2004 rx8 for 4500? 7 previous owners!!

[MikeHiow]

Because being 6 speed, it doesn't just have a gear plonked on the end - the first 5 gears are at a lower ratio. It is not rocket science.

 

[WJA96]

Rilot said one of the reasons the 231 was much better than the 190 was because of the gearbox - I'm asking why a 6spd and not a 5spd gearbox makes such a difference. I'm not asking what the difference is between the two.

I think it's because on a peaky engine with a very narrow power/torque band the extra ratio gives you more opportunity to be on the power/torque band, so the car is going to feel more responsive to drive.

 

[mjt]

Because being 6 speed, it doesn't just have a gear plonked on the end - the first 5 gears are at a lower ratio. It is not rocket science.

Depends on the car though.
On same cars, like the breadvan Civic(?), it was a proper 6 speed box, rather than a '5+1', with the 6th effectively being a cruising gear..

 

[Peerzy]

Because being 6 speed, it doesn't just have a gear plonked on the end - the first 5 gears are at a lower ratio. It is not rocket science.

That's what I was asking, some cars have 5+1 and the sixth is just like an overdrive or cruising gear. No need to be a twit about it

 

[MikeHiow]

You were asking why it was better - 5+1 wouldn't be any better, so by your own admission now, you answered your own question.

 

[ramirez]

I haven't driven a 190, but given the way the 231 drove it was the frantic gear changing and reaching that high redline, changing gear at 9000 rpm that made it fun. I imagine the 190 is less revvy and more of a leisurely drive - probably wouldn't suit the engine so well as you're changing gear less and at a lower point.