The spread between the gears reminds you every time you drive it that it's a crutch fix. That's why. Shift from first to third when you're in a hurry, see how that works out for you, because that's the OD4 in a nutshell.
Yep, and the Passon lets you go back to bone stock (can you say "resale value"?) in an afternoon.
Not to mention the five speed is suited to most street cars just fine.