Why do automotive journalists hate on turbos?

[superboost]

Every car magazine I've read, or majority of them all seem to be populated by journalists who make such odd comments about forced induction vehicles. They chide turbo cars about the lag (which can be annoying at times), the rubber-band power delivery, the turbo whooshing noise, the blow off valve sound and wastegate chatter. They talk about these traits like they are bad things, then the auto makers do their best to hide the turbo attributes in their cars.

These are precisely the things I *like* about turbo cars. Maybe its because I've been spoiled by boost these past 6 years, but I LOVE the whooshing, surging, noise you get from the turbo. The wastegate chatter and the dumping of a wastegate. NA cars almost seems boring in comparison. I've even grown to enjoy the rubber-band acceleration and burst of torque. Meh, just a tiny rant, but anyone else notice the turbo hate in car magazines?

[Humphrizzle]

all motor is constant, non lagging power that you dont have to wait for, better torque specs, better throttle response, better engine sound (my preference), and overall, a more reliable motor.

I do not think turbos are lame, i'm just stating my opinion.

[13Bracer]

all motor is constant, non lagging power that you dont have to wait for, better torque specs, better throttle response, better engine sound (my preference), and overall, a more reliable motor.

I do not think turbos are lame, i'm just stating my opinion.

[superboost]

I find all motor fairly boring. I love the sound you get from a boosted powerplant, and with the proper setup, you don't have to wait on power. ALso, torque and horsepower will always be greater with a turbo car, though not quite as linear. Just wondering why journalists give such a skewed opinion. I love my turbo and all the noises it makes. Wouldn't trade it for the world (well maybe for a bigger one)


and not to be rude, but give me a call when your 1.8, 2.0 or 2.2l all motor honda belts out 300+ft/lbs of torque at the wheels.

I'll wait.

[JITB]

You have to remember most cars arent made for the "tuner" crowd they are made to reach out to as many different types of people as possible. All the complaints listed in the OP,can be annoying to a person just looking for a regular car to drive. Older turbo cars wouldnt really have alot of these symptoms.

i saw a 40-50 year old lady in a solstice GXP, burnin the clutch up and vroooooom psh vrooooom psh from stop light to stop light...

But, they arent all bad performance wise, but i really dont see the point of a turbo charged motor in a base model car for anything. So i guess i kind of agree, with the editors...lol. When i see or hear of a factory turbo car, first thing i think about reliabilty, and the headaches with repair when something breaks..and the added PITA from the FI setup. There has only been a few cars that have been really built for the FI that comes with it in the past..

[Humphrizzle]

i think turbos sound freakin awesome..

i just wouldn't expect an auto reviewer to say they are great daily drivers.

whooosh whooosh whooosh whooosh isnt what i'd like to hear every time i shift in traffic.

[Elbow]

All motor > turbo both sound and everything else

[Nerdsrock22]

there were some STI drivers at Mercer who put ridiculous blow-off valves and were whooshing every 2 seconds around the parking lot. Very FTL.

















cause i was jealous

[Motivation]

i think turbos sound freakin awesome..

i just wouldn't expect an auto reviewer to say they are great daily drivers.

whooosh whooosh whooosh whooosh isnt what i'd like to hear every time i shift in traffic.

turn the radio up then. lol.


I personally like the sound of a turbo. Makes it sound more aggresive IMO. but I understand both sides of the arguement. I guess it just whatever the person driving it is in to..

[13Bracer]

i think turbos sound freakin awesome..

i just wouldn't expect an auto reviewer to say they are great daily drivers.

whooosh whooosh whooosh whooosh isnt what i'd like to hear every time i shift in traffic.

hey now my car is a perfect daily driver..........

[superboost]

hey now my car is a perfect daily driver..........

says the man with the rx-7 :P


Seriously, I've been daily driving a turbo car for 6 years and love it. I have an NA car as a backup, but it is pretty reliable, and I love the vroom-vroom psshhh noise. NA is boring.

[13Bracer]

says the man with the rx-7 :P


Seriously, I've been daily driving a turbo car for 6 years and love it. I have an NA car as a backup, but it is pretty reliable, and I love the vroom-vroom psshhh noise. NA is boring.

hahahha yeah i know..
but i wish it was...lol

[d_day87]

whooosh whooosh whooosh whooosh isnt what i'd like to hear every time i shift in traffic.

just don't dog the hell out of it in traffic. my cars boosted, i like it, and it doesn't make a lot of ruckus. and i also like alot of boosted cars i've driven. although i don't like an overly loud bov, but i do like the sound of the wastegate dumpin' out.

[OneSlow5pt0]

id deff rather have all motor

but high end turbo like Benz and Porsche are useally praised

[MistaCee]

i think turbos sound freakin awesome..

i just wouldn't expect an auto reviewer to say they are great daily drivers.

whooosh whooosh whooosh whooosh isnt what i'd like to hear every time i shift in traffic.

Are you serious? Thats like heaven.

[2turbo4u]

I love turbo charged cars, because it's easier to increse the power when you get tired of you slow car that you have.