Does anyone have a favorite gear on their Manual? I think mine is third, followed closely by 2nd. It seems like I hang out in 3rd most of the time (b/w 40 and 60 mph).

 

My cruising gear is 4th when I'm in town, 5th when I really want to be boring. When in the canyons having fun I'm in 3rd usually. So 3rd is my favorite too since it's the most fun

 

I don't spend tons of time in 3rd but the time I'm there is often fun.

 

Never really thought about it but I guess if I had to choose it would go some thing like 3rd, 5th, and followed by 4th.

 

Having driven a 5 speed for so many years I keep forgetting that I have a whole other gear to play with.

 

I've never thought about any gear being a favorite, it depends on which is best at the time. But 4th is pretty good, you can cruise around town, or drop it into 4th on the freeway for a little extra kick. (Fun in a Cooper, dangerous in a JCW.)

 

Mine would be 5th. It is useful at a wide range of speeds and is usually the highest gear I'm in unless I'm on the highway. 3rd's cool for quickly getting up to speed, but 4th is mostly useless to me and I often go straight to 5th.

 

Agree with 3rd. With the R56 JCW there is so much low torque compared to my old R53 that third is really usable around turns.

 

I have to go with 2nd. Fellow autocrossers will understand...

Cheers,

Charlie