Best Manual Transmission You Have Driven??? | Page 5 | FerrariChat

Best Manual Transmission You Have Driven???

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by bmwm3, Jun 27, 2018.

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  1. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    But a 355 shifts great while most trucks are top loaders and shift like trucks.

    Basing this on how far the gear box is from the shifter ball makes no sense at all. It totally ignores a long list of factors.
     
    INTMD8 likes this.
  2. white out

    white out Formula 3

    Mar 3, 2010
    1,228
    Speaking of non-cable driven shifters. The GEN2 Viper with poly engine/trans mounts, short shifter and shift knob lowering kit is an outstanding feel. One of the very few cars with a 2-3 shifts that is precise and so rewarding. Oh, and you can beat the f**k out of it and not worry about breaking anything.
     
  3. Sterling Sackey

    Sterling Sackey Formula 3
    Sponsor

    #103 Sterling Sackey, Feb 7, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2020
    Having driven dozens of S2000s, I would say it's the best shifter I've experienced but only with fresh fluid and a previous owner who was easy on the synchros, otherwise they can have some notchiness. In mine, once I get the fluid up to temp it's hard to imagine a better gearbox.

    The best cable-actuated shifter I've experienced was the Carrera GT, which reminded me somewhat of the NSX's cable shifter but even smoother.

    The best rod-actuated shifter I've experienced was the Integra Type R's with a short shifter installed. Like butter, Honda just has a way with manual transmissions.

    Whoever said the NSX shifter feels rubbery and like an old Accord drove a very tired NSX that was not representative of the cars. There is a reason that Gordon Murray chose the NSX as the model for the F1's shifter mechanism. And, yes, they can be 6-speed too.
     
    stardoc, anunakki, NbyNW and 2 others like this.
  4. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2012
    26,812
    West of Fredericksburg, VA
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    John
    For what it is worth, it should be noted that back in the day, the AP2s had a popping out of gear issue that Honda addressed under warranty. In my case, they replaced the 2nd gear gear set.
     
  5. Sterling Sackey

    Sterling Sackey Formula 3
    Sponsor

    Yes for the '04-'05 cars only IIRC, I did own one for a short time that had this issue. I think many solved it simply by using a different transmission fluid.
     
  6. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2004
    18,636
    FL
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    Sean
    I never drove on on track so cant coment. Yes clutch was heavy.
    On street if you're not rushing even an elise feels great.

    Someone comneted on how bad me ferraris are. My experience is if you sift at or near redline on a warm box they shift great, at least the Bb does, but it is baulky shifting lower down the rev range.
    As others shave implied, a Ct shifts like a tractor.
     
  7. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
    16,601
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Full Name:
    Matt F
    That would be me. And I still think it’s true.

    In 1990 my daily driver was a 1986 Accord LXi. I took a test drive of the brand-new NSX and thought it felt very, very similar. And not nearly as special as my father’s 1981 308 GTSi.

    And for the shifter itself nothing beats the absolutely positive rifle bolt metal-on-metal precision of a Pur Sang Bugatti 35B.

    Matt
     
  8. alexion

    alexion Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    May 20, 2013
    1,303
    New York
    Drove my AP1 S2000 on Sunday after 4 months of winter hibernation...If you don't know, you should try. Really amazing how good these cars are.
     
    nicholasn, 05011994, anunakki and 2 others like this.
  9. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,380
    Texas!
    Heavy sigh. I wish I fit into one of those.
     
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  10. alexion

    alexion Formula 3
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    May 20, 2013
    1,303
    New York
    I'm 6'1 and 2-210lbs and while not spacious, there's certainly enough room.
     
  11. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
    75,380
    Texas!
    My problem is the steering wheel hits the top of my legs and my right knee bangs against the tunnel.
     
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  12. Ianjoub

    Ianjoub Formula Junior

    Dec 22, 2019
    899
    Homosassa, FL USA
    Full Name:
    Ian Joubert
    Best manual transmission I have used??? CBR600 Honda .... BUTTER
     
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  13. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
    75,380
    Texas!
    But I fit great in an e36!
     
  14. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
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    Matt F
    I now have both my 308 and NSX out of winter storage,

    I love the NSX in many ways, and it makes friends instantly. But the feel of the 308 is so much tighter. The shifter is so much better.

    The 308 is definitely slower, but better to drive.

    Matt
     
  15. TheDiffuser

    TheDiffuser Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2017
    404
    Full Name:
    The Diffuser
    “Better to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.”


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  16. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
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    Matt F
    Except for an MGTD.

    That’s too damned slow.

    :)

    Matt, and the man who bought my ‘52:

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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    Aug 3, 2007
    16,406
    Southern California
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    Nostradamus
    S2000 for speed shifts and ease. 355 gated shifter for a classic mechanical feel :). Both equally fun (I have both cars).
     
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  18. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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    Aug 3, 2007
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    Nostradamus
    Abarth 500 with a short shifter (a good one) feels pretty damn good too. My gf’s Abarth shifts like butter.
     
  19. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,129
    Vt
    I was planning on getting mine out this weekend but then we got snow which = salt being put down. That first drive after winter storage is fantastic!
     
    alexion likes this.
  20. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,129
    Vt
    I'm 6'3 275lbs and have had a 03 S2000 since new, put over 70 thousand miles on it. It's a little snug but not bad and for reference I can't fit in my favorite car which is a 308 GTBQV. No matter how I contort myself or position the seat I have to bend my neck.
     
  21. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 1, 2002
    28,029
    Dixie
    Full Name:
    Itamar Ben-Gvir
    BMW S1000RR
     
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  22. Ianjoub

    Ianjoub Formula Junior

    Dec 22, 2019
    899
    Homosassa, FL USA
    Full Name:
    Ian Joubert
    I was going to say any number of Honda dirtbikes. You don't need to use the clutch, you don't need to blip or let off the throttle, just stomp the lever and it gets the next gear every time.
     
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  23. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

    Jan 19, 2014
    3,629
    NOLA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Carrera GT
    993 Carrera RS
    Any sports car with a ZF box from the 70s / 80s.
     
  24. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    I have two currently, a Lamborghini Diablo Roadster, and a 2005 Ford GT.

    The Diablo is great that it provides a tactile feel and sound as you click-clack through the gated shifter.

    The Ford GT with the short shifter is more of a bolt action type of shift which matches the persona of the car as a street fighter driver's car.

    So both are my all-time favorites, they are just different from each other.
     

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