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V-6 or V-8, regrets?

89K views 498 replies 177 participants last post by  bill_de 
#1 ·
Curious if anyone with a v-6 wished they opted for the v-8 or vice versa?

I am on the fence myself as I want the V-6 for the fuel efficiency, but love the extra hp and torque of a v-8 :D
 
#207 ·
So i'm thinking of getting the hemi, and my commute is around 26 miles total per day. It is about 90% highway on the way to work and then traffic lights on the way home (i take a different way home). It is never bumper to bumper for me. Mostly cruising along in the morning and basic stoplights (big distance between lights) going home. I think if I can get at least 13 mpg per fill-up, I'll get the v8. I see some people on here are getting less than 13. What do you guys think ? Will I get less, more?
 
#208 ·
If your commute is 90% higway then I would think you would average closer to 20 mpg's with the Hemi. For the way home you should still see in the mid teens, especially after the engine gets broken in. My V6 has steadily been getting better (warmer weather is probably a factor) with my 90% highway commute. Started out at around 23 and last fill up was 25.3 calculating it myself. Evic said I was getting 26 but it is usually off a mile or so per gallon.
 
#209 · (Edited)
I just moved over from an Expedition with a 5.4L V8 to a Grand Cherokee with the Pentastar V6. Granted the Ford was a lot heavier vehicle. I drive a lot of miles, much of it on mountain roads and I need the power and passing capability, and the V6 does what I need it to do with plenty to spare.

I am very much enjoying the extra $100/ month in gas savings going into my 401k plan.
 
#210 · (Edited)
I don't really think the decision to get a V8 or V6 should be based just in mpg's. It's somewhat about the driver and their attitude or driving style. You can really make a case either way for these motors. If you, like me, drive with a medium to heavy foot around town, cruise at 85 "with the pack" , Have to get from point A to point B without any thoughts to "saving gas" and like to drive alot, as I use it for business as well, the V6 is the way to go. Then there are those that like to drive "slower", or "lightly", careful to save at the pump, understanding and enjoying those moments of V8 throttle and the costs they are imposing on themselves with the pressure applied to the gas pedal, the V8 is the way to go. Of course there are those that want the V8, don't care about saving gas, money or have any cares to, and all the others that exist in between. There are of course other circumstances and good reasons for both. I think this thread lives because we all want 400 hp/ 400 tq 0-60 in about 5 seconds and get 26 city and 35 hwy.
 
#211 ·
This is one of the first vehicles I have ever bought (always had 4wd trucks/SUV's) where the V6 actually gets better mpg's in the real world when compared to the V8 and does it with ample enough power. In the past most v6's got the same as the V8's but with lousy power because they just didn't produce enough ponys to move a large vehicle around. I just came from a 2004 Tacoma with the 3.4 V6 that averaged 19.5 mpg in a 3500 pound truck with average power. I have only filled the Jeep up 5 times now but I am inching towards an average of 24.5 mpg.
 
#212 ·
I was always about the Hemi and more performance in general. Funny enough, I ended up getting rhe V6 in my new 2012 Overland I bought a couple weeks ago. I have no regrets. For some reason it seems like the overall driving experience is improving if that makes sense. The first 100 miles or so it seemed like the truck was learning stuff, now the tranny shifts at perfect times and overall feels great. Power is not as issue since I only drive on roads and never tow. Power seems plenty sufficient and im still on my first tank of gas since new after almost two weeks!!! Right now the computer says 19.0 mpg. Im impressed!

James
 
#213 ·
I got the same thing with the first 100 miles, the tranny "learning" my driving style. 290HP with a nice flat torque curve is more than enough to move this vehicle. My only issue so far is that at 60 to 65mph, 5th gear, moderate load like a 5% uphill grade the engine will vibrate and resonate a bit, not terrible, but not as silky smooth as usual.
 
#215 · (Edited)
I can't say I really regret getting the 5.7L. When I want the power it's there, and I like it. However, it has been quite an adjustment in MPG. My commute has 0% highway and lots of lights and stop signs. According to the EVIC, after driving it several ways and varying my route I can get a best of 13.1 MPG driving slower than my mother. Driving aggressive I've been around 10.4. Most of time I'm getting around 11.7. Sport mode helps. It's been a little different than the 28-36 I got from my previous car.
 
#217 ·
Picked up my new Overland this week with the V-8 Hemi. Wouldn't have anything else but then again most of my driving is above 5,000' and you lose about 3% of HP per 1,000 ft. gain above sea level. In any case the V-8 will be worth the extra cost in fuel over 12,000 mi./yr. Love the 6 spd and very smooth transmission. Still breaking it in at 300 miles so just doing moderate driving with some occasional passing gear for another 500 or so. So far I like everything about this vehicle. Hope to learn a lot more from many of you and this my first Jeep since having a Willys when I was a kid. Coming over from a 04 4-Runner. It was a good vehicle but not near the features of the GJ.
 
