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Old 10-15-2008, 09:14 AM   #5 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whokilledthejams View Post
No one offers a tall top gear. It's ridiculous. I know we've all been over this repeatedly, but most people with enough sense to drive a manual transmission also have enough sense to downshift to pass. I want my engine happily lumping along at 2k on the interstate, not 3.5k.

Why is that so much to ask?
I have a bad feeling that the opposite may be true: call me a pessimist, but I'd bet that most North Americans who drive stick don't know enough to downshift to pass or get up a steep enough highway (top gear) grade without lugging.

For this to work, I think the extra tall top gear needs to be an option, not standard equipment. And that raises manufacturing/marketing costs, making it even less likely to happen...

Is there any precedent for a nerd gear option?
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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