You're missing the whole point of VVTLi and VTEC...
The idea is to have a normal well-behaved engine below 6000RPM and then a suprising slap in the face of torque and power after 6000RPM.
There is a normal/economy camshaft that makes your engine behave like a normal Corolla until around 5200RPM, then oil pressure builds and the engine engages the performance camshaft which is much more agressive and opens the valves wider and for longer periods of time. Hitting the high-cam is not ripping the guts out of it, it's designed to do that, and you aren't making excessive noise or pollution because the car has passed all ADR's so you are not a hoon either.
If you want a lump of torque under 5000RPM like a V8, then buy a V8. If you want instant usable power between 2000 and 6000RPM then buy a turbo car. But if you want a car with 2 engines in 1, great fuel economy and a bit of fun whenever you want it, then stick with the VVTLi and don't whinge!
instant usable power... turbo... should they be in the same sentence? maybe you should have said supercharged...
its great and all to have lift and that extra kick.. but I don't see the point of having it kick in at 6000rpm... who revs the guts out of their stivos in every day driving? i know some people are lead foots and like to guzzle the fuel but in my sc rolla now and then i'll redline which is all good, i just think 6k is too high IMO
6k is an everyday achievable target to me really. Once you get used to a close ratio box and the gear ranges, everything else comes naturally.
If I want to go fast, I throw it back a gear or two, tap the gas, clutch out and go for it. The gearboxes have always handled it fine (bar a few cases, which were just pure abuse). The key is keeping it above 6k when you shift, and to be honest, it's not as painful as it sounds.