I've only had my V6 3.8 5spd for about a month now and I have never pushed it hard because the car is in amazing shape and I REALLY don't want to screw it up. I know shifting in the power band will give you the better performance but I usually shift 1-4 at 2500 and I can be in 5th at 50mph. The car doesn't seen to struggle at all but, is that just as bad on my engine as powerbanding it?

 

well i have a 98 3.8 and usually if i go over 50 i put her in 5th just to save gas and keep rpms low