whitels

Wonder how much GS430 owners miss the e-shift- especially those who have the 400 before.

mooretorque

Hard to miss what I never had. I frequently gate shift though which is fine since my previous ride had 3 pedals and a stick.

Now, if we had something like BMW's SMG, THAT would be another story entirely.........

SCWells72

I didn't have a GS400 before my GS430, but I had an Acura 3.2TL with SportShift. Like mooretorque, I gate shift ALL the time, and once you're used to the gate pattern, it's as efficient and natural as SportShift was on the TL.

I got an E-Shift IS300 as a loaner one day and played with E-Shift quite a bit. I don't really feel like I'm missing anything, which is good because when I bought traded the TL against the GS4, the main regret that I (thought I) had was the loss of a manually shiftable tranny.

lex430

gate shift is more 'natural' for me, as compare to pushing 2 buttons like a video game! maybe i am just not used to it

RacingAristo

I still feel weird to use gate shift. Everytime I shift gear, my left leg automatically tries to step on the clutch which is not there.

ShowGSLuVv

I never used E-Shift, but I agree with what Lex430 said, how it seems like a video game, it doesn't feel like ur controling the car as much by pressing a button

ShOwGS

mooretorque

Aristo, my left leg tends to do the same thing.........but not so much when I shift as when coming to a complete stop.......THEN the old reflex takes over.........my wife laughs..........

whitels

I gate shift my LS and sometimes after reaching my destination leave it in D, apply the parking brake, leave the car, and alarm it. After driving stick for years it's hard to kick the old habit.

RacingAristo

mooretorque,

I just couldn't help it after driving manuel for 4 yrs. Actually I'm hunting for a replacement for my GS. Does anyone know who can import some japanese sport car over to U.S.? So far I only know Motorex for Skyline but it's way too expansive. I'm waiting for the response from SIR. My friend was trying to import a Subaru back in 97 and the fee was like $15000!

whitels

mooretorque

If you can wait for the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII, it's coming this fall in the US. Estimated 0-60 in 4.7 secs, all-wheel drive, 6-speed manual, 2.0 liter 4G-63 turbo.

RealMarty

Once I got past the novelty of the e-shift buttons on my GS400, I really didn't use it very much. I found it a pain to downshift while turning (where the hell is that button anyway?? :eek: ) and that's when I wanted it most. So, I basically ignored it.

On the 430 I find I gate shift more than I used the e-shift. Just feels more natural to shift with my right hand on the console. This is the first time I've had two of the same type trans in a row. I have a habit of buying a car with an auto, then one with a manual and back again so I'm very used to a shift lever on the low right and in my right hand. I also make the transition pretty smoothly without clutching with my left foot when driveing the auto.

The steering wheel-mounted buttons may feel better in an F1 car where the steering wheel moves 150 degrees lock to lock, but not on a car where the steering wheel turns 2 1/2 ?? times lock to lock.

But frankly, it's not a manual and doesn't respond as quickly as I'd like so I don't "manually" shift it it THAT much. Mainly to downshift from overdrive to pass on 2-lane roads or to power out of a turn in 2nd or 3rd. I'll save the "shifting" for my next 5- or 6-speed.

Navaz

When I first got my GS 400 Oct 97, For the first 6 months I did not use the E-shift much felt wierd. One night I forced myself to use the E-shift for a night, scince then I am addicted to the E-shift, I was gonna trade for a 430 but It dont have the E-shift, so I will keep my car for a long time. Trust me if you give yourself the chance to use the E-shift you will never go back!.