Ohmygod

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
09/24/2014 at 21:15 Х Filed to: None

The lack of off the line torque in my girlfriend's Taurus physically pains me.

It only has 185 ft-lbs of torque max in the first place, and that comes in at almost 4000 RPM. I swear got beaten off the line by a Cavalier earlier.

It isn't bad once on the highway, which I really think it the Taurus' expertise. Miles and miles of comfortable highway cruising.

Also, I didn't know there was an OHV and DOHC version of the 3.0L V6. I always thought it was just DOHC. Shame that it isn't though because that engine makes 200 horsepower and 200 ft-lbs of torque.

Oh, and her friend's mom left this lovely little dent in her bumper last weekend.

Yukon vs. Taurus. Yukon came out without a scratch. Needless to say, friend's mom is paying to repair it. The bumper, fender, and tail light.

We also learned there's a different brand of tires on the front and back. Fronts are Goodyears, backs are some brand I've never ever heard of and forgot.

DISCUSSION (21)

Trunk Impaired 318 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:18

185 lb-ft is significantly more than two of my three carsЕЕ.and the third only has 175ish

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:19

Vulcan engines suck (my last Sable had one). The DOHC is the duratec, the OHV is the vulcan. My DOHC is MILES better than the OHV.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
09/24/2014 at 21:21

The Vulcan makes some sweet, sweet noises though. Like damn it sounds really good.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:22

Oh really? (This is my car in the video)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Trunk Impaired 318
09/24/2014 at 21:22

Maybe I'm just spoiled for torque in my cars.

One has 248 that comes in fully a 2100 RPM

The other has 260 that comes in fully at 3100 RPM

And I'm not even sure about the third. Over 300 at under 3000 RPM probably.

gmctavish needs more space > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:23

My dad has a taurus with the Vulcan....definitely not fast, but the engine is the only part of the poor thing that doesn't break on a routine basis. And it does make some surprisingly good sounds

Trunk Impaired 318 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:24

Granted mine are all rather rev happy engines and don't weigh too much but I never feel like Im severely lacking in torque, theres only one where I think I really need more.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
09/24/2014 at 21:25

Damn, that sounds better.

Why do these beigemobiles have such good sounding motors!?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > gmctavish needs more space
09/24/2014 at 21:26

Oh yes, it sounds really sweet. Like I wouldn't never expect those noises from a Taurus.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:27

Kinja'd!!!

I like these plastic bumper dents more than I should

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:28

Not sure! I love the intake sound track in my Sable though.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:28

Vulcans do sound terrific. Which is good because it needs to make some noise to get going.

Although, you think it's bad in a Taurus, try it in a Ranger.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
09/24/2014 at 21:30

Oh that sounds even worse.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:32

It's not fun. Especially since mine is 4x4, Supercab, Auto, with 4.10 gears. The absolute worst setup ever. And yes, the gearing is factory, although I don't know why it was made that way. It can take days to hit 60. And don't even talk about hills.

Egoods > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:33

My spare car is a 09 Charger AWD with the 3.5L V6 "High Output", if by "high output" they mean "terribly underpowered for the vehicle/drivetrain" then DING DING DING spot on! This is why it's relegated to constant use/abuse from random friends and family when they're in need of a car short-term.

Between the wheezy motor that you have to rev the piss out of and the god-awful 4 speed (well, 3 and an overdrive) transmission and you've got a car that barely gets out of its own way.

Compare that with my daily driver, a 2014 Charger R/T Max AWD and there couldn't possibly be two more different vehicle that go by the same name, I was in Chicago last weekend and at one point was in a situation where I needed to put a car-length between myself and the cab next to me (I knew he wasn't going to let me in easily)... I had him by two by the time we were through the intersection. Oh, and did I mention the R/T also gets better gas mileage? Yeah there's that too...

I have a theory that, in capable hands, a more powerful car is significantly safer then an under-powered one. Mistakes happen, but one gives you another optional "out" of a situation, say for instance I mis-judge traffics speed when pulling out of a side street and realize I need to get the hell out of the way, lil tap of the go-pedal and I'm wherever I need to be. Obviously, in the hands of someone that isn't capable/comfortable enough to handle that it can present some serious issues.

Anywho, moral of the story, underpowered cars suck, and frankly I'm uncomfortable in them. MOAR POWER.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
09/24/2014 at 21:35

Oh boy. That's actually sounds truly dreadful.

dogisbadob > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:35

185 tq is MORE than adequate. Shit, even an EK Civic with 103 lb-ft (doesn't even have VTEC!) is perfectly fine for any driving that is legal on US public roads. The D16Y7 makes 103tq@4600rpm.

My car has 203tq@4400 and it is quite a lot.

Shit, I've driven a V8 Firebird with 255tq@2400 and it was just excessive and totally not usable outside Germany. Was the 3rd-gen F-body even sold in Europe? You could probably get along just fine without ever exceeding 1000 rpm.

The Vulcan is silly, but at least it sounds good. But they probably should've just used the Zetec.

gmctavish needs more space > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/24/2014 at 21:36

I spent a lot of time driving my dads while my various cars were not drivable, and for a time it was leaking a fair amount of exhaust from the flex pipe, had a good burble going on at idle.....it was a lot of fun to have people wondering what the hell a Taurus was doing sounding like that haha

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Egoods
09/24/2014 at 21:37

It's funny, her mom has an '09 Avenger with that same 3.5 motor and it's actually not half bad. Then again, it also has two more gears to manage everything.

I'd call my Safari underpower (200 horsepower, 260 torques, 6,000 pounds) but the Taurus actually feels slower. And I even have a shitty GM 4-speed to deal with.

Tapas > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/25/2014 at 11:15

Borrow a heat gun, pop that dent out :)

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
09/25/2014 at 13:07

It can be. But I still love the thing.