Is the 3.0L/3.2L V6 dead?
#1
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
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Is the 3.0L/3.2L V6 dead?
I have been shopping for a replacement for my TL and have noticed something disturbing to me. It seems that not a single car manufacturer still makes a USDM sedan with a V6 in the 3.0L to 3.2L range. You know, something that puts out maybe 220-250 hp. Everyone offers a 4-banger or else a 3.5L or 3.7L V6.
I personally, find this annoying because I don't trust a turbo 4-cylinder to get me to 200k miles and without a turbo, I find them underpowered. And then those large V6 engines just don't cut it in terms of highway MPGs.
I'm just curious, are 3.0L V6 and 3.2L V6 a thing of the past? Why is it dying?
I personally, find this annoying because I don't trust a turbo 4-cylinder to get me to 200k miles and without a turbo, I find them underpowered. And then those large V6 engines just don't cut it in terms of highway MPGs.
I'm just curious, are 3.0L V6 and 3.2L V6 a thing of the past? Why is it dying?
#2
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
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In case anyone is curious, here is my other thread detailing some of the cars I've been considering:
Suggestions please - $30k replacement (used or new) for a 3G TL
Suggestions please - $30k replacement (used or new) for a 3G TL
#3
I initially thought I would like the big V-6. It's great for power, but holy cow it's heavy as hell too. Getting the front end to comply is a major PITA. I'll bet we see something hooked up with electric motors in a 2.8-3.2 variety eventually.
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jhumbo (02-18-2013)
#6
Fahrvergnügen'd
I am not going to own a car for that long so it isn't a problem for me. But for people that will buy a car and drive it until the wheels fall off, looking at a new turbo every 100k miles might be a deterrent.
That said, I think small displacement turbo engines are here to stay.
#7
Senior Moderator
Whats wrong with 3.5s? The new Accord has a mid 6 zero to 60 and with a NA 4cyl, is that slow? EPA city/highway/combined 26/35/29) with the 3.5 v6 coming in at 21/32/25 with automatic. (and being a honda im sure it will see much better) I wouldnt say thats bad at all.
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#8
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
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A 3.5+ V6 is great for power, but it is heavy and thirsty. Those are really the only problems I guess.
That's basically what I'm saying, ever car manufacturer seems to offer a mid-sized sedan with a big 4-cyl puting out 0-60 numbers in the mid 7s (automatic trans) and then for a higher performance version they either throw a huge heavy V6 at it, or put a turbo 4-cyl. I'm just surprised no one offers a mid-sized 6-cyl.
#9
Burning Brakes
04 TL NAV, EPA 18/26 , 28 highway with 6mt, 3582 lbs.
2013 Accord V6 EXL NAV, EPA 21/34, 3559 lbs.
The new accord has pretty impressive mpg. Seems like a good replacement to me...
2013 Accord V6 EXL NAV, EPA 21/34, 3559 lbs.
The new accord has pretty impressive mpg. Seems like a good replacement to me...
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jhumbo (02-18-2013)
#10
Banned
A 3.5+ V6 is great for power, but it is heavy and thirsty. Those are really the only problems I guess.
21/34 combined 25 is excellent for a V6 this powerful. Not obvious that a lesser 3.0-3.2 would get significantly better figures. Don't get a 4-cyl.turbo in this class.... as I said many months ago and essentially proven by CR, they are a joke. See the following data where all NA V6 3.5L are quicker and consume less than their 4-cyl. turbo competitors.
Last edited by Saintor; 02-18-2013 at 05:21 PM.
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jhumbo (02-18-2013)
#11
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Audi A6's are 3.0L supercharged though. Even the previous body style was available with that engine combo. Might be something to look at it, just dunno about it lasting to 200k?
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jhumbo (02-18-2013)
#12
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'13 V6 Accord owners are seeing 35 mpg on the highway without any problems.
Theory negated.
Theory negated.
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#13
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
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Did you bother to check at the figures or you just assume?
21/34 combined 25 is excellent for a V6 this powerful. Not obvious that a lesser 3.0-3.2 would get significantly better figures. Don't get a 4-cyl.turbo in this class.... as I said many months ago and essentially proven by CR, they are a joke. See the following data where all NA V6 3.5L are quicker and consume less than their 4-cyl. turbo competitors.
