I had test driven a few car in the past (Matrix, 2002 Celica, Scion xB, and the Mazda 3) and all of their gearboxes didn't have a "mechanical" feel to it. Shifting gears on those cars (especially on the Toyotas) felt just playing with a Logitech joystick. Compare to my old 1996 toyota I get the feeling that I am actually engaging gears instead of rowing a piece of plastic stick. anyone agree?
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yact: does modern (post year 2000) manual gearboxes lacks a sturdy feel?
- Thread starter andylawcc
- Start date
Superior manufacturing and newer hydraulics would have something to do with it.
Pliablemoose
Lifer
I grew up with very sturdy MT's too, & the newer ones don't feel the same to me either.
I'll never be caught in a carburator rant though, FI has been a godsend as well as solid state engine control systems & ignition systems.
Tune ups used to be a real pain.
I'll never be caught in a carburator rant though, FI has been a godsend as well as solid state engine control systems & ignition systems.
Tune ups used to be a real pain.
I dunno, all depends on preference I suppose.
Do you like the incredibly hard to engage old style clutches?
Vic
Elite Member
A toy-like feel has been typical of many econoboxes for decades. Most buyers in that market don't want to actually feel the gears engage, or have to work with narrow shift gates, as that is considered "notchy" and not desirable. So yeah, you could say modern gearboxes are getting worse in the toy-like feel regard. It's what people want: light, smooth, and loose.
MercenaryForHire
Lifer
Just like their women. 😛
Gimme a nice, tight short-throw six anyday. 😀
- M4H
Demon-Xanth
Lifer
Most newer transmissions in the vehicles you described also have shift levers that are quite removed from the transmission. Try shifting an NV5600 (Dodge Ram's 6 speed.) some time. You'd be suprized at how solid the three foot long lever is and how tight the patten is.
well, not incredibly hard, but I like clutches that has a 'deep' / 'long' travel.
I tried my roomate's ford focus, the gear engagment feel nice, but the clutch pedal is too short, like, I only can depress the clutch pedal for maybe 3 or 4 inches. it is not necessarily bad, just odd.
on the other hand, Nissan's gear throw are horrible; it got the 'mechanical' feel, but it feels 'chunky,' kinda like stirring a pot of stew with a big spoon. (car tested: older KA24-power Altima and new Sentra)
then my next point would be, then why bother with getting a manual if you want smoothness... get a automatic then.
well of course, automatics are usually 1000 bucks more.
yeah, i gone to publik skool.
Savarak
Platinum Member
I AGREE wholeheartedly!
In fact, I spent about 80 bucks on my 2001 Celica GT, specifically on the shifter feel... 25 at Kumosports.com(shifter base bushing kit), 28 at speed-source.net(shifter engine bay bushing set), 30 for Redline MT90 transmission oil(3 quarts), and 4 bucks for some white lithium grease(for the shifter linkage joints).... now my shifter feels great 🙂 all those plastic parts that toyota puts in, just takes out some of the preciseness of a MT and makes it feel squishy.
mAdD INDIAN
Diamond Member
I like smoothness, but i need a bit of notchiness and "snick feel" when I'm going into gear.
The shfiter in the S14 240SX was raw....it shook when you floored (and it was in gear) and it was notchy, very very notchy. And it didn't enjoy cold weathers that's for sure.
The sfhiter in a 1986 CRX is smooth as silk..perfect throws and perfect feel....even 15 years later.
i have to say that of the cars you mentioned, the 3 is the only one that has a good gearbox feel. the toyotas are just craptacular in shift feel. i miss my old 90 accord, that had the best shifter feel of almost any car i've ever driven.
i personally like a short, precise, tight shifter.
i personally like a short, precise, tight shifter.
NutBucket
Lifer
Definitely agree that the Toyotas have sh!tty ass shifters. My parents have an '01 Camry and man I hate driving that car. The shifter is so vague and what not; yuck! On the other hand, I really liked the shifter in the Legacy GT (tho I think the one I drove had the STi short-shifter) so that's a definite plus as I'd like to get one of those. The shift feel in the Evo was quite good as well. I do like the feel of my Accord's shifter tho the throws could be a bit shorter.
GTaudiophile
Lifer
My 92 Miata has the best clutch/shifter feel I've ever experienced...and I've driven a few BMW manuals.
It's like you can feel every part of the linkage in your palm and finger tips...the entire car is so damned communicative...and raw!
It's like you can feel every part of the linkage in your palm and finger tips...the entire car is so damned communicative...and raw!
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