SOME luxu Ta AL LEA AAA OAD ACU en just cor Shote Ford models like the Lincoln LS offer a manual transmission with the six- ; cylinder option, but onfy offer an automatic with V-3 versions. 'Fany Whitney ". ‘Contributing Writer . CONE of the most com-. szioniy asked questions I : field in the course of a typical workday relates to the age-old dilemiaa of which engine to: choose. _ ln many ways, today’s auto = bguyers are faced with an » exnbarrassment of riches in that so many. manufacturers offer multiple engine choices ‘and ail of chem have a valid "place in one buyer or, other's aaitomotive lifestyle... :. -Many automakers even + coffer several choices of four- " cylinder engine for a specific ---seaodel — even at entry-level “prices. For most buyers , though, it is the choice between a four-cylinder and a - six; or a six-cylinder and an eight that causes the most “trouble. There are several sedans on. - che market right now, mostly - ime the hotly-contested mid- size category populated by cars like the Honda Accord, tkaat offer buyers the choice .. between a four-cylinder and a V-6. 0: . ‘Deciding between a four . and a six is really a.matter of sowhat the car is going to be used for. Some.of today’s four- . “eylinder engines are surprising- ‘ly refined and even I some- “gies have'to look under the”: hood to see that there? 's 's really not a V-6 under chere. Of course, if you opt for a four over a six, you’! Ht be sacrificing some power; but is this really that important? If the vehicle is going to be used extensively with a full passenger or cargo load, then a six is probably a. better choice. On: the other hand, if the car is to be used as a commuter or weekend run- about, those four cylinders will get you around in Line style and you'll make far fewer visits to your local ges station. Remember that today’s four-cylinder engines are a lot more technically sophisticated than they were a few years back. Most of the four-cylin- der power plants fitted to cur- rent medels have such refine- ments as four-valve-per-cylin- der design and twin overhead camshafts. These features con- "tribute towards small capacity engines (typically 1.6 to 2.0- litres) that are both peppy and fuel-efficient. The use of advanced mate- rials and more effective noise contre! has also meant that engines in this configuration are a fot quieter. than they “used to be. If you do choose a inur-cylinder, you wan't be gi ing up much by way of engineering features or refine- meat. If your four-cylinder car has slightly less acceleration than its six-cylinder equivalent and has 2 lower top speed, will this really matter in the “real world” of urban driving? But if your driving chores involve full passenger loads and long runs over rugged territory, there’s no doubt that you'll be better off by opting for the six. Like their four- cylinder counterparts, modern V-6 engines feature multi- valve layouts and dual over- head cams, in many cases. Often, economy levels have improved io match four-cylin- der engines of a few years back. Of course, these are stilt a few in-line six cylinder engines around, notably from “BMW and Lexus, and the configuration will make a LON : 26 point CAM Apprcvid ohoel, Most venison, fabour ony, fo comeback soon in a series of GM vehicles. With regard to luxury vehi- cles, SUVs and pickups, the choice is often between a V or in-line six and a V-8. Some of the aforemen- tioned soit still apply here. If you really need the torque of the bigger engine, then go for it, but if light duties are on the agenda, save yourself some money and go for the six. For SUV buyers planning to tow a boat or travel trailer, there’s no doubr that a V-8 is the best bet, but for light-duty urban use, the big engine may not be as desirable, especially when considering our spi- ralling fuel prices. The prestige CONCORDE WINTER TR | Value priced winter radial. ofa “V-8” badge on the tail- gate of your SUV comes ata high price in the long term. Not too many SUV owners grades. get into serious off-road Sometimes, it might be usage, but those who do cer- tainly find the extra torque of the V-8 very handy on steep See Pickup following page co WEST will be closed. From December 21s, through Jenuary th, 2001 for the holidays. LC.AA,, ANLA,, 1.8.6, Approved FALL SPECIALS cass. y ALL SERVICE BY GOVT. REGISTERED TECHNICIANS : Luse, Ow & Fire . Chack Luse, O antifreeze, belts & hoses ’ tires & brakes, visual inspection report’ ot Possibly North Shores most professional lube Jobs.” 4 SS report, rotate tires, top up all fluids road test OPT. ALIGN. CHK. 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