RPM at Highway Speeds

[sparis45]

Well, tomorrow might be the day. Not sure if it will be a BRZ or FRS or auto or std. My question is: does the auto and stick drive at the same RPM at the same speeds? I drive 120 miles per day - all highway. Does the engine tend to get "buzzy" at higher RPMs?

[kuya]

no, gear ratios are different, A/T is about 2k at 60 mph and the M/T is about 2.5k at 60mph

[kthxbai]

^ This!

Relative to other stock sports cars, this car is relatively quiet on the highway (engine noise-wise). Depending on the tires they outfit your car with, you may get more road noise from the tires more than anything.

[Asphaltfrs1]

I drive a 6mt, and I'm usually at around 3k in 6th gear on the highway.

[sparis45]

I would really like to get the manual! :-)

[whtchocla7e]

MT here and the car is very comfortable and quiet at highway speeds. 70mph at 3K RPM, 60mph at about 2.5K RPM, 45mph is 2K RPM.

[whaap]

Originally Posted by sparis45

I would really like to get the manual! :-)

They both have their advantages. Which ever way you go you will be a winner.

[SuiSid3l]

The funnest thing about stories like this is if its not your car your just picture a tech taking the car out for a quick spin under normal driving conditions to confirm the work. If its YOUR car the only picture running through your mind is some 19 year old kid on a back road just hammering through every gear at redline laughing his ass off that entire 4.4 miles...

[Dreamshot]

I drive an auto and find it really quiet at highway speeds - I was/am surprised at how low the RPM's are. Can't go wrong with either, this car is really a blast...

P.S. I see that you are in Newburgh, Sparis. Another OC'er joining the club (potentially)! Welcome and see you around!

-Ben in Montgomery

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by sparis45

I would really like to get the manual! :-)

Well, without knowing anything more than this, I say: Do it!

'Cuz there's little worse than second-guessing yourself later, having wished you'd gotten the manual as you drive the automatic. That would be an expensive mistake.

Better still...

Do your research here and elsewhere, and above all, ROAD TEST the two versions repeatedly until certain of your choice.

The automatic models have earned excellent reviews by road testers in all the major magazines, and by all reports from the members on these forums. I think I've seen only one owner wish he'd opted for the manual.

Either way, they're fine cars that you'll probably love.

But, we can no more know what you'll like best than pick out your favorite food for you, now can we?

Automatic at 70 mph in 6th gear = 2350 rpm

Manual at 70 mph in 6th gear = 3100 rpm

That's a significant difference, and yes the twins are noisy. They're made that way by eliminating a lot of heavy sound insulation for better performance. Some might call it buzzy. Rather depends upon what you're accustomed to, you know? It could prove tiring on long trips. I don't mind, but I've always had noisy, performance-oriented cars. It's much quieter than driving in our S2000, but much noisier than driving in our Mazdaspeed3 where it seems so quiet that I occasionally forget to change up into 6th! In the S2000 I often find myself trying to change up to 7th because it's so noisy! My radios are only on when I'm parked. YMMV.

You've probably noticed that the automatic gets superior fuel economy, both using premium 91/93 octane, which is required. In the city, both cars will probably average similar numbers. It's the taller 5th and 6th, especially, gears that yield the better economy in the automatic, but you cannot use those gears to good effect in town.

The manual has better 0-60, 1/4 mile performance. If that matters...

The manual is a close-ratio gearbox that will keep you busy, rowing the gears around town and through the twisty bits out in the country. We find it fun.

Some people find it all too much.

You spend your money and takes your chances. Definitely, do NOT buy this car just on looks, nice as it is. That may leave you sorely disappointed over time. Many younger drivers want more power than the twins have to offer; I suspect they're "seduced" by the sleek body. Most are happy following their purchase. You don't want to be one of those who is unhappy, so test drive and ponder, and repeat as needed.

I hope this has been helpful.

[tomato88]

Originally Posted by Porsche

You spend your money and takes your chances. Definitely, do NOT buy this car just on looks, nice as it is. That may leave you sorely disappointed over time. Many younger drivers want more power than the twins have to offer; I suspect they're "seduced" by the sleek body. Most are happy following their purchase. You don't want to be one of those who is unhappy, so test drive and ponder, and repeat as needed.

Couldn't agree more. This is not the car for "posers" who swivel in traffic. This car is for those who want a great handling car.

[kioton32]

Using the paddle shifters in the twisties is a lot of fun as well... Especially with sport mode on and TC completely off

[avholic]

Originally Posted by Asphaltfrs1

I drive a 6mt, and I'm usually at around 3k in 6th gear on the highway.

To be more precise, you will be at 70 MPH at 3K RPM on 6th gear with a 6MT toybaru.

My co-worker who drives a 2012 manual transmission Camaro was surprised that my BRZ was only doing 3K RPM at 70mph, given the short gear ratio, coz earlier on the city road he saw me shift to 6th at 45mph @ 2K RPM

He was more surprised to see me go 45 MPH on a dip which he normally takes at 30 MPH on his Camaro (light-weight car FTW).

Guess his reaction when I took the sharp right turn descending from a 15' slope bridge

BTW, we drive the same route to the office. He rode with me for a week while his car was on the shop.

[Cheddar]

Keep it 3K or lower when cruising and it will save alot of gas.