I'll just say this ...

[MerlintheMad]

"Baby Stingers". Lol.

I will say this...

My dealer has cut back on selling Optimas with the 2.0T in favor of stocking more Baby Stingers. I think it's a wise move on his part.

 

[Kamauxx]

Sorry, been occupied and couldn't get back to the forum.

Yes, I drove the GT2 in Comfort mode, because 1. that's what I drive in almost all the time, 2. the car defaults to Comfort after each restart, so it is a pain to switch it every time, and 3. I don't like the way the transmission behaves in Sport ... it hangs on to lower gears and revs way too long ... kick it down to get around a truck and the car goes 4000rpm for the next mile. And if the car can't deliver in its "normal" mode it ain't set up right IMO.

And yes, I expected to get slapped around for posting this, but I do think the 2.0T is a very good option for a lot of people. Unfortunately, it gets overshadowed by the 3.3TT hype, and I think that's a shame. With this engine, the car isn't a race horse, but I regularly beat everyone else off the line at redlights, and scoot around fast enough to terrify most passengers. Lol.

As roads have gotten more and more congested everywhere, I've come to value low-end torque and engine flexibility to get through it. Higher-rpm power is fine in some situations, but when you seldom get over 45-50 on surface streets and 75-80 on the occasional freeway or road trip, bigger-displacement grunt isn't a big factor. It's taken me years to get to this point, but I've finally had to admit that smaller engines with boost are more usable for me than the big engines I loved as a kid. (And it's always fascinating to me to see that the old muscle cars - I had a few, like my bored 348 '61 Impala, my '67 GTO, and my Turbo Supra - wouldn't keep up with this little 2.0 turbo.)

I just thought it would be interesting for 3.3 owners who haven't driven a 2.0 to do so and comment. I know it would be hard to do that with an open mind, so I guess it's academic. After all, if you bought the car for the 3.3TT, you're not likely to view the 2.0T too fondly.

Mike, seems like you're taking us through your thought process on this as a therapeutic way of convincing yourself that you made the right choice (8 months ago).

Congrats on owning the model you like the best. You don't have to convince us that the 2.0t is the better choice. Just enjoy what you've got.

 

[turboAWD]

Sorry, been occupied and couldn't get back to the forum.

Yes, I drove the GT2 in Comfort mode, because 1. that's what I drive in almost all the time, 2. the car defaults to Comfort after each restart, so it is a pain to switch it every time, and 3. I don't like the way the transmission behaves in Sport ... it hangs on to lower gears and revs way too long ... kick it down to get around a truck and the car goes 4000rpm for the next mile. And if the car can't deliver in its "normal" mode it ain't set up right IMO.

Is that how the 2.0T behaves? Because you can't claim the 3.3TT behaves exactly the same based on one quick test drive. Pretty sure it's not AS bad as you claim, although I'm almost never in comfort - always sport / custom (sport with comfort suspension for me).

And yes, I expected to get slapped around for posting this, but I do think the 2.0T is a very good option for a lot of people. Unfortunately, it gets overshadowed by the 3.3TT hype, and I think that's a shame. With this engine, the car isn't a race horse, but I regularly beat everyone else off the line at redlights, and scoot around fast enough to terrify most passengers. Lol.

I don't think anyone would argue that the 2.0T is a BAD car. And my upgraded Legacy GT (2.5T) was fast enough to beat almost everyone off the line as well - but I'd never argue that it was almost as fast as the 3.3TT. Especially if I were to mod the 3.3TT.

However your "3.3TT is barely faster" claim is bupkus, IMHO. If you get on it, you'll see how much more grunt it has. On the other hand, since you drive around in grandma comfort mode all the time anyway, it's clear that speed / performance isn't your thing (anymore?), so the 2.0T is probably the best choice for you.. Maybe they'll come out with a 2.4 NA in 2021 for you

 

[SKStinger]

The 3.3 also “gets more hype” because it was released well before the 4 cylinder and most reviews are based on the launch model.

 

[Dennis]

The 2.0T is an awesome car and for sure it is adequate for 90% of us.. You do get pretty good performance but what is missing is the serenity and calmness of a bigger engine and the extra 2 cylinder adds on the creaminess missing in the 2 litre. For some the choice is not for the absolute power but for the ease of getting upto traffic speed with lower revs and that is only possible for a bigger capacity engine(minus mild hybrid or added battery assistance). Furthermore vehicle with more cylinder adds in more harmonics in a good way without the vibration. I have driven the 2.0 and own the 3.3. What I enjoyed in the 2 litre is the added nimbleness from the front end but imho the 3.3 walks the rest. No offence but it’s a sharing on my end.

