[quote:58d5d81d58="fweem"]I am not sorry I waited, but I am a little disappointed in the 5 speed transmission. The gearing is way too close together. Within certain wheel and engine speeds, it is like it doesn't really matter what gear it is in. And if you are not sure, just put it in 5th. It doesn't matter as long as it doesn't lug.
Start out in 2nd gear and move directly to 4th or 5th. 1st is way too low. My wife burns rubber too easily. I suspect in rain or snow, 1st gear would be impossible to keep wheel spin down.
And what is with that 5th? It isn't high enough to really allow the engine to loaf and just give decent gas mileage. The final drive numbers on the automatic is higher by a bit, than 5th on a manual trans.
I would get the 5 speed again because I am that kind of guy. But I hope the next time I am in the market for a new car, the Element has a better grip on gear ratios.
Fweem.[/quote:58d5d81d58]
Fweem,
I kinda have to agree with you. I read your post a couple of days ago, and thought i'd think about it while i drove a few days before I got back to you. I really like the pep of the five speed, but I'm still in my "break in" period, so I haven't let myself really push it yet. I do think the gear ratio is a little low, but I liken it a lot to my father's Jeep Wrangler. It's very similar on the hi-revving gear thing. Maybe I'm kind of attracted to it because i really wanted a Wrangler at one point in time, but after hearing horror stories of how they need fixed all the time, I came across the element. It's my "jeep that works"
I would probably have trouble driving in 5th for a long time at interstate speeds. If I was looking for a family car in the Element, I'd be disappointed, but we have a Grand Voyager for family trips.
So what I'm saying is...you're right. But I like it anyways :wink:
I can't wait to break my 600 mile barrier so i can see how much the thing zips!
B
Start out in 2nd gear and move directly to 4th or 5th. 1st is way too low. My wife burns rubber too easily. I suspect in rain or snow, 1st gear would be impossible to keep wheel spin down.
And what is with that 5th? It isn't high enough to really allow the engine to loaf and just give decent gas mileage. The final drive numbers on the automatic is higher by a bit, than 5th on a manual trans.
I would get the 5 speed again because I am that kind of guy. But I hope the next time I am in the market for a new car, the Element has a better grip on gear ratios.
Fweem.[/quote:58d5d81d58]
Fweem,
I kinda have to agree with you. I read your post a couple of days ago, and thought i'd think about it while i drove a few days before I got back to you. I really like the pep of the five speed, but I'm still in my "break in" period, so I haven't let myself really push it yet. I do think the gear ratio is a little low, but I liken it a lot to my father's Jeep Wrangler. It's very similar on the hi-revving gear thing. Maybe I'm kind of attracted to it because i really wanted a Wrangler at one point in time, but after hearing horror stories of how they need fixed all the time, I came across the element. It's my "jeep that works"
I would probably have trouble driving in 5th for a long time at interstate speeds. If I was looking for a family car in the Element, I'd be disappointed, but we have a Grand Voyager for family trips.
So what I'm saying is...you're right. But I like it anyways :wink:
I can't wait to break my 600 mile barrier so i can see how much the thing zips!
B
