# V6 vs 4 cylinder **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** engines\ **Created:** [October 8, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532 "2008-10-08T21:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@anella](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anella)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/1 "2008-10-08T21:34:00Z")
I’m looking for a used Honda Accord. Is there any reason I should prefer a six-cylinder car over a four-cylinder car? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/2 "2008-10-08T21:36:50Z")
In view of rising gas prices, in spite of a temporary lull, I would go for a 4 cylinder in good condition. The 4 cylinder is a well proven engine and has adequate power. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/3 "2008-10-08T21:38:58Z")
If the four-cylinder has enough power for you, get that. If not, get the six. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/4 "2008-10-08T21:43:30Z")
Actually, if the four performs well for you there’s a reason you may prefer that over the six. Lower maintenance costs when the car gets older. Transversely mounted six cylinders can be more difficult to access (the rear bank) than 4-bangers. Since there’s more stuff under the hood, other components can be more difficult to access also. And you only have one exhaust system with a 4-banger! And 1/2 as many cat converters! ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/5 "2008-10-08T22:03:37Z")
The only reasons I can think of for getting the V6 is that you don’t mind spending more money on gas and the V6 is probably more fun to drive. I suppose if you haul heavy gear and people, the extra power might be useful. Test drive both cars and see if four cylinders are enough for you. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/6 "2008-10-08T22:14:29Z")
When my wife bought her 96 Accord we were seriously thinking about getting the V6 or V-Tec engine. Wasn’t sure if the standard 4-cylinder had enough power. We test drove all 3 and the standard 4-cylinder had MORE then enough power for US. Car was running GREAT after 10 years and 220k miles when we gave it to our Niece. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/7 "2008-10-08T22:43:31Z")
It is personal preference. If you buy the 2003+ Honda Accord the 4 cylinder has a timing chain which saves you around $600-$800 every 105k miles. The fuel consumption on vs the other may not be substantial in all cases check EPA ratings. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/8 "2008-10-08T22:52:11Z")
Where did you get those figures from??? That’s awfully high for a timing belt change. Typical cost around here in NH is about $400. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/9 "2008-10-08T23:53:44Z")
I have a 2005 EX with the 6 and get about 28 MPG on the highway (commuting). If that’s good enough for you, then consider that the 6-cyl will be quieter and smoother than the 4. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/10 "2008-10-09T04:06:11Z")
Used, I would say the four cylinder would be cheapest to run and replace if anything goes really wrong with it, such as a trip to a quick oil change place. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/11 "2008-10-09T05:12:47Z")
That was what I was going to say. The timing belt always makes me a bit more nervous. I haven’t had one snap and I know chains can snap too, but yet again… I guess the belt change is cheaper in NH. I am in CA and it is $600+. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/12 "2008-10-09T10:25:23Z")
Take both for a test drive and see which you like. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 11:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/13 "2008-10-09T11:49:38Z")
V6 is higher and I live in the Seacoast of NH where everything is more expensive. I did take the figure from friends with Odyssey’s which is likely harder due to engine bay. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/14 "2008-10-09T14:00:18Z")
Seacoast IS expensive. Drive a 30 miles East to Manchester or Raymond. Should be a cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![shortyoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@shortyoh](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shortyoh)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/15 "2008-10-09T14:06:48Z")
For the 98-02 generation of Accord in particular, the 6 cylinders were frying automatic transmissions at absurd rates. The 4 cylinders still had above normal rates of problems, but were DRAMATICALLY better. I’d stick with the 4 cylinder for fuel economy and reliability. ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/16 "2008-10-09T21:27:20Z")
Apparently people don’t recall that Honda was late to offer a V-6 in their Accord; long after everyone else had one. The probable reason was that their 4 cyl was very adequate. They had to provide a V-6 to meet the competition, functionally needed or not and probably not. The same silly race has and is happening with the number of automatic transmission speeds, 7 in one particular brand, and tire rim diameters. ---
**Author:** ![AndrewFrom1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@AndrewFrom1985](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AndrewFrom1985)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/17 "2008-10-09T21:32:22Z")
I was looking at 06-07 Accord EXL sedans with the 4-cylinder. Having driven both, I liked the power of the V6, but it seems asinine to have any real power in a front-wheel drive car to begin with. Plus, the Accord is meant to be a normal car. The normal engine these days is a 4-cylinder! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/18 "2008-10-09T22:23:31Z")
Test drive’s the bottom line. Friend asked if a 4-cyl Accord was a good car, I said yes, they bought it. I’ve now heard (for several years) how the 4 isn’t as smooth as the v6 in their old car. So it depends on what you like! ---
**Author:** ![ATLOffroad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/atloffroad/32/968_2.png) [@ATLOffroad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ATLOffroad)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/19 "2008-10-10T00:53:02Z")
Living in western Montana having a V6 car really helps getting up and around the mountain passes. I’ve alwayed noticed that V6 engines run smoother than I4s. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532/20 "2008-10-10T12:55:03Z")
If you prefer manual transmission there are very few 6 cylinder models available. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/v6-vs-4-cylinder/20532.md?page=2)