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Why are V6's so frowned upon

G

gamefreak

New member
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.
 
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Why? Because there is always a V8 model that people will could have had a V8 too. Plain and simple. I mean I have a G8 and didn't want anything but the V8 one and held out for it. It was actually between a G8 GT and a newer V6 mustang convertible. I can understand people who don't care about cars getting a v6 cause to them they probably don't even know what the hell the difference is. They might think a v6 is faster for all we know. But any real car guy will know why we frown upon v6 engines, when you have the option in a model line, a v8>v6.
 
I admit even 22 MPG isn't great but for combined driving it isn't bad. Especially for a car that has leg room and can be bought for at a very good deal. A new car gets better but you have more gadgets and stuff to break. Plus a new car would mean payments and high insurance cost.
 
I personally like V8's myself, but only if I had the way of affording the gas. I just don't get people who buy high performance sports cars worth lots of money and then ***** about putting gas in it.
 


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:
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THERE was once a time when cars with a v6 where pathetically slow from the factory, the v8 models ran circle around them and gas was under .99 gal. Many years ago I swore I would never have anything less than 350cu., and a 4 bbl. and I have owned lots of cars. But now with gas prices being so high, I sold everything and found the GTP as a suitable replacement for my power addiction, I am just thankful for the M90. Still not the same as a 1970 Buick 455 under my foot, but getting older also means.....getting older.
 


V6s suck because people either want good gas mileage (4 cyl) or lots of hp (v8). No one wants neither.
 
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'm just saying people tend to complain a lot about V6's. Bought the 95 Bird for $2,500 with only 69k miles on it. Wasn't a fast car but was never meant to be, however I also wouldn't consider the engine for that car underpowered either. Yes I could have bought a 4 Cylinder Honda or Toyota, heck an old Subaru or Volvo if I wanted to save gas. However the price was right and the V6 Bird was a compromise between an old Corolla and a more thirsty 5 Liter Stang or Bird. The fact that I liked Tbirds, didn't need something overly fast and got better mileage than the V8 version was my reasoning.

Bought the Grand Prix for similar reasons, the price was right and was very roomy for tall people like me. However still had a decent engine and gets great mileage if I keep my foot out of floor. When driving the thing barely climbs above 2,000 RPM which I like, 4 cylinders aren't you only answer to FE. Why not an engine like the 3800 that gets most of its power for the lower end. I think I may have bought a lemon of a Grand Prix though, have consistently had problems since purchased in Febuary.

However I must say GM did a really good job on the 3800 in the W Body cars. That engine has some pep for a non charged V6.
 
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.
 


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.
 
Same here, I have a hard time fitting in smaller cars like the Cavalier because of my height. So for something that gets a little less MPG I would rather be comfortable. Thats what I get in a Grand Prix or a T-Bird, and yes putting a 4 cylinder in either car will make them greatly under-powered. Yes, my love for the GP also extends to the Impala and LeSabre (LaSofa).

Actually with the Grand Am's and GP's the MPG stays the same and in fact gets slightly higher hwy numbers if you opt for the 3.4 or 3.8 liter engines instead of the 4 cylinder and 3.1. I guess with these cars going with the larger engines mean it doesn't have to work so hard, thus consuming less fuel.
 
Yeah, I much prefer a Grand Prix myself, if I ever wanted something newer I don't know what I'll get. Maybe a Mazda 6, who knows.
 
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