[Christopher]

I'm just happy I wasn't saddled with the 8 speed transmission on my R/T.

 

[Christopher]

Sure hope they improve the "e shifter" before they spread it across the line-up.
It's my only complaint, and a minor one, with a great auto trans.

That was the primary reason I got an R/T. I absolutely detest the e-shifter and you can be sure that when talking about why I got the R/T, that comes up. A buddy of mine was out in my car the other day and I was letting him drive it. He liked it. A lot. But he thought that the v6 would be sufficient for him. I told him my opinion on the eshifter and told him unless they fixed it to drive the car with it because in my opinion, while the trans was supposedly fantastic and I wanted to get a v6, the e shifter is a piece of garbage.

 

[Christopher]

To each his own, I guess. I have had mine for a little over a year, and never had any real problems with it. The only shift that has ever slowed me down is Drive to Reverse, and that one doesn't come up often. Not enough puts you in Neutral, too much puts you in Park. Other than that, it is either one click or all the way.

On the several test drives I drove with a v6/8sp I was never able to hit reverse on the first try. If you can't do that on a test drive, there is a flaw with the equipment. If that is functioning properly, then I think there is a flaw in the design.

Engineers may disagree on the basis that it is functioning as designed, but when it comes to something like that, if I can't hit the gear on the first shot on multiple occasions, there is a problem.

 

[Christopher]

You know how often I've missed reverse when shifting from drive in my R/T? None. The last automatic I owned was my '93 Daytona. Can't say I ever missed reverse in that either. My Eclipse? Nope, don't recall ever having a problem getting into reverse there either. I maintain that the 8spd shifter is a crap interface. That is my opinion. You may like it. That if fine. I am glad it works for you. Truly, I am. My opinion of it though will not change until the interface changes.

I agree I wasn't familiar with it, but over the course of about 8 test drives, not being able to hit reverse from drive once is a problem and not one I'm willing to deal with. Put a slotted/notched interface in there like the R/T or a regular old automatic and I would bought the v6. But I guess it worked for them since it pushed me into a more expensive car.


I've got a friend who has a v6/8sp. He said it took awhile getting used to it, but now it isn't too much of a problem, though he still misses reverse sometimes. That's great, but something like that should take 'getting used' to and after a year of ownership, he shouldn't still be having the problem.

The sad thing is, I can't believe that it needs to be that way. When I tell people about it, I tell them that my opinion is that while the transmission may be great, the interface is garbage and they should avoid it. They may like it, but I don't.