Gear range on the RX-8

What is the apropriate gear range for a car with RPMs up to 8500+? The owners manual seems ridiculous with a switch from 1-2 at 14mph, 2-3 at 22 MPH etc.. Is there a good rule of thumb? What about basic crusing - in a regular car I would drive at about 3000+ RPM on the RX-8 it seems to be comfrotable at 4500+... thoughts?

Thanks!

What is the apropriate gear range for a car with RPMs up to 8500+? The owners manual seems ridiculous with a switch from 1-2 at 14mph, 2-3 at 22 MPH etc.. Is there a good rule of thumb? What about basic crusing - in a regular car I would drive at about 3000+ RPM on the RX-8 it seems to be comfrotable at 4500+... thoughts?

Thanks!

As for me and my RX-8... You can drive it "regular" like the book says. Or you can drive it hard! This engine can take high RPM's based on older rotary engines Mazda made. I like to take each gear to the 5000-7000 rpm range. This RX-8 seems to have the most power past 4000 rpm's anyway. And furthermore, I drive my RX-8 cruising on the highway at 4000-4500 rpm's at basically about 75-85 mph here in Cali. Hope this helps?

P.S. This is info based on a Manual 6 speed transmission version.

I just listen to the engine and shift out of second at 5000, and then shift 3-5 in the 3500 to 5000 range.

The car seems to just float along the road when your in the 4000-4500 range.

I haven't open mine up fully yet, but my dad "borrowed" the car one day and had it up to 120 and the tack was only at 5000, or so he told me.

first off let me tell you that i do have an rx8 and it goes like this. i always shify between 7 and 8000 rpm. i shift into second at about 35 mph, and so on.......

Just like my first girlfriend. I can't seem to get past 3rd.