rumartin

Thanks to everyone for your input. My son will be happy (probably gloatingly so) to hear that you all think he is right. (To JW911: When I said "city highway traffic" I meant freeways inside the city limits. Not much opportunity to go more than 70 due to congestion.) I appreciate your views and will call my son now and eat some humble pie.

Zeus993

Wow! I must be a socially debunked environmentally challenged "high-rever". I LIVE for the 4500 rpm and above HOWL. This where that oh-so delicious high torque band is. I rarely get out of 2nd gear in the city. Sorry to spoil the party BUT you guys are a bunch of "low-revers"...

Jok

The GTS, once run-in, will cruise happily at 75mph in 7th at 2000 revs. That seems ideal for mundane highway/motorway use. Spirited driving is a totally different ball-game...

cviles

If you want to drive for economy, choose lower RPMs in higher gears. If you want to drive for fun, choose the opposite. There's no "wrong" about it, just understand the choice you're making and accept the costs (fuel, wear & tear, etc.)

Quadcammer

If I'm just cruising along maintaining a steady speed, I'm hardly ever NOT in 6th gear. Anything above about 45mph and I'm in 6th.

These engines are not being lugged at 1800rpm

FiatCoupe

I like to drive around in 4th gear like the OP at 70mph for fun because the engine is responsive and sounds so nice at those revs. However the oil temperature soon gets hot at those revs in the Houston heat (currently 35, 45 with humidity). If I'm cruising then I'll change into 5th or 6th at that speed.

rumartin

Zeus993 and FiatCoupe: Thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one that likes 4th gear/70 mph/4200 rpm driving. I drove around for about an hour tonight and tried the 5th/6th gear cruising, and while the mpg was about 2-3 mpg better in that range, it just doesn't "feel" as satisfying to me. Again, thanks to everyone for your opinions. I respect and appreciate all of them. Good guys.

gota911

Wow, that sounds worse than being called a "low-life."

wpw3

You are each correct inasmuch as it depends on conditions. First, while it is admirable to 'save gas' it is usually not a priority when driving a performance car, particularly a driver's car such as a Porsche. So, to that extent, 'saving gas' is a distant priority as compared to 'driving fun.'. One point to Dad. Porsche describes the inculcation of the flat-6 manual drive Porsche 993 as such "The 993 was the first generation of the 911 to have a 6-speed manual transmission included as standard; its predecessors had 4 or 5-speed transmissions. In virtually every situation, it was possible to keep the engine at its best torque range above 4,500 rpm. " .... soooo, the car's designers, if they were here, would agree with your driving style, and probably encourage you to go a little higher in rpm.

But, daily realities are not always optimal for best driving.... and it can be grating to have to "sit" at 4000-5000 rpm at a constant drone never shifting or varying speed in city traffic. Personally, I drive at 3000 MINIMUM because in traffic there is usually a need to simply press the gas and get to a certain spot as opportunities to maneuver through traffic emerge. At anything less than 3000, the car simply does not respond quickly, and that traffic space destination may have eluded you. varying between 3000 - 4500 in city traffic is aurally pleasing, driving effective (maintains ability to accelerate without downshifting) and not overly taxing the car.... infact she loves that range as a baseline.

On the highway? Sure, for extended periods at constant speed with little traffic or need to maneuver through mini-accelerations, shift to 5th gear and "save gas". *eyeroll*

C4SDayton

Cruising at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 mph....6th gear. Need to accelerate from those speeds quickly...downshift. Coming into cars and coffee, 5000rpm in 1st with PSE on.

TractControlOff

Nine year old thread, huh?

6th gear, because those downshifts when you need the power are always rewarding.