[Alex]

I am new to the forums and considering a Maser (2nd hand) and I would only get a 6 speed manual as I love the foot action. With my m3 I went with the 6MT over the SMG just because of the fun factor and also total cost of ownership is cheaper. (SMG can cost around 4-6k to be fixed)

As I read this forum it seems that the F1 has problems or the clutch life isnt as long members wish it was. but what about the regular manual?

How about the clutch/transmission life for a regular 6MT? If this car is never tracked and driven correct (not too too hard) it seems the clutch should last several thousand miles (50,000 miles plus?)

How does the 6MT feel compared to a nice BMW or porsche? As responsive?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[dchao]

Not as smooth as BMW or Porsche. Sometimes difficult to engange when engine is cold. This is due to the transmission is not directly linked but by cable, and cable do contract and expand with temperature. I think the actual gearbox is behind the driver for better weight distribution.

But you get much more control over the F1-shift, specially when parking or doing a hill start. And you can simulate a launch control which has been disabled by Maserati now.

 

[Fred]

Alex,

Good luck in finding a 6mt car. I gave up looking for a used one, and purchased a new stripper to get the trans that I wanted.

I went from a new BMW e90 coupe to the Maserati. While looking to replace the BMW, I was shopping the Porsche and the Mercedes SLK 350.

Please note that for all these ride comments, that I live in Norther NJ, and our roads suck. If you live in an area without potholes, and smooth tarmac, none of this will apply.

The Mercedes had a decent ride, and shifted well, but I felt claustrophobic in it.

The Cayman S was nice, but the engine right behind your ear would get old pretty quick. The car shifted REALLY NICE. The price for a new one is too close to a base 911, so I checked them out.

The 911 has good size inside, and did not feel cramped. The car shifts well, and rides much smoother than the Maserati. The engine is in the wrong place.

The Maserati Coupe rides the stiffest of all the above, and shifts the worst.
BUT, it is not nearly as bad as some would make it out to be. Smooth tatmac is wonderful, concrete roads are noisy. Expansion joints and potholes are evil.
The shifer and clutch pedal take some getting used to. It helps you adapt if your are used to the classic Italian Arms out, Knees in you chest driving position.

If one could combine the ride of the 911, and it's shifter with the rest of the Maserati, it would be the perfect car.

 

[squid]

Not as smooth as BMW or Porsche. Sometimes difficult to engange when engine is cold. This is due to the transmission is not directly linked but by cable, and cable do contract and expand with temperature. I think the actual gearbox is behind the driver for better weight distribution.

But you get much more control over the F1-shift, specially when parking or doing a hill start. And you can simulate a launch control which has been disabled by Maserati now.

Right. It's not a great manual. Coming from an M5 it was a definite step backwards. The trans won't be rushed, and it's a little clunky when cold. It's not terrible though, and once you get used to it you can make quick work with it. Also the flywheel is so unbelievably light so it revs insanely fast--coming from an M5 this was the biggest adjustment for me, but once you get used to it it means faster heel-toe shifts.

The gearbox is located next to the differential, inbetween the rear wheels. That's part of why it's a bit clunkier, but it makes for ideal weight distribution right off the bat. Porsche is the only other company that I know that does this, but they don't even make any front engine-rear drive cars anymore. My 968 was like this.

Expect standard clutch life--no different from any other car.

My manual will be for sale in the new year, if you're interested.

 

[Alex]

Fred and Squid, thanks for the response.

It took me a bit to get used to the M manual as all trannys are different and I can imagine now different with the Maserati. I actually thought the S2000 transmission was better then the M. (It just felt better then the M, maybe because it was a short throw) I did drive a GT3 and also the boxer S (felt great... very mechanically sound) I do enjoy shifting and driving (no track for me) but I guess the car is more of a fun toy and I can see how it isnt as good as the Porsche or an M. <the tranny that is. What 6 speed manuals are better then a Porsche or a M car anyways ?

After driving a new manual car one seems to forget about the feel of the their older car I guess.

Fred, I live in Arizona where the roads are mint year around. On several of the highways they use recycled rubber mixed into the road to make it even softer and more forgiving. Sorry to rub this in, but coming from Chicago the roads in AZ is a world a part. I do think I would not even want anything less then a 45 series tire in Chicago or N.J.

I will also look long and hard for the 6 speed convertible. I see one for sale in California right now, but I am not ready to buy yet. (I just put new tires and a clutch on my M, I need to get my moneys worth

 

[leadfoot_mf]

Right. It's not a great manual. Coming from an M5 it was a definite step backwards. The trans won't be rushed, and it's a little clunky when cold. It's not terrible though, and once you get used to it you can make quick work with it. Also the flywheel is so unbelievably light so it revs insanely fast--coming from an M5 this was the biggest adjustment for me, but once you get used to it it means faster heel-toe shifts.

