So Three-Cylinder Engines are Dogs, are They?
07-07-24, 06:48 AM
#106
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-07-24, 06:57 AM
#107
Lexus Fanatic
I have that engine in my Encore GX, and it has enough torque for all my normal driving needs, even with AWD. I get up to 50 MPG cruising on the highway at moderate speeds, even though it's EPA-rated much lower than that. And the torque speak is at a very low 1500-1700 RPM, so there is enough power to easily get you rolling from a stop. The engine's only flaw is a tendency to have more vibrations at low speeds than those with more cylinders, but even that is managed pretty well with Buick's well-known Quiet Tuning system, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat....at least if I wasn't going to keep it 200,000 miles.
Seems like quite the stretch.not a very impressive power output. So many better competitor engines out there
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-07-24 at 07:02 AM.
07-07-24, 10:48 AM
#108
Lexus Test Driver
i'm assuming you drive very gently and 'sensibly' at all times, drive in a lot of traffic too, so not surprised it's 'enough' for you. i think the 0-60 is around 9 seconds, which is certainly slow by today's standards, but if driving in traffic, that doesn't matter much. my cars do 0-60 in half that, and i have a lot of empty roads or sections of roads at least, so that power can be used safely and it's fun, and handy to pass or merge.
I would be super frustrated with 155 HP, but my parents would probably be just fine with it.
07-07-24, 11:35 AM
#109
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Now, in suburban stop/go driving under normal conditions, it is much lower...right around what the EPA rates it at for city-use........mid-20s.
Now, if you don't want to believe it, fine. As for me, I'll smile all the way to the gas-pumps.
07-07-24, 11:39 AM
#110
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I would be super frustrated with 155 HP, but my parents would probably be just fine with it.
07-07-24, 12:04 PM
#111
Lexus Fanatic
155 hp will move a little car like that. I had a 4,500 lb 4WD Explorer with 160hp, and it moved along okay. Painfully slow by todays standards of course.
07-07-24, 12:14 PM
#112
Lexus Fanatic
You're not getting 50MPG on the highway lol. I might believe 30...even 32, 33 but if your meter is showing 50 MPG its malfunctioning.
07-07-24, 12:54 PM
#113
Lexus Champion
They were that heavy? I know what you mean. We had a 1997 Bravada with the Vortec 4.3 V6, rough but powerful engine then. Slow today but back then a pretty decent performer. I won lots of races in it lol...
07-07-24, 01:02 PM
#114
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah, curb weight was ~ 4,200 lbs. Mine was a fully loaded Limited with air suspension and all the goodies, so the heaviest one could be. It was the old OHV Cologne V6. The SOHC version that came out in 1997 had 210 HP and was much better.
07-07-24, 02:18 PM
#115
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Keep in mind that 45-50 is only under very ideal conditions. More typical on the road for me is around 41/42 or so, and around 25 in town. So, I don't know where the EPA gets its 29 Highway-estimate for my car from. Either it is nonsense, or both me and my brother have a knack for saving gas. And it's like I told Jill...if you don't believe it, fine......I smile all the way to the pumps.
Every vehicle I have ever owned, without exception, I get more on the highway than the EPA says I should, but, in town, it's the opposite.....I usually get either about what the EPA says or sometimes less, especially in cold weather.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-07-24 at 02:23 PM.
07-07-24, 02:35 PM
#117
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
That's the key....keeping RPMs down on the highway. My engine, like yours, turns less than 2000 RPM at my cruise-speeds.......but still doesn't lug because the torque peak is at 1600-1700.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-07-24 at 02:39 PM.
07-07-24, 03:40 PM
#118
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-07-24, 03:50 PM
#119
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Not just a GX. Some entry-level Audi gas powered models, with inline 4s and FWD, are rated at 37 highway, so 40 or more on the highway is probably doable if driven sensibly under ideal conditions. I could probably do it myself.