What are the differences/advantages/problems of having a v8 as opposed to having a v6?

 

Disadvantages of a V-8:
insurance for young people
tendancy for speeding
gets about 1mpg less than V-6

Advantages:
ACCELERATION-if you have to ask you have never driven either
resale value
"coolness factor"

If you can't afford one, don't. If you can, go drive one of each. If you are a car enthusiast at all, you will have an easy decision.

 

I really don't think a V8 makes you speed more, maybe its just me. A V6 will go fast enough to kill you, so a V8 can't kill you any worse.

 

I have had a V6 and a Z, and I really couldnt tell any kind of mileage difference in "normal" driving conditions.

 

Not true.
The V8 requires respect. If you are 'heavy handed' with your driving techniques you will lose control of a V8 car much quicker and on a grand scale.
My .02
Dave

 

To me the F-body has allways been about the V8.

 

Ditto.

And whoever thinks you can't do more damage with a V8 than a V6 has never really had a "near-life-ending-experience" due to lack of respect/control/preparation. Sure, the V6's aren't slouches, but ~300 HP going to the back wheels vs. ~200 HP (guessing? ) to the back wheels of the same car makes quite a difference. Even I've become over-confident in my driving skill and nearly lost it a couple times with my car (since it's been a couple years since I had my '81 and I was used to driving with ~300-350 HP at my feet).

But dude, since you are just turning 16, getting a V6 probably wouldn't be a bad idea, then like others have said, it would be cheaper to purchase and to insure, then once you get used to RWD with a significant amount of HP, you can take the next step up to the V8. In the long run, it'll be safer for you and everyone else on the roads you drive! (seriously, no offense).

 

I test drove a '95 with a 3.8 a few months back. It was better than I thought. It had good acceleration and response. It only had 50,000 miles on it.

It is still nowhere near what the LS1 can do. I drove my first in 1999 and was hooked. You just need to find a way to insure it (depending on your age). Resale value is better, and it's just more fun to drive in my opinion. If money is a problem, go with a V-8 that is a few years old. Good buy for the money.

Just get what suits you and drive it.

 

I didn't know the Camaro (or firebird) came with V6s until I was forced to buy one. Fortunately, after a year with the V6 I convinced my parents to let me get a V8 Camaro. Like stated above higher insurance is the main con. But its fast and is given respect. People are going to give you a lot of $h!t if you get a V6.

 

If the insurance has to be in your name, be prepared to pay as much as $300-400 a month. It will depend on where you live, grades etc. but look into it first and that might make your decision for you.

Also performance is not even comparable. I had a 3.4 v6 before my 2002 z28 and trust me ~300hp at the wheels requires 10 times the attention and carefullness with the pedal that the 160 or 200 (3.4 or 3.8) have at the crank.

All camaros are cool, I had a great time with my v6, but if you get a v6 don't expect to see your passengers with a "holly **** what was that" look when you hammer the gas.

 

99blackSS, I think you gave the best response. If you buy a Camaro you should be buying an Z28 or SS. Sure the V6s are just as good looking but the Camaro is a package deal. Once you get past its looks, (i'm speaking of the V6) you don't have much to back it up. If you don't want your ride to be judged then you shouldn't drive one that WILL be judged. My wife drives a V6 Camaro and she has been harassed many times by V8 Mustangs. It doesn't bother her very much but for most guys it gets to their pride. Then they started trying to mod the V6 or thinking about trading up for a V8.

 

Thats so true, a couple of guys drive V6 Camaro's at my school. They get so much sh*t.

 

this is an easy one......

a v6 is just a v8 that dropped 2 cylinders for weight reduction


v8=fast as hell
v6=slow as hell

v8=get made fun of
v6=not get made fun of

v6=low insurance
v8=high insurance

v6=cant run from cops
v8=run from cops


.......

 

I might get flamed, but here goes: sure, I would like to have a V8, but I don't have one. That doesn't make me any less of a car enthusiast. Couldn't afford the V8, couldn't afford the insurance (which will change pretty soon ) I respect the LS1, I think its the best V8 GM has ever made. I've driven a Z28, and I loved the power, but this doesn't make me like my V6 any less. Its still pretty quick, nowhere near what an LS1 or LT1 can do, but its still quicker than the average car IMO. Sure, people give me crap about having a V6, but those people usually end up owning a big heavy *** truck (I AM in Oklahoma) and if we raced, they would get owned real quick. When I get my V8, I will not be a V6-basher like a lot of people.

 

Oh yeah I see people quivering and pissing their pants everytime they see a V6. But man my Z, they just point and laugh.