CARL 4spd or 5 spd

[joker_927]

I'm 17 and addicted to a manual transmission. I'm being kicked out of my "family" car, and must buy my own now.

I notice that a lot of people rudely put "Manual Transmission" in the car statement without telling you if it is a 4-speed or a 5-speed.

I was wondering if those of you who drive manuals have a prefrence between the 4-spd and a 5-spd. Obviously a 5 spd is better, but will I be dissapointed with only a 4?

Thank a bunch

PS. YAHOO! Ultimate Member!

Congratz on the Ultimate. Welcome to the club.

Really, it depends more on the car than the # of gears. Old Camaros and such were three speeds.

If you're getting a small car, or a ricer, get as many gears as possible. The motors don't have enough HP to push the higher gear ratios up as fast in a four or three speed. Besides, anything newer than early 90s is almost defacto five speed. Except for like, Metros and junk. In my experience anyway.

[joker_927]

'91 Toyota Celica 4-cyl 4-spd

[Warthog]

Never even seen a 4 spd Manual, to tell you the truth, except in old muscle cars

Warthog

[Mickwish]

2.0L 4 speeds used to be common in 80's Japanese cars, and before that in European cars. Had a few 2.0L Ford Escorts myself ('74 - '85) that were all 4 speed.

Celicas commonly had 2.0L 4 speed shifts in late '80's. Not a bad car, but would vibrate a bit a high speed due to the revs, IMO. Once the intoduced the 5 speed it smoothed the roughness a bit.

It all depends on the gearing. I never liked the Toyota 4 speeds myself, they seemed to lack punch at low revs. The old Ford 4 speed in the Escort was great, as it had plenty of punch at low revs.

The only way to tell if you'll like it is drive one a bit. Make sure you try highway cruising speeds as well when going for test drives.

Cheers
Mick

[joker_927]

'93 Honda Civic 5 speed! Sounds good

[pickel]

I have a Stealth with a 5 speed. The overdrive really saves on gas and keeps the motor rpm's down so it will last longer ( if you take care of it )

[Brainchild]

The new 5 speeds are almost always a 4 speed with an overdrive.That way the gears can be lower for town driving,and not sacrifice the highway mileage.
I don't think you will take much of a performance hit with a 4 over a 5 as far as intown driving,but the milage will suffer a little on the open road.
IMO of course

The old muscle car with a big block and a 4 speed sounds good

<I can't drive 55>

Oops congrats on the ultimate joker

[thekingofpain]

If you can---get a vehicle with a 6 speed---what the 6 speed is attached to will be a giant included bonus you may not be thinking about---yet...

[joker_927]

never even seen one of those.