Not always, I had a 4-speed transmission built in the 60's. It had a separate electric overdrive unit that was on the driveshaft behind the transmission. I could deploy it in any gear, but realistically I only used it on 4th. But "overdrive" normally refers to a gear in a transmission that is less than a one-to-one ratio. The FR-S has a true 6-speed transmission, though apparently it was developed from an 8-speed Aisin unit used in Lexi.

I hate traffic

yes this is correct! overdrive IS less than 1 to 1,however are you sure the 6th gear in the brz/frs is NOT an overdrive? i think you'll find it is!

How would you feel if I told you the STI has 2 overdrive gears?

1st 3.636
2nd 2.235
3rd 1.521
4th 1.137
5th 0.971
6th 0.756

Does that make it a 4 speed with 2 overdrive gears? :)

On topic:
I hate traffic, but the FRS is fine for commuting; the clutch is nice and light, first is low enough to inch forward in heavy traffic without throttle input, and second is good down to ~5mph. I really appreciate the light clutch pedal since I used to commute with manual Frontier and before that was a manual F350.

Off Topic:
-I'm really noticing a trend with the former/current Civic owners on this board.
-Overdrive used to be a range box you could add to the tailhousing of your transmission and it had a drive ratio less than 1. Now it is used to refrence any gear with a drive ratio less than 1.
-The twins have a True 6speed
-Jive Turkey might be jive, but he's still a turkey.
-False gears are more closely associated with Automatics. Some auto manufactures will use a TCU (transmission control unit) to control the lockup of a torque converter to create the sense of an extra gear.
-When comparing Transmission gearing it is also important to look at the axle ratios, where an STi is 3.90 the BRZ/FRS is 4.10

Driving BRZ as my DD, 30 minute drive turned to 45-55 based on traffic, rolling traffic out of the city, rolling traffic into the city. The car is so light and nimble there is no effort in moving it along just by letting the clutch in/out as noted above.

When I decided to get a FR-S, an automatic was available immediately & the 6 speed was about 6 weeks out (I later got the 6 speed in a week). My girl friend accused me of being a wimp for even considering an auto. I waited - got a 6 speed - love it - and her. However, I told her that I would curse her a** the first time I was stuck in NYC rush hour traffic. Hasn't happened yet - we'll see.

Not to derail the thread (this is probably good discussion for another thread, and maybe already is),
but I found this article specifically talking about the FR-S/BRZ transmissions and where they came from.
Just because there was some discussion about it.
He calls it an "...AZ6-derived TL70 manual..."
Hopefully the info there is factual.

http://kaizenfactor.wordpress.com/20...n-or-is-scion/

Okay, carry on :D

Both are good if you want to save more has get the auto it's that simple

Get whatever makes you feel better and don't get influence by others. The end of the car it's sexy on the outside I don't care if you have auto, grandma or naked men inside its still a sexy ride.


Sent from my iPhone (switching to android soon)

I say it's great in traffic IF you do the 2 min clutch pedal adjustment so you're not 2 feet off the floor to engage. I have it flat with the brake pedal and it's PERFECT. But stock my knee was almost in my chest. I also had no problem with my 2002 jetta manual in traffic (1.8T)

With enough torque, any gear can be a "power gear". :burnrubber:

LOL WINNING!!

yes! this is essentially correct,because some cars (muscle cars) for example,CAN "pull a dead horse" in just about any gear,however for the sake of ''clarity",i am referring to the "gear" ratios of 5th,and 6th gears.these gears,
"generally" are NOT considered power gears, because of the "ratios" BUT as you mention,and i agree,if a car has enough torque,then you STILL can ACCELERATE strongly,WITHOUT "lugging" the engine in 5th ,or 6th,however ya do have to have a "ton" of torque to accomplish that, again,"without" bogginig the motor! cars that come to mind are corvettes,camaros, mustangs,cobras,and mopar products! ie: chargers,and challengers. massive v-8's all

Turns out, it even works for a Subaru flat-4 with 600wtq. :)