Help deciding between V6 & I4

[hank08]

My first drive of the 08 Accord was the I4 and while I really like to stay with a gas saving cheap I4 Accord, I found that it was both noisy and flat footed on the freeway. Have not had a chance to drive the V6 yet but I imagine it to be a lot more responsive and smoother. Can some V6 owners chime in on whether they think it's a lot smoother than the LX/EX I4?

Our current vehicles are an older Camry V6 (190ish HP) and Maxima V6 (190HP). Both v6's have more torque than the EX I4 Accord and feel much more responsive on the highway. They are also quieter at idle, cruising on the freeway and at WOT.

In an attempt to help me decide, I'll try to list out some pros and cons for the I4 over the V6.

I4 Pros:
- Saves a little more gas than the V6
- Cheaper
- Timing chain should need maintenance till > 150K miles

I4 Cons:
- Rougher idle, harsh sounds at redline
- Less power, not sure if I can get used to this

V6 Pros:
- Quieter, smoother idle
- More power
- Almost the same mpg as I4

V6 Cons:
- Timing belt needs to be replaced between 60k and 100k miles
- More expensive than I4, slightly worse gas mileage
- VCM reliability concerns (Cadillac v8-6-4 anyone?)

Looking forward to your comments.

[markymrk720]

I bought the I4 last year before ever test driving the V6...now having driven the V6...I am kicking myself daily...

Go with the V6.

[retrosolutions]

yeah, if you go I4 you will only be disappointed later on. I personally would not worry about a timing belt change 60k+

[Bill]

I have not driven an 08, but my 07 V6 has lots of smooth power available. It always feels like there is power in reserve.

Couple of comments on your pros and cons:
- V6 timing belt replacement should be around 100K miles, not 60-100K.
- Don't believe maintenance is scheduled for the I4 timing chain. (Does anyone have solid info on this?)
- Agree with your comment about the VCM. This seems to add a lot of complexity with minimal payoff in terms of gas mileage. Based on Consumer Reports "real world" tests, the 08 V6 gets 1 mpg less than the 07 in mixed driving (despite the VCM) and the 0-60 time is 0.1 second slower despite the more powerful engine. I'm sure the larger size and heavier weight are responsible for both.

Of course, another factor you will need to consider is your budget. If this is not a showstopper in considering the V6, by all means make sure you test drive one.

[flying raptor]

Help deciding between V6 & I4oh please

[onewheelup]

I decided on the V6 just for the added passing power on the highway. I wasnt sold on the VCM so an that ruled out the automatic. All that was left was the coupe with a 6speed. I've had a couple high reving I4's and there is just no substitute for the smooth power of the V6. I say go with the V6....but then again im bias.

[hank08]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Originally Posted by Bill

Of course, another factor you will need to consider is your budget. If this is not a showstopper in considering the V6, by all means make sure you test drive one.

The EX V6 is right at the maximum I'm willing to spend on an Accord. By the looks of the replies, I'll give the V6 a serious consideration.

Originally Posted by flying raptor

Help deciding between V6 & I4oh please

My wife will be the primary driver so she won't really need the additional power that the V6 provides. However, coming from a V6, she seems a bit disappointed at the lack of merging power from the I4 and how rough it sounds compared to our Camry/Maxima V6.

I'm also trying to keep the price at a reasonable ~$25k OTD max. Any higher and I might as well bite the bullet and get a $30k+ RWD sedan.

[JamieJam1AIM]

Before all of you nay sayers of the I4 decide to bash it keep in mind that the car by default startup utilizes only 70 % of its power due to the auto on VSA system.. the vsa ( vehicle stability assist) keeps the car from sliding out has brake adjustment etc... with it on you lose 30 percent of the power, cant break the wheels free and naturally get better milage... with that in mind, test drive again and turn off the VSA then decide...

[AznX TL]

wait, i thought vsa only activates when you have the ! light up on the gauge cluster. otherwise its idle and comes on when needed.

[Takumi]

I would say if you are going with Manual then V6 is for you, if Automatic then I4.

[JamieJam1AIM]

Originally Posted by AznX TL

wait, i thought vsa only activates when you have the ! light up on the gauge cluster. otherwise its idle and comes on when needed.

NOPE!!!
By default it is on on every start up.. to turn it off you have to push the button for 3 seconds.. it will then turn off and then the light on the dash will illuminate letting you know hey vsa is off... if vsa is on you are losing power cant spin your wheels, and you have braking assistance.. LOL did your eyes just get opened to something? lol

[JamieJam1AIM]

Originally Posted by hank08

Thanks for the comments so far.



The EX V6 is right at the maximum I'm willing to spend on an Accord. By the looks of the replies, I'll give the V6 a serious consideration.



My wife will be the primary driver so she won't really need the additional power that the V6 provides. However, coming from a V6, she seems a bit disappointed at the lack of merging power from the I4 and how rough it sounds compared to our Camry/Maxima V6.

I'm also trying to keep the price at a reasonable ~$25k OTD max. Any higher and I might as well bite the bullet and get a $30k+ RWD sedan.

25K OTD for an EXL V6? On what planet? and there is no ex V6 v6 only comes with leather package which starts at approximately 26795.00 msrp and goes up from there depending on tranny navigation and of course v-6 and accessories...

[AznX TL]

Originally Posted by JamieJam1AIM

NOPE!!!
By default it is on on every start up.. to turn it off you have to push the button for 3 seconds.. it will then turn off and then the light on the dash will illuminate letting you know hey vsa is off... if vsa is on you are losing power cant spin your wheels, and you have braking assistance.. LOL did your eyes just get opened to something? lol

no, according to the owners manual its pretty much traction control. when you spin your tires it will activate vsa, but if you don't its idle but will turn on if you spin your wheels. but if you turn it off it isn't even idle anymore so if you spin your wheels, you keep spinning your wheels.

but it also says when it activates while spinning your wheels and vsa activates it will show the ! illuminated similar to when you turn off vsa.

[jeffreyhuhn]

Originally Posted by JamieJam1AIM

25K OTD for an EXL V6? On what planet? and there is no ex V6 v6 only comes with leather package which starts at approximately 26795.00 msrp and goes up from there depending on tranny navigation and of course v-6 and accessories...

Sure there is. You can get an EX v6 sedan.

[jeffreyhuhn]

Originally Posted by AznX TL

no, according to the owners manual its pretty much traction control. when you spin your tires it will activate vsa, but if you don't its idle but will turn on if you spin your wheels. but if you turn it off it isn't even idle anymore so if you spin your wheels, you keep spinning your wheels.

but it also says when it activates while spinning your wheels and vsa activates it will show the ! illuminated similar to when you turn off vsa.

I think this is correct also.