Your buddy is one of those cats with a caveman ego it seems...
If you can get past his clueless mindset, you can drift in a v6, do burnouts, turn off traction and esp to a very low setting to do burnouts and drifting.
You don't race, or plan to, and chances are you prob aren't trying to reach 700whp or something like that TO RACE....
so what would be logically wrong with a v6?
Think logically what's good for you. Worth is ALWAYS up to the individual. Don't fall for your buddy's half assed a$$hat ego.
For myself, I do race, autox and track days. I rarely drag race. A bigger or faster engine is gold for drag racing. Track , ND autox takes a balance of power and handling. So for me it would be pointless to get a v8. I could use the v8 on both style of tracks but I was finally with my 2013 in a v6 and I'm more than fine with the 16 in a v6. If my goals change...I'll upgrade. But to get a v8 just to say you got a v8 is like getting a tattoo just to say you got one.
I couldn't see paying more for that. Pay more, for what? An ego so I can go to cars and coffee and pose? I'll pass.
If you need a v8, or just want one.. by all means GO for it. But if you don't need one, I don't see a point in spending extra for something you will never fully utilize.