Car and Driver calls it, "One of the slickest shifters on the Planet." If "slickest" means compact, direct, short-throw and precise, then that would be a resounding, YES!

However, if "slickest" means feather-light and quiet, I really don't think so. Because this shifter DOES take some effort to move through its gears, more so when the transmission is cold. Furthermore, when the engine is turned off, merely moving the shifter side to side to check if it is in the neutral position, produces a "clank-clank" sound.

A friend of mine who has driven the car said, "Well, with so much resistance and feedback from the gear lever, at least, you know whether or not you entered the gear." I really do not know whether he was complimenting or criticizing the car.

As with any "good" transmission, a good clutch is also required. I have complained about the clutch being too stiff and hard. Sometimes, after a game of basketball or badminton, my left leg cramps up so I'm forced to go home on 2nd gear all the way.

I've also complained about the stiff suspension. This is easily seen when the light thrown by the HIDs jump up and down. This has caused several vehicles on the opposite lane to flash me back with their high beams.

WTF, are you complaining about, you might ask? You bought a sports car and not a cushy Lexus!!! Well, that's why I just use the car on weekends and use my Lexus IS200 on weekdays.

 

I guess this confirms that I'm the "odd man out". When I bought my car it had no notch at all. I was constantly wondering if I actually got it in gear. As I got more and more miles on it, the notch increased to the point where it is now (kinda' like a loose miata tranny). Oh well, it's still a joy to drive...noise and all.

Andrew

 

I don't know if I have the same degree of "notchiness" as others out there.. but I LIKE the clickity-click of the gearbox and have no complaints whatsoever.

I enjoy the mechanical feel of the shifting process. If I wanted smooth as silk, I would have chosen a different car.

 

ok, to update my previous post, it was a cold morning this morning, but I went ahead and commuted in the S2k to try it out. The replacement of parts have really done the trick. I think the previous prob on my car was solved, but there is still a slight "bump" during the shift (in all gears) that provides me with the feedback that I am in fact in gear. Other than that, this is great! Now I know what the car was supposed to feel like when I got it. Anyone who has not done the 1-2 grind...I highly recommend it!

The first 13k miles, i did a combination of city and highway driving, so I did on fact shift alot. I think the disassembly and reassembly of my transmission last week did something to help the situation.

 

from what everyone's saying about the 1-2 fix, i think fairfax honda in VA did a shitty job or somethin, cuz the difference wasn't as extremely noticeable to me as it seems to be for others.

 

Thanks for all the info, gang. I am relieved to know that it's truly not just "my" problem. If this is just a characteristic of the car, then I can live with it.

I do most of my driving in traffic (being an island, not that many places to just open up and drive), so I'm hoping that the frequent shifting required here will actually loosen things up and improve the shift efficiency and smoothness.

I don't mind the "mechanical" feel to the tranny, I just needed to know what was normal on these cars so that I don't panic about things that feel odd.

Thanks again, everybody!

 

Very informative post... I only have to questions left...
1- Will my honda dealer know what im talking about when i ask for the 1-2 / 2-3 fix?
2- Is that service covered by dealer warranty or is there an extra charge?


thanks for any input...

 

I have a VERY pronounced bump in the 2-3 shift, as it is going into 3rd gear. It is the most noticable, more so than any other shift. It is annoying as I feel like I am damaging/wearing something when I shift. Hope it is normal, and that it goes away!

I'm currently at nearly two weeks old with 430 miles on the clock.

Oh, SOMETIMES, I get a louder than normal deceleration noise in second gear. I can kind of (I think) hear the synchro's rattling. Is THAT the problem that you guys are talking about that the TSB fixes? Is it related to 2001 models?

Cheers,

[Edited by Sime on 02-14-2001 at 02:33 PM]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BnB-S2K
[B]Very informative post... I only have to questions left...

 

Same here. The 2-3 shift is very worrisome to me in my 2001 (700 miles). Much more so than the 1-2 shift (which was the concern of all the MY2000 owners leading to subsequent TSB).