DJsZincGT said:
... your @$$ ...actually experienced a car with a tall gear.
QUOTE]
I experienced one. My new '63 Sting Ray had a 4.56. Yes, it was great for laying a patch, but on a day to day basis less comfortable to live with and didn't have the feel of driving a locomotive that my '70 Formula 400 w/3.08 had. I'd say, you're driving an axle ratio rather than a motor.
Zedoc:
I may be wrong, but I would suspect that the comparison between the '63 Sting Ray and the '05 Stang isn't necessarily a good one in this case. The Vette (I assume) was a 4 speed, whereas the stang (if manual) would be a 5 spd. And this isn't even considering the differences in the transmission gearing.
Even in an auto application(s) between then and now, wouldn't the lack of overdrive on the older cars would create a similar difference (and have an effect) in what would be considered practical as an ideal final drive ratio?
I agree with you entirely however, if your comments only pertained to say, 60's and 70's vintage cars. Back then, 4:11 was considered about max for practical everyday use with 4 speed and auto cars...and cars being modified with ratios of 3:55 to 3:70 or so were probably far more common, as it was a pretty large step from the tall 2:79 and 3:00 ratios of the era.
I personally prefer driving my old 4sp car with the mid to high 3 ratios any day, than what might be preferred on todays cars.