Thread: Why are V6's so frowned upon

Once upon a time I had a MN12 T-bird with the 3.8 Liter NA Engine. Was a nice car that didn't have a lick of problems other than maintenance items. Constantly got 22-23 MPG combined with near 30 on highway. Wasn't the fastest car around but had some peep when needed. I'm not going to pretend a T-bird was ever a sports car (I'd consider it a comfortable highway cruiser) however you get so many people over exaggerating how god awful slow a NA V6 Bird is. How its so "Underpowered" and "Front Heavy" unless you have a SC or a 5 or 4.6 Liter. Want under-powered, drive a 1985 Astro Van with an "Iron Duke" 4 Cylinder. The T-bird wasn't a speed demon but thats not why I had one. I had one because it was comfortable and looked nice. However was fairly easy the maintain and wasn't bad on gas. The NA V6 model fit that bill perfectly. I am gentle on the throttle and brakes and am not racing anyone. So why do I need a Super Coupe or V8 model, I'd prefer getting 22 MPG on a V6 and driving carefully over going fast and getting 17 on a V8. I'd admit a V8 or Super Coupe would be nice as a weekend cruiser but not as a daily driver. I mean is high gas prices really worth the exhaust note and faster 0-60 time. Is it really worth driving like Mario Andretti from every stop light on your way to work.

I also always get this "a V6 Camaro isn't a real sports car" or "a V6 Mustang isn't a real sports car". However what if you like the look of a Stang but want a car that is easier on gas, Is there any problem with that. Besides even the 3.5 liter engine in the new Stang gets 305 HP. While it isn't the 420 the V8 has does it really matter. V6's have come a long way in terms of how much power one can produce. The 305 HP of the Ecoboost V6 is in line with what the V8 Stangs were getting 5 years ago, Plus they consume far less fuel than the old V8.

For example a family member of mine bought a 40th edition Cobra Stang. Was a nice car but wasn't a good purchase. A year or so after being it she got a job commuting 150 miles round trip to and from work. Even though almost the entire trip was highway she was only getting 17 MPG, to be fair some of it was being a lead foot. She was planning on getting this job before buying the car. However as we all know in 2005 gas prices got above $2 for the first time. She *****ed and moaned about driving the car to and from work and I asked her why didn't she opt for a V6 stang that was better on fuel. "A V6 stang is not a real pony car, I want a real pony car." A year little she was over her Mustang and traded it in for a Beatle, was a nice car though. A Grand Prix would have been another car that looked nice, had pep but didn't kill you at the pump.

I tend to not care what other people think. I make the decision based on what I can afford and willing to spend at the time.

To each their own...


But it boils down to this:

v8s also have a larger application base, resulting in higher production numbers. This creates a lower cost for stock and aftermarket parts and accessories.

I for one could care less for gas mileage, and would go for a higher torque motor whenever possible.

man i have two v-6 cars, i guess ill just be frowned upon

lol i dont really care what other people say about my engines or size. My GTP is reliable and my Z is plenty powerful for me

i dont think v-6s are always frowned upon, but if there is an option for a better engine in a car, ie the stangs, if you get a v-6 car people will always wonder why you cheaped out and didnt get the better v8

I guess when it comes to the Camaro or Stang I tend to frown upon the V6s in those. Part of the legend of those cars is the throaty V8 sound that they make going down the road and by putting a V6 in it you will lose that. When it comes to cars where the V6 is the biggest option thats what I would get. Im not really a 4cyl guy at all because I like midsize and full size cars so any of those with a 4cyl would be too underpowered in my opinion. Looking at the 2014 Impala I see that the 4cyl has an estimated MPG that is the same as what I get in my GP.

Originally Posted by 231FUN

I think thats kind of ironic seeing a supercharger is a replacement for displacement...

They may be talking about the displacement of the blower too, for which there is also no replacement lol

My recent experience of driving a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L tells me to hang onto my 07 Grand Prix for some time yet. I was seriously let down when I wen't WOT in the Lancer. It just sucks. There is no passing power, rpm's jump right up but the accerlation is too slow to pass a snail. Might be good on gas but its boring to drive.