have cars become more gutless?

Icey101 · #1 10-11-2011, 12:35 AM

in the last couple of years i have purchased a subaru liberty...no power down low, very dissapointed, then just recent i purchased a toyota corolla,....its suppose to have over 100kw, down low its gutless....too

is there something going on here????....are new cars being geared up and fuel injection mapped to reflect new economy and polution standards?

Munjibunga · #2 10-11-2011, 01:00 AM

You get what you pay for. You want horsepower, get a V6. You want economy, get an I4.

elgecko · #3 10-11-2011, 01:08 AM

What, are you ordering your cars online? Are you not test driving these cars before buying them?

Stumbo · #4 10-11-2011, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icey101

is there something going on here????....are new cars being geared up and fuel injection mapped to reflect new economy and polution standards?

You need to know the torque specs to know what RPM has the most torque.

**steddy2112** · #5 10-11-2011, 02:07 AM

I fart more power than 100kw

Try getting something with more power and hey...it just may be quicker

What's next

Why is my 5 watt amp quiet?

lol

HaRd · #6 10-11-2011, 02:51 AM

Both cars mentioned are 4cylinders... - "no power down low"

Toyota Corolla is a bread and butter commuter economy car...

JtheJazzMan · #7 10-11-2011, 04:06 AM

Cars have become safer, and heavier, and more fuel efficient. But you still have to pay for power. I havent owned a car that didnt have a turbo strapped to it.

L-A · #8 10-11-2011, 04:38 AM

Is that how they call the Legacy elsewhere? Well, base models for that line are just that, base models.

I don't know what you expected of a small 4-cylinder having to drive all four wheels.

Icey101 · #9 10-11-2011, 04:47 AM

i'm sure the 4 cylinder cars of 15 years ago had more torque

thumpbass1 · #10 10-11-2011, 04:56 AM

I just bought a 2010 Chevy HHR LT with a 2.2 four banger. It scoots along about as well as some of the V6 cars I've had in the past. I'm keeping my 4.0 V6 loaded Ford 4 x 4 Ranger on hand for trucking duties and bad winter weather driving. I do like the HHR for it's cargo capacity, and decent fuel economy. I don't mind that it's look was done by the guy who designed the P.T. Cruiser for Chrysler, as I don't mind retro styling. I did a fair amount of test driving different cars, and most current four cylinder equipped cars perform pretty well thanks to better transmissions, and engine tech massaging in comparison to the anemic econo cars of the past.

carlos840 · #11 10-11-2011, 05:18 AM

Thats why i drive this!

sandmangeck · #12 10-11-2011, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steddy2112

I fart more power than 100kw

Try getting something with more power and hey...it just may be quicker

What's next

Why is my 5 watt amp quiet?

lol

+1

AshdownMad · #13 10-11-2011, 05:21 AM

V6 is wot u need for the low end torque and the high end speed. My ST kicks the hell outta most things around here.
V8s r too heavy and slow to rev
And I4 turbos take too long to respond n r unreliable!!!

V6s r the gods of engines!

thumpbass1 · #14 10-11-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshdownMad

V6 is wot u need for the low end torque and the high end speed. My ST kicks the hell outta most things around here.
V8s r too heavy and slow to rev
And I4 turbos take too long to respond n r unreliable!!!

V6s r the gods of engines!

I agree with you totally in regards to performance in comparing most V6 engines to I-4s, but a lot of V6 engines can be a bit piggish in terms of fuel economy. Yeah you still have to pay the fuel piper for all of that fun and power. I hate to say it, but on my recent buy for a general driver around town, I decided to go with a four banger this time. Most car makers have gone to decent 5 and 6 speed trannys that get what they can out of current four cylinder engines. I've no comment in regards to CV tyrannys, as I've never owned a CV equipped car or truck, and the mixed reviews of CV tranny equipped vehicles make me favor more conventional technology. I guess I'm tired of emptying my wallet at the pump, and I sure in heck can't afford the high dollar new electrics and hybrids at this time. At least we still have choices.

macaroni tony · #15 10-11-2011, 09:05 AM

You need to get a '72 Deuce and a quarter. I once saw a Prius hit a rabbit; the car blew up, caused a plume of smoke. The rabbit jumped up and said, "Hey, man! Didn't you see me hoppin in tha street? You better get you a Deuce or somethin..."

My mom used to drive a Deuce. The car fit 62 people; you had to put the baby in the rear window, though. When the baby got hot, you had to turn the baby around so that the other half is facing the sun. We once got into a collision with a train. The train blew up, everyone on board died. My mom said, "Pick the baby up, put her back in the window! Let me see what I did to the train...."

You need to get a '72 Deuce

hbarcat · #16 10-11-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icey101

i'm sure the 4 cylinder cars of 15 years ago had more torque

I've followed the automotive scene since the early 80's and every year the average car on the market has more power and performance. In the past few years this has been especially so, with small, fuel efficient, 4 cyl engines standard on most cars, putting out as much or more torque (and on a broader curve) than the bigger, optional engines of only a few years ago.

I'm guessing you're driving the very slowest dogs that the industry has to offer which are being excessive in the direction of cheap price and/or fuel economy.

()smoke() · #17 10-11-2011, 09:34 AM

off-idle torque is great to feel, and while some vehicles feel good revving up to 5-6k to make power, some just don't

...but high revs may well be the better way to do it, i don't know enough about it to say

Spinal Tapper · #18 10-11-2011, 09:42 AM

Actually, in the world of high(er) performance automobiles, cars have more horsepower than ever. Because of modern fuel injection advances, lower weight chassis, and more aerodynamic construction, cars that were just "quick" a few years ago are now full out speed demons easily customizable to much more horsepower. You can find a LOT of stock cars easily over 300hp nowadays, which should be enough UMPH that you're looking for...I think you're just looking at the wrong type of car...it probably won't get ya 35mpg.

Just to name a few, the newer Mustang GT, Audi S4, Dodge Challenger R/T, Nissan 350z, Subaru WRX, Nissan GTR, Mercedes AMG E55, BMW M3 come to mind.

I guess that all depends on what you're willing to pay, as well.

aborgman · #19 10-11-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos840

Thats why i drive this!

Which, if it has the 454, has about the same 0-60 time as a 2012 Honda Civic Si. If it's not the 454, it's slower than the Civic.

Sure looks a lot nicer though.

()smoke() · #20 10-11-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

Actually, in the world of high(er) performance automobiles, cars have more horsepower than ever. Because of modern fuel injection advances, lower weight chassis, and more aerodynamic construction, cars that were just "quick" a few years ago are now full out speed demons easily customizable to much more horsepower. You can find a LOT of stock cars easily over 300hp nowadays, which should be enough UMPH that you're looking for...I think you're just looking at the wrong type of car...it probably won't get ya 35mpg.

Just to name a few, the newer Mustang GT, Audi S4, Dodge Challenger R/T, Nissan 350z, Subaru WRX, Nissan GTR, Mercedes AMG E55, BMW M3 come to mind.

I guess that all depends on what you're willing to pay, as well.

but horsepower is a product of (torque X rpm ) / 5252

...so, if i'm understanding correctly, high hp doesn't necessarily mean the torque is high down low, it can often mean higher rpms with a less robust torque

i don't know a lot about it, but i'm always interested in the torque peak, where that peak is located in the rpm spectrum, and the width of the torque band, as well as the hp, so hp doesn't tell the whole story to me, if that makes sense