7 speed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 214
From: Sarasota Florida
It is great. I didn't think I would ever use 7th gear, but on the interstate, I often do and my gas mileage is amazing even without Eco mode. In fact, the best thing about the 7-speed manual is that it never goes into Eco mode unless you select it. After trying it, I will never use it. As for any complaints, downshifts from 7 to 6 takes a little practice. I kept hitting 4th for a while.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Mahtomedi MN
Easy clutch to operate- just a bit higher than expected for release but once you get the release "feel" its great. I love shifting. My wife was stuck in traffic and said it was very easy to work, not like any other manuals we have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 260
From: Westchester County New York
I personally love it...and as Tadge said he does, I find myself from time to time going from 4th to 7th on the highway...it's a 4 speed with 3 overdrive gears...
The only thing that I will improve will be installing an MGW Short shifter in the near future...
The only thing that I will improve will be installing an MGW Short shifter in the near future...
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Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 128
From: West of Boston MA
It is great. I didn't think I would ever use 7th gear, but on the interstate, I often do and my gas mileage is amazing even without Eco mode. In fact, the best thing about the 7-speed manual is that it never goes into Eco mode unless you select it. After trying it, I will never use it. As for any complaints, downshifts from 7 to 6 takes a little practice. I kept hitting 4th for a while.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 164
Likes: 9
From: Medford NJ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
all of the above, and sometimes my clutch shoe hits the brake pedal, which is a weird feeling...but I wear wide shoes and had to learn to position my foot just right on the pedal...it is tight down there... (that's what she said!)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Wyckoff NJ
best and easiest manual I have ever driven except for my race car. Can roll in 3rd gear from a dead stop if you are nervous about first gear. I only tried 7th once.
Last edited by JVJaz; May 16, 2014 at 12:34 PM. Reason: wrong word
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 77
From: Wichita Kansas
I always have liked manual transmissions !!! I couldn't fit driving school in my high school so I paid for driving instructions and 1st learned on a 1962 chevy belair that also had clutch and brake pedals for the instructor !!! I usually shift from 7th to 4th on steep hills !!! Wayne
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
(even in my wife's ZO6, I usually use 2nd as well)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The new gearbox is a gear too far. The 7th gear actually messes up the shifting too much.
IMO they should have not done it. I'm sure it's done for GM's fuel ratings but I'd actually prefer the 6 speed box and not have to worry about downshifting from 7th to 4th or going from 4th to 7th accidentally. You have to think too much. It's not "natural".
Center spring is too strong and it's a bit clunky when cold. It's not a bad box. Just not one of the best in the world. I'm thinking they made the center spring so strong so you can find 4th when downshifting from 7th or 5th. But, it makes getting into 1st more of an effort than I'd like in stop and go traffic.
The clutch is overly sensitive, at least when new.
The 7 speed manual box is an acquired taste. It takes time to get used to.
IMO they should have not done it. I'm sure it's done for GM's fuel ratings but I'd actually prefer the 6 speed box and not have to worry about downshifting from 7th to 4th or going from 4th to 7th accidentally. You have to think too much. It's not "natural".
Center spring is too strong and it's a bit clunky when cold. It's not a bad box. Just not one of the best in the world. I'm thinking they made the center spring so strong so you can find 4th when downshifting from 7th or 5th. But, it makes getting into 1st more of an effort than I'd like in stop and go traffic.
The clutch is overly sensitive, at least when new.
The 7 speed manual box is an acquired taste. It takes time to get used to.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
The new gearbox is a gear too far. The 7th gear actually messes up the shifting too much.
IMO they should have not done it. I'm sure it's done for GM's fuel ratings but I'd actually prefer the 6 speed box and not have to worry about downshifting from 7th to 4th or going from 4th to 7th accidentally. You have to think too much. It's not "natural".
Center spring is too strong and it's a bit clunky when cold. It's not a bad box. Just not one of the best in the world. I'm thinking they made the center spring so strong so you can find 4th when downshifting from 7th or 5th. But, it makes getting into 1st more of an effort than I'd like in stop and go traffic.
The clutch is overly sensitive, at least when new.
The 7 speed manual box is an acquired taste. It takes time to get used to.
IMO they should have not done it. I'm sure it's done for GM's fuel ratings but I'd actually prefer the 6 speed box and not have to worry about downshifting from 7th to 4th or going from 4th to 7th accidentally. You have to think too much. It's not "natural".
Center spring is too strong and it's a bit clunky when cold. It's not a bad box. Just not one of the best in the world. I'm thinking they made the center spring so strong so you can find 4th when downshifting from 7th or 5th. But, it makes getting into 1st more of an effort than I'd like in stop and go traffic.
The clutch is overly sensitive, at least when new.
The 7 speed manual box is an acquired taste. It takes time to get used to.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
