The 6 speed in my NSX is pretty fantastic. You can feel everything so clearly through the shifter, the ratios are all spot on, no weird noises, easy maintenance.
Photography Courtesy Porsche
In a day and age in which transmissions can range from quick-shifting dual-clutch gearboxes to units with a virtually infinite number of ratios, what is your favorite that you’ve driven?
Do you prefer the slick-shifting six-speed of a Honda S2000 or a fast-on-its-feet PDK in a Porsche 911? Or, perhaps, you enjoy something else entirely like the direct drive found in a Tesla model S Plaid or the CVT used in Formula 500 cars?
Whatever it is, let us know.
The 6 speed in my NSX is pretty fantastic. You can feel everything so clearly through the shifter, the ratios are all spot on, no weird noises, easy maintenance.
In reply to Velement :
Thanks canoe.
I've owned a few manual Hondas and a Miata, which are all known for great shifters, but honestly, my favorite was the old-fashioned T5 in my 1989 Fox body Mustang with a Pro 5.0 shifter. So solid and direct, it felt like a rifle bolt.
1999 Miata. Bought with low miles (30k or so) and enjoyed the heck out of that slick shifting manual transmission every time I drove it.
My favorite manual was the one in the 67 Lotus Super Seven that belonged to a friend of my Dad, my 64 Spitfire comes in second. As for automatics, the 7 speed auto in our 06 R class is by far the best one I have used. Even at 180K miles it shifts so smooth.
The PDK in my Cayman was a marvel of modern engineering. The 6 speed in my ND Miata is the best manual I've ever felt. I took my buddy's 911 GT3 manual for a spin and I strongly prefer the Miata transmission to the Porsche manual.
In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :
Cadillac LaSall
It's a 3 on the tree and it's positively sexual how smooth it is. Finger tip shifting with gravity assist into 2nd gear.
The last ones were put into a few hearse's back in 1953.
I really pity those who haven't used one
I also like Duesenburg 3 on the floor. The one I drove had 47,000 miles on it and was 32 years old. But it was snick snick snick into all three gears and even reverse just dropped in without grinding. Long lever but smooth. Not at all not at all notchy.
I have 2. The one that is in any Miata, and the PDK in the GT3 that I got to spend 10 minutes of quality time with.
My first manual trans car - a 1968 Chev with a three on the tree and a very worn clutch was a bunch of fun. But if I had to pick a really nice transmission that I've driven I'd have to say the S2000. Very precise & tight, good feedback.
Integra GS-R/S2000 (GS-R: smoothest feel, zero notchiness but still direct feeling)
1991 BMW 318is (also very smooth, light action)
Shelby GT350 (more direct feeling than the above, but higher effort)
FD RX-7 (tied with Shelby; very tight and direct, some grittiness if pedal work not perfect, takes a while to warm up)
2006 Viper
FRS
Z32 300ZX/R32 GT-R (tight and direct, but feedback when going into gear not great)
2010 Shelby GT500
(tier 2)
Porsche 968 (heavy large stock shift knob balanced on top of spindly feeling linkage; hard to miss a shift, feels purpose built, would probably be good when shifting quickly on a track)
987 Boxster (very light, but linkage feels flexible. Feels like you will break the shifter)
1983 Porsche 911SC
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