So...What's the point of the V6?

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
02/23/2016 at 17:18 • Filed to: None

I’m doing some more research into the OG Mazda6 since they’ve caught my interest so much. Out of curiosity I looked up the 0-60 of the 2.3L I4 and the 3.0 V6 since I am a child and take that into consideration in purchasing something.

The 2.3L Mazda6 does 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, the 3.0L does it in 6.3.

That’s such a small gap, what’s even the point of the V6? It just seems like spending more on gas and extra weight for a whole lotta nothing.

On top of that, I found an I4 6 of the same year with way fewer miles for less than the cost of the Cherry red one.

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DISCUSSION (48)

EmbraceTheRasp > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:22

Check the torque curves. You'll see why you want the 6.

HammerheadFistpunch > EmbraceTheRasp
02/23/2016 at 17:24

bingo. Average power, not peak.

bryan40oop > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:24

v6 has more torque. Americans weren’t buying into the 4cyl thing at the time. Same with the escapes/fusions of those years. That being said there isn’t a huge performance difference.

If you wanna see something really odd...

Kinja'd!!!

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Logansteno: Bought a VW? > bryan40oop
02/23/2016 at 17:26

Oh 90s GM, never change.

Bytemite > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:26

Wow Mazda6 are fast.

I would go for the 2.3 I4, since V6s are usually a lot heavier compared to I4 and thirstier. You would get more low rpm power, like some have argued but if you have a manual transmission, or even a shiftronic auto, peak hp is all that matters.

Wacko > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:28

I’m also guessing that the v6 will have better mpgs on the highway. Also quicker passes.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Bytemite
02/23/2016 at 17:29

I was genuinely surprised at the sub 7 second 0-60 for the 4 cylinder.

That’s my exact thought, if I’m rowing my own, I can just shove the engine up into peak power whenever I want/need to.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:34

The 2.3L is a good motor too. For some reason I thought ( I could be wrong) that the V6 is a ford motor.

Party-vi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:34

You really think a decade-old 6 is still going to pull 6.9s to 60mph? I would get the V6 and not spend the next few years kicking yourself for not getting more power.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/23/2016 at 17:36

They’re both slightly worked over Duratec motors, I think.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:36

I have a V6 and it sucks.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Party-vi
02/23/2016 at 17:40

Even if it’s doing it in low 7s at this point that still isn’t bad. Despite me having a car that does 0-60 in 6 seconds on a bad day, I thought a 2.4L Malibu with an 8.2 0-60 was more than adequate.

V6 or Bust > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:41

The V6 is a Duratec. The I4 was designed by Mazda.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:43

Wikipedia strikes again, I was pretty sure that the 2.3 was a mazda engine. My mom’s 1991 MX-6 had a 3-valve 2.3L motor. It was a very fine engine.

“Drivetrain combinations include the Mazda MZR engine in configurations of 1.8 L ( L8-DE ), 2.0 L ( LF-VE ) and 2.3 L ( L3-VE ), initially with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the “Four-Speed Sport AT”). In the US domestic market a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine is also available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic (with sequential-automatic option, dubbed the “5-Speed Sport AT”). European and Australian versions also feature a four-cylinder turbodiesel that comes with a six-speed manual transmission and produces significantly more torque than the V6, with much improved fuel economy.”

Slant6 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:44

Not to mention v6s sound like they’re suffering. I hate the noise my vulcan makes. Sounds like an industrial fan more than an engine.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/23/2016 at 17:44

Turns out the 2.3 is a Mazda motor. I think the Gen1 Fusion using it is what made me think it was a Ford design.

V6 or Bust > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:45

The I4 is the better choice. The V6 has huge reliability problems, weighs a lot more, gets terrible mileage, and handles worse. I have a V6, and, despite my username, I would switch it for the 2.3 in a heartbeat if I could.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Slant6
02/23/2016 at 17:45

The Vulcan’s sound was one of my favorite things about my ex’s Taurus. It seemed oddly raspy for how terrible it is.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Party-vi
02/23/2016 at 17:47

The V6 is a Ford Engine.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:49

The dip stick on my Mazda3 says FoMoCo. It is a very unreliable dip stick. Fortunately the 2.0L MZR motor doesn’t use any oil.

Slant6 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:50

Maybe there’s just something wrong with mine.

Oh well. It’s just a Ranger, something that’s meant to be beat to hell.

Really for what I paid for it I can blow up the engine, replace it, sell it, and still make money on it.

RazoE > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 17:57

I hate V6's and everything about them. 4 cyls are catching up in power, V8s sound better. They’re too hard to change the spark plugs in a traverse config, and an I6 is superior for a longitudinal config. That said, I lust after Typhoons/Syclones and GNs

Party-vi > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/23/2016 at 18:04

That is an accurate statement.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:14

I don’t see the point either, yeah more power is cool and all, but do you REALLY need extra power? Probably not since you’re getting a manual transmission model.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:20

Half a second can make a huge impact. Also, the 3.0 duratec is a pretty awesome motor. I have one on my Milan. Someone made a comment about the Vulcan V6, they are polar opposite motors.