21/34 combined 25 is excellent for a V6 this powerful. Not obvious that a lesser 3.0-3.2 would get significantly better figures. Don't get a 4-cyl.turbo in this class.... as I said many months ago and essentially proven by CR, they are a joke. See the following data where all NA V6 3.5L are quicker and consume less than their 4-cyl. turbo competitors.
You may be right about a smaller 6-cyl not saving much fuel. The IS250 and IS350 are a good example of this. 2.5L V6 vs. 3.5L V6 and from most peoples' accounts, the IS250 is only 1 or 2 mpg better than the IS350 in real world driving, especially highway. Perhaps this is essentially the answer to my question. Most people who want a V6 want it for power, so just give them even more power.
Last edited by jhumbo; 02-18-2013 at 06:13 PM.
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VCM isn't the soul-sucking experience it previously was, the engine has some serious mid-range power.
#16
Banned
Ken youre correct. The mid-range is better this year as Honda incorporated 3-lobe vtec cams in the new J-series VCM motors thank god. It was funny how the 258hp 3.2L in our TL's would do 0-60 in almost a half a second quicker than the 08-12 Accord 271hp 3.5L V6's. The low-end was awful in those cars so much that you'd think those hp number would be flipped...
#18
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Plus, driving a turbocharged car is fun.
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juniorbean (02-19-2013)
#19
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I'd just like to say that I love the 3.2 in my TL.
22/23mpg city and 30mpg on the highway doing 75!
The motor is great. It would be sad to see them completely phase it out, but it appears that's what they're doing. Cars are getting bigger so they have to make bigger motors.
22/23mpg city and 30mpg on the highway doing 75!
The motor is great. It would be sad to see them completely phase it out, but it appears that's what they're doing. Cars are getting bigger so they have to make bigger motors.
#20
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Hell my 4,000 lb GTO averaged 23-24 daily driving
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jhumbo (02-19-2013)
#22
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An S2000 and a Corvette realistically get similar highway mileage.
Why?
The Corvette is probably put-putting along at 1400 rpms at 60 mph. The S2000 is doing 3200 rpms.
On the other hand, I can drive through the Oregon mountain passes in 6th gear and pass people uphill.
#23
It seems to me that sixes in general are being dumped for turbo-4's on lower end models, for fuel economy reasons. I get that. A good turbo-4 is better than a bad V6, but a good V6/I6 like a BMW N52 or the new DI V6 in the C350 Coupe...way better engines than any 4 banger.
#24
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I think a LOT of the smaller engines have more to do with CAFE regulations to help the car manufacturer meet them. I mean many have gone to using 0w20-5w20 oil for no reason other than just for that added little boost across the line in overall mpg
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Exactly.
An S2000 and a Corvette realistically get similar highway mileage.
Why?
The Corvette is probably put-putting along at 1400 rpms at 60 mph. The S2000 is doing 3200 rpms.
On the other hand, I can drive through the Oregon mountain passes in 6th gear and pass people uphill.
An S2000 and a Corvette realistically get similar highway mileage.
Why?
The Corvette is probably put-putting along at 1400 rpms at 60 mph. The S2000 is doing 3200 rpms.
On the other hand, I can drive through the Oregon mountain passes in 6th gear and pass people uphill.
yea, my GTO was like 2100 rpm at 80 mph..
#26
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^ the vette is like 1600 at 80 (at least the c6 i drove)
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#30
Welcome to Olliewood
In certain segments sure. I absolutely love it in my 2nd gen TL-S, the sound at WOT is still just as sweet as it was 5-6 years ago when I got the car. Now would I still want a J37 in an MDX or RL? Definitely not. It's not an issue of whether it's still "competitive" or not, but you have to agree they've milked it for all it's worth and the potential to build a different engine could of really changed the game for the entire Acura line, years ago. The SOHC J-series could have been put to bed and made way for a DOHC i-Vtec w/ direct injection as early as 07/08 that could of debuted in the 2nd gen MDX/refreshed RL.
