[benogorek]

In 2011 I was buying a Ford Mustang and I had to make the decision whether to upgrade to the V8 engine. It was $10K more (+ extra fuel) and the V6 already had 300+ horsepower. I just couldn't justify it.

Eight years later, the car runs great, and it still even gets some complements. I never once needed any extra power! But when someone asks me, "Does it have the V8?" I have to tell them, "Naw, it's just the V6."

At the Ford dealership, you're paying $10K for nothing else than to be able to tell people, for the next 8 years, that you bought the V8. And it might just be worth it.

That's advice on whether to get your PhD, by the way, but it's a few more than 8 years.

[m52go]

For some people, the V8 means much more...the sound, the torque, and perhaps most importantly, a stronger platform for tuning and power that a V6 simply cannot offer.

Perhaps people doing PhDs also have different motives and intentions for how to use them.

[abawany]

Also, for people into that sort of thing, a V8 has more value for a collector than a V6 just by virtue of rarity.

[Agathos]

In 2011 I was just finishing my PhD, so I couldn't afford a new car. At least my brain has that V8 now...