QUOTE(zeus2005 @ May 11 2013, 06:25 PM)
TS, don't expect a low fuel consumption if you choose to drive a V6 engine car. if FC is your concern then you should choose a normal 4 inline engine.
You sure about this? For me the maintenance of nissan car is on par with toyota and honda is the most expensive to maintain.
Unless you are talking about maintenance between a normal 4 inline engine and a V6 so comparing the brand is not fair enough.
Used to babysit 2 Sylphy whenever my colleagues went outstation. We love to venture into technical, we do follow up on the reliability, durability and maintenance. The CVT gearbox indeed cost much more expensive to maintain than conventional gearbox due to very short interval, expensive ATF & labour (have to use diagnostic tool everytime b4 change engine oil). It's even weaker than proper conventional 4AT when start moving from idle. FC only 8.9km/L city driving.
Don't be blinded with the word Japanese brand. T, H & N are different from each other and they don't share technology between themselves but instead, they are rivals to each other. No such thing as on par. Toyota maintenance is expensive because of the SC charges, in reality, its vital parts are most reliable, most basic and could be easily fixed. Honta is least durable and like vase, you must handle it very gently or it will break apart. N-brand, in early 2000s, Sentra N16, X-Trail and even Cefiro A33 have engine blown cases due to abnormal overheating. Frontier too have such problem and some reported Navara.
Overhaul inline4 cost RM4k+ while overhauling V6 engines a whooping RM6k+. When comes to normal maintenance and routine check, you will always have to check extra 2 for every part & thing linked to the additional 2 cylinders. You have 2 additional spark plugs, 2 additional valves, 2 additional HT cables, 2 additional ports, 2 additional etc.
By the way Cefiro V6 2.0L FC is at 6.7km/L while the 2.5L (bought used engine converted from 3.0L) at 6.2 km/L while the 3.0L brougham at 5.7km/L all in city driving. Heavier Camry 2.0G at 8.8km/L while Camry 2.4L at 8km/L. Is this good enough to prove anything? Those N-brand marketing bunch kept telling you Teana city driving 13km/L is nothing more than never exceed simulated on roller FC reading by manufacturer. In reality, Teana FC worst than any D-segment inline4 engine.