AlaskaPaul

Hi, I'm new at posting here but have been an avid reader for two years. Great information on the forum for the C7, which I am hopefully ordering on Monday.

I just watched a video review from a German reviewer who recommends not buying the C7 with a manual transmission. He said that shifting into gears 1-4 were fine, but finding 5th through 7th was really hit and miss.

I test drove a C7 (manual) over this past weekend, but never got to shift over 4th. Loved the car, obviously.

For those of you who drive manuals............what's your experience been about problems/no problems finding higher gears?

Thanks for your input.


Alaskapaul

Thrill6

Obviously this 'reviewer' is a complete idiot.

There are lots of reasons people choose automatics over manuals and vice versa, but I've never heard something as lame as 'finding 5th through 7th is hit and miss'. Really?

Driving an automatic is a completely different experience than driving a manual and your choice is base on which experience you want.

Vetteman Jack

Go back and take another test drive. Get it out to the point where you can shift through all the gears and see what you think.

JerryU

Been driving my C7 since the 1st week in October 2013. I don't have a problem finding any gear. Initially had an issue with finding 6th but you have to learn to trust the reverse lockout. Just pull as if going to reverse! You also quickly learn that with 3 overdrives you don’t row through the gears! I mostly drive in a rural area or an interstate. On the interstate I usually go from 4th on the entrance ramp to 7th when I reach 70 mph. On our rural roads I usually just leave it in 5th or occasionally 6th if at 55 to 60 (55 mph speed limit.) Never have a problem finding 5th from 4th. Seldom go from 7th to 6th but if needed just pull down as if going to reverse, which is locked out. Most times coming off the highway will go from 7th to 4th on the exit ramp. The springs are set to make 4th easy to find since that is the gate where it goes natually. Rev match does that perfectly, I use it all the time.
I have found the cue ball size shift **** (pictured) that I installed shortens the throw and is a help in the side movement control but the OEM **** is not what I would consider a problem. However for someone driving the car for a short time and writing a review it might appear more difficult than it is when driven for a few weeks.




Cue Ball Shift **** Shortens Throw 11.4% Improves Control

Algiers

No problem with it at all and Jerry U's comments above on trusting the reverse lock out for 6th is spot on. After a couple times you get the hang of it. I love the M7 and have never once wanted anything else. It's my only car and I drive it everyday in Los Angeles with no issues or regrets.

Weasel

No problem here either. Maybe the reviewer just doesn't prefer a manual. I do.

SRQStingray

I have no problem with my manual. The German reviewer must be an idiot.

AlaskaPaul

This is the link to the review I was watching. Overall, he was VERY positive about the car. But check out his comments at about 26:20 regarding the shift.

Every car I have ever owned, and there have been many, have been manuals, and I wouldn't ever consider an automatic unless I couldn't physically shift for some reason.

Thank you all for your positive comments about the transmission. I was going to order a manual anyhow......just wanted to make sure there was no lingering problem that I hadn't read about.

Ordering Shark Gray Z51, 2LT, manual, stock silver wheels, Kalahari interior.........maybe yellow calipers.

Go Hawks!

Dunga

There is no problem. You might miss a couple of shifts in he beginning but you get used to the shifter and the gates easily. By the end of your break in (500 miles) I'm certain you'll be able to put it in any hear you want without a problem.

davidtcpa

in the beginning I could understand not having a feel for which gear is where. An experienced manual driver will have no issues at all.

And by experienced I mean after a couple of times driving it.

jedblanks

7th is the only one that feels funny. Feels Like 5th used to on older 5 speeds. But you only go into 7th if cruising at 75.

1-6 feel just like the 6speed. Reverse feels better than I used to.

Rave

No problems finding gears with my M7. But a MGW short throw shifter can be added if additional shifting precision is wanted or needed.

67pete

It's not a Hurst Competition shifter on a M22 4sp, so don't try to shift it like that and you'll be OK. It will take a little while to get use to it.

dvilin

Not an issue, not even sure how often you will use 7th gear. Most of your quick shifting Will be 1-4th, the rest you can take your time and really should be fine. The German reviewer was probably used to a PDK transmission or was simply a non shifting non coordinated idiot.

arcticblast

I know a little of what the review was talking about. It does take a little time, but you get used to the strong spring pull to the 3-4 gate.
Still, I missed this exact shift twice yesterday and went from 4th to 7th. Of course it was at about 140 mph and I was rushing it. I was running a short airstrip and trying to shift fast while concentrating on the room left for braking.
Under normal street driving, it's not a problem though. For people like the reviewer that do not have experience with this 7 speed, I can understand the problem. If he actually had time to drive it for a while, his perception would change somewhat.

Thunder22

It sounds like the reviewer has a talent/skill issue.

C7Joy

There is significant spring pressure at the gate to 5-6. It might take all of 5 minutes to get the "feel". There is no problem with the M7 in that regard.

(The M6 in my 2006 C6, that was another story.)

4thC4at60

Been shifting gears for almost 60 years - yes, the MN7 can be vague ...

thrilled

I'm wondering why Ya didn't get A automatic.Some people can't walk and chew gum at the
Same time.I do know of many people if it wasn't for an automatic they couldn't drive A car.
So Sad.

Nyvetteguy007