Is 157 hp and 163 pf of torque enough for a 3400 lb vehicle?

[exdeath]

For a 2600-2800 lb vehicle, like an older Camry or Corolla economy car, yes. For a 3400 lb vehicle, no. To put that into perspective, most cars with V6 and V8 engines with 260-400 HP are in the 3400-3600 lb range, so in the 100 hp range at that weight is pretty sad and will be extremely frustrating to drive when the rest of the world is whipping by you simply because they can.

 

[ponyo]

You'd think with fuel economy as low as the minivan has, it would have more than 157hp. The newest Honda Odyssey is rated 18/27/21 and it has 248hp/250tq.

That's why I wouldn't buy anything other than Odyssey or Sienna if I was looking for a minivan.

 

[CurseTheSky]

If you're the type that doesn't mind hanging out in the right lane and going with the flow it should be perfectly adequate. If you're like me (and presumably a number of other people here) and like to have enough power on tap to blow by that Lincoln Grand Marquis in front of you doing 10 under when you finally get a decent chance, it probably isn't a good idea.

 

[punjabiplaya]

mazdaspeed5

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q2/return_of_the_boss_wagon_mazdaspeed_5-project_car

 

[LTC8K6]

You'd think with fuel economy as low as the minivan has, it would have more than 157hp. The newest Honda Odyssey is rated 18/27/21 and it has 248hp/250tq.

The Honda is a 3 cylinder when cruising...

 

[jlee]

The Honda has superior tech...

Indeed.

 

[LTC8K6]

Indeed.

The Touring / Touring Elite Odyssey has a different trans and is 19/28/22...

 

[DesiPower]

mazdaspeed5

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q2/return_of_the_boss_wagon_mazdaspeed_5-project_car

LOL, nice!

 

[Jumpem]

It's not quick, but it's more then enough. My 3500 pound, 170hp, Outback has plenty of power. I generally never go more than half throttle.

 

[msmy300z]

It is a matter of perspective. If you had a minivan in 1985 157HP was absolutely unheard of and it would NEVER have been in a 4 banger! 0-60 should be around 9 seconds.... Not a fast car by any means but surely enough for hauling family around. It will probably handle better than any other minivan just don't drag race.

 

[LTC8K6]

A Dodge Caravan is going to blow you into the weeds and get close to the same economy...

 

[LTC8K6]

It is a matter of perspective. If you had a minivan in 1985 157HP was absolutely unheard of and it would NEVER have been in a 4 banger! 0-60 should be around 9 seconds.... Not a fast car by any means but surely enough for hauling family around. It will probably handle better than any other minivan just don't drag race.

The minivan had basically just come out in the US around then...

 

[LTC8K6]

It's not quick, but it's more then enough. My 3500 pound, 170hp, Outback has plenty of power. I generally never go more than half throttle.

Your Outback seems to be about a full second quicker to 60 than the Mazda...

 

[Jumpem]

Your Outback seems to be about a full second quicker to 60 than the Mazda...

I had a 109hp Fit before the Outback. It was noticeably slower, but I still never had any problems with it. I was still able to get up to speed and merge without issue.

 

[NAC]

IMO, it is more fun to drive an underpowered car hard than it is to drive a car with a lot of power lightly.

You wont be blasting down on ramps just for kicks, but I'm sure the 5 has enough power to do everything you need to do.

 

[LTC8K6]

I had a 109hp Fit before the Outback. It was noticeably slower, but I still never had any problems with it. I was still able to get up to speed and merge without issue.

A 109hp Fit is about 1,000 pounds lighter than your Outback...and I believe it's also a bit quicker than the Mazda.

 

[exdeath]

IMO, it is more fun to drive an underpowered car hard than it is to drive a car with a lot of power lightly.

No it isn't, unless you manage to avoid interaction with all other vehicles and drive alone.

Nothing sucks more than everyone pulling away from you at a light at what they think is a normal place, and some ghetto busted ass minivan pulling away from you in the lane next to you when your foot is to the floor taking it to redline, and everyone in behind trying to swerve around you because they see cars in front of you pulling away and think you're being a tard.