 

[Shrikecorp]

The GT/GT1 shifter has manual gate. Does the 2.0L? Because that is the way to drive with instant response. There is no throttle mapping to drive modes using manual gate and the paddle shifters, or bumping/tugging the shifter. All the drive modes do then is adjust the suspension.

Torque with either engine is the biggest selling factor. And TX is right, in most driving situations the 2.0L is going to be more than enough to satisfy the need to seize the opportunity and maneuver.

It would have been cool had they provided an optional manual for the 2.0. Not for me so much, I have POWAH issues, but what a fun driver. My wife loves my car but isn't necessarily looking for the power, more interested in the general fun factor. That's a 2.0 customer waiting to happen... especially if it had a manual.

 

[Dodger Blue]

I have a GT2 RWD and it feels pretty tame until I realize I'm rocketing away from everyone at stop lights. The throttle mapping in Eco, and Comfort to a lesser extent, definitely has a lot to do with any perceived lag, but it's a fuel saving mode so I don't have a problem with it. It sure feels like it's got significantly more power than my old Altima SE-R (which had ~260hp/ 250lbft when I bought it, but also weighed about 400 pounds less...), very satisfying when I need to get around a slower car.

It's got less than 500 miles on it still so I haven't even tried it in Sport Mode, I want to break the car in more. It's been great even just rolling in Eco and Comfort, and I'm impressed with the highway mileage in those modes.

 

[turboAWD]

The GT/GT1 shifter has manual gate. Does the 2.0L? Because that is the way to drive with instant response. There is no throttle mapping to drive modes using manual gate and the paddle shifters, or bumping/tugging the shifter. All the drive modes do then is adjust the suspension.

Merlin - are you saying that in "comfort", if I hit the paddle shifter, the throttle automatically gets remapped to Sport mode? That's not my experience.. You still have to pick sport mode to get sport-mapped throttle tables..

It's always interesting to me in the morning when I start, if I forget to switch to Sport, and have the throttle maybe 10-15% depressed, and then switch to sport, the car jumps ahead, because 10-15% of sport is way more than 10-15% of comfort...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Merlin - are you saying that in "comfort", if I hit the paddle shifter, the throttle automatically gets remapped to Sport mode? That's not my experience.. You still have to pick sport mode to get sport-mapped throttle tables..

It's always interesting to me in the morning when I start, if I forget to switch to Sport, and have the throttle maybe 10-15% depressed, and then switch to sport, the car jumps ahead, because 10-15% of sport is way more than 10-15% of comfort...

Difficult to say, for me: because I am always driving in Sport mode. But also I almost never am in auto, but the shifter is in manual gate and I am using the paddles. However, this was not always the case. Last year for c. half plus of the year, I used Custom, with the engine on Comfort (I even tried Eco) and everything else Sport: and I felt like manual shifting produced the same response off the line or accelerating to pass, etc.

Right now, I am convinced that when you are in manual gate with the GT/GT1, the engine is optimized. If you just use "D" and suddenly downshift with the paddle and punch it, I don't know: but I think if you do that there is little to no difference; Comfort/Eco will be temporarily sidelined for "Sport" like engine performance.

The kick down switch can play into this. Last year I never engaged the kickdown even once. This year I've done it a number of times (during my extremely brief "racing career", which I have since sworn off from! ); and the kickdown will bypass even the manual gate: doing all the upshifting for you. Definitely, no Comfort/Eco selection is going to override that either!

 

[Mike_TX]

Mike, seems like you're taking us through your thought process on this as a therapeutic way of convincing yourself that you made the right choice (8 months ago).

Congrats on owning the model you like the best. You don't have to convince us that the 2.0t is the better choice. Just enjoy what you've got.

Lol. No, I don't need to convince myself I made the right choice. I was just trying to defend the 2.0 a little, since many seem to sneer at it.

Both cars are Stingers, and our driving needs and driving styles differ. And I don't think the 2.0 gets as much respect as it deserves. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Mike_TX]

Is that how the 2.0T behaves? Because you can't claim the 3.3TT behaves exactly the same based on one quick test drive. Pretty sure it's not AS bad as you claim, although I'm almost never in comfort - always sport / custom (sport with comfort suspension for me).



I don't think anyone would argue that the 2.0T is a BAD car. And my upgraded Legacy GT (2.5T) was fast enough to beat almost everyone off the line as well - but I'd never argue that it was almost as fast as the 3.3TT. Especially if I were to mod the 3.3TT.

