Best Gear Shifter Of All Time?

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 01/07/2014 at 15:31 • Filed to: Gear Shifter, Mercedes-Benz

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The title is pretty self-explanatory. My favourite shifter has got to be the one from Mercedes-AMG, the one shown in the image above is from the GLA45 AMG.

They feel great to touch with the lovely aluminum and leather finish. Also when you push it into gear, it has a nice clunk to it.

What is your favourite gear shifter?

http://wild-speed.com

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:34

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Sole acceptable answer.

Stupidru > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 01/07/2014 at 15:39

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Gated shifters FTW!

DasWauto > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:42

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I'm pretty fond of the one in my mazda3; it's nothing special but I think the action is quite nice. Closely spaced gates with a decent throw make me happy. It's better than the one in my e30 which can be too notchey as well as vague (though I've got shifter bushings to address the vagueness, still need to install them).

I also think the shifter in the FR-S/BRZ is fantastic. Short throw but with well defined gates and good feel on engagement without being too notchey. Just excellent.

Meatcoma > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:43

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Best Manual shifter -

Best Auto shifter -

camaroboy68ss > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:46

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I love the 58-62 Impala 4 speed shifter nicknamed spaghetti shifters. They feel light in the hand and make you think it will be like trying to get a wet noodle in gear but will surprise you when can easily power shift and just plain grab gears. They work great when putting a 4 speed in a 55-57 Chevy because they can clear the bench seat.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:48

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I think I could deal with this gem on a daily basis.

Drsweetdik > Meatcoma 01/07/2014 at 15:51

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Lightning Rods!!

PlayerWAN > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:53

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As far as feel goes, out of the cars I've driven I'd put the S2000 shifter on the very top

Followed closely by the 2013 Miata shifter, and the 350z one. But if you mean pretty then it's hard to beat a gated shifter, but two contenders come dangerously close: The Ford GT shifter:

and the Volvo "Spaceball":

especially when combined with a billet knob:

davedave1111 > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 15:54

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The Jag XJS has one of the best auto shifters.

D > PlayerWAN 01/07/2014 at 15:57

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NC Miata shifters are too easy to move IMO. I like something I have to tug at.

davedave1111 > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 01/07/2014 at 16:02

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I agree, but some honourable mentions:

davedave1111 > davedave1111 01/07/2014 at 16:08

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And another good one, from the Aston Martin Lagonda.

472CID > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 19:46

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Classic

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Road Magazine 01/07/2014 at 22:32

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I prefer mine

TheCraigy > Road Magazine 01/08/2014 at 15:07

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Definitely Enzo

chicagoE36 > Road Magazine 01/08/2014 at 15:15

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Only 2 with posts so far of dogleg patterns?

Tsk, tsk.

IMissTheOldInternet > 472CID 01/09/2014 at 17:12

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I have that shifter knob in my Mustang. It really improves my driving experience.

dmtactical > Road Magazine 01/18/2014 at 11:26

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Of the ones that I've used, probably the column stick on my Crown Victoria. Seems odd to pick an automatic but the way that they thunk into gear is very satisfying. Whereas a manual can be very exciting to drive but the action is in the transmission and not the shifter itself.

mickshrimpton > Road Magazine 01/18/2014 at 14:57

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Having had the privilege of owning a few of the aforementioned, I would rate in this order:
3rd place: Volvo "spaceball"; Looked great, worked well, was attached to the best wagon ever.
2nd place: Pantera L gate; Mostly for being gated, and because it's attached to my dad's car that he brought home brand new in 1973. Loses points for being upside down.
1st place: Ferrari F430: Last manual shifter in a real Ferrari. Nothing in the world like a Ferrari stick, once the oil is good and hot. Like a true precision instrument; the snick from gear to gear is like a perfect pair of shears cleaving. A real loss to motoring now that they're gone.