Perhaps, the 2GR is smoother and it's a 3.5 so I doubt it's a blanket rule.

 

I had a 2002 Camry V6 with the 3.0L, it was pretty sweet, but today it would probably feel anemic. They need twin turbos to go with them

 

Smoother than what? The 1MZ? Not even close. 3VZ is even better that engine feels more like an electric motor than ICE. People that own a car with the 3VZ know what I mean.
Every petrol car feels anemic compared to electric.

 

Asking again. Not an EV thread.

 

I owned a 1mz and 2gr at the same time.....the 2gr had 80k more miles on it and did everything smoother.

That second statement is beyond stupid.

 

I currently own both.

 

Well then that's strange you think the 1MZ is smoother

 

Sure. I would rather stick with regular too

 

Because it is. 2GR has more piston mass can't get around it. 1MZ sounds better as well and doesn't have VVTi gear rattle problems.

 

Then why does it rev smoother? There is more to it than piston mass, rigidity, mounts, exhaust manifold design, intake design, etc all matter as well and the GR does better overall. VVTI gear rattle is a maintenance issue you should fix and not a normal condition of the engine. That can't count in a comparison since it's not working as intended

The MZ feels and sounds old and not nearly as consistently smooth, idle and redline is where it's most apparent. It's not like a UZ vs UR situation where they removed counterweights and tried to compensate but offsetting cam timing bank to bank. Even then I bet if they removed the DI system it would be in favor of the UR since it's a more stable block and valve train setup.

 

Are you talking about the 30 year old 1.8L V6, or the theoretical small V6 with 30 years of development behind it? .. Actually, forget it, doesn't matter.

This thread does perfectly show exactly why an engine like this wouldn't work today, at least not in any entry level luxury sedan or small crossover. Apparently it's more important to not get passed by someone's grandma in her Prius, lol

 

Having too slow a car means you can't get to dictate where you are at on traffic, that's stressful and doesn't instill confidence and a sense of effortlessness luxury cars are intended to provide.

Ideally, you would feel like the king of the road while wrapped in comforts.

This does have me thinking though....I'm going to make a thread exploring the issue of needed power.

 

I think when I say "that engine" and there is a specific engine we are talking about its pretty clear what I mean.

Exactly. Its not about "ego power" its about comfortable and effortless driving. Power makes cars better, it just does. Cars that strain and are underpowered aren't comfortable to drive, its stressful pulling out to pass and not knowing if you're going to be able to complete the maneuver, or accelerating up a long onramp with your foot to the floor and the engine screaming in your ears. Once you have become accustomed to a more powerful car, going back to a slower car is painful. Driivng my Pacifica for instance in some situations, like passing and whenever you would need it to downshift is painful coming out of the S560. In that car its not the engine its the gearing, it does not want to downshift to complete an accelerator input.

That Avalon I just drove, great example of a car with plenty of power, but not too much, excellent gearing, just a joy to drive. Put a 4 cyl in that car and its suddenly nowhere near as enjoyable a car.

 

Oh bad trans tuning is nightmare whereas good tuning makes a very weak engine seem great most of the time and you never realize you are regularly using like 70-80% power. The 4 cyl version you speak of is the ES250 lol! Not exactly bad and it hides very well just how much power you have by trying to feel like it has reserves via trans tricks but if you actually ASK it doesn't deliver and needs to redline scream.

As you have said it's fun to redline a car when you are doing it for fun and intentionally, not when you NEED TO just to get where you want to get to in a normal timeframe/keeping with the flow.

 

If you are unsure if you are not gonna complete the pass or make the maneuver, then you should not attempt.