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Over the years most of my cars have has naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engines. Then I bought a clunker Buick Wagon with an LS1 V-8. I learned why people bought V-8 engines. Decent economy and would shut down pretentious ricers at the stoplight drags.
I think people are generally realizing that modern turbocharged engines are more than sufficient for their driving needs (including pulling into traffic). I'm always interested in more power (to an extent) and have no issues with larger engines as long as you can afford to fuel it! I say to an extent because once you get into 400hp+ territory with a low enough weight (maybe 3500lbs max) the road disappears faster than you know what to do with and it becomes fairly impractical for daily driving or street use. When I first got my car I was throwing money left and right increasing power output but once I started getting into the 400's, I said I'm done...that's enough.
Today folks who claimed they couldn't live without a V8 are happily driving turbocharged 6 and 4 cylinder engines. A well tuned turbocharged drivetrain offers plenty of low/mid range torque and it doesn't have to be balls out all the time. That said, I can appreciate performance and if the level of performance you seek isn't offered in a lower cylinder count then by all means, go for the V8 (or V12).
Last edited by iTsLiKeAnEgG; 05-01-2014 at 09:37 AM..
Ford's 4 cylinder Ecoboost engines are good examples of turbo engines NOT living up to the promise. Look at the HP and MPG of the Ford Fusions in both 1.6L and 2.0L and compare to conventional 4 cylinder and V6 Honda Accords. The Hondas handily outperform the Fords and use less fued.
I had a small fleet of Ford Ranger/Mazda B2500's......4 cyl/5 speeds. Employees got 14 mpg and ran them hard (just to keep up with traffic). This tore up front brakes, tires.
Switched years later to full size GM pickups.....4.3/5.3 motors......Guess what, they get 14-15 mpg, hold 31 gallons of fuel (long time between refuels vs. small trucks with tiny gas tanks) and go easy on brakes/tires because they are well equipped for the job.
The full size trucks cost more yet resale is better on a % basis. The maintenance is less and they are nicer to drive! I guess others have figured this out since they stopped making the Ford Ranger years ago!
I don't even know it's possible to get that low mileage with the Ford Ranger/Mazda. We ran them and got low 20s, given that was just deliveries and nothing heavy. My dad's company switched over to Priuses, possibly the only thing slower than a For Ranger. Way better delivery vehicle. There's one pickup left just because sometimes you need to throw something in the back but there's not enough vehicles. Apparently the employees fight over who has to drive the Ranger
That said, as far as personal vehicles, we had an S-15 and a Dodge RAM 2500 in the family. The S-15 was a great little truck. Towed like a champ for it's size. That said, that's a V6, not much you couldn't do with it than a 1/2 ton. Now, if you wanted to pull anything heavy or carry loads the 3/4 ton really paid off. I towed a car with some other stuff back from Mendocino to Sacramento with it and got about 14 mpg, got manhandled a bit by the trailer weighing more than the truck. The 2500 would get the same mileage without any of the drama.
The OP said in the thread title "when I4 meets their needs" so we can exclude all those that do need something with a bigger powerplant for hauling and towing.
OP, people are people and sometimes we do things based on what we want, not on what we need. I see guys driving around in 13mpg, chromed out lifted pickups or Hummers that have never been off road or hauled anything heavier than a bag of groceries. I've seen people riding 190mph Yamaha R1's that are capable of carrying massive corner speeds that will never ever turn a wheel on a race track. Not everyone has the same wants as you.
Probably because it's fun or they it is easier/safer to drive with more power.
Personally I just rev my 4 banger up to 5500rpm if I need to get on quick (or go up a big hill).
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