Ugh there is just nothing worse driving than not being able to maintain distance and keep your place in line, so then you end up being a sitting duck and everyone is "after" you no matter how fast you finally settle to.

I'd much rather be in a car where I can go 1/4 throttle to match acceleration with anyone else on the road with their foot to the floor. It's much more fun to be in a car capable of pulsing and coasting in 4th gear at 40 mph and still maintain 2 lengths behind the car in front of you and not feel helpless and left behind. Especially when there is someone next to you being a cock and matching your speed all the time so you can't get over, that's where the 4/4 throttle comes in.

And that's just in busy city traffic, nothing about the freeway and getting gunned down on merges and on ramps.

But people drive like competitive aggressive cocks around here, esp if they think/know they have a better car than you, so maybe it's just me and where I live

 

[LTC8K6]

Once the pack sees that you can't keep up, you've had it. You're like the limping wildebeest on the African plains with the pride of lions coming up behind...

 

[power_hour]

On the plus side at least when Granny passes you on the left you can wave Yeah they are pretty slow. Should keep your insurance rates down because you ain't gonna be speeding much. They are pretty roomy for a 4 seater but if you need more seats, cargo space will become an issue. That was a reason we settled for a Wagon instead.

 

[disappoint]

lmao at these last few posts. Better buy a gas guzzler now or you'll be EATEN! The other cars on the road will eat you! You know, chew chew chew swallow? They will EAT you! RUN!

 

[LTC8K6]

lmao at these last few posts. Better buy a gas guzzler now or you'll be EATEN! The other cars on the road will eat you! You know, chew chew chew swallow? They will EAT you! RUN!

No one suggested a gas guzzler, though...

The vehicles being pointed out as alternatives get similar or better fuel economy.

 

[DivideBYZero]

But people drive like competitive aggressive cocks around here, esp if they think/know they have a better car than you, so maybe it's just me and where I live

I'm going with this theory and may I suggest you have been drawn in to that game just a little as you have a very powerful car, so even when in your DD you still feel the need to give it beans?

I know this because when the wife had the Renault Clio (1.4lt, 102hp, 96ft/lb) I ragged that thing about like a loon, wondering where the other 240hp had gone. But I'll tell you this, that Clio was really fun to drive.

 

[exar333]

That's why I wouldn't buy anything other than Odyssey or Sienna if I was looking for a minivan.

Maybe because they cost 50% more than the Mazda5? The Odyssey and Sienna are rediculously overpriced IMHO. Plus, both of these cars weigh an extra 1000lbs over the Mazda5. Different cars folks...

If you want 0-60 performance, the Mazda5 is about 9.4sec and both Odyssey and Sienna are around 8.8. I really doubt you would notice a big difference. Plus, the Mazda5 is smaller, so that may be advantageous to some.

 

[LTC8K6]

Maybe because they cost 50% more than the Mazda5? The Odyssey and Sienna are rediculously overpriced IMHO. Plus, both of these cars weigh an extra 1000lbs over the Mazda5. Different cars folks...

If you want 0-60 performance, the Mazda5 is about 9.4sec and both Odyssey and Sienna are around 8.8. I really doubt you would notice a big difference. Plus, the Mazda5 is smaller, so that may be advantageous to some.

C & D tested the 2011 Odyssey Touring at 7.4 seconds...

The Odyssey performs impressively as well, with 60 mph coming in 7.4 seconds

 

[ponyo]

Maybe because they cost 50% more than the Mazda5? The Odyssey and Sienna are rediculously overpriced IMHO. Plus, both of these cars weigh an extra 1000lbs over the Mazda5. Different cars folks...

If you want 0-60 performance, the Mazda5 is about 9.4sec and both Odyssey and Sienna are around 8.8. I really doubt you would notice a big difference. Plus, the Mazda5 is smaller, so that may be advantageous to some.

Loading cars with options overprice many vehicles. I normally buy my cars with fewest options available. All I care is that it has the engine I want and long as it has A/C and heat, power windows & lock, and radio, that's all I care about. I know most people want fully optioned car or close to it. I'm the opposite.

I paid around $22k for my V6 Sienna. Little less for my V8 Tundra. If you option out both vehicles, you can hit close to $40k MSRP each.