However your "3.3TT is barely faster" claim is bupkus, IMHO. If you get on it, you'll see how much more grunt it has. On the other hand, since you drive around in grandma comfort mode all the time anyway, it's clear that speed / performance isn't your thing (anymore?), so the 2.0T is probably the best choice for you.. Maybe they'll come out with a 2.4 NA in 2021 for you

Did I say the 3.3 is barely faster? If I did, I retract it, because the 3.3 is certainly faster and quicker. Never meant to imply that.

 

[Mike_TX]

Merlin - Yes, the Premium 2.0 does have the manual shift gate and paddle shifters.

If you use the paddle shifters only, the trans will revert to D after it senses you no longer need it. If the shift gate is over in Manual mode, though, the trans will hold the gear until you shift via the paddles or the shifter. The exception is that it does downshift as you slow.

I'm sure yours operates the same way.

 

[turboAWD]

Did I say the 3.3 is barely faster? If I did, I retract it, because the 3.3 is certainly faster and quicker. Never meant to imply that.

That question was about the "hangs on to gears too long / revs high for a mile after a kickdown" - I don't think my 3.3 does that.

For what I call "normal everyday" driving, the 2.0T seems to spool up faster and has the low-end torque needed for everyday maneuvering on the roads. There is less turbo lag than the 3.3 and it seems more responsive to smaller throttle inputs. In those conditions, the 2.0 seems a little more lively to me.

and the part about "I expected more from a 4.7 second car" could be taken as you saying there's not much to differentiate the 2.0 from the 3.3.

I guess the 3.3's power is deceptive, when you feel your (clearly slower) Lexus was quicker..

 

[Aurelian]

They can't give them away in Canada , dealers arent carrying much spec stock of them either , I've never seen one on the road ................good to hear that they are delivering good performance ............

Driving 11k miles around NJ since last December... out of ~10 Stinger sightings, definitely more than half were 2.0T.

Personally I like the appearance of the 2.0T wheels, they give off more of a luxury sedan vibe (maybe that's the point). I've even toyed with getting a set to switch up the look of my 3.3T once in a while...

 

[SKStinger]

and the part about "I expected more from a 4.7 second car" could be taken as you saying there's not much to differentiate the 2.0 from the 3.3.

I guess the 3.3's power is deceptive, when you feel your (clearly slower) Lexus was quicker..

It is most definitely deceptive. Especially on a stock 3.3 Stinger as you hear basically nothing. The exhaust note is muted and the stock airboxes provide little in the way of noise. It is common to associate sound with speed so the Lexus may have had more grunt that was associated with speed.

The video in this thread is a good example of the above:

Street racing !

 

[MerlintheMad]

It is most definitely deceptive. Especially on a stock 3.3 Stinger as you hear basically nothing. The exhaust note is muted and the stock airboxes provide little in the way of noise. It is common to associate sound with speed so the Lexus may have had more grunt that was associated with speed.

The video in this thread is a good example of the above:

Street racing !

Sound equals speed/power. (laughing at myself, my former self): When my then-teenaged son (16, how classic) got his first car (a mostly used up Challenger, iirc: I was in no way a car guy at the time), and we were driving it home, I remarked on the "growl" of the muscle car's engine. We could even feel that "growl". Turned out it was oversized tires rubbing the outside tread on … something. Ha, hah. Sort of reminded me (after the fact) of when I was a kid and we'd attach playing cards to our front forks of our bicycles to make rapid "whappity" sounds in the spokes, thus simulating an "engine noise" (and loosening our spokes at the same time).

 

[Silverfox]

Lol. No, I don't need to convince myself I made the right choice. I was just trying to defend the 2.0 a little, since many seem to sneer at it.

I’ve never read anything that appears to sneer at the 2.0. I chose it because I don’t need the extra power of the 3.3 or the extra running costs. The 2.0 suits me just fine. each to his own.

 

[Kamauxx]

I’ve never read anything that appears to sneer at the 2.0. I chose it because I don’t need the extra power of the 3.3 or the extra running costs. The 2.0 suits me just fine. each to his own.

I don't recall seeing anyone being negative toward 2.0ts either.

I think Mike may feel that way because the 3.3tt gets so much more attention than the 2.0t. So perhaps to the lack of attention=lack of respect?

 

[SteveCo]

The 2L sounds like it's been a good and responsive engine, makes for a lighter car, and definitely wins on the fuel consumption - depends what is important to each purchaser.

It's funny, that level of power would have been considered high end output, not very many years ago ...

 

[eflyguy]

I think Mike may feel that way because the 3.3tt gets so much more attention than the 2.0t. So perhaps to the lack of attention=lack of respect?

This site has a lot of "enthusiasts", and many of those like to modify/upgrade their vehicles to improve performance, so I would expect the majority of members bought the 3.3 as it appeals more to that group. It's not surprising to me that it gets more attention.

Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the 2.0.