"The bottom line is that the car makers cater to the public. They give us what we want(and sometimes what they think we want...). If people wanted Crown Vic type cars, they would make them.. but they don't."
That isn't what this topic is about. I'm saying the advantages of the large engine far outweigh any disadvantages, which are mileage and weight. That's because gas is so cheap here. Once gas prices get too high, the balance tips the other way.
"If a 125HP 4-cylinder engine will get you from point A to point B, what is the point of an even more powerful V8(in the same car)?"
Hell, that's like having a more powerful CPU, or higher output leaf blower. You can get the job done quicker. If you like to race, you'll win more often. The V8 wouldn't be as taxed as the smaller engine. It arguably would require fewer repairs, which would help recoup the cost of the extra fuel it used. It's resale value would arguably be higher, which would help recoup the initial higher cost.
Most people bail on their cars LONG before the engines are spent. The longevity and cost to repair each type of engine is only important to people like me, who buy their cars well used, and others who keep them till they die.
My inlaws have an Avalon, which is direct competition for my wife's G. Marquis. It's a nice car, but my wife's is MUCH smoother running. I'd like the Avalon a lot more with my wife's engine in it. That's not to say that 4.6L is so fvcking great. I think it's a damn toy where V8s are concerned. It's a good compromise for power and gas mileage, but I'd give up the mileage for a 350ci in a heartbeat!
That isn't what this topic is about. I'm saying the advantages of the large engine far outweigh any disadvantages, which are mileage and weight. That's because gas is so cheap here. Once gas prices get too high, the balance tips the other way.
"If a 125HP 4-cylinder engine will get you from point A to point B, what is the point of an even more powerful V8(in the same car)?"
Hell, that's like having a more powerful CPU, or higher output leaf blower. You can get the job done quicker. If you like to race, you'll win more often. The V8 wouldn't be as taxed as the smaller engine. It arguably would require fewer repairs, which would help recoup the cost of the extra fuel it used. It's resale value would arguably be higher, which would help recoup the initial higher cost.
Most people bail on their cars LONG before the engines are spent. The longevity and cost to repair each type of engine is only important to people like me, who buy their cars well used, and others who keep them till they die.
Like I said to Eli, most people get rid of their cars before this is of any concern. I'm the one worried about repairs on cars. I do as much of the work on my cars as possible. I know that I've NEVER had to screw with a timing chain, and I KNOW that timing belts are REQUIRED to be changed at sub 100K intervals. I KNOW that U-joints are less than $20.00, and easy to get at. I KNOW that CV joints cost a hell of a lot more, and are a pain to get at. I KNOW that shocks are dirt cheap and simple to replace. I KNOW that McPhearson struts cost a hell of a lot more, and are a pain to replace. I KNOW that larger wheels and longer stroking suspensions can handle pot holes better than smaller ones, without going out of alignment.
My inlaws have an Avalon, which is direct competition for my wife's G. Marquis. It's a nice car, but my wife's is MUCH smoother running. I'd like the Avalon a lot more with my wife's engine in it. That's not to say that 4.6L is so fvcking great. I think it's a damn toy where V8s are concerned. It's a good compromise for power and gas mileage, but I'd give up the mileage for a 350ci in a heartbeat!
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