2007 Mitsubishi Lancer: Old School

That's how I feel about about my SRT-4. When I bought the thing I thought it was cool that I'd be tacking about 3000rpm at 70, but now when I go on long trips I'm sure to bring earplugs, which doesn't exactly make the passengers feel welcome.

That would bug me too. I usually shift well before 4K when I'm not in a hurry, it would annoy me to hear that high rpm buzz and not have another gear to grab. I would say hopefully 6-speed manuals will become the norm, but I don't expect automakers to invest a lot of money in upgrading manuals in this age of weenies with automatics. So I'll just be glad that I can still get a real manual at all.

Don't feel bad, Scott. I'm nearing my 32nd birtday and I've realized that my tastes have shifted as well. Over the past 3.5 years, I went from a Mazdaspeed Miata to the redesigned third-generation Miata because the new one was roomier, quieter, and softer. Then, I finally said to myself, "Who am I kidding?" I bit the bullet, called myself old, and traded that Miata for a Volvo S60.
 
I did look at a lot of other cars, and my opinion of them really showed how much my tastes have shifted... BMW 3-series (too small, too firm), Acura TL (too many buttons, too firm), Lincoln MKZ (made in Mexico and shows), Caddilac CTS (new model wasn't out yet; old one too hideous, too firm), etc. So, what do I think of the Volvo nearly a year into it? Too firm, too noisy... does the Town Car have good rebates right now? Oh, the horror!
 
We also have an '08 Miata and '06 Scio xA in the driveway. Every once in a while, I'm allowed to drive them. Sometimes when I drive the Miata, I think I want another one of my own again; other times, I wonder how I ever lived with the car. The Scion always impresses me because I had such low expectations from it and its price, but long highway trips in it are painful. They both rev around 4,000 rpm at 80 mph. The Miata has a 6-spd manual, and it still revs that high! The Volvo, in comparison, is just so relaxed; the engine barely seems like it's running at 80 mph, and its highway ride is excellent. That makes a huge difference as the hours tick away on the road.

San Diego, CA
 
Jstandefer
 
I hear you. I agree with you 100 percent. My kids just don't understand why I love how quiet our XR is. When I was younger, I didn't mind cranking Metallica or Def Leppar on the CD player. I still do, however I also enjoy the quiet of Journey on the way to Las Vegas. Imagine 2100 rpm 80 mph. That is quiet. I must be getting old. I have never been a fan of high revving motors, others love them. Good for them.

Meh. My Honda Fit is around 4k rpm at 80mph and the noise is just a low-pitched hum, not what I'd describe as buzzy or annoying. It's definitely present but not really irritating, but then again the Fit has quite a refined engine for its size and class.
 
Usually I just back off to under 70 anyways, most small engined cars get atrocious mileage at 80.

Where do you find speed limits of 80 mph :)

holy crap someone actually posted an entry for the Lancer GTS!

Highway speed limit in Florida is posted at 65-70, firstwagon. People regularly go 80+ down here

I guess I never really noticed how loud the engine could be. Maybe its because before my Lancer, I was driving a TDI Golf, and anyone who has ever heard that diesel knows the sweet [imo, anyways] trucklike rumble is pretty loud! Then again, I'm 23 and likely right in the desired demographic for the Lancer.
 
I would kill for a 6th gear, good call there.

Interesting: the CVT in my Lancer ES is just the opposite. It's a noisy racket when accelerating from a stop, but cruises pretty quietly on the highway.