VIDEO: Is There ANYTHING Better Than A Gated Manual Shifter?

As we’ve been telling you for years now, the manual transmission is on the way out. While it seems that the enthusiast community is being brought to its knees over this, most consumers don’t care. Why?

Well, driving a manual is more “work” for some. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that people today would rather turn on the television to learn about the latest Kardashian saga and stuff their face with a cronut than do just about anything else.

In turn, this has led to manual-equipped vehicles of specific make and models spiking in value. In some cases, vehicles have doubled in value simply for having a third pedal. As you may expect with Ferrari and Lamborghini abolishing standard gearboxes, later model year vehicles with the extra pedal are in high demand.

One thing I have to admit though is that I’ve never had the pleasure of driving a gated manual. I just missed the cut off for getting behind the wheel of exotica with a do-it-yourself tranny and instead everything I’ve driven has either a sequential manual or a dual clutch.

That said, I came across this video of a Ferrari 360 Modena getting a workout. Of course it is optioned with a six-speed and an aluminum ball shifter. It has me wondering if I am missing out.

What say you, Spies? Are gated manuals all they’re cranked up to be?

TheSteve - 6/25/2016 7:15:33 PM

+1 Boost

I've always and only driven a stick, for decades. Today, I enjoy a silky smooth 8-speed automatic, and I love it. Mind you, it's in an SUV.

If I were to get a sports car, like a Ferrari, I'd want a stick. Unfortunately, that's now almost impossible with new cars.

MDarringer - 6/25/2016 7:19:45 PM

-4 Boost

Yes. A well-sorted automatic with paddle shifters.

MDarringer - 6/26/2016 10:42:11 AM

-3 Boost

@jeffgall for old people like you, perhaps.

mini22 - 6/25/2016 7:42:32 PM

+2 Boost

I've never tried a paddle shifter. I wonder if you still have the same level of engagement of driving?

MDarringer - 6/25/2016 7:48:04 PM

-4 Boost

If you know how to drive, MORE! It's more video game immediate.

jeffgall - 6/26/2016 9:33:50 AM

+4 Boost

Video game immediate is the problem. The mechanical feel of a manual is what makes the experience so great.

TomM - 6/26/2016 4:14:31 AM

0 Boost

The very best Transmission was a 3 speed with a vacuum assisted Column shifter on a 1939 Chevrolet which I got when I got my first license. (The car is still running) - Kids my age did not get cars then - and ANY transmission on ANY car was better than anything else in the world. AND I even had a radio in my car too and there were times when I drove the car long enough for the radio tubes to warm up in the winter and actually hear something.

jeffgall - 6/26/2016 9:36:36 AM

+3 Boost

Automatics were originally invented in an effort to get more women to drive.... Just saying.....give me a manual for a better driving experience on back roads any day of the week. I am not taking my car to the track so saving a few milliseconds is of no care to me.

alarriva - 6/26/2016 1:01:38 PM

+1 Boost

I had a gated transmission on my 599. It was so slow. Now I have a 458 dual clutch which is very fast, though a bit imperfect. A Porsche PDK is the one to get -- they have the best transmission, and honestly it's smarter than I am.

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skytop - 6/28/2016 2:49:25 PM

+1 Boost

Ferrari used a gated manual because their shift linkage was so sloppy and vague.