I think the 6-speed manual is a new and still quite rare feature. I have only driven two exambles in the S2000 and the Boxster S. I found them to be quite nice, but they take a little getting used to. In the Boxster S I had a hard time starting out "was I in 1st or 3rd?".

Also when I was in 6th and I wanted to downshift, I had to think. The top gear was in a strange position and I had to think where I wanted to go. I think this will become second nature after you drive them a while.

The reviewes have complained about a vague linkage, but I hope this is just because they did not spend much time with the car.

As for reverse, a lot of cars have a hard to find reverse, the S2000 did too. Sometimes you have to push down or pull at a funny angle, and since there is no synchromesh, you may have to let the clutch out and then back in to be able to get reverse. Also you may get a grinding sound or thump, this is common on a lot of cars. Once you find the secret it shouldn't be an issue.

BTW, with the high torque available with the Z, I think we will be able to use a few different geers at certain speeds, but it will be nice to have 6th for the highway so we can use 5th a little on the street.

Anyone now driving a 6-speed? any comments?

 

When I tried going through the gears in the car in the showroom, I found it very easy to find each gear and it seemed really obvious which gear you were in; the stick lined itself up with 3/4 and there was a definite pull to the left for 1/2 and to the right for 5/6. Reverse was easy to engage by pushing down. I also wondered if it would be confusing with a 6-speed, but I found it to be very natural (it's actually more symmetric than a 5-speed).

 

this new review has a favorabe impression. It feels like it has some serious metal behind it.

http://www.cars.com/carsapp/usatoday..._overview.tmpl

 

There are a lot more 6 speeds available than you think.
MB 230 coupe
acura rsx-s
Acura CL-S
Toyota Celica
Honda S-2000
Nissan Maxima
Corvette
Audi A4 (A6 also I think)
Porsche
many american cars (but I dont follow these)

Ok can someone tell me what "some serious metal" means in regards to the tranmission. Sounds like a cool comment but does not give the reader information about the transmission feel. Oh well another month and I will know.

 

friend has a 2002 maxima se 6 spd-he said it took some getting use to the 6th speed, but he liked it...

 

One more 6 speed,

VW Golf GTI 337

 

another 6 spd:

Mazda Miata LS

took time to get used to shifting into 6th, esp. if you have been driving 5 spds. for a while. but hey, i was on a test drive

 

I think he means it feels very precise and connected. You know what gear you're in and whether you're in gear or not. If you've ever driven a VW manual, it's kind of rubbery and mushy, not yet as sharp as their Japanese counterparts.

 

I think this is a good description of my impression of the Boxster S. The 6MT feels heavy and solid, and it takes a bit more effort to put it in and take it out of gear than my Integra 5MT. When I got back in my Integra after driving the Boxster S, the shifter action felt really light, like a toy, like I might break it if I wasn't careful. (I would make the exact same comparison for the steering, too.)

 

hey bracket head where you at in cincy i live on the good side of the river