v6 vs. v8 debate

truckguy82 · February 28, 2017

Agree with Tyler in that if you're piling on features with an eye on resale value you're making a mistake. In the end, all daily drivers (car, truck, foreign, domestic etc) are depreciating assets, with rates of depreciation based on little more than speculation. The only real "feature" that I have seen affect resale value is color, as it is the primary determining factor in car buying. In other words, a maxed out 4x4 LTZ with low miles in pristine condition will sell for less if it's an odd color than if it's black, white or silver. There's a whole host of data to support this. When Ford came out with the aluminum F150 ecoboost, I remember all the truck guys panning it and laughing at the prospect of a tin can turbo truck. Today, more than 56% of F150 sales come from the two V6 engines - I know it's not a straight comparison but the point is that opinions and reality are 2 different things. Data speaks for itself. Take good car of the truck, enjoy it, and get what you can for it when you ultimately trade it in.

Resale value is very important, just because it's a depreciating asset doesn't mean you should try to decrease your losses.

Fact of the matter is, cost of ownership is the most important thing on a vehicle. The purchase price is not relevant, all that matters is the total you spent during ownership, which is absolutely effected by depreciation.

As for the v6, if it offered some fuel mileage benefit I'd be all for it being a reasonable option. Because the v8 beats it in pretty much every category that an engine can be measured in, I think v8 is the way to go.

diyer2 · February 28, 2017

IMO you will never know until you own one if it works for you.

The money part is a mute point to me as it's not that huge.

MPG will be an improvement so some savings there.

Silva · February 28, 2017

I was in the same situation as you when I bought my 2014. Bought a double cab V6 in late 2014 because of the great offer they we're giving me. Never towed or hauled anything heavy with it but the truck was great for my needs. Had it for about 20k miles before I traded in for a V8 crew cab. Around town there really isn't a difference. With the 6 however you got much more engine noise inside the cab. MPG is the same you won't be seeing huge savings at the pump.

tmo · February 28, 2017

That is full of incorrect statements that I don't even know where to begin.

But I will fix this statement for the OP so as not to be mislead:

You will save a few bucks or more when you buy a new V6 truck and you will have a truck a few image concious poseurs don't want (good). The resale value is proportionate to any other vehicle, if you look a V6 is lower at the same relation as the V8 is in price from when new to now. It is possible to come out ahead on trade in value if you get it cheap enough up front and stay close to the book value.

Between this and the idiots that get 4wd for "resale" some actual research and common sense need to be used. Yeah 4wd gets more at resale time, maybe half of the increase in what you paid for the 4wd because you paid more upfront. Same in this instance, just ran a KBB same exact options, 2014 LT Z71, $500 more for the V8 than V6. Whoa, they are losing a TON and no dealer will take it in trade for anywhere near that price!!!

These aren't collector options for a 40 year old muscle car where a certain engine or option gets you tens of thousands in extra money. Buy what fits what you want and need, you aren't coming out any better or worse. You are an adult, no one is impressed with your box checker 4x4 and mud tires that only takes your kids back packs and soccer bags around town. Who are you trying to impress, you are married with kids? Chances are if you shop accordingly you will save money, that large motor or 4wd costs more to unsure, run, maintain, ect.

No worries buying a V6 OP, I would have if I had found an even better deal than my current truck. It does all it needs to do (tow small boat, haul jetskis, toys and cars) and these V6's aren't down on power anymore. Good luck!

Tyler

I went to get a value for my truck. They told me that if it had a v8 I could get 1500 more. Seems kinda crazy, but depending where you are could depend on how much you get resale.

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Thomcat · February 28, 2017

Looking at the new trucks got me wondering...to the average driver like myself that enjoys having a truck, will use it mainly for driving to work, dinner, running the kids places, etc. and a few times to haul a load of wood or pick up some furniture....is the v8 really necessary? Is the power drop off to the v6 in todays engines noticeable enough? I've never owned a v6 full size truck, but I saw a couple on the lot and thought....next truck might make sense to drop down to the v6 and save a few bucks. Thoughts?

My dealer has 46 '17 Silverados in inventory, 44 have V8s and 2 have V6s, which are not by coincidence the price leaders.....gives you an idea of what sells. Like using a tack hammer to drive a nail.

