Seems like time for a TB from Honda! When I'm stopped, engine running or not, it takes some effort to shift into either 1st or 2nd. I can definitely feel some major metal-to-metal contact just before the gear engages. I can't believe reviewers can say that this is the silkiest gearbox in the world!

Regarding changing down into first gear when you're rolling......I thought that because of the synchro arrangement on manuals cars, you always had to double de-clutch going from 2nd to 1st. (This certainly used to be the case on older manual cars.) Does anyone know for sure, or are modern manual transmissions designed for straight downshifts from 2nd to 1st?

 

I'm not sure if you have to doubleclutch, but it helps. You'll definetly have to rev match. I can doubleclutch and get into first up to 25 mph with no problem.

I feel what Mister_two described, but it's normal. When sitting at idle and not depressing clutch pedal, the secondary shaft is spinning, but not connected to the output shaft. When you depress the clutch and shift into gear quickly, the clunck that is felt is the spinning shaft being coupled to the stationary output shaft.

 

To know what I'm experiencing, just goto Aran and mister_two posts!
Considering the strenght you sometimes have to apply to the knob, this car is definitly not for women!
I've heard that many ferrari models have an even harder clutch...

Vince

 

The S2K trans requires the least effort in shifting of any manual car I've driven. Rev matching or doubleclutching is the trick. I've shifted into first doing 32 once (just to se if I could). Once the revs are matched, it just slips right in. No forcing is needed.

 

I have problems going 1-2 and 2-3. I get that clunking noise too, and a slight kind of grind. Very similar to what George gets.

 

This was one of my first questions when I drove my 01 for the first time. I traded in a 2000 MR2 Spyder and it shifted extremely smooth, compared to the Honda. But Honda's on the whole shift as nicely as Toyota's I just chalked it up to a tighter shift pattern. Maybe I'm wrong and I haven't talked to the dealership but I thought it might be due to the fact that it is much more of a sports car than the MR2 and it's not fair to compare the two.

 

Hey! I just drove my friend's Celica in the weekend and I have to say its tranny is a hell of a lot smoother and easier to shift than my stook's. Its clutch was short and light, making the whole shifting experience that much better.

I honestly don't know how 9 out of 10 magazine critics agree s2k has the best tranny in all production cars.

I don't know.... maybe it's just mine, or maybe I just suck at it.

 

My shifter started out very notchy but as the box has broken in is very good. Except when cold (or when it had the grind problem) it as good a shift action as I have experienced in many years of sportscars.

Upshift or downshift there are none that are as precise and fast. You may find the FWD actions are smoother because you cannot feel the gears only the linkage.

This is one of the terrific features of the car.

 

my shifting has become smoother from 2nd to 3rd as i drive it more...in the beginning i felt it clunk a little and when its cold...i like the more positive feel but now its smoother... a lot smoother...like "transmission break-in" or something...anyone else experience this?

 

it seems that there are people are finding it feels better as it breaks in...i just didn't read all of the posts...i dont mind...i kind of liked it notchy though