4 Speed manual tranny?

[drddan]

Hey out there! Anyone answer this question? Just bought a 1988 "L" with manual tranny. Advertised as a 4 speed. I thought Festiva's had 5 SPEED man. trannys. Did they put 4 speeds manuals in 1988's? Or is something wrong with the tranny/clutch? It drives fine and I don't get the "SHIFT" light in fourth. Had it up to 80 mph, RPM's dont' seem to high. (no tach)
Oh yea, the shift pattern is like a 5 speed, as in, 1st forward, 2nd back, 3rd over right and forward, 4th back, where 5th would be, over right again and forward, stick goes over right, but not forward, does go back for reverse.
All shifting is smooth as silk though the 4 gears and reverse. Thanks all, Dan

[hofficergrover]

they had 4 speeds in 88 and 89 the 90-93 were 5 speed

[drddan]

4 manual

Thanks for the answer! Would it be advantagious to install a 5 speed manual?
Would it get better gas mileage? Would it bog on hills? I had a 1988 "LX" , I think it was, thought it had a 4 speed auto. Also, on this "new to me" 1988 "L" I have now, the gas gage and the temp gage do not work. Best fix?
Thanks, Dan

[MONSOON]

88-89 LXs had 5 speeds

No Festiva had a 4 speed automatic.

[25Horseplay]

88-89 L models had 4 speeds, the LX's had 5 speeds. You can swap a 5 speed right in there, and you would see an increase in MPG's

[TominMO]

^^ Or put on taller tires to raise the overall gearing. You'd have to go with 13" or bigger. You can get 13" Metro rims cheap at the JY. (Check to make sure they aren't the first-gen 12" rims.) This will give you a much wider selection of better-quallity tires.

[drddan]

Thanks to all for the info. I spent 2 days with rags, toothbrush,and fine compound detailin it. Shines like it came of show room floor. Everywhere. Only rust on wheelwells, forward of tires, about 4" from bottom, about 2" long. Engine compartment paint shines. Red, 184,000 mlies young, no smoke, good power, smooth shifting. I intend to kill rust by use of air nibbler and primer/paint, 'til I get to it later. Good idea on 13" rims. I already was going to get some for the mpg/tire selection reason. How bout a, what is it?, a mazda 121? front grill,lamps,bumper on this '88? Seen one on this site. cool front look.

[eurotiva]

^^show us some pics