Test Drove both today - 3.8 and 2.0 - comments given

[Xavier6162]

I test drove a 3.8 Base auto and a 2.0T Auto Base today and I have a couple of comments.

I liked the 3.8. Although a little noisy (engine revving) it was a good fit. But it didn’t feel all that fast. Maybe because I didn’t floor it or try to do any hard driving. It just felt like any other V6 but with more engine noise and a firmer suspension...and the auto transmission seemed to be revving to fast and shifting faster than I’d like. Is this a trait of a 6 Auto Tanny? Never driven a 6 speed auto…I’m more use to 5 speed autos.

Speaking of the suspension…I did not think it was hard. It felt nice but I kept thinking that perhaps I’d like one a tad bit firmer. However, the passenger in the back seat complained of a bumpy ride. She is 5’2 and fit in the back seat nicely with lots of leg and head room to spare.

The only complaint I had was when I switched to manual (paddle shifter) mode. At first I tried to shift with the paddles and discovered that they were immovable. The actually shift point were buttons behind the steering wheel. Oops.

I’ve owned a sequential shifting sports car before and one aspect that I didn’t like about the 3.8 shifting was the ½ second delay between the button activation and the actual shift.

Next came the 2.0T just for sh!ts and grins. I found myself grinning more than sh!tting. The 2.0 is spunky (zippy) and very throttle responsive in low gearing. I know it’s not faster than the 3.8 but it shown nuff felt like it. It also felt lighter. I went to the dealer to possibly buy a Track 3.8 and ended up falling in love with the 2.0 instead. In fact I was having so much fun with it I forgot to test the paddle shifting transmission.

I can’t say that the 3.8 was a disappointment. It wasn’t. I liked it a lot. But the 2.0 had my heart fluttering after the test drive. It was more fun to drive. So I guess there is a trade off; Fast, Fun and Cheap. You can only pick two.

My next step is to Test drive a Track model in both engines and then make a decision. The dealer checked his inventory and was able to find several 3.8 Tracks in Southern California but only two 2.0T Tracks on hold in Northern California. But which way do I go, which way do I go, …fast, fun, cheap...which two traits do I pick?

 

[ConceptVBS]

Go with the 2.0 Track. Its cheaper than the track, lighter but yes its slower. But there is always the aftermarket(which seems to be catering towards the 2.0 more so than the 3.8 as of right now)

Besides, you cant go wrong with the BOV sound of a turbo engine. I'm biased though.

 

[Giostar]

thats not the BOV sound ur hearing in the stock 2.0, its the diverter valve. I installed a aftermarket BOV but in order to keep the CEL off u have to keep the diverter valve installed until u can remap the ECU. I'm running both at the sametime and its quite the sound lol.

Diverter valve for the low boost, then the BOV in full boost.

 

[VLDragon]

Yeah, I hate those paddle shifters. Who ever designed them should be fired.

 

[DeMAN]

I test the 3.8 and was pretty impressed. I do have a question though. Does the track, or touring ride any different than the base?

 

[mkaresh]

Track rides a bit firmer, but not by as much as some reviews suggest. IIRC, spring rates are up by 10% front, 8% rear. Or vice-versa.

I also found that the 2.0T handled MUCH better than the 3.8. As did others driving the car. I drove the cars at a media event, and Hyundai was not able to explain the difference. Supposedly the suspension tuning aims for a similar feel with both. Apparently the lighter weight of the four greatly aids steering feel and turn-in.