you see proof in front of you that AUTOs are slow, 1st gear in AUTOs are very tall. in comparison w/ 6th gen Accords 2.3L, the 5spd shifts at 30?mph & the SLOWmatic shifts at 35; the 1st 1/2 of the powerband is so weak that the sooner you get to the 2nd 1/2, the more advantage you have.

0-60mph is hard arguement for 6spds, becuz most Co.s gear the car's for fastest time w/ just 2 gears so they in relation are almost the same as 5spds. that 6th gear is mostly for fuel economy, not power. if you find a car that shifts into 3rd before 60mph, like the Celica GT-S, then that car was engineered to keep the gears within the powerband for drivablity, not all out speed.