JoJoSilverado · February 28, 2017

In terms of noticeability, I'd say there is a noticeable difference.

But also, if you can save a few bucks, why not?

If you are, say, 95% sure you won't be purchasing a large trailer or boat that would overwhelm the capacity of the v6, take it. As everybody else said, the mileage is similar, but the up front savings (and resale/trade value) will be fairly equal in terms of amount saved/lost compared to the v8 option.

A lot of people here just bought v8s because "the sound of a v8 makes me wet", or because they are stuck on the old ideas of v6s being equivalent to a lawn mower.

If you drive both of the 2014+ trucks with a v8 and a v6, you'll notice a power difference.

If you drive a v8 2013 and older, and a 2014 v6 (completely excluding the 2014+ v8, for unbiased opinion), you'll get similar results in terms of power feel and such. The v8 in the older trucks were PLENTY sufficient for almost everybody on this forum (and plenty of other folks that don't get on truck forums), so if the current v6 performs comparatively, why is it suddenly not enough? People will spend the same or more money on an older v8 that could run into problems sooner due to age, than a current v6 that (may or may not) last longer due to being a more "youthful" mechanical component. All simply because "its a v8 and v6 trucks are whimpy."

I will say, I bought a v8 solely for the sound. But if my wallet was tight, I'd have been happy with my v6 as I haven't done any towing whatsoever with my v8, and a v6 can get me to my destination just as fast.

Donstar · February 28, 2017

I went to get a value for my truck. They told me that if it had a v8 I could get 1500 more. Seems kinda crazy, but depending where you are could depend on how much you get resale.

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I agree that location and other factors have an impact on resale. Fuel prices, high or low, are also a significant influence on resale. Using your example, do you feel your initial purchase price reflected a 1500 savings over an available V8?

TheGovernment · March 1, 2017

That is full of incorrect statements that I don't even know where to begin.

But I will fix this statement for the OP so as not to be mislead:

You will save a few bucks or more when you buy a new V6 truck and you will have a truck a few image concious poseurs don't want (good). The resale value is proportionate to any other vehicle, if you look a V6 is lower at the same relation as the V8 is in price from when new to now. It is possible to come out ahead on trade in value if you get it cheap enough up front and stay close to the book value.

Between this and the idiots that get 4wd for "resale" some actual research and common sense need to be used. Yeah 4wd gets more at resale time, maybe half of the increase in what you paid for the 4wd because you paid more upfront. Same in this instance, just ran a KBB same exact options, 2014 LT Z71, $500 more for the V8 than V6. Whoa, they are losing a TON and no dealer will take it in trade for anywhere near that price!!!

These aren't collector options for a 40 year old muscle car where a certain engine or option gets you tens of thousands in extra money. Buy what fits what you want and need, you aren't coming out any better or worse. You are an adult, no one is impressed with your box checker 4x4 and mud tires that only takes your kids back packs and soccer bags around town. Who are you trying to impress, you are married with kids? Chances are if you shop accordingly you will save money, that large motor or 4wd costs more to unsure, run, maintain, ect.

No worries buying a V6 OP, I would have if I had found an even better deal than my current truck. It does all it needs to do (tow small boat, haul jetskis, toys and cars) and these V6's aren't down on power anymore. Good luck!

Tyler

It's completely dependant on where you live, so actually, you are 100% wrong lol.

Out lot doesn't have 1, not 1 single v6 17 out of 80 trucks. They don't sell, same goes for 4x4, if your dumb enough to buy a truck without 4x4 in Canada, you should quit life. 2wd doesn't sell mam, it's the way it is.

BlueCrayon · March 1, 2017

I love these type of discussions! The moral of the story is everyone has their opinions and they're all different. Someone above said they're fine with a 6 cylinder 2x4 and that's perfectly great....I however must have 4x4 and the biggest engine possible! I don't care about the money, my vehicle is the one thing in my life I splurge on and I get it how I want it.

Rock1500 · March 1, 2017

My dealer has 46 '17 Silverados in inventory, 44 have V8s and 2 have V6s, which are not by coincidence the price leaders.....gives you an idea of what sells. Like using a tack hammer to drive a nail.

