Shifty or Shiftless

In theory, the more gears the merrier, whether the transmission is manual or automatic. More gears help improve acceleration, but they also may require more shifting to optimize engine power. Don't assume that a six-speed equipped car is inherently better than one with only five gears. There are many other factors affecting performance, and sometimes — like in heavy traffic or on hilly terrain — having fewer gears to row through can be a blessing.

Most sports cars have — as a minimum — five-speed manual transmissions or optional four-speed automatics. Some have six-speed manuals, five- or six-speed automatics, or sequential manual transmissions. The actual gearbox record holder is the Mercedes-Benz SLK, with a remarkable seven-speed automatic.

If you like shifting gears manually, the Mazda MX-5 Miata's stubby six-speed is hard to beat. + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

The choice is not how many gears to buy — that's determined by the model being considered — but whether to opt for the manual or automatic transmission. The Porsche Boxster, for example, has a five-speed manual, while the Boxster S has a six-speed. But either can be optioned with a five-speed automatic.

If you're an inveterate multitasker and don't have three hands, an automatic may be your only reasonable option. Will it be less sporty? Not really. Today's automatics are so sophisticated that there are few compelling reasons to insist on a manual gearbox, unless you just like to shift for yourself. Some, such as the five-speed Tiptronic in the Porsche 911 with the optional Sport Chrono package, are even wired to respond to your driving style, shifting more aggressively and at higher revs if you're throttling hard.

One advantage many manuals still hold over automatics is that they're usually more fuel efficient. Manual transmissions are also less complicated than automatics and, therefore, easier to maintain and repair. And despite their sophistication, automatics simply can't match the directness of a good stick-shift.

Consider test-driving cars with different transmissions — even of the same model —making sure to drive in traffic and on the open road to see which transmission best suits your style.

Gears are shifted via aluminum paddles on Ferrari's F430 equipped with the sequential manual transmission. + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

One of the latest innovations in transmission technology that has been trickling down from the racing world is the sequential manual transmission. These highly complicated devices are a cross between a manual and an automatic, and are quite different from traditional automatic transmissions, which simply allow the driver to manually choose gears.

In sequential manual transmissions, a clutch is automatically engaged and disengaged to change gears. All the driver has to do is flick steering-column or steering-wheel mounted paddles to shift up and down. Ferraris were among the first cars on the road to use them, but now these transmissions can be found in much less exotic cars, such as the top-of-the-line version of the Audi TT.

Sequential manual transmissions are easier to use than traditional manuals and can perform gear changes in fractions of a second. But they're costly and complicated. Although sequential paddle-shifters are superb for sporty driving and racetrack use, they can be an annoyance in low-speed maneuvering such as parking or making a back-and-fill U-turn, because (with Ferraris) you then need to clumsily activate an entirely separate reverse button or lever.

Carefully consider whether the ability to "paddle shift" will hold its appeal and is worth the premium you'll pay. The worst-case scenario would be to choose a sports car with an expensive sequential paddle-shifter that after the first 2,000 miles you never bother using because the transmission works perfectly well in its full-automatic mode.

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