2014 Ford Shelby GT 500
Seriously? I've put nearly 58k miles on my 2014 GT500. The oem shifter sucked. It looks and performs like it was engineered by an accountant. But if you think it's "nice" now, try upgrading to a MGW2 shifter. It looks like it was built by Pagani. Greatly improves the shift feel, particularly into 2nd, which had always been hit or miss with my car. Now the Tremec itself is fantastic. Virtually bulletproof. It's seriously overbuilt, even when compared to that engine's high stock output.
I loved the later Alfa Romeo 164 5 speeds(1993 on including 12 and 24 valve). It had a short linkage due to it being front drive and the later cars had a shorter shifter so even better. You could do very fast effortless shifts all day.
50k miles on mine as a daily. Greatest all around daily sports car I ever had. The shifter is fantastic. The best one I ever rowed was a Lotus Elan S3 SE. The action of that thing, the size, the rifle bolt action. Nothing compares to it.
The S2000 is the gold standard, nothing compares, but I had a 997 -911 with the OEM short shifter which was 9/10th as good.
Interesting, when I drove a 997 I immediately disliked the shift action vs the 993 I had (cable vs rod). It was a Carrera 2s but do not know if it was the standard shifter or short shifter.
My Brammo built Ariel Atom II with GM Ecotec running gear was surprisingly good. I also love my 993 C4S. And my 308 GTSi. Nothing compares to my Bugatti, but that’s raw and mechanical, not the “best”. No synchros, all business. For absolutely best, I propose a Spyker with its exposed shifting rods. Matt
The 6-speed Getrag box on the Maserati 3200GT is a joy to use (when up to temperature, of course...).
Standard shifter on the 997 was quite notchy. Replacing with the OEM short shifter (other than the what the name entails) removed the bumpy throw action into something much more buttery.
You can upgrade with better shifters, but just changing the cables and shifter bushings makes a huge improvement for faster shifts.
50k on your M2!? Wow I daily drive my M4 and I have had it since they first came out. I'm not even near that many miles. I feel like the M2/M4 transmission is smooth and easy to drive but to say nothing compares...Drive the s2000.
I went to see a '17 manual at Carmax but didn't have a chance to drive it. But one of my best friends said he drove one last year and it was nice but not mind-blowing. For $51k on a very small car, I want a little more vote of confidence!
You read me wrong. The M2 is a great shifter and just a picture perfect daily driving sports car. The Lotus Elans gearbox is something special and the best Ive felt. Second is the Carrera GT and all its wizardry.