[icspots]

[quote author=hate_romania link=topic=142245.msg3116541#msg3116541 date=1242073252]
on my 2010 at 60 miles the engine is at 2500 rpm and at 75 miles is at 3200 in 6th gear
[/quote][quote author=cali_axela link=topic=142245.msg3117041#msg3117041 date=1242086786]
^ Really? Only 75mph @ 3200 in 6th? That's not much lower (if at all) than the previous-gen 5-speed turns at around that speed in 5th... weird.
[/quote]

Yeah that's sort of depressing. My inlaw's 6-speed Accord drops to nearly 2500 rpms in 6th gear at 75 mph.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=KrisZ link=topic=142245.msg3188392#msg3188392 date=1245522467]
Why is everybody thinking that having 6th gear will lower rpm?

It doesn't matter how many gears you have, the final gear is determined by the engineers based on engine torque curve, car weight and of course what driver's demographic ther are targetting (enthusiast or family car).

That's why cars with 6spd transmissions usually have the same final drive ratio as they 5spd counter parts, the gears in between are shorter in the 6spd transmissions to give a sporty feeling, that's all. People buy cars with 6spd transmissions because the can accelerate faster, as they utilize car's torque more efficiently.

You can achevie low rpm's with 4 or 3 spd transmissions, the car just have to have enough torque to maintain the speed at that rpm.
[/quote]

I think what we're all saying is that it's depressing that in making a 6 speed they didn't alter the upper gear ratios enough to give the car a better highway gear to improve gas mileage vs. keeping the same upper ratio as the 5-speed. Hell I'd love to have a true highway overdrive gear in my car. Dropping the rpms 800-1000 at highway speeds would significantly improve gas mileage on the car.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=KrisZ link=topic=142245.msg3188411#msg3188411 date=1245523524]
I understand, but read the bolded text. This is the route Mazda took. Mazda 3 is not made to be a highway cruiser, it's targeted for young people that zip around mostly in city streets. If mazda made the car the way you suggested, how many people would then complain that it's no longer sporty, you can't have a cake and eat it too.

There is a car that will do what you are asking for: it's Corolla
[/quote]

I'm not saying change the rest of the gear ratios, I'm saying to keep the lower ratios in the sporty area and give the car a true highway gear.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=05M3HB link=topic=142245.msg3191383#msg3191383 date=1245699491]
[quote author=raymerrr link=topic=142245.msg3188477#msg3188477 date=1245526941]
i it would be retarded to put a 6spd in the car and leave all the ratios the same and just give a super tall 6th...

of course this is only my opinion so no one freak out
[/quote]

nu uh icspots, it'd be retarded
[/quote]

Why did you quote someone else to tell me that I'm retarded? I'm glad you think my opinion sucks, good for you. I still think it would be nice.