TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - Honda Variable Cylinder Management engines

bandman · 01-17-2005, 10:27 PM

I have noticed that many of the people on this board are as detailed oriented as I am, in fact, some of you appear to me to be a little extreme compared to me when it comes to details. It is for this reason that I’m asking for your advice concerning a vehicle I’m considering buying this month.

Honda and Toyota are in my opinion the Yamaha Trumpet of the automobile industry. Whereas it can be argued that they are not the very best, they are very consistent, and they make wonderful vehicles (That sounds like a Yamaha Trumpet to me!!!) I will admit that I’m a minivan guy because they are so practical. I currently drive a Toyota Sienna (which has been amazing) but I’m leaning toward the Honda Odyssey.

My question is concerning the Honda Variable Cylinder Management 255-hp, 3.5 Liter, 24-valve, SOHC I-VTEC V-6 Engine. The concept as I understand it is that the rear 3 cylinders of the engine cut in and out automatically depending on the demands placed on the engine by the driver. This means you have 3-cylinders in use when you are cruising down the interstate, using less fuel than a normal 6-cylinder engine. All 6-cylinders cut in when you are climbing a hill, accelerating, or while driving in a city.

I love the concept of the engine, and I really love the idea of getting 28-MPG in a van while on the road. Most of my highway driving is between Louisiana and Texas or Louisiana and Florida – that means long straight flat roads! I would probably use the 3-cylinder mode on the engine pretty much!

My question for you is does anyone have experience owning or working on one of these Variable Cylinder Management Engines? They sound great, but they also sound like they could be a potentially expensive engine to work on because it will probably take a special mechanic to fix any problems I might have.

By the way, Cadillac apparently over produced the SRX version of their SUV line for 2004. I drove one today and it is fantastic, but it just does not meet the needs I have right now. My family is at the point where I’m carrying friends of my daughter around. A 6-7 passenger van is important to us at this time and the SRX just doesn’t carry that many kids. The SRX stickers for about $54,000 and they are going off the lot at about $34,000 right now (with discount and rebates). If you want a fantastic mid-size SUV, and you have $34,000 to put into a new car, you might want to make a trip to your Cadillac dealer this week!

01-17-2005, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
bandman Forte User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lafayette, LA, USA Posts: 1,040	Honda Variable Cylinder Management engines I have noticed that many of the people on this board are as detailed oriented as I am, in fact, some of you appear to me to be a little extreme compared to me when it comes to details. It is for this reason that I’m asking for your advice concerning a vehicle I’m considering buying this month. Honda and Toyota are in my opinion the Yamaha Trumpet of the automobile industry. Whereas it can be argued that they are not the very best, they are very consistent, and they make wonderful vehicles (That sounds like a Yamaha Trumpet to me!!!) I will admit that I’m a minivan guy because they are so practical. I currently drive a Toyota Sienna (which has been amazing) but I’m leaning toward the Honda Odyssey. My question is concerning the Honda Variable Cylinder Management 255-hp, 3.5 Liter, 24-valve, SOHC I-VTEC V-6 Engine. The concept as I understand it is that the rear 3 cylinders of the engine cut in and out automatically depending on the demands placed on the engine by the driver. This means you have 3-cylinders in use when you are cruising down the interstate, using less fuel than a normal 6-cylinder engine. All 6-cylinders cut in when you are climbing a hill, accelerating, or while driving in a city. I love the concept of the engine, and I really love the idea of getting 28-MPG in a van while on the road. Most of my highway driving is between Louisiana and Texas or Louisiana and Florida – that means long straight flat roads! I would probably use the 3-cylinder mode on the engine pretty much! My question for you is does anyone have experience owning or working on one of these Variable Cylinder Management Engines? They sound great, but they also sound like they could be a potentially expensive engine to work on because it will probably take a special mechanic to fix any problems I might have. By the way, Cadillac apparently over produced the SRX version of their SUV line for 2004. I drove one today and it is fantastic, but it just does not meet the needs I have right now. My family is at the point where I’m carrying friends of my daughter around. A 6-7 passenger van is important to us at this time and the SRX just doesn’t carry that many kids. The SRX stickers for about $54,000 and they are going off the lot at about $34,000 right now (with discount and rebates). If you want a fantastic mid-size SUV, and you have $34,000 to put into a new car, you might want to make a trip to your Cadillac dealer this week! __________________