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Agreed. If you miss the 3.8ls, pick up one of the new 3.6l Malibus or Saturn Auras. The Aura is pretty big when you get up next to it and that engine is supposed to be great. I grew up with 3 3.8ls in the family and while they were decently-dependable, they sounded like someone poured a bag of marbles into the combustion chambers.Great if you were a kid and doing something you weren't supposed to. I could hear my mother driving home from a good 2 or 3 blocks away.
The series II and III 3800 V6's are generally a lot quieter and smoother than what you're referring to. I have a series II in my '00 Monte Carlo. It's quiet, smooth powerful engine and I enjoy driving it.
That being said, the 3.6L, especially with the new 6 speed trans is a DEFINITE step up. Anyone bemoaning the demise of the 3800 should drive anything with the new 3.6L. You won't miss the 3800 anymore, believe me.
Even the lowly old pushrod 3.5L is putting out more HP and torque now than the 3800 ever did. I've got one in my van and it's just as quiet and has just the same power as the 3800 in my Monte.