Please don't flame me, but this will be my first car (me being 16), I'm not spoiled what so ever; anyway, back to topic. I am wondering which will be better: auto or manual.
I know how to drive stick so that is not a problem, I just want to know when you guys are going into 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears, I'd prefer to see at what speeds, not RPMS
(as I am a car newb).

-Thanks

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The car is a blast to drive with a manual. The car revs fast because of it's peppy engine and short gearing.

During spirited driving I shift around 5-6k where the peak HP is. You'll feel the car pull nicely around curves and be suprised at how fun it is to drive. Regular driving I shift around 3-4k and pass most traffic easily.

If you're going to get a manual, a short throw shifter helps immensely since the engine drops revs quickly.

 

havent driven my car in like a month or so...these are just approx from memory:
(manual)
1st: 35
2nd: 55
3rd: 75
4th: 100
5th: ive gotten it to 115, gearing should allow it to go to around 125

these are my approximates...someone correct me if im wrong

 

1st gear is real short, it hits the redline at about 25 mph. it kinda sucks, but you'll get used to it.

 

In much more "day to day" style, especially bumper to bumper, driving, my shifting is far more conservative.

I usually shift when I hit about 3k rpms, and typically keep the tach around 1.9 to 2k rpms for cruising.

shift to second at about 10mph
3rd at about 25-30mph
and 4th at about 35mph

within the city, 35mph is my most common speed, so I'm usually in fourth for it.

For freeway I'm more like
second at 20mph
3rd at 40mph
4th at 50mph
5th at 60mph
and end up cruising at about 80mph
on the freeway my tach is usually at about 3.5 to 4k

 

The fact that you brought this up in an otherwise non-related subject could suggest otherwise

 

"The fact that you brought this up in an otherwise non-related subject could suggest otherwise"

what he said. . . .if your not paying with 100% of YOUR hard earned cash, (your being yours, NOT mommy and daddys) then good for you. youll never appreciate anything you dont earn

 

Hmm... I don't know man, I've experienced quite the opposite. The cars are not very rev happy, and they seem to drop revs VERY SLOWLY between gears due to a hefty flywheel (its over 15lbs...) with my fast shifting, it always seems to jump forward between shifts since the revs stay up.

But, who knows. Slow is a relative term -- and I drive a 93 Civic EX (d16z6) as well, and its much more rev happy and it shifts better, but other than that... theres nothing near as good as the xB.

 

Hey dataman, you wasted bandwidth just answering him. Give the kid a break, he seems to want to buy!

 

i usually shift around 3200rpm . seems to keep everything fairly smooth in each gear transition.

 

Thanks everyone for your help, but it looks like all be going the automatic route; not because I can't drive stick well, but because to me the xB is more of a cruiser. A cruiser that will be mainly used for school traveling and little freeway work. If i wanted a speedy manual, I'd buy a Civic (comparable price) In the next few weeks i will have my Polar White xB I can't wait :D

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