Shifter Preference?

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There's plenty of them out there. I'm undecided on what's my favorite honestly. I like them all.
I'd probably say a H shifter that's typical on most manual cars or a manual valve bodied automatic if I'm feeling lazy. Most automatics allow for at least one gear change, but it shouldn't be done frequently.
 
I like being able to be in control of the gearbox, anything that allows for that will do. An auto that changes whenever it feels like is irritating (especially if it has only 4 gears).

My favorite is a +/- sequential shift, you pull back on a long, stout lever for up-changes, and push it forward for down-changes. But they are going away in favor of paddles, that'll do.
 
I prefer a manual of some type, and if that's not possible then an auto with some form of manual control (clutch-type is preferred over torque converter-type). Automatics that promise manual control but still do things themselves (see: Corvette C6) are irritating.
 
Thought this thread was going to be a little more specific than just another auto vs manual thing. Nevermind.

Entirely depends on the car really. If I'm to get beyond simply auto/manual there are several variations of each I quite like.

I like a nice mechanical-feeling manual change, like something is actually happening down there. One reason I'm so defensive of modern autos (aside from the fact they're simply very good) is that most modern manuals have a bit of a sloppy change that lacks tactility. Exceptions to this rule: MX-5, GT 86, pretty much anything made by Honda, Mazda. I also prefer a spherical gearknob - I find the trend for weirdly-shaped gearknobs pretty annoying.

Older manual transmissions can be fun too. By which I mean going back to the 60s and 70s in classic cars. Nice long, thin lever, typically a long throw, that mechanical feeling again, and usually quite a delicate gearknob that suits the long chrome stick it's usually perched on.

The best layout for autos I've used is Mercedes' current column-shift one. Just a small lever on the right-hand side of the wheel; click it down for drive, up for reverse, and press the button on the end for park. Frees up space on the centre console, and Mercedes always combines it with gearshift paddles too for manual control.

Jaguar's little knurled metal wheel is also really nice to use. Rises out of the console when you start, just click it round to the drive mode you need, or one extra click clockwise for sport mode. Again, standard paddleshift.
 
Azure Flare
I like being able to be in control of the gearbox, anything that allows for that will do. An auto that changes whenever it feels like is irritating (especially if it has only 4 gears).

My favorite is a +/- sequential shift, you pull back on a long, stout lever for up-changes, and push it forward for down-changes. But they are going away in favor of paddles, that'll do.
Click to expand...
The sequential shift is basically what a manual valve bodied automatic is other than the fact that the MVBT is not electronically controlled and it moves forward and back unlike the slap shifter (+/-) which is stationary in one position. A lot of old muscle cars came with these if you ordered it.


The benefit is you get all your forward gears and well as drive and all that. Basically your setup would look like this:

O/D (Overdrive)
P
R
N
D
3
2
1

^^^this can vary depending on how many gears the transmission has and if it has overdrive or not.

Shift it like a manual without a clutch and no need to let off the throttle, and use drive when you don't feel like shifting. Popular with drag racers.


Some cars are still set up like that to an extent with automatics, usually only 1 or 2 gears and can be done either on the column or wherever the shifter is located but won't stand up to the abuse of constant shifting due to the fact they were made as sturdy as the ones that were designed for daily use, or the fact they don't normally today have a large V8 pumping gobs of torque through it. Today they are designed for use only when you need them (say you get stuck and need a low range).
 
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Slash
The sequential shift is basically what a manual valve bodied automatic is other than the fact that the MVBT is not electronically controlled and it moves forward and back unlike the slap shifter (+/-) which is stationary in one position. A lot of old muscle cars came with these if you ordered it.
Click to expand...

I'm not talking about that, I'm referring to the type that is a manual, but allows for clutchless up-changes.

Like this (skip to 3:46).

 
Is this supposed to be different from the automatic vs manual discussions we've had before because it's strictly preference? Or about the shifters themselves?

My preferred choice of transmission is not so much about gear selection as it is about the clutch. Apart from special circumstances -- I wouldn't turn down a truck with an automatic, and an SMG/DSG makes sense for track use -- I require that left pedal. Until the industry comes up with something that provides the same level of control, it's irreplaceable. In a daily context, it's annoying to lack manual authority over the point of contact between the transmission and engine.

In terms of shifters, I've enjoyed all manual transmissions I've tried. There's a charm to the chunky feel of the Ford Ranger I learned on, or my dad's 3-speed CJ-5. The bushings in my E30 were totally shot but it still slotted into gears perfectly every time, smooth as butter. The wobbly long throws of the 4-speed in the Renault I drove in the BA/BE Rally were entertaining. The Legacy is more notchy than the BMW but that befits its AWDness. And then there's my Ninja; not much to say about shifter feel but flipping through the gears is still satisfying with that obligatory clutch control.
 
Also, with automatics, I prefer a big clunky column shift to a console shifter.

Sloppy manuals (as seen in some pickup trucks) are horrible but probably still better than an auto.
 
Sequential manual.

No, not the one like you'd see in an MR-S, an actual sequential box.

One where with an ignition cut you can do flat out upshifts in 50ms.
 
Manuals forever. I seriously can't drive automatics anymore, they just put me to sleep XD I've tried the crappy sequential transmissions on newer cars that take a century to shift, I mean I don't expect much since they're just automatics but yeah boring XD

So yeah H manual for me all the way.
 
General small econobox or budget sports car: H-pattern manual. Usually frees up a bit of power over the typical slushbox they would put in.

Pickup truck/van/SUV/anything meant to haul things or people: torque converter automatic with shifter on the column. Gives you space for an extra person, and autos are pretty good at handling the abuse of towing and whatnot without being stupidly expensive.

Midsize sedan: torque converter auto with a console shifter. Worry about getting from point A to B with a minimum of fuss. Flappy paddles a nice touch, but not strictly necessary.

High-end sports/luxury car: dual-clutch. Adds to the sense of occasion, being able to act out your race-car-driver fantasies.
 
Double clutch with paddle shifters if my favorite because it's the best mix of easy to use and sporty driving.
 
If I had the choice I'd take one of two quite odd combinations. The first would be a dogbox H-pattern with a torque converter, standing starts would be taken care of by the torque converter which would then lock up at 1500 rpm or so and for the rest of the time it would be a clutchless H-pattern. All the convenience of a traditional manual with the added comfort of the torque converter for stoplight traffic, parking lots, you get the idea. The second would be a dual clutch also with a torque converter, the torque converter being used as in the first option but the dual clutch gearbox enabling those characteristic lightning quick sequential shifts when on the move. No paddles for me, pull back on the stick for higher gears and push forward for lower.
 

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