Best manual gearbox

[EU_Foreigner]

In 1986, I had a fantastic Audi 80 with the shortest of gear sticks straight in the gearbox. It was the best gearbox I ever had, no car since has been able to shift as nice as that.

What car is considered to have the nicest gear change now? Obviously only manual ...

[alfa pint]

Think there's already a handful of threads on this topic....

Type R civic is a cracker. Proper rifle bolt job, very tactile and fluid at the same time.

[300bhp/ton]

EU_Foreigner said:

In 1986, I had a fantastic Audi 80 with the shortest of gear sticks straight in the gearbox. It was the best gearbox I ever had, no car since has been able to shift as nice as that.

What car is considered to have the nicest gear change now? Obviously only manual ...

Nicest is quite open to debate though.

Personally I always enjoy changing gear in a nice Series III Land Rover. Very tactile sensation. Ok it isn't quick, but that's all part of it.

The long lever action and smooth shift on my old Transit van was also quite a gem IMO.

[ManOpener]

The CTR gearbox is a cracker, as is the BMW Getrag box on the E46 M3.
A colleague has an Audi 80 and that has a gearchange action akin to stirring turds in a toilet.

[TIGA84]

Previous Civic Type R
Ford Racing Puma

[EU_Foreigner]

Nice as in not notchy and very direct. Throughout the year, I drive quite a few rentals and it always amazes me that the majority is fairly poor in the comfort of shifting.

Just which one is really slick and direct without obstructions.

[thinfourth2]

A caterham 6 speed box with a decent oil.

No cables no linkages it comes straight out the top of the box

[robsco]

Previous shape Lexus IS200 has a beautiful gearbox.

[kambites]

It is very much down to personal opinion. I like gearboxes that you can actually feel engage, I suspect other people would call them notchy. Gearboxes which just slide into each gear with no resistance just feel wrong to me, like driving a car where the steering wheel isn't directly connected to the front wheels.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 2nd November 13:37

[300bhp/ton]

kambites said:

It is very much down to personal opinion. I like gearboxes that you can actually feel engage, I suspect other people would call them notchy. Gearboxes which just slide into each gear with no resistance just feel wrong to me, like driving a car where the steering wheel isn't directly connected to the front wheels.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 2nd November 13:37

Tactile quality plays a big part for me too.

[R360]

An old ferrari with a metal H gate and a nice aluminium knob, feels great!

Thats the only time i will ever say a knob felt nice in my hand!!!

[n3il123]

s2000 is a cracking box very direct like a rifle action (I would imagine as I have never used a rifle)...

[Beedub]

out of all the fabulous cars ive owned.................. mx5 gear change stands out to me!! excellent feel, a joy to use, how a manual should be!

[RDMcG]

I loved the E39 M5

[RicksAlfas]

Ford 2000E 4 speed

[Cactussed]

The Mk2 MR2 was great, simply because the lever was so short and so high up in the centre console.

For tactility however, clanging around the metal gate in the 355 takes some beating...

[thenortherner]

Another vote for the EP3 Type R.

It feels incredibly mechanical, yet precise.

Pretty bloody cold gear knob on a morning though!

[Sam_68]

RicksAlfas said:

Ford 2000E 4 speed

[Dog Star]

Sam_68 said:

RicksAlfas said:

Ford 2000E 4 speed

I was going to say MK2 Escort - probably the same box?

[ewenm]

thinfourth2 said:

A caterham 6 speed box with a decent oil.

No cables no linkages it comes straight out the top of the box