The gearbox is located next to the differential, inbetween the rear wheels. That's part of why it's a bit clunkier, but it makes for ideal weight distribution right off the bat. Porsche is the only other company that I know that does this, but they don't even make any front engine-rear drive cars anymore. My 968 was like this.

Expect standard clutch life--no different from any other car.

My manual will be for sale in the new year, if you're interested.

the c5 and c6 vette are like this as well.

 

[v12gte]

I have a 6speed manual coupe, otherwise fully loaded....I like the car. I am on the verge of making a decision...whethet to keep it, or not...mostly because I have had it for 2 years (it now has 12K miles).
The clutch life is a lot longer, the problems are fewer, and the complexity is such that it does not require specialist equipment to R&R a clutch. It is no Honda S2000, but it is no worse than Mercedes of BMW manuals. Once you learn to keep to the left on 1st and 2nd shifts you do not miss gears. I get no issues while cold. Mine shifts just fine and I like being in control when and how it happens.

 

[MVP]

6spd here and previous CC owner, I don't care much for the 6spd, they could have done a much better job on it, but it's easy to learn to live with it. I'm probably going to do 6spd on my 08 Coupe when I order it, I just hope it's an improvement.

You may like it, I know other people do, but try to drive one if you can before you pull the plug, had I done it I probably would have went with another cambiocorsa.

 

[iufan993]

When I first got the car (coming from a 996 911), the shifter was my primary complaint. I still have the car, and I have enjoyed it much more than the 911 to the point where I don't know if I will ever sell it. I have put 6K miles on it (it now has 13K) including 2 full track days. I still have about 75% of clutch life left as of 3 months ago. I have adapted to the manual transmission, but it is interesting to look back at my posts over the past 2 years:

1/05:
I am relatively new to the forum and I just wanted to revisit the issue of shifting the GT. I have a 2002 with under 8K miles and a couple of things perplex me.

I understand that the car should be difficult to shift when fluid is cold, but 2nd gear is actually impossible to engage without a short "grind" unless I have been driving for at least 5 minutes. It doesn't matter how long the car has been idling. I can get out of the car for less than an hour, and when I return the same problem will occur (again for at least 5 minutes).

After it does warm up, I still find 2nd very difficult to engage, especially when trying to shift quickly under accelleration. If I shift from 1 to 2 under 4000 rpm it is much better, but I cannot shift quickly when rpm is over 6000 rpm. It's like the syncros wont sync. It is much easier to downshift from 3rd to 2nd.

2/05:
Thanks for the advice for the 1st to 2nd shift. I had learned quickly that you have to pull it (the shifter) left a little, but I did do a bit better today stopping for a hitch in the "neutral" position before pulling it in and down. If I don't "hitch" a little, then it just doesn't work well.

I drove a Mazda RX8 for a week and this would be my definition of shifting nirvana. Of course, I burned a half-quart of oil that week...

2/06:
As for the manual, it is not the smoothest-shifting car, and I have had to have 2 linkeage adjustments to smooth out the 1st to 2nd shift. Because of the shifter location, I drive with the seat a little more forward and upright than usual, and this also helps with the clutch, because it is stiff. I am used to it now, but when others drive my car, they always comment on the "closeness" of the brake and accel. pedals, as well as the stiff clutch.
Overall, I really like the car, and I know that my clutch will last longer than a CC clutch.

 

[Ron Avery]

6 speed MT

I have a 2003 coupe GT,and love it. I would agree with all of the other comments already stated. I only have manual cars and came out a 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS QV after eight years. If you are goning to do a lot of track days, I could see why the F1 is very attractive. But not for street driving. I purchased my car in July with 14,000 miles on it. I now have over 16,000 miles on it.
I am very easy on the clutch, I do not slip it off of the line. I try and wait until I 'm rolling to get on it. So time will tell if I can get a lot of miles out of my clutch.
Ron

 

[dchao]

Yes, the synchro is not great either, but double clutch (on down-shift) can smooth it out. Everything is back to basic for the stick-shift. That's why it's so much fun, you feel so connected with the car.

 

[Eurodino]

I prefer the 6-speed over the CC. Had the opportunity to drive a CC coupe after buying my Maserati GT. I feel I made the right choice. There is a bit of an issue going from 1st to 2nd whe the trans is cold. I own a '74 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 and it's no different for the older Ferrari. So, maybe I am use to the quirk's of driving the stick shift. After the trans warms up the Maser has no isssues (same as the Ferrari).

