Buying soon... V8 or V6?

[jimheem]

I'm looking at buying an 02-04 model, as prices are pretty good for these vehicles.

I'm wondering.. for those that own these model years.. would you get the V8 or the V6?

I will be towing my boat, but it's just about 3000 pounds, which I gather is the capacity for the V6 model. I won't be towing far, and I already tow it with my Jeep Wrangler which is only supposed to tow 2000 pounds.

I also drive 100 miles a day, and while fuel economy is important, I would rather pay a little extra to not be stuck climbing the steep hills on my route... but.. if the V8 is problematic, then of course I'd rather pass on those problems, ha.

 

[jrford]

My .02, get the V-8. No big difference in MGP ~1, much quicker, more torque. The 4.6V8 has been around for a while, good solid motor.

 

[davidmmm69]

my little 6 cylinder has now 135000 and no problems except 14mpg..

 

[suzukisam]

i bought a 03 with the V8. I drove the V6 but i liked the power difference the V8 had, and for the minimal diff in MPG it was not worth having the smaller motor. I usually have 4-6 people in it and it handles hills just fine.

 

[LFGuard10]

The 2002 Explorer I had was a 4.0 V-6, and I was 100% completely satisfied with it's performance. However, I never towed anything with it, but as far as acceleration, etc., I was well suited.

I am now looking at buying another Explorer maybe this week, and it will more than likely be another 4.0 V6.

 

[briwayjones]

Even if you are going to do a little towing I would get the V-8.

 

[snocross1985]

V8 all the way, no doubt.

 

[justin99]

i say V8 too. but i did have an 01 eddie bauer with the v6 and the towing is pretty good as well. it would pull 3200 pounds with no problem. i used my v6 to tow my 5000 pound camper with no problem, granted with my v8 it is easier.

 

[JM03EXP]

go with the v8 for sure. My buddy has an 05 with the v6 and gets worse gas mileage than my 03 v8. Big difference in power. Haven't had any problems with mine so far (knock on wood).

 

[02_ex_on_dubs]

the 4.0L is too small a motor in too big a car, i get like 11-12 mpg in my 02, granted i have a heavy foot but hey, who doesnt....

 

[biggie boy]

v6's are quicker than the v8's because when you romp on it , the v6 isn't afraid to drop down into a lower gear, while the v8 tends to use the power from the engine instead of going into a different gear. notice i said the v6 is "quicker" not "faster." at any rate stay away from the '02. go '03 or newer.

 

[justin99]

v6's are quicker than the v8's because when you romp on it , the v6 isn't afraid to drop down into a lower gear, while the v8 tends to use the power from the engine instead of going into a different gear. notice i said the v6 is "quicker" not "faster." at any rate stay away from the '02. go '03 or newer.

whats wrong with the 02's?

 

[Lloyds]

I have a 04 4.0 4x4 and towed my dodge neon over 3000 miles with an av of 12mpg. From michigan to california.

My daily av with a heavy foot is 19. so I cant complain. I had the same 4.0 on my ranger 4x4 with 4.10 front and rear with less hp and this is not the same. I like it better.

Originally Posted by biggie boy
v6's are quicker than the v8's because when you romp on it , the v6 isn't afraid to drop down into a lower gear, while the v8 tends to use the power from the engine instead of going into a different gear.

I have to agree with this. My trans does most of the work.

 

[rocket 5979]

v6's are quicker than the v8's because when you romp on it , the v6 isn't afraid to drop down into a lower gear, while the v8 tends to use the power from the engine instead of going into a different gear. notice i said the v6 is "quicker" not "faster." at any rate stay away from the '02. go '03 or newer.

Hehehehehehe. If you think that is the case then you be my guest. Sorry, but that is just plain mistaken information that you posted there. The 02-05 4 door V6's and V8's use the same transmission. Their shift maps are also quite similar. If you romp on the gas with a 02+ V8 Explorer it will definately drop at least a gear or two (depending on what speed your traveling) and take off pretty quick, much quicker than a V6 of comparable trim of the same year. I do not mean this comment as blind loyalism to V8's or anything, but it just is the truth.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Get the 8. I got the six... want the 8

 

[4.0powered]

well were talking about a 30hp & 26ft difference between the v6 & v8 but i've driven both and the only diffrence i noticed is the 8 pulled alittle harder at hwy speeds. when i was looking for an explorer i refused to look at th v6 models and took a 04 limited v8 home for a few days and ended up bringing it back because the thing sucked back the gas way worse than my modded 4.6 stang with 3:90 gears. it was averaging no better than 12mpg. they convinced me to try the v6 for a few days and i was quit surprised to find the power very compairable to the v8 and my gas was averageing 16mpg. it made a big diffrence in my gas budget and i will never to anything more than 3500lbs anyways so i'm very satisfied with it, but lets face it, whether it's the v6 or v8 these thing are tanks and one of the slowest suv's on the road so who really cares. they should just come standard with the 300hp 4 valve 4.6 like in the aviators, would be a lot better of a vehicle IMO.

 

[pear]

I have both in the exact same year, make, model, rearend and soforth. The V8 gets best mileage around town V6 best on the road, but not by much more than a couple MPH either way. When driving in general, I have to look at the color to know which one I'm in........ Just my experiance, 'pear"

 

[valiantski]

V6 or V8 you can't go wrong, they're both pretty good engine, but when you will be pulling a trailer, it will be wise to get the V8 and yes, V8 is quicker and faster than the V6 version Explorer. If you decide to get the V8, might as well find the one with Towing Package and you will be happy.

 

[410Fortune]

v8 has a better tranmission and there is NO replacement for displacement, the SOHC V6 is taxed in the heavy Gen III IMO, even though it does make *****in power for a 4.0L and has proven itself to be a very reliable engine especially in the later models (cars and trucks)

 

[biggie boy]

whats wrong with the 02's?

since the '02's were an all new truck for that year they tend to have a lot more problems than the newer x's. i don't know about the 03's and above, but everyone i've known that has had an '02 has had timing chain issues. iv'e also known people that have had to have their trannys replaced at around 78,0000 miles. i have an '02 xlt with 58,000 miles that i don't drive hard (in fact i tend to baby it) and the timing chain "slap" seems to be getting worse and now it's leaking oil from one of the valve covers. anyway if you look around this site it seems that the majority of people with problems have '02's.