V8 vs. V6-what are your thoughts.

[zopperman]

Correct. But for every blown headgasket, IM willing to bet there is a v8 with timing belt/water pump issue. They both have their strong suits. I prefer the six. Unless you are towing alot, the six is plenty. Bottom line, if you maintain it at normal service intervals, neither should fail.

What? I have yet to see a t belt issue not related to user error

 

[M16A4]

Correct. But for every blown headgasket, IM willing to bet there is a v8 with timing belt/water pump issue. They both have their strong suits. I prefer the six. Unless you are towing alot, the six is plenty. Bottom line, if you maintain it at normal service intervals, neither should fail.

I wouldn't bet on that one. Everything you've mentioned in this thread about the V8 is groundless. I do agree that if you maintain them they'll last. Both are great engines and have long service life's.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

What? I have yet to see a t belt issue not related to user error

i heard v8 owners are compensating...... :behindsofa:

 

[zopperman]

i heard v8 owners are compensating...... :behindsofa:

I heard all V6 owners are getting permabans

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I heard all V6 owners are getting permabans

Then all the v8 guys can get together and talk about having v8s and stuff :brick:

 

[zopperman]

Then all the v8 guys can get together and talk about having v8s and stuff :brick:

 

[MikeInNH]

I think both engines are EXCELLENT.

I've never had a head gasket problem. And I don't know anyone who owns a V6 that had one. I'd be willing to be a lot of money that MOST head gasket problems were due to overheating. An aluminum block will warp easier when over-heated then a cast iron block (Toyota V8). So if you don't overheat the V6 engine you won't have any problems.

I'm NOT a big fan of these long interval changes for Tranny fluid and Anti-freeze. I change tranny fluid every 50k miles and Anti-Freeze every other year. I'd like to see how many V6 owners who had warped heads changed their fluid every 5 years.

 

[AZ07Runner]

I drove a 3VZ-E for 20 years so I am making up for it with the V8. In town, it gets the same mpg, too, which is about 95% of my driving. Love the power!

 

[Dylan]

I drove a 3VZ-E for 20 years so I am making up for it with the V8. In town, it gets the same mpg, too, which is about 95% of my driving. Love the power!

Same. I love the 2nd gens and my '94, save for the gutless 3.slow V6. When I got my '04 (after having driven my buddy's '03 V8) I decided I owed it to myself to get some more power in the engine bay of my next runner. The V6 4th gens have plenty of power, and it would have been sufficient for what I was looking for, but after having driven the 3.slow the V8 wouldn't stop calling my name.

At the end of the day we all drive 4Runners, the most reliable, capable vehicles out there, right? The difference in the engine is fairly miniscule, and most people dont buy 4Runners for having world renowned power in the engines (not saying they're not powerful) but it's all the other things about the 4Runners that I think most owners would agree on....such as: sliding rear window!!

 

[Ohcrymore]

Same. I love the 2nd gens and my '94, save for the gutless 3.slow V6. When I got my '04 (after having driven my buddy's '03 V8) I decided I owed it to myself to get some more power in the engine bay of my next runner. The V6 4th gens have plenty of power, and it would have been sufficient for what I was looking for, but after having driven the 3.slow the V8 wouldn't stop calling my name.

At the end of the day we all drive 4Runners, the most reliable, capable vehicles out there, right? The difference in the engine is fairly miniscule, and most people dont buy 4Runners for having world renowned power in the engines (not saying they're not powerful) but it's all the other things about the 4Runners that I think most owners would agree on....such as: sliding rear window!!

Sliding rear window best rear window :reddance:

 

[Hapeacres]

I remember one comment that stood out in my mind when I bought my V8 when this same question was posed. That was the poster who said "he knew a lot of people with a V6 that wished they had a V8, but did not know of one person who had a V8 and wished they had a V6. When I bought my V8 and brought it to the Toyota Specialist Shop, the mechanic who put my timing belt in said he had a V6 and as he test drove mine with me, he said he wished he had a V8, and liked mine better.

 

[toy4xchris]

I debated the V6 and V8 and decided to go with the V6 because my wife the main driver likes to go fast.....
Only problem we have had with the V6 was a head gasket around 140k but had a warranty that covered it and everything else is good.
Never had any over heating issues according to the gauges at least.

 

[kaatahdin]

I decided on a gen4 for the V8, if I were going V6 I would have got a Gen5... love the V8, but still thinking about a new Gen5 before I really start dumping cash into it.

If you are in a used gen4 price range (under 30k), defiantly get the V8, my .02$

I average about 18mpg in town (when I'm good)

 

[kevinpt]

i bought a v6 and love it. yes the v8 sounds good and is likely a tad bit faster but i still like the option of 2wd. not that i advise this or anything but drifting in the snow or rain can be fun

 

[NJshadow93]

 

[MikeInNH]

I remember one comment that stood out in my mind when I bought my V8 when this same question was posed. That was the poster who said "he knew a lot of people with a V6 that wished they had a V8, but did not know of one person who had a V8 and wished they had a V6.

And that ONE comment means NOTHING. Completely unverifiable.

 

[tH1e swiN1e]

I went with the V8 to handle the weight that comes with bigger tires, armor, gear, people, etc etc. Bad gas mileage doesnt bother me but would also be bad with a V6 and those mods. Id go V8 regardless but Im sure you wouldnt regret either engine.