With the basic architecture of a 16 year old engine, they (H/A) were definately limited to beefing up the top end with a few extra ponies, because the bottom end/mid range torque left a lot to be desired. And IMO, not very competitive to the likes of the VQ, 2GR-FSE, and definitely not with the N54/55 etc.
I would concede though that the way the 5-Speed autos were geared, it left a lot of the J-Series' potential on the table. Regardless, the opportunity and tech presented themselves years ago. And if H/A wanted to go from being competitive to regaining their spots as class leaders, thats just another piece of the puzzle.
edit: In addition to the 5-Speed, the poor NVH figures didn't help either.
With the basic architecture of a 16 year old engine, they (H/A) were definately limited to beefing up the top end with a few extra ponies, because the bottom end/mid range torque left a lot to be desired. And IMO, not very competitive to the likes of the VQ, 2GR-FSE, and definitely not with the N54/55 etc.
I would concede though that the way the 5-Speed autos were geared, it left a lot of the J-Series' potential on the table. Regardless, the opportunity and tech presented themselves years ago. And if H/A wanted to go from being competitive to regaining their spots as class leaders, thats just another piece of the puzzle.
edit: In addition to the 5-Speed, the poor NVH figures didn't help either.
Last edited by HBaJ; 02-21-2013 at 02:55 AM.
#31
08 MDX, 04 TL (sold)
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I'm now driving a Turbo4 (Kia Optima SX 2.0T-GDI).
My experience matches this. It is fairytale. My real world MPG numbers seem extremely similar to what I would get with a similar horsepower V6 and not much different than my old 2004 3.2 TL. I've been getting 31-32 on my long highway trips and around 22-24 in town. I used to get roughly 29-30 with my TL and about 22-24 in town. Performance and power are similar (a bit more power in the Kia.)
Why is driving a turbocharged car more fun? I prefered the instant response of my V6. Now, the Turbo4 in the Kia is great and has very little turbo lag, but there still is a tiny bit of lag before the boost kicks in. Not complaining, I just think the V6 was just as much fun, if not more fun due to the instant response.
What I will say is that the Kia feels much less nose-heavy and I'm sure the lighter Turbo-4 has to do with it. Very balanced car and that does make it fun to drive. You can toss it around much like a 4-cyl TSX. This was part of what drove me to choose the Optima over a V6-TSX. The V6-TSX just felt very nose-heavy. I test drove the V6-TSX a few times and test drove the Optima-SX a few times and the difference was quite noticeable to me.
What I will say is that the Kia feels much less nose-heavy and I'm sure the lighter Turbo-4 has to do with it. Very balanced car and that does make it fun to drive. You can toss it around much like a 4-cyl TSX. This was part of what drove me to choose the Optima over a V6-TSX. The V6-TSX just felt very nose-heavy. I test drove the V6-TSX a few times and test drove the Optima-SX a few times and the difference was quite noticeable to me.
Last edited by jhumbo; 04-25-2013 at 05:08 AM.
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RPhilMan1 (04-25-2013)
#33
I hear good things about the RDX and the turbo
#35
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What about a SOHC DI J35 with a 30 HP electric motor on each rear wheel?
Agreed.
#36
MechEng
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But diesel engines rely on forced induction as well and look how long they last. I don't think reliability is the issue with forced induction. It's more about the cost. A 4cyl turbo is more expensive to manufacture than an NA 6cyl.
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RPhilMan1 (04-25-2013)
#38
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Originally Posted by Left Lane News, Jetta Sport Wagon TDI
That said, the SportWagen isn't a slouch, although it's not going to win those aforementioned drag races. From a complete stop, it takes a little throttling to motivate both the transmission and the engine. Torque peaks at a low-ish 1,750 rpm, but this is a diesel, so redline isn't that much further away. Once into double digit speeds, the SportWagen picks up steam, especially in terms of mid-range acceleration, where its turbocharger kicks in and delivers smooth and unexpectedly strong power. Moreover, the diesel emits few noises underhood - it's quieter than most gasoline four-cylinders we've encountered lately.
Last edited by oo7spy; 04-25-2013 at 03:35 PM.
#39
The sizzle in the Steak
#40
MechEng
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Because it's freakin expensive, that's why. It's cheaper to shove a simple NA engine in and call it a day.