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Honda Accord I4 vs V6

825 messages,  Last post on Apr 19, 2012 at 7:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Sedan

Messages Page 81 of 83

#796 of 825 Re: apples to apples [bvdj84] by gyusher

May 04, 2009 (8:47 am)

Replying to: bvdj84 (May 04, 2009 6:47 am)
I bet you were so glad to have your Honda back
 
The big V8 Impals SS wasn't bad. . . Gobs of power but still cheesy. . . Then the HHR. . .ugghh!!
 
My Honda felt like a Formula 1 race car after that thing. What I did realise was that I just thought I was getting bored with my 4cyl Accord. Once I got her back it was like a new car all over again.
 
Funny thing. . . It's now about 3 weeks later and that good feeling is still strong as ever. . .

#797 of 825 Used V6 vs V4 by saxon2nsx

May 24, 2009 (2:28 pm)

I am in need of a bigger family vehicle. Naturally, it is between Accord with V6 and V4 (with a Maxima entering the picture if I decide to go with a V6 option). Now this is what I have gathered so far:
 
Accord V4 - 2003 - 2007 - the good:
 
1. V4 - better fuel economy
2. Cheaper to maintain
3. Better on gas
4. Same look (well the dual pipes and the V6 insignia don't count ... that much)
5. Better designed engine - Honda's V4 are legendary and while the V6 is not garbage the V4 is considered to be Honda's best effort in engine technology.
 
Accord V4 - 2003 - 2007 - the bad:
 
1. Buying used I think it is more prudent to buy a car with a bigger engine which under regular driving would be under less stress. Example: If a car X was driven for 100,000 miles and was fitted with a V4 engine, car Y (V6) with the same millage would have a less stressed engine (assuming the same driving conditions and dynamics). Simply put I think that V4 would be more stressed than V6 and hence the bigger engine would be more desirable.
2. Extra power. My family consists of 3 adults and 2 kids + groceries = good amount of weight. While I do not think V4 would under perform with such a heavy load, V6 would handle it with more ease.
3. The Boy in me - my commute does take me on a parkway (10 miles) where there are numerous curves and while I am not breaking any speed limits I do enjoy accelerating from 0 to 65 when it is safe and ok with local laws. Seems like V6 here would give me more fun doing 0-65-15-65-15-65 thing. I don't do it often but when I do I enjoy it.
4. The price difference between used V4 and V6 especially the older models (03, 04) are not that far apart. Since V6 cost on average 5K more, one is getting a better deal on a used V6.
5. Here I am not sure but I would imagine that because of a beefier engine, the tranny is also made to handle the power of the engine. On average, most people who buy V6 do not drive it any harder than those driving V4s, the beefed up tranny should also be less "tired".
6. The stability control device - only on V6.
 
The Ugly:
 
Even if I decide to go with Accord V6 - it will have to then compete with the Maxima. But that is another thread I suppose.
 
So what do you guys think?
 
Did I miss any negative/positive aspects of either V4 or V6? Please remember I am only interested in the 7th. gen. Accords.
 
Awaiting your 5 cents!

#798 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by stephen987

May 24, 2009 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 2:28 pm)
The 4 (it's an I4 not a V4) will be MUCH cheaper to maintain, because it doesn't have a timing belt.

#799 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [stephen987] by saxon2nsx

May 24, 2009 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: stephen987 (May 24, 2009 3:12 pm)
Point well taken, the timing belt is an issue, especially when buying a used car with millage close to 100K. From what I have gathered, the whole operation should not cost more than a $1000. Using independent mechanic, the price should not be more than $500. Nevertheless, I valid point.
 
As for the V4 instead of I4, it is an old habit, however I am aware that the 4 cilinder Accord is I4 and not a V6.

#800 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by thegraduate

May 24, 2009 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 3:17 pm)
It might help you be taken a bit more seriously if you call it a "four cylinder engine" or an "inline four" as opposed to a "vee four" when it comes time to talk to a dealer. I see V4 typed all the time though; no biggie!
 
I have a 4-cylinder Accord with the automatic ('06) and have never found it sluggish when loaded, even with 4 adults on board merging onto our 70 MPH interstates (I-59 and I-459 in Birmingham). Yes, the V6 is faster, but the 4-cylinder feels easily as peppy as a V6 sedan from 10 years ago, if not peppier due to great gearing and a flexible powerband.

#801 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by elroy5

May 24, 2009 (8:08 pm)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 2:28 pm)
I have an 03 V6. If you think you would use, and enjoy the V6 power, I would recommend it. It will cost you a little more, at purchase, at the pump, and for maintenance (timing belt every 100k miles). I think the V6 is well worth the extra costs. Drive both for yourself, then decide. The effortless, and silent way the V6 moves this car, even when you're not gunning it, makes it feel more high-end.

#802 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by blufz1

May 24, 2009 (9:55 pm)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 2:28 pm)
You can never have too much money or too much torque. Get the V6.

#803 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [thegraduate] by saxon2nsx

May 24, 2009 (10:54 pm)

Replying to: thegraduate (May 24, 2009 3:53 pm)
Like I already stated, I fully understand the difference between V4 and I4. Will dealers respect me or take me more seriously?? I could not care less. My negotiation skills are in no way connected to my ability to differentiate between the two types of engines. I am there to buy the car not to impress the dealer.
 
I also understand fully the prevailing notion that I4 Accords are peppy and that the 4 cillinder version will merge effortlessly getting on highways. Again, bad reading skills. My drive has a lot to do with curves and stop and go traffic (two things interstates are not famous for). Therefore information on merging onto one is neither important nor the opinion I was seeking. Please, next time when answering a question, it would be pertinent to focus on the questions and relevant responses that ought to fill the answer box. This way one could impress the reader and perhaps "be taken a bit more seriously"?

#804 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by stephen987

May 25, 2009 (7:05 am)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 10:54 pm)
Nowhere in your original post did you specify that you do not use interstate highways. Therefore, there was no way we could know that we would anger you by providing information that most people would care about.
 
Perhaps you would get better responses if you treated your fellow posters as a resource rather than as your inferiors.
 
Did you come here for information and input? Or for a fight?
 
Over and out--I'm done feeding this troll. Anyone else wanna take a turn?

#805 of 825 Re: Used V6 vs V4 [saxon2nsx] by thegraduate

May 25, 2009 (9:07 am)

Replying to: saxon2nsx (May 24, 2009 10:54 pm)
Didn't realize that my run to 70 MPH was so drastically different from your run to 65 MPH.
 
And, if a dealer sees a customer as uninformed, he's more likely to be willing to deal.
 
As far as talking down your nose at everyone... give me a break. We replied to you kindly trying to help and got a sarcastic snotty response in return.
 
Good luck car shopping. I'm through here.

Messages Page 81 of 83

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