Discussion
Hi there guys, this is my first topic and I thought that I would make it matter. I may be young (22) but I feel that one of the most important pieces of driving is the gearchange and how that feels for the driver and of course the passenger.
I have the privilege of access to two cars, both of which I greatly enjoy, they do however have very different gearchange characteristics.
My car is a '99 Nissan Primera GT its shift is long and the clutch is heavy not often a recipe for a great driving experience, it is quite physical, requiring your shoulder and elbow to move the lever and a solid boot of the clutch. When you get it right though the feeling is wonderful, however it's not dead simple and I messed it up a couple of times when getting to know the car at first.
The opposite is my mothers' 2007 Renault Megane R26. A wonderful car with unbeleivable abilities, the gearchange is direct and quick with no real effort required. The clutch is light and the change is so smooth it feels like its not quite happened. This creates is own problems, when moving off the clutch is so light it's hard to sense the biting point, it often feels quite detached.
Now this is my problem. I prefer the physical nature of my Nissans' gearchange I feel it makes me part of the mechanical nature of the car, even though the change is slower and more difficult than the Renaults'.
Am I mad or do others feel this way.
I have the privilege of access to two cars, both of which I greatly enjoy, they do however have very different gearchange characteristics.
My car is a '99 Nissan Primera GT its shift is long and the clutch is heavy not often a recipe for a great driving experience, it is quite physical, requiring your shoulder and elbow to move the lever and a solid boot of the clutch. When you get it right though the feeling is wonderful, however it's not dead simple and I messed it up a couple of times when getting to know the car at first.
The opposite is my mothers' 2007 Renault Megane R26. A wonderful car with unbeleivable abilities, the gearchange is direct and quick with no real effort required. The clutch is light and the change is so smooth it feels like its not quite happened. This creates is own problems, when moving off the clutch is so light it's hard to sense the biting point, it often feels quite detached.
Now this is my problem. I prefer the physical nature of my Nissans' gearchange I feel it makes me part of the mechanical nature of the car, even though the change is slower and more difficult than the Renaults'.
Am I mad or do others feel this way.
Motown Junk said:
Tsk. It should feel like the bolt action on a Lee Enfield Sako
Every Lee Enfield I've tried has been WW2 vintage and a tad clunky in the bolt 
OP - take an MX5 for a drive and then measure all other gearshifts against that.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 1st June 07:26
I've had two cars where I've really enjoyed the gearchange, but for very different reasons. First is the MX-5 which suits the car perfectly - it's solid, quick and perfectly weighted.
The other was in my 1983 Land Cruiser. Changing gear in that made you feel like you were controlling Ripley's power-loader in Aliens
Big movement, mechanical feedback and a big clunky noise. Great
The other was in my 1983 Land Cruiser. Changing gear in that made you feel like you were controlling Ripley's power-loader in Aliens
Big movement, mechanical feedback and a big clunky noise. Great
Edited by durbster on Tuesday 1st June 09:39
Pop round and take my knackered old Disco for a spin. The gear change is "characterfull" to say the least. Most interesting when leaving the motorway as a £2.50 piece of plastic buried in the gearbox swells at temperature, meaning that the leaver requires two hands to change gear! Cool it down and it feels the same crunchy, slushy mess again.
I like to be able to feel whats going on with the car, if i dont want to feel whats going on and just thrash anything about i fire up the xbox. Ive got a pug 206 the clutch is fine, not too heavy, not too light, but the gearbox is absolutly abismal though. Reverse is the gear i find to be the worst it either goes in first time or takes at least 3/4 goes before it goes in properly. Also when putting the car in gear from a stand still it feels as though the gear stick is in no way connected to the gearbox, its not too bad when changing gear whilst on the move but even when it is in gear the stick moves around so much its like its still in Neutral.
The gear change I enjoyed most was provided by a 'mechanically challenged' rover.
Whether by sheer rubbishness upon leaving the factory or old age and poor maintenance, the car had a gear change that managed to involve a rock solid clutch pedal and a very stiff gear lever. There was something satisfying about changing gear in the same way that kicking a door down is satisfying - the feeling that you have made something bow to your wishes by sheer brute force. Changing gear in that car was the automotive equivalent of the bench press and required you to force the gear lever, apparently against the will of whatever supreme entity the hateful car had managed to offend by being built in the first place.
The MX5 has a beautiful gear change but I do miss the "Thud!" of the clutch forcing the hateful engine to cease turning the wheels and then "Shudder-Clunk!" as the gearbox was convinced to select another gear, with the same tact and sophistication as being hit in the face with a brick.
Whether by sheer rubbishness upon leaving the factory or old age and poor maintenance, the car had a gear change that managed to involve a rock solid clutch pedal and a very stiff gear lever. There was something satisfying about changing gear in the same way that kicking a door down is satisfying - the feeling that you have made something bow to your wishes by sheer brute force. Changing gear in that car was the automotive equivalent of the bench press and required you to force the gear lever, apparently against the will of whatever supreme entity the hateful car had managed to offend by being built in the first place.
The MX5 has a beautiful gear change but I do miss the "Thud!" of the clutch forcing the hateful engine to cease turning the wheels and then "Shudder-Clunk!" as the gearbox was convinced to select another gear, with the same tact and sophistication as being hit in the face with a brick.
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