The 3.0 Duratec actually sounds pretty damn good too

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:22

The 3 litre in the old Sable sounded nice. It sounded meaty and maybe even a little agressive. Had nothing on the SHO, loud shouty thing it is.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:25

IIRC, they were that quick due to gearing, so they weren’t that great on fuel.

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:47

Told you the 2.3 is better. It's a great motor. Just keep on top of oil changes and use good oil. Voila, it'll run forever.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mazda616
02/23/2016 at 18:53

This isn’t the anemic 4 cylinder lump I’m used to seeing in most early 2000s cars.

TahoeSTi > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 18:57

Look at 30-60mph acceleration times, I would guess that on the freeway the v6 will have more pull with out flooring it. There is a lot to be said for good low - mid range power. Most people focus on peak numbers but really it’s the area under the power curve that makes a car feel quick most of the time.

jariten1781 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 19:12

Torques yo. Peaky power band on the 4 is why they didn’t even put it in the wagon for the US. Driven them both extensively, v6 is better behaved all around. Well except fuel consumption...it’s relatively thirsty. The I4 ain’t horrible though.

mazda616 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 19:24

Nope. I had that motor in my 3 and it was great. Here’s my friend Tiffany’s ‘04 6 with the 2.3 5-speed:

Kinja'd!!!

Original engine and transmission. The only things aside from normal maintenance she has had to fix are the steering rack (it started to feel loose - nothing failed) and a couple clutches.

Once she gets the headlights restored, it’ll be really hard to tell this car’s age.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 19:41

I think you’ll get better longevity out of a V6. I’m of the mindset that smaller engines have to work harder to move the same lump of metal around, and therefore cause more wear and tear on most internal components.

Saracen > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 19:43

The point is get someone to spend more money for the car, using the promise of more performance.

64Mali > mazda616
02/23/2016 at 19:44

I see that car on the Mazda 6 FB page all the time.

mazda616 > 64Mali
02/23/2016 at 19:46

Yeah, it’s gotten kind of famous. I’ve ridden in it and it is a solid, quick, excellent handling car. Doesn’t feel like it has 350k at all. And she has a Borla exhaust on it which sounds amazing.

64Mali > mazda616
02/23/2016 at 19:49

I had a v6 in that same color, had MagnaFlow s on it. I sold it after the engine blew to my friend. He had the shop drop a v6 from a fusion in. Those 4 cylinder will go forever torque less but reliable

swansong, rockin' the wagons > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 21:02

The 2.3 is a great match for the 3, it’s arguably zippy even. Great torque curve, yet still likes to rev, and returns about 29mpg. The 6 is surprisingly light for its class, so I bet it works well there as well.

Oh, and drive up to Wisconsin and buy my 3: http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/5452981081…

Scott > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 21:25

My first new car, I made the mistake of going with the I4 that had a 5mph higher top speed and .2sec faster 0-60 time. I wish I had gone with the V6. The I4 was always screaming, and resulted in me feeling a lot more tired after a long trip. The V6 was quieter because it did not have to work so hard to move the car. I was young and foolish and thought I needed that imperceptible difference in speed.

GMart > EmbraceTheRasp
02/23/2016 at 21:35

Completely. I daily drive a V6 manual 6 sedan, and it’s got a great full-band power curve. I couldn't imagine being as happy with the 2.3L. Fuel economy is junky, but heck, gas is cheap right now!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 22:38

Plenty of cars have smaller gaps than that for the 0-60 times. Look at the S65/S63 or SL65/SL63.

wafflesnfalafel > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/23/2016 at 23:28

I love the 2.3 MZR in my 09 5dr 3. No issues at all, likes to rev, enough zip to be fun. It’s not super torquey below 2500 rpm, (not as good as the Nissan 2.5, but better than Accords I have driven.) One kind of quirky thing about it - mine does not like to be cold. Using a synthetic oil does noticeably help, but it’s usually a couple minutes before it really “wakes up” in the morning.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/24/2016 at 06:15

The MZR and the Duratec (the larger Duratecs anyway, Ford splashed the Duratec name over a whole host of unrelated engines) are pretty much the same engine. Not certain if it was developed jointly, or developed by one manufacturer and used by the other. Either way they're jointly used engines.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > mazda616
02/24/2016 at 06:18

That’s pretty quick for a little 4-cylinder.

Because of how biased the 0-60 stat is I tend to dig a bit deeper when comparing cars. I like to find 0-60 and 0-100 and then combine the two to find 60-100 (which is where meatier engines tend to shine more). Plus, it's a less touted figure so you shouldn't get as much futzing with gear ratios to make it just get to 60 in second to lop off 0.5s from the time despite actually being no quicker...

nerd_racing > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/24/2016 at 10:30

the Duratec V6 was an amazing engine, just make sure you swap out aftermarket cats asap, apparently when the screens breakdown they get eaten by the engine and grenade it.

nerd_racing > Slant6
02/24/2016 at 10:31

this is nothing like a vulcan... duratec engine. Same one they use in the noble supercars.

Slant6 > nerd_racing
02/24/2016 at 11:18

Never said it was a Vulcan.

nerd_racing > Slant6
02/24/2016 at 13:28

meant to be a reply to the other guy talking about his ex’s taurus. I have an ex who had a vulcan taurus. that thing was nothing but problems.