[wingw]

Hi all, I just sold my 02 civic auto (boring) and got a 91 miata manual, and I went on the freeway and the rpm is pretty high (around 4k-5k) at 5th gear going 80mph, is this normal for this car? I'm very new to manual and miata so I'm just kinda worried.

Oh yeah, I was driving on main street passing Alhambra, CA's mazda dealer, another white miata with a red top just came out of the dealer and kept tailing me VERY closely. It's only my first week of learning to drive a manual so I got pretty pissed . Hopefully it wasn't one of you guys.

 

[Miazda318]

That is just the way miata's are. They are not a high speed car. If you travel a long distance on the freeway with exhaust you'll most likely be def when you get were you need to get to.

 

[slutz4]

ya its perfectly normal for it to between 4-5 at higher speeds

 

[wingw]

But it's perfectly fine (other than eating up more gas) to drive a long distance at 80mph at high RPM, say under 100 miles right? Sorry for all the dumb questions but I'm just worried cause I've never drove a stick especially since it's a 91.

 

[sonique128]

That is just the way miata's are. They are not a high speed car. If you travel a long distance on the freeway with exhaust you'll most likely be def when you get were you need to get to.

I drove my Miata with the RSR installed with leaky soft top to NorCal from SoCal not too long ago (six hours drive). My ears felt like they were at a rock festival for the next 6 hours after I got out of my car.

 

[terry pham]

80mph for 80 miles will waste approx 1/4 tank, but at 55mph for 80 miles will only waste about 1/5. i've tested it

TeRRy

 

[ultimateforce]

Yep, at 55mph nearly every car is at it's most efficent. Going past that, and fighting to cut all that drag, really kills your gas milage.

 

[astro]

That is just the way miata's are. They are not a high speed car. If you travel a long distance on the freeway with exhaust you'll most likely be def when you get were you need to get to.

Yep that's why I got a pair of these to compliment me on long trips. Blocks out all the noise. Sounds like a live concert on the go. Unobtrusive enough that it doesn't look obvious to cops.