[jcp123]

I don't know about the myriad VTEC Hondas, I know my (non-VTEC) Civic will cruise at 1200 just fine but balks at the first sign of a real load. I wish I'd experienced my Echo with stick to see if it felt as versatile at low revs as I think it was. Modern engines don't get enough credit for widening the useful powerband as they should.

Heck, my wife's minivan is within whispering distance of 5000lb and the transmission actively seeks out 1000 or 1100rpm for a cruising rpm around 40mph.