#218 ·
Lucky for us that both are viable choices depending on your personal needs or wants. I only put about 9k miles a year on my jeep and I don't tow anything. I went with the V6 for these reasons and am satisfied with the power. Although I do wish the shifting was better. The V8 was very tempting but ultimately I didn't want to pay the extra expense. It works for me but it's not for everyone.
 
#219 ·
I have about 28k miles on my 13 month old Grand Cherokee and the transmission if working out fine. Electronic controlled transmissions have a learning algorithm and apparently my brain and its brain have finally come to agreement. Yesterday driving back from DC the transmission was making crisp downshifts exactly when I expected with minimal input on the accelerator, and I was able to to so consistently in a wide range of speeds and grade changes.
 
#220 ·
I was on the same boat as you. Had the '12 JGC Limited with the V6 4x2. When i first saw the new '14 GCs i said to myself i've got to trade my '12 for a '14. When to the dealership and test drove a Limited with the 5.7 Hemi 4x4 and fell in love with it. I don't think i will regret trading the '12 for the '14. I love the extra HP. Its got passing power to boot, and off the line it feels like it can do the run to 60 mph in 6 seconds. Its a lot of fun to drive especially when you know you've got 360 ponies on tap. Driving around town i am averaging about 19-20 mpg which is only 2 mpg less than what i averaged with my '12 JGC V6.
 
#222 ·
You must be using that V8 lightly to be getting those numbers. I'm lucky to get 12-14 mpg in the city due to my heavy foot anytime I'm at the front of the line at a light. For me, I love the V8 when driving and wouldn't trade it for the V6. The V6 has enough power for this vehicle, but I love having the extra power on demand when I stomp on the gas.
 
#225 ·
I test drove a 2014 4x4 V8 and the 3.6L...both with dual exhaust tips (cat back only?), and I didn't really feel much of a difference between the two when WOT from like 20 to 30 mph.

Sure the V8 felt a little more peppy off the line, but since I'll never be towing with my GC 3.6L, to me it wasn't worth the extra money (or worse gas mileage) getting the V8.
 
#226 ·
I got the V8 as well in my '14, but didn't even drive the 3.6 as I had that engine in the Wrangler I was trading in. I am sure it was totally different in the GC with an 8 speed, but I focused on the Hemi. Not too many SUV's in this size and price range that have V8 as an option. I am sure the power is adequate with the 6 and its a nice engine, but I liked the sound feel and thought of the V8. I drive maybe 2-3k miles a year, so fuel savings is in not a thought between the two. Its not like I was comparing a Prius and a Hemi...
 
#227 ·
I think the V6 is plenty powerful. It has a nice sound when accelerating, and in sport mode, it takes off like a rocket. The only reason I can think of to get the hemi is towing. But that's just my personal opinion. I did drive both before I bought, and I'll admit the hemi is more powerful, and passing is more effortless, but the V6's gas mileage more than makes up for it.
 
#228 ·
Sorry if it sounded like I was suggesting the V6 wasn't powerful. I think its an awesome engine, and if I drove more than 2k miles a year I would be a lot more interested in mpg than I was during my decision process. I guess I should try driving the V6 at some point.
 
#230 ·
No need to be sorry! I definitely understand your position. If my mileage was as low as yours, I'd consider the hemi too.
 
#229 ·
I have 2013 GC altitude edition with the v6. I got the jeep to replace my 2006 chrysler 300 srt8 that was under 5 ft. of water during hurricane sandy. yeah, I know I'm not driving the srt, but it has plenty of power, great gas mileage, and no more premium gas! no regrets, but I do miss the sound and power of the srt at times.
 
#233 · (Edited)
I've driven both the V6 and the V8, and the V6 with the new 8 sp tranny felt peppy enough for me. Sure the V8 felt a little more peppy, but to me the V8 is not worth the extra cost, less fuel mileage, and more maintenance costs. Sure gas prices have dropped recently, but it could go up again...I can remember paying close to $5.00 gal last year...not fun!

Like you I'll never tow anything, and my GC will most likely never see any serious off-roading.

If I wanted "peppy", I would have kept my STI!
 
#232 ·
I think the consensus is that nobody can make that decision for anyone else, but if it were me and I drove that many miles a year (I actually only do 2-3K miles a year) then I would buy the V8... but I believe in burning my fair share of dinosaurs. I have absolutely no reason in the world to have a V8... but I likes it anyway.