When I went to buy my truck in 2014 and prices at the pump was close to 4 bucks almost all their inventory was v6. They had very few v8 in stock and the price difference wasn't noticable. They tried to convince me for a v6 but I really wanted a v8. Turn around 2 years later and gas prices where they are and all they have in stock is v8 now.

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CFRED70 · March 1, 2017

Do the SIerra's come in V6? I've been to a couple dealerships and have yet to see one. Did notice though at the couple chevy dealers they always seem to have a couple on the lot? Coincidence or does GMC hide theirs...LOL

GMC2015 · March 1, 2017

Do the SIerra's come in V6? I've been to a couple dealerships and have yet to see one. Did notice though at the couple chevy dealers they always seem to have a couple on the lot? Coincidence or does GMC hide theirs...LOL

I have one...

Donstar · March 1, 2017

Resale value is very important, just because it's a depreciating asset doesn't mean you should try to decrease your losses.

Fact of the matter is, cost of ownership is the most important thing on a vehicle. The purchase price is not relevant, all that matters is the total you spent during ownership, which is absolutely effected by depreciation.

As for the v6, if it offered some fuel mileage benefit I'd be all for it being a reasonable option. Because the v8 beats it in pretty much every category that an engine can be measured in, I think v8 is the way to go.

A vehicle is a depreciating asset and a V6 will not necessarily depreciate faster than a V8. The V6 has an advertised combined mpg savings of 2 mpg in similarly equipped vehicles. This has the potential of a significant saving over the term of ownership. This difference in the "real world" may not be significant but it is still a factor In my experience, resale values of V8's fluctuate more than V6's especially when gas prices are volatile. Demand (price) goes up when fuel prices are stable and demand goes down when prices are on the rise. During the gas crunches of the 70's and 80's good deals were found on trucks with the larger V8's! I really like the 5.3 and 6.2. They are both powerful and fuel efficient engines. I personally prefer the 4.3 and don't accept arguments that choosing it is flawed from a financial perspective. I am confident that any lower resale value will be proportionate to my savings at time of purchase!

congden · March 1, 2017

If you dont feel you need a V8 now and have happily test driven a V6 then buy it. I know the modern V6s are making as much or more HP than V8s of yesteryear but me personally I will never buy one. If you want to leave the truck stock forever, (no bigger tires) not pull trailers or haul more than 500lbs in the bed more than a few times or not feel the need to hear/feel a V8 then the V6 will suit your needs I am sure.

If you do want to do one of those then I would reconsider.

Silverado Steve · March 1, 2017

Depreciation is a tricky thing and getting values from sites like KBB are subjective at best. What something is worth is and what someone is willing to pay for it are two totally different things. Case in point, KBB, might say your truck has a value of $33K, but you might easily find no one is willing to pay that, maybe they will pay more, or maybe there is no demand, in that case is your truck worth $33K? What is fair to say is what is the market trend supporting? If 80% of Silverado's and Sierra's are sold with a V8, that would lead deductive reasoning to agree that more buyers prefer a V8, which would also translate to the used market. I agree that the sole purpose of optioning a truck shouldn't be based on resale. In regards to fluctuating gas prices, statistics show that in the US in regards to full size sales, there is no uptick in V6 sales when prices spike, what the market shows is buyers will buy car based SUVs, use a utility trailer, or rent a pickup truck when they really need it. Car and Driver wrote an article when the new K2s came out, back then V6 sales accounted for only 5% of 1500 sales, that was back when gas was close to $3.00/gallon.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-chevrolet-silverado-v-6-instrumented-test-review

A vehicle is a depreciating asset and a V6 will not necessarily depreciate faster than a V8. The V6 has an advertised combined mpg savings of 2 mpg in similarly equipped vehicles. This has the potential of a significant saving over the term of ownership. This difference in the "real world" may not be significant but it is still a factor In my experience, resale values of V8's fluctuate more than V6's especially when gas prices are volatile. Demand (price) goes up when fuel prices are stable and demand goes down when prices are on the rise. During the gas crunches of the 70's and 80's good deals were found on trucks with the larger V8's! I really like the 5.3 and 6.2. They are both powerful and fuel efficient engines. I personally prefer the 4.3 and don't accept arguments that choosing it is flawed from a financial perspective. I am confident that any lower resale value will be proportionate to my savings at time of purchase!