Newbie: 4 and 6 differences?

banterer · 11-13-2005, 09:15 AM

In doing research on this, my first jeep I opted for a 4 cyl for gas mileage but in looking at what most of you own, I see the 6 seems to be what you all/most have. When I was looking at used ones, there seemed to be just as many 4 cylinder units that were lifted, had large tires and crazy options as the 6 cyl ones.

Unfortunately, I did not think to look and find the "Jeep forums" until the day after I got mine. The owner took very good care of his and told me that a stock unit will take me almost anywhere I want to go as long as I'm careful. Another owner told me that he got a 4 for better mileage because as far as he knew, when off-roading the main thing one needed was torque and not speed and he got all he needed with his 4 cyl in low gears. Yet 2 other owners told me they were getting mid 20s mpg with their 6's. I was not sure if I should believe them because after all, they were trying to sell their cars.

My questions for those of you who can answer objectively is:

If you had to do it all over again AND since I did not register it yet, would you just start looking all over again for a nice 6 cyl model and just turn around and sell this one?
Of course, it depends on what I want it for - going mildly off-road for some great pics instead of having to hike with all my photo gear but also want it to look sort of NICE.
What kind of mpg do you get on your 6 cyl models?
Is the mpg diff worth the sacrifice in power?
Do you find you really NEED the extra power as opposed to just enjoy USING it because you HAVE IT?

Thanks,
Jorge

Wheels4186 · 11-13-2005, 09:25 AM

Supposedly the 4's are complete dogs compared to the 6's but I guess its up to you....if you dont want/need the extra power from a 6 I say enjoy the 4 banger...

Dave

Saltine · 11-13-2005, 09:28 AM

IMO they are both good engines that get even better after pulling up on the t-case shifter. You will wind up wheeling with a mix of 4 and 6 cyl rigs, and you probably wouldn't know the difference unless someone did a V8/diesel swap. All that really matters is proper gearing to compliment whatever engine you do have.

On the street you might notice a little more passing power while rolling around in 2H.

Scoobert · 11-13-2005, 09:30 AM

they were right and wrong, off road the 4 will go most anywhere a I6 will. Its all in the gearing and low end torque. On road the I6 will win hands down.

MPG is about the same in both, and I have yet to see a single tJ get in the mid 20's for gas milage. No matter what engine it had in it.

To me (having a 4 banger) no way would I get another one. Just not worth the power loss to me.

VegasJeep · 11-13-2005, 09:32 AM

i do not think the gas milage is any difference... maybe maybe 1 mph

**Divinitous** · 11-13-2005, 09:39 AM

MPG is the same.

The four pooper will be running at higher rpms and burn X amount of gas to go Y mph.
The six will run at lower rpms and burn X amont of gas to go Y mph.
The only time i would think the four would use less gas is when idling at stop lights.

banterer · 11-13-2005, 10:06 AM

Thanks fellas,

I am going to sell this one and look for a 6!

Jorge

banterer · 11-13-2005, 05:48 PM

I have not looked for a used car since about 1982. The only sources I have tried/heard of or remember are Cars.com, autotrader.com, vehix.com, craigslist.com and the recycler which only takes you back to cars.com. Autotrader is stupid because they can show cars that were placed months ago and they have no indication of when the ad was placed or if it was sold or not.

Where else do you look for used vehicles?

Thanks,
Jorge

bfr · 11-13-2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banterer

1[*]What kind of mpg do you get on your 6 cyl models?
2[*]Is the mpg diff worth the sacrifice in power?
3[*]Do you find you really NEED the extra power as opposed to just enjoy USING it because you HAVE IT?[/list]
Thanks,
Jorge

I have owned and put thousands of miles on both a 4cyl and a 6cyl TJ

1 I get 15-17 mpg (6cyl) I got 2-3mpg better out of 4cyl
2 not to me
3 offroad you don't "need" the power on road the four is ok, but it leaves a lot to be desired

KAPPMAN999 · 11-13-2005, 09:53 PM

I own a 4 banger and love it! Its got plenty of power for on road use and off. I mean its a jeep you prolly shouldnt be doing over 70-75 in it, and the 4 banger will go plenty fast. I have had mine up to 92 once, and I had a friend beside me, and my speedo said 75. I guess its the oversized tires. But I mean come on, if you got the money for a 6 go for it, but if you wana save a little go for the 4. I love mine, and have no regrets in getting it.
Ryan

supaasianpdjr · 11-13-2005, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobert

they were right and wrong, off road the 4 will go most anywhere a I6 will. Its all in the gearing and low end torque. On road the I6 will win hands down.

MPG is about the same in both, and I have yet to see a single tJ get in the mid 20's for gas milage. No matter what engine it had in it.

To me (having a 4 banger) no way would I get another one. Just not worth the power loss to me.

Nice avatar.. don't think Oman will appreciate it though... but creative.

buellwinkle · 11-14-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banterer

Where else do you look for used vehicles?

Thanks,
Jorge

There's ebay, Jeep events, car sales events (our local college does one every weekend). Also, check out some used car lots, some of them will bid at a wholesale auction for you for a fee like $200-300. Banks/leasing companies dump lots of nice 3-4 year old cars at dealer only auctions like Manheim.

As for the 4 or 6, both are slow and get horrible gas mileage comperable to a Suburban, but the problem is you will kick yourself for getting the 4 because you could have gotten the faster 6, on the other hand, if you get the 6, you did the best you could so you won't blame yourself.

**muskoka** · 11-14-2005, 03:48 AM

I had the TJ SE 2.4L and was getting 22-26 MPG ... With my Rubi I'm getting 16-20 .... Go for the 6

way more power!!!

Legacy · 11-14-2005, 04:04 AM

ight, if i was worried about mpg when i decided to get a new vechical.........do you think i would have choosen a jeep, no. i knew before i bought my jeep that it was not going to get perfect mpg. but then again, i dont' care about it.

Achped · 11-14-2005, 04:58 AM

If I had to do it all over again, 6 cyl definitely. But only because I'm on the highway ALOT.

Off-road I seriously have noticed no difference at all.

But at speeds above 60 the 4 cyl just dies. It's seriously topped out at 75-85 depending on which way the winds blowing.

That being said, I don't hate the four cyl.