The time factor is real though. I calculated once—speeding on my 45-minute commute actually saves me maybe 3-4 minutes total, but it increases my fuel cost and stress on the vehicle significantly. Not worth it for me anymore.
That 5-speed is definitely the star here. The original 4-speed makes these feel sluggish by modern standards, so whoever did that conversion made a smart choice. The 2002 is one of the best entry-level classic cars you can buy right now.