4 Cylinder or V6 Motor Advice Please

[xcmtb83]

I am in the market for another 3rd gen camry for a cummuter. I am familiar with the 4 cylinder motor but have never worked with the V6 motor nor do I know anthing about it. So I would like to know the positives and negatives of both motors to help with my seach criteria. I have heard what the 4 cylinder lacks in power it makes up for in mpg and reliability. Is the 4 cylinder all around a better motor? If so why or what makes the V6 less desirable?

[71Corolla]

The only two downsides to the V6 for me are gas mileage, and the weight. The extra weight makes the car handle worse and feel somewhat less agile. Reliability wise I doubt there is any significant difference, maintenance wise the 4 banger is cheaper to maintain.

If I had a chance to buy the identical car, V6 or i4, I would probably go for the 4 by a small margin. But I might think differently if that was going to be my only car. BTW, 1994+ uses the 1MZ V6 which is a lighter engine, although the difference I think is too small to really notice. My next door neighbour has a 1996 Camry V6 that I've driven, it feels very similar to my 1993 handling wise.

[AlmightyCamry777]

I have driven lots of miles in Camrys with both engines (i work for a fleet) and i think you can't go wrong with either.
Performance in the V6 is of course much quicker. The extra power is there when you need it, mash the pedal and you really move especially when getting on the freeway or getting around somebody in traffic.
The mileage penalty, i average around 22-25 mpg in southern california driving (mixed city some open highway). On long trips i get more like 27-28. A 4 cylinder is going to give you at least 3 or 4 mpg more i'd guess.

The downside is the added complexity of the V6. You have 2 more spark plugs to change (and the ones in back are very difficult to change, indeed). Changing the timing belt is a little more complicated (if your engine has a belt instead of a chain, depends on your year camry, newer engines use a chain).

Also the V6 cars are harder to find on the used car market, they are less common and more expensive then the 4 cylinder.
I like my V6 but i think i'd have been just as happy with the 4 cylinder. If you value economy, mpg, simplicity, more choice of (used) models and lower initial purchase price, get a 4 cylinder.

If you carry a load often, do a lot of highway driving as opposed to city, or just decide you really like or need the extra power, get a V6. Before i chose my 2002 V6 i drove several of each car before making the decision.

[White Stripe]

I just got a v6 camry, ive had a couple 4cyls and really liked em. I just wanted some power for a change. The simplicity and economy of the 4 is really nice. I lean to the 4 more. But if you don't mind spending a bit more for maintenance then get the 6. Whatever you get-maintain it well and it will serve you well.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

I have a 93 V6 Auto and a 93 4-cyclinder Auto. As a novice weekend mechanic, I consider the V6 a nightmare to work on. The V6 parts are harder to find and cost more to replace. I can't say enough F-bombs on behalf of the V6.

On other hand, the 4-cylinder is a sweet ride. For a guy that doesn't care about the extra power, it suits me just fine.

[xcmtb83]

Thank you all for your input I do appreciate it. For the most part I echo most of you that value the economy or a 4 cylinder and if I had a choice I would stick with the 4 cylinder and a manual trans. My previous 3rd gen was a 1995 4 cylinder manual trans coupe which is quite rare come to find out. However now I am in the market for something almost equally rare so it seems...a 4 cylinder manual trans WAGON. This would be my ideal commuter however the only wagon that I have found close to home is a V6 auto. I am quite interested in it though because it is so dang clean. However I am kind of trying to talk myself out of it because it isn't a manual trans 4 cylinder but it is hard due to its very nice condition. Am I being to unrealistic in my quest for (in my opinion) the ultimate 3rd gen commuter/long distance trip recreation vehicle? ie kayak hauler/mountain bike hauler/being able to sleep in the back type of vehicle.

[87path]

I love my 92 4cyl to death, but a drawback to older 4 cylinder camrys is they are prone to a common vibration issue that is noticable in the steering wheel when in drive at a stop. It's nothing to be concerned about, but may be annoying. It is not an issue with the v6. The issue is posted frequently on the forum, so you can do a search for details.

[zb420]

My mechanic told me to stay the heck away from that 6cyl. engine.

Originally Posted by 87path

I love my 92 4cyl to death, but a drawback to older 4 cylinder camrys is they are prone to a common vibration issue that is noticable in the steering wheel when in drive at a stop. It's nothing to be concerned about, but may be annoying. It is not an issue with the v6. The issue is posted frequently on the forum, so you can do a search for details.

That slight vibration is noticeably also in the '93, but if that's my biggest problem I consider myself a lucky guy.

[BMR]

Originally Posted by zb420

My mechanic told me to stay the heck away from that 6cyl. engine.

Which V6?... the 3VZ or the 1MZ?... and why? Just curious.

[zb420]

Originally Posted by BMR

Which V6?... the 3VZ or the 1MZ?... and why? Just curious.

He just said they are problematic and I am not sure which engine model and he left to go home to Thailand.
We were talking about the ones from Gen 3

[curry.style]

To the best of my knowledge Toyota never built a manual transmission wagon. I only know of two in existence in the whole world. Both of us swapped from an automatic. The other one is in New Zealand. It is a great car, but took a lot of work and I lost my cruise control in the process. Overall, I'd be just as happy with an auto v6 wagon.

[oopssorryy]

I lean towards the V6 just for the power. I greatly dislike having a 4 banger haul around a wagon. But I like the feeling of power and sport. The 5S-FE (the 4 cylinder) doesn't have much power, but she'll cruse around for a life time, and save your wallet at the same time. For reliability I would say they are the same, with the V6 being a bit harder to work because it's a much tighter squeeze. It will be a bit akward with some things in odd places, but it will not be too bad. If you don't mind a car that will just get you from point a to b in comfort and cheaply the 5S will do fine. Good luck.

[Mister_Perkins]

V6 is better.

As long as you maintain the engine, and keep up on Preventative maintenence it will last you 300,000 miles or more.

The 4 Cylinder is better on gas, and everything is a little easier to get to, but your loosing a lot of power. I own 4 camrys and all of them have a 4 cylinder but I dont need to go fast. Its all user preference. If i lived in a city, I would enjoy having a V6 because I could quickly enter Thruways and Highways.. But I do enjoy getting 400 Miles per tank

[Doug S]

Much of this is just personal preference, I've driven both and much prefer the V6.

There is no more than 4 mpg between them around town and often it's more like 2 to 3. If you do the math at a cost per gallon calculator like below, you will find that the annual cost difference between them is about 200 bucks if gas is $3.25 and you drive 10-12K.

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html..._per_mile.html

I have a 94 V6 and two newer ones for my wife and daughter, also V6's. The difference in driving experience between the two motors is night and day, and well worth a possible 200 dollars imho.

D

[RichieRichJP]

Depends what you want.
More power on response: V6.
Conservative driving, better mpg: I4