Take a look at the wards comments. They said "a hint of guffness" I really wouldn't take that too bad. PLUS that engine is saddled with pulling around a 4000+ vehcile....not a 3200lb one. I think that *may* make a difference. Even tho it makes more power the auto p-funk is slower than an auto maxima and therefore is under more load/stress. I would asssume that may hurt some of its smoothness under load. At any rate, the 3.5L is still a wonderful engine.