So, IMHO, having 5 forward gears is plenty for 99.99999% of driving situations. This gear count used to work back when high strung engines put out 200HP. Now, we have cars with 400+ HP and we need 6 and 7 speed transmissions?
My first 6 speed was in a VW and I almost always skipped 5th gear as it was so close to 6th. I still dropped to 3rd to pass on the highway. Same is true in both my BMWs.
I have never driven a 7 speed manual. Unless 7th gear is a big arsed over-drive, then what is the point?
Discuss...