 

[Alex]

If was going to buy a CC. here is what I could be buying, I love the color as well! ugh.. only if it was a 6MT (this place is in the same town as me as well)

http://www.plazamotorsaz.com/22_2002_MASERATI_SPYDER.htm

only $43k

offer $40k and go get it today

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

If was going to buy a CC. here is what I could be buying, I love the color as well! ugh.. only if it was a 6MT (this place is in the same town as me as well)

http://www.plazamotorsaz.com/22_2002_MASERATI_SPYDER.htm

only $43k

offer $40k and go get it today

Awesome looking car. Where else can you pick up a beautiful Italian exotic with Ferrari internals (but without Ferrari belt-drive major maintenance) for $40K?

Our best kept secret

 

[Colossus]

I have just had a loaner CC whilst my GT has been in the dealer and I can honestly say there is not one journey where I have not cursed the CC shift. Part of the problem I suspect is that I live in town and it really does not like stop start traffic. In addition, I also live in an area where there are quite a few hills (not massive but big enough) and trying to parallel park the CC reversing up the hill is a nightmare, there is very little control and the transmission is constantly slipping the clutch.

Pullig of the line is also very unsatisfactory with the system either requiring a very swift application of power to avoid much slipping (not a good idea in town!) or very gentle application to minimise slipping, which means a very sedate take off speed, much to the annoyance of other drivers. There is very little control as the system will automatically start slipping the clutch as you get to about 1500 rpm in say second gear when approaching a tight corner, which could be taken without any problem in the manual. Once moving the shift quality is tolerable ad if you really try you can get a smooth seamless change, but frankly the system just feels very unresolved.

The loan car had 18,000 miles on it and was an '03 model and I understand they have improved the shift quality since then, but on the evidence I have seen would not recommend the CC to anyone who doesn't spend their life on the track.

 

[Steeldream]

I also live in an area where there are quite a few hills (not massive but big enough) and trying to parallel park the CC reversing up the hill is a nightmare, there is very little control and the transmission is constantly slipping the clutch.

The CC hates reverse especially uphill. Reversing up any incline whatsoever is guaranteed to produce an expen$ive $mell.

 

[Alex]

The CC hates reverse especially uphill. Reversing up any incline whatsoever is guaranteed to produce an expen$ive $mell.

what does burn clutch smell like?

I feel its a combo between brunt toast and hot plastic.

When I blew my clutch out on my m3 my whole garage and home smelled like it.

I was racing something faster then me and well I was shifting hard and when I got off the exit ramp, I could not engage the clutch. I just pushed it in and no luck. I thought it was just the rug in the way. nope

I got off the highway and pulled over (crowded church parking lot as church was getting out. I turned the car, and turned it on. It took alot of pressure to even push the clutch in to start it. The start was the worst noise I have ever heard. I started it and drove about 1-2 miles home in basically 3rd gear.

what are some signs of a ruined 6 speed? smell? slipping (what does "slip" feel like?)

I have never owned a car that long to see the clutch go...

also never let strippers drive your car (they will make michael shoemucher look like he has no balls. I learned...

 

[Steeldream]

burnt clutch is a hot rubbery/tarry smell and if it's really bad may be accompanied by smoke.

you won't "ruin" the transmission (well you could but it would take some talent - like a missed shift - and the CC software tries its best to protect you from that), just the clutch.

slip is just that - as you engage the next higher gear you feel the transmission "slip" - the engine revs aren't matched by an increase in wheelspeed - there's a sloppy/slippy lag as the clutch engages.

 

[RickBullotta]

The smell of burnt clutch is all too familiar to me...I smell it each morning when I back up my driveway...

I went through a similar debate when I had an M5 on order...I got cold feet after hearing all of the glitches with the M5's SMG and other gremlins, and decided to wait for the 6 speed. Once the 6 speeds arrived, I had already bought the Maserati, so I decided to bail on the M5.

My warranty is up on the Maserati in April, so, short of an extended warranty, I may be shopping again. M5 or new M3 will certainly be on the list to evaluate. Maybe even a new GS - if they would build it without the side skirts and with the coupe wheels...

 

[Alex]

My warranty is up on the Maserati in April, so, short of an extended warranty, I may be shopping again. M5 or new M3 will certainly be on the list to evaluate. Maybe even a new GS - if they would build it without the side skirts and with the coupe wheels...

I just got the new AutoWeek in the mail and I am wondering if I should wait till the 2008 m3 comes out or get a maserati. I will not be buying a new car until about July as I am buying a condo soon so that is where the additonal funds be will at.

I just wish the GS was aval with 3 peddles