16-19.

the guys who are pointing out those figures are lying. the on board computer readout is NOT accurate. my figures are from real world gas station calculations.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

sorry v6 fans, the v8 is not just torquier but it's smoother lexus like.

i get about 15-16 mpg around town. the diff in $ can be made up by drinking less lattes. the upside is... MELLIFLUOUS POWER

the V8 does NOT get 18-19 mpg. on the hwy it's 18-19 at best. even the EPA rates the car between 16-19.

the guys who are pointing out those figures are lying. the on board computer readout is NOT accurate. my figures are from real world gas station calculations.

You can talk all the shit you want bud, but I've got nothing to prove. He asked for input and that's what I am giving him. Why don't you act mature and not be so disrespectful to people who are just trying to be constructive and share their experiences. Your driving style is obviously different than mine and I think you should try to understand that circumstances differ between two vehicles and drivers.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

You can talk all the shit you want bud, but I've got nothing to prove. He asked for input and that's what I am giving him. Why don't you act mature and not be so disrespectful to people who are just trying to be constructive and share their experiences.

because your experience of getting 20+mpg on your v8 is absolutely inaccurate. don't lie to others. no v8 4runner is getting 18+mpg in mixed driving. it's a load of bs.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

Who's lying? So I drive conservatively on my level-terrained commute. I drive opposite of the traffic, so what? What makes me a liar because my fuel economy differs? Since when do we deal in absolutes? Are you God?

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Who's lying? So I drive conservatively on my level-terrained commute. I drive opposite of the traffic, so what? What makes me a liar because my fuel economy differs? Since when do we deal in absolutes? Are you God?

you're claiming 18-19mpg mixed driving

you're claiming 22+ mpg freeway use

God would call that BS. santa claus would call out your bs. watch for coals. i live in the pnw as well. i drive the same roads you do. i drive conservatively. your figures blow out the EPA mpg measures out of the water.

that's BS. don't spread it.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

Ok bud, you obviously disagree, which is cool, you're certainly allowed to do that.

I will even go so far as to admit that my results are not typical, but I never lied to anyone, and you sir - for attacking somebody based on their input, is simply a clear sign of your lack of respect for other members of this forum.

To the original poster, I apologize for any confusion, I will take the "high road" and say that I may be in the strict minority here, but you shouldn't feel that your MPG is going to be substantially less than the V6, as was your original concern.

Hope that helps.

 

[Benjamin Choi]

Ok bud, you obviously disagree, which is cool, you're certainly allowed to do that.

I will even go so far as to admit that my results are not typical, but I never lied to anyone, and you sir - for attacking somebody based on their input, is simply a clear sign of your lack of respect for other members of this forum.

To the original poster, I apologize for any confusion, I will take the "high road" and say that I may be in the strict minority here, but you shouldn't feel that your MPG is going to be substantially less than the V6, as was your original concern.

Hope that helps.

it's nothin personal but

it's obvious to me your figures are based on computer readouts. my figures are based on real life spend or what i spend at the gas station. it's right in line with what toyota puts on their window stickers for the xxx,xxx US v8 4runners sold.

if you're getting 19mpg mixed use and 22mpg hwy, then the v6 is relatively that much better at 22-3mpg mixed and 26mpg hwy. no way.

real life mileage will be right around 16mpg mixed, 19mpg hwy for the v8 4x4. it is not as good as the v6, but i think we agree that the v8 is the way to go because the $ savings delta isn't that much greater... at least not enough to give up the smooth torque of the v8.

 

[riverider]

sorry v6 fans, the v8 is not just torquier but it's smoother lexus like.

i get about 15-16 mpg around town. the diff in $ can be made up by drinking less lattes. the upside is... MELLIFLUOUS POWER

the V8 does NOT get 18-19 mpg. on the hwy it's 18-19 at best. even the EPA rates the car between 16-19.

the guys who are pointing out those figures are lying. the on board computer readout is NOT accurate. my figures are from real world gas station calculations.

Me thinks you have not driven a 08 v6 mine is smooth and powerful.

 

[BC4Runner]

I couldn't be more happy with my V6. Plenty of power and as smooth as glass.

 

[jharris2]

Warning -- keep the comments on topic and respectful.

 

[riverider]

Ethanol

I would think the people being forced to use the 15%+ gas ethanol mix will get less mileage from their gallons bought.

 

[Ducman]

MPG

As a new owner of a V8 T4R I can tell you they are great motors. My 2 requirements when I was looking for my 4R were: heated leather seats and the V8. I am a sucker for torque I guess. That and I plan to be towing a boat within the next year or two.


Honestly if 1-2mpg is something you are worried about, these are probably not the vehicles for you.

In my opinion the timing belt on the V8 is a much bigger strike against it than the minor mpg hit. Not a huge deal, just something to think about as it will need to be replaced at 90,000 miles.

FYI, it's been below zero here and I've been getting about 14mpg with 100% city driving. I have gotten as high as 19mpg on the highway, but whos counting....it's a truck and I like the go pedal.

My experience is the trip computer always seems to read about 1.5mpg higher than actual.

The V6s are good motors too from what I have read, I think it just depends on what you want out of it.

 

[riverider]

Re: MPG

As a new owner of a V8 T4R I can tell you they are great motors. My 2 requirements when I was looking for my 4R were: heated leather seats and the V8. I am a sucker for torque I guess. That and I plan to be towing a boat within the next year or two.


Honestly if 1-2mpg is something you are worried about, these are probably not the vehicles for you.

In my opinion the timing belt on the V8 is a much bigger strike against it than the minor mpg hit. Not a huge deal, just something to think about as it will need to be replaced at 90,000 miles.

FYI, it's been below zero here and I've been getting about 14mpg with 100% city driving. I have gotten as high as 19mpg on the highway, but whos counting....it's a truck and I like the go pedal.

My experience is the trip computer always seems to read about 1.5mpg higher than actual.

The V6s are good motors too from what I have read, I think it just depends on what you want out of it.

Heated seats now that is important they came with my 98 Maxima. Never used them. I asked a guy at my Toyota dealers service Dept. why Toyota used a belt on their V8s but a chain on the v6. Never did get any answer I could understand.:bash:

 

[Ducman]

Re: Re: MPG

Heated seats now that is important they came with my 98 Maxima. Never used them.

Not sure what you are trying to say there....

Our 01 Maxima has heated leather seats too and while they do an "ok" job of warming up after a few minutes, they are not even close to the warmers in the 4runner. The 4runner's get really nice and toasty in like 60 seconds and during a Wisconsin winter thats a big plus.

I too am confused though why some motors use timing belts and some use timing chains...

 

[eskimochaos]

Re: Re: Re: MPG

Not sure what you are trying to say there....

Our 01 Maxima has heated leather seats too and while they do an "ok" job of warming up after a few minutes, they are not even close to the warmers in the 4runner. The 4runner's get really nice and toasty in like 60 seconds and durning a Wisconsin winter thats a big plus.

I too am confused though why some motors use timing belts and some use timing chains...

$1500 for a timing belt every 90k miles is fine for me.

The 2UZ-FE is IMO the best V8 ever conceived when it was designed for the 100 series back in 98