PS - If you do 8K a year 80% city 20% hwy at $3.35/gallon, the formula looks like this...
$316.44 + ($2500/yrs of ownership) = V8 Cost over V6 Cost
(You will have to trust me on the numbers used to get there)
 
#242 ·
PS - If you do 8K a year 80% city 20% hwy at $3.35/gallon, the formula looks like this...
$316.44 + ($2500/yrs of ownership) = V8 Cost over V6 Cost
Okay. Titan, indulge me and confirm the numbers for me but let's say that in my case it will be 15k driving a year and about 70% city and 30% highway, gas prices in El Paso, TX are $3.30 reg in average and we are about 3,700 feet altitute. What would be the cost of the V8 over the V6 on a year per year basis. Let's disregard the initial cost to get the V8 engine. However I would like to know the additional cost of owning the hemi on a per year cost on maintenance, I keep hearing 16 spark plugs every 30k miles driven. What will that be to change spark plugs with OEM replacements and any other maintenance I have overlooked.

My previous vehicles have been 84 toyota supra, 87 toyota supra, 93 mazda 929, 2004 bmw 330ci, 2008 infiniti G35 journey and 2002 mitsubishi montero sport 3.5 liter V6. As you can see I have never owned a V8 engine but I drive the Chevy Tahoe with V8 engine at work almost exclusively. I also drive F250s at work with gas V8 and diesel power strokes too. The G35 is my car that I use all the time and the Montero sport is the wife and will be the one the JGC will be replacing.

Jeepgarage has me more addicted than a crack head to crack and I have looked at fueleconomy.gov and fuelly websites and check and compared and analyzed and completely gone a millimeter away from insane trying to decide but I just can't.

*Papote sheds a tear then breaks down crying*

To make it more complicate it everything I check shows me that the Montero sport V6 3.5 liter engine gives same mpg as what the MY14 Overland 4x4 hemi will give. I do not tow anything but may buy a couple ATVs in the future to play on weekends and do want to go off roading every once in a while.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Sorry in advance for long post and thanks in advance for checking the numbers.
 
#236 ·
Yeah, if only it GOT 24mpg. I have noticed that with NY metro area gasoline, I can never get near the MPG that any car claims. Not with my Saabs, not with my Acura, and now not with my new 2014 WK2 Limited (V6). With the factory gas, I cruised home on the LIE and could hit 24mpg if I was really really light on the throttle and not applying any acceleration. Once I filled up entire with NY gasoline though, that same trip I'm getting about 18 in the exact same traffic conditions/speed.

Now, I didn't get this thing for its fantastic mileage, but I did expect I could get 24 under ideal conditions. Now even that looks out of reach. I'm saving a bit over the Acura by not putting in premium fuel (yay), but after only two days I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse. 12mpg around town and 16 average with a light foot so far is not what I had hoped for. I might as well have said eff it entirely and gotten the HEMI.

Apparently this will go down as NOT one of my more responsible family decisions. I already drive a 2002 Wrangler as my DD that I have been able to say "oh well" to on fuel because I love it so much.

I hope I don't end up regretting this purchase.

Talk me off the ledge?
 
#237 ·
I have 4.7 , chose it over v6..... same gas milage as my buddy's v6 but has more power. Definitely do NOT regret the v8...wish I had the hemi though lol
 
#238 · (Edited)
So buyers remorse happens to just about everyone, if they admit it or not, there is always a time where you see the vehicle you were comparing and think you possibly would have liked it better...

Hows this for buyers remorse... I bought my JGC Overland Hemi on a friday evening, and when I returned on Monday for something I forgot and a service item I found, there was a '14 SRT sitting on the ramp in front. I literally went in and talked to the sales rep about what it would take to get me into that SRT trading in my 3 day old Overland. Obviously it was not a good idea fiscally, but if they had charged me sticker for the SRT and given me even a grand less than what I paid for the Overland, I would have driven out with it... no lie.
 
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#240 ·
From where I sit, in a Limited, that Overland Hemi is mighty sweet. ;)

But I see your point... I just hate second guessing myself...

As for breaking it in, I wondered about that. Anyone know if the factory fill oil is "break in" type? I changed my Acura at 3500 and then read I probably should've waited for the maintenance minder to go off because the factory fill had some special additives and it was recommended to keep it in there a little longer than usual.

To thicken the plot, driving home from work today I decided just for the hell of it to clear TRIP B and see what kind of mileage I could get without using the "tank average." Hit ECO, drove 65 or under, and tried to have a light foot. After 23 miles, 90% hwy 10% city, 26.5mpg. So I guess it's not NY gas, it's just me and my wife and our different driving patterns. And probably breaking in the engine and transmission, and the transmission learning our driving patterns as well.

Sorry I freaked out. :eek:
 
#241 ·
Just turned over 400 miles today, about half interstate at 60, the other half city. I've been switching between the three modes a lot in the city, but stayed in eco on the interstate. Averaged slightly over 20 mpg. I'm happy with that.
 
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