[mdp0430]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I need to purchase a car and I'm currently considering a 2011 EXL sedan. I'm divided between the 4 cyclinder and the V6. I tend to keep cars for a really long time and I'm concerned about a couple things:

(1) I've read the forum's posts on the erratic oil consumption. Is it safe to say that it's more of a concern with the V6?

(2) Are the components in the V6 sturdier or better than those in the 4 cyclinder?

(3) It seems like the 4 cyclinder outsells the V6, any other reasons for concern?

Any other insight you might have is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[berg]

I have never drove a Accord v6.but i must say my altima is a 3.5 v6 similar to the Accord.it makes me wish i had gotten the Accord v6 instead of our Accord i4.totally different feel.yes mpg isnt as great but its well worth it.if u drive with a eco mind frame you can get good numbers for a v6 as far as mpg.

 

[dexterdog]

Drive both and decide if the I4 has enough power for you. I think if I got the V6 I may have kept my car a little longer.

 

[SlavO'sV6COUPE]

6 that easy do it.

 

[mdp0430]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Aside from the minimal price difference and increased power, any other benfits from going with the 6? I'm really concerned about the oil issues everyone seems to have.... Thanks again!

P.S. I should be testing both within the next couple hours.

 

[Mase764]

i havent had any oil problems with mine.. only 15k miles

 

[SlavO'sV6COUPE]

38,552 miles ,just three oil changes so far silll have 50% to i need my 4th.V6 not 1 problem 4 me.

 

[drg889]

just get what you want or need. test drive going up hills, speeding up ramps etc. etc.

the I4 is plenty of power for me (base level engine at that). but it varies with how people drive and what they are used to and if you got the extra couple thousand to spend.

as far as gas mileage, guess it depends on how you drive, hills, etc, since a lot of people say VCM on the auto v6 helps a ton with mpg. but i normally get 24-26mpg city and 30-33 highway with "average" driving.

 

[DOOM]

my v6 is a little thirsty, but that's also because it's a lot of fun.

it's a lot easier to get the v6 now than after the purchase. leather too. that's how i justified my purchase and never looked back

 

[mdp0430]

I think the V6 comes with the fog lights too... That's what I'm leaning towards, but was concerned about reading things like burning oil at 1,000 miles and paint that easily chips... I used to have a 98 Integra and at 100,000 miles I was constantly giving it oil...

 

[GoLowDrew]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I need to purchase a car and I'm currently considering a 2011 EXL sedan. I'm divided between the 4 cyclinder and the V6. I tend to keep cars for a really long time and I'm concerned about a couple things:

(1) I've read the forum's posts on the erratic oil consumption. Is it safe to say that it's more of a concern with the V6?

(2) Are the components in the V6 sturdier or better than those in the 4 cyclinder?

(3) It seems like the 4 cyclinder outsells the V6, any other reasons for concern?

Any other insight you might have is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

1. Yes.
2. No. K24 is one of the strongest.
3. There are more I4s sold vs V6 is mainly due to cost. Why pony of the extra $2500, unless you really want more power?

So what are the decision factors? For me, it was the fog light area. It's ok not the have the fog lights (I4), but the way Honda shaped it is ugly (but now looks better with the 2011 models). And dual mufflers is nice too as the I4 muffler looks angled.

 

[GoLowDrew]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Aside from the minimal price difference and increased power, any other benfits from going with the 6? I'm really concerned about the oil issues everyone seems to have.... Thanks again!

As an owner of two J35 V6, they both had the same "isssues" in the beginning. The first time you check your oil, it would be like WTF. The amount of consumption will decrease and decrease that now, I may do one top off (1/2qt) between changes.

That's what many owners experienced with J35 engines. Yes, I know some here never had any consumption. And then there are those engines that still drink oil.

Oil consumption is now accepted as a fact of life. Many manufacture from Nissan-Honda-Porsche have some guidelines on consumption as "normal."

