Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Gearbox - It feels just fine to me. I've read where others have said it's notchy, isn't as slick as an S2000, etc. (Really, what car's gearbox does equal an S2000?) I don't know...I've never driven an S2000 - apparently it's the standard for slick shifting. All I know is, this one feels good - a little notchy, but it is still new. Maybe I'll get a short-throw and switch to some aftermarket brass bushings one day. For now, I'll enjoy it just how it is. Gearing itself is pretty short - especially 1st and 6th. I feel that both 1st and 6th could have been made taller. Especially 6th. My normal cruise speed on the interstate is 79 mph, which equates to right about 2900-3000 RPM. It wouldn't bother me any if that 6th gear allowed more like around 2500 RPM at 80 mph.
My personal experience with 1998 Miata and 2004 S2000 I must give Miata's gearbox a slight edge above S2000, mainly because Miata has about 1/2"-3/4" shorter throw on all gears.
The AP2 S2000 is around 4400-4500 at 80 MPH in 6th, about 50% higher RPM than your WRX.
The reason that Honda and Subaru has shorter gears and final drive ratio is for performance, not MPG. I bet that your WRX can accelerate in 6th at 70 MPH to 80-100 MPH fairly quick without a need to shift down to 5th or 4th. Yes, for faster acceleration rate you need to down shift.
Gearbox - It feels just fine to me. I've read where others have said it's notchy, isn't as slick as an S2000, etc. (Really, what car's gearbox does equal an S2000?) I don't know...I've never driven an S2000 - apparently it's the standard for slick shifting. All I know is, this one feels good - a little notchy, but it is still new. Maybe I'll get a short-throw and switch to some aftermarket brass bushings one day. For now, I'll enjoy it just how it is. Gearing itself is pretty short - especially 1st and 6th. I feel that both 1st and 6th could have been made taller. Especially 6th. My normal cruise speed on the interstate is 79 mph, which equates to right about 2900-3000 RPM. It wouldn't bother me any if that 6th gear allowed more like around 2500 RPM at 80 mph.
My personal experience with 1998 Miata and 2004 S2000 I must give Miata's gearbox a slight edge above S2000, mainly because Miata has about 1/2"-3/4" shorter throw on all gears.
The AP2 S2000 is around 4400-4500 at 80 MPH in 6th, about 50% higher RPM than your WRX.
The reason that Honda and Subaru has shorter gears and final drive ratio is for performance, not MPG. I bet that your WRX can accelerate in 6th at 70 MPH to 80-100 MPH fairly quick without a need to shift down to 5th or 4th. Yes, for faster acceleration rate you need to down shift.
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