Advantages of a four cylinder?

psudaytona · May 22, 2007

Quote:

The 4-cylinder Camry I rented was surprisingly powerful around town, but ran out of breath passing at highway speeds. How you'll be using the car is a big part of what decision you make. It may not achieve substantially better MPG than the 3.5, but think of the long-term cost savings of 5+ years of getting better mileage. If you don't care whether or not the car can overtake slow moving motor homes with just a tap of the right pedal, the 4-cylinder is the logical choice. For me, it would be V6 or nothing.

I agree with you. For in town driving and occasional highway, go I4. I4s are usually easy to care for, compared to a more complex V6(usually again).
Power wise, V6. My daytona is an I4 and she just can NOT keep up on the PA turnpike when I need to pass at highspeed. I drove a neighbors V6 Sonata and it was unreal on the highway compared to the daytona. Night and day.

Pablo · May 22, 2007

The others have brought up some great points. It's a classic trade off, with personal choice being #1.

From my point of view:

Quote:

Advantages of a four cylinder?

Simple: less moving parts.

Artemedes · May 22, 2007

I don't know about the current camrys, but the 2.2L in my similar sized 97 was what I would call adequate. It was also the dreaded 5SFE, so I wouldn't hesitate to buy the current 2.4 which is much nicer. I have had a few fwd v6 engines and always hated changing plugs on the bank by the firewall. Even if you don't do your own wrenching maint. and repairs would be less labor intensive on the I4. These days it is the labor that gets you at the shop anyway.

So I would probably drive the 4cyl first and only look at the 6 if the 4 didn't feel right.

Kevin

badtlc · May 22, 2007

I dont get all the I4 being dogs post. I drive a Mazda6 with the 2.3L i4 and i can pass people as fast as possibly needed. The car has a plethora of power and torque to do what I need to do.

ARB1977 · May 22, 2007

In a car i would get a 4 banger but in a truck or suv a V6.

CBDFrontier06 · May 22, 2007

Mazda 6i Curb Weight: 3091 lbs.

Toyota Camry Curb Weight: 3307 lbs.

brad_d · May 22, 2007

Quote:

I dont get all the I4 being dogs post. I drive a Mazda6 with the 2.3L i4 and i can pass people as fast as possibly needed. The car has a plethora of power and torque to do what I need to do.

I agree.

I haven't driven the Camry, but our '06 Accord with the 2.4L I4 has plenty of oomph. All this talk about not being able to accelerate at highway speeds is nonsense, IMO. I've been pleasantly surprised - when you give it gas, it GOES.

I cannot see needing or wanting the V6 on this car, frankly....

Cutehumor · May 22, 2007

Merging on the interstate? I've never owned a 6 cylinder, I'm still alive.

Ramblin Fever · May 22, 2007

If it's a lighweight car, a 4-cylinder should be fine.

I've had my share of 4-cylinder automatic cars, and with living in the rocky mountain region - I'll NEVER have another, unless it's a very light weight car and mated to a 5-spd manual.

If you live in mostly flat-land area, either of your choice should be fine, specially if we're only talking 1 or 2 people in the car as the norm.

Black Bart · May 22, 2007

All depends on what you want from the vehicle that you buy.
I would rather have a sister working in a whorehouse than own or drive a 4 cylinder car.
If gas goes to 7 bucks a gallon I will still not buy a 4 banger. Period end of story.
Well I do own one it is on my mower and it does OK at cutting the grass.

CBDFrontier06 · May 23, 2007

A 4-cylinder MOWER? Dayum...you're serious about your grass cutting. I thought my sister's JD V-twin was big.

brianl703 · May 23, 2007

Quote:

I have had a few fwd v6 engines and always hated changing plugs on the bank by the firewall.

I can do the rear plugs in about 5 minutes on a FWD V6 Ford Contour. Nothing needs to be removed to get to them.

CBDFrontier06 · May 23, 2007

I remember observing tune-ups on 3.1 V6 equipped GMs. Remove top engine mount, get out the longest pry-bar you can find and wedge the engine forward so you can get your hands on the rear plugs. Wasn't terrible, but what a pain.

javacontour · May 23, 2007

Quote:

I would rather have a sister working in a whorehouse than own or drive a 4 cylinder car.

Have you shared this tidbit with your sister? It probably makes you popular at family gatherings.

Max_Wander · May 23, 2007

Any advantage to a 4cyl engine is when youre looking for economy and you find one NOT attached to a bloated, overweight pos.

But hey, at least all that dynamat makes it quiet, too bad you gotta tote it around wherever you go.

Max_Wander · May 23, 2007

Quote:

Well I do own one it is on my mower and it does OK at cutting the grass.

it's only a 4 cylinder. Your mower would be much better off with a 3.8L OHV V6 or small block chev V8. Then your lawn would be cut better than OK. The only way you'll get that ALL AMERICAN lawn cut, not no skimpy n

ip nonsense.,. yeehaw!

1sttruck · May 23, 2007

Depends on what you need it for. My experience is that a 4 cyl doesn't last long when used for a family of five living on a hill, driving up and down several times a day. Our crummy Taurus lasted over 200k miles while the ultra reliable Civic was done at 120k miles.

I thought it interesting listening to some friends from England, discussing the better mileage of a car with the 1.1 liter engine compared to the large 1.3 liter.

The 1.1 liter 4 cyl worked fine in my Suzuki motorcycle.

wantin150 · May 23, 2007

The 1.8l 4cyl in my Matrix is more than adequate. The 2.4l 4cyl in my Tacoma is not. It does OK, just not alot of pull in 5th at highway speeds (as in going up a hill). As everyone knows, gearing has a lot to do with the "performance". My Mom has a 4cyl in her Camry (as does my Stepfather) and it does just fine for them. I can't remember having ever really driven a 6cyl, just the 8cyl's in the Ford's and Chevy's.

Black Bart · May 23, 2007

Quote:

Quote:

I have had a few fwd v6 engines and always hated changing plugs on the bank by the firewall.

Click to expand...

I can do the rear plugs in about 5 minutes on a FWD V6 Ford Contour. Nothing needs to be removed to get to them.

I have never had that problem but also I have never owned a front wheel drive either.

You blame the V6 for something that is caused by you buying a front wheel drive.

javacontour · May 23, 2007

That's not just a front wheel drive issue. Didn't GM make the Monza with a V8 that you had to practically pull the engine to change some plugs?

It's not a problem exclusive to FWD is what I'm driving at. RWD cars can also be poorly designed with respect to maintainability.

Advantages of a four cylinder?

Similar threads