It's not like the old days where we never had to add a drop of oil between changes.

Cost cutting FTL.

 

[Aelayyat]

Go with the V6, price for the car will be almost the same if you get a 4cyl w/ leather & v6 w/ cloth.

The power w/ the v6 is awsome.

I have not had any oil problems w/ my accord.

 

[eckseleven]

I think oil consumption was mainly a problem with the earlier 8th gens. Since you are considering an '11, don't worry about it. My 08 used a little while it was still in the break in period. Now with 41000 on it, I add about a half a quart between oil changes which is 8500 miles for me.

As far as mileage goes, take a look at how many complaints there are on this forum about I4 mileage. Depending on your driving habits, the V6 may not get much worse mileage.

 

[Rattmann]

1. Yes.
2. No. K24 is one of the strongest.
3. There are more I4s sold vs V6 is mainly due to cost. Why pony of the extra $2500, unless you really want more power?

So what are the decision factors? For me, it was the fog light area. It's ok not the have the fog lights (I4), but the way Honda shaped it is ugly (but now looks better with the 2011 models). And dual mufflers is nice too as the I4 muffler looks angled.

I was having the same debate.
I let go on V6 with VCM for I4 with Navigation.
I this technology package suits me and I can still hit 130Mph.


\\\ V6////

Cons: Timing Belt; VCM sticks to 3 or 4 modes; no manual in sedan

Pros: Good only if you are in a hilly area like San Fransco and have more than 3 adult passengers all the time.

\\\\\I4//////

Pros: better on gas; Timing Chain; Renowned Honda name in high reving 4 bangers; Lighter car, can get navigation and leather in same price; Manual shift available.

Cons: VTC actuator issues;

PS: I got a 2011 brand new engine from Honda Co. under warranty period because the VTC caused a inlet Valve to break off from the stem and fall into the cylinder #3 and destroyed it all at 50,000miles on Full Synthetic Mobile1.

Funny thing called Irony, that my main reason for going with timing chain rather that a belt( like in V6) got me a new 2011version in my 2008 EXL accord, was the source of all the trouble.

Thank God I do have the extended Honda care on the car as well.

But the 2011 engine feels alot better and smoother.

 

[eckseleven]

Cons: Timing Belt; VCM sticks to 3 or 4 modes; no manual in sedan

I don't see how this is a con when that's what the technology is supposed to do. 3, 4, or 6 cylinders depending on load. VCM was tweaked a bit in late 2010 I think and it is almost completely transparent to the driver now. No hesitation going in or out of the various modes. I know, I've driven and ridden in one many times. You seriously get all the benefits of V6 power while being very close to I4 mileage.

As far as the belt vs chain, this should only be a concern if the plan is to put more than 100k miles on the car. Recommended change for the V6 timing belt is 115k. If that is the plan, then maybe it's worth keeping in mind.

I this technology package suits me and I can still hit 130Mph.

:lmao: at this.

 

[mdp0430]

I tend to hold onto my cars for a bit. The Integra went to 160k miles until someone stole it last week. What's the ball park on a replacment belt, $500? I'm ok with that at 115k...

 

[eckseleven]

$500-$700 maybe. I'm not sure...

 

[rocketvette95]

It goes back to what you want.I have the 2.4 and I love it.On a road trip it averages 31.8 all day.Now in town I average 24-26,which is better than the 2003 Dakota with a 4.7 which averaged 11 in town. Plus with the four cylinder over a period of time you have less up keep ( no timing belt) which would save some money. When you go to sell the Accord it might be 500 to 800 more dollars for the V-6.

 

[xJoeMama78]

Drive both and get the one that meets your needs. For me the additional power of the V6 wasn't worth the price premium. I was intent on the EX-L auto no navi regardless of what engine I picked. If I had been looking at manuals I would have probably gotten the V6 because the 6-6 coupe is a whole different animal than the 6 auto.