You don't like paddle shifter because you're comparing a Mazda 3' paddle shift to a Corvette's (which you haven't driven). That doesn't work. The Grand Cherokee also has manual shift autos, but it's not supposed to shift like a sports car, neither is the Mazda. Now Audi/Volkwagon are said to have great 'paddleshift' trannies followed by BMW & Porsche. All of whcih shift quick with no lag in 'sport' mode. The question I have is how much hp is lost, the Porsches have terrible drivetrain loss compared to their manuals. I haven't heard any comment on the C6's A6, but I'm sure you'd be a lot happier with it than what you've driven.

 

horse shoe shifter would be cool, but id be far more concerned about its functionality (or the tranny's rather). If i were to buy an automatic, id want it to be one that can actually be shifted. And by that i mean something thats actually worth a damn. Autosticks and tapshifts are a joke, theres no point in it if you shift before the 'yellow line' and still hit the rev limiter (my friends stock GTP does that ) I really dont think its much to ask for, they did it in the 60s for cripes sake. I used to hate all automatics in their stock form until i rode in my cousins '68 coronet R/T. when he clicks the STOCK shifter from 1 to 2, or 2 to 3, that thing shifts right NOW, no matter what the RPM or throttle. right now, as in: the split second the shifter clicks, you hear a "confirmation" of the shift from the rear tires

sadly, thats in my dreams since engineers are developing things like torque management instead

 

I was not really directly comparing. I should have said, I am not sure about them because I have not liked the ones I have driven. I am sure there are better ones than on the Mazda 3. It is just that the delay was about 2 seconds. It made it kind of frustrating. I would bet the corvette is quite a bit faster shifting. I just will probably not drive one for a long time because I can not afford one.

 

your cousin probably had a shift kit in that coronet.

i still think it'd be awesome if they don't do some electronic shifting thing, but rather have a tactile foward ratchet shifting action like most B&M and Hurst shifters do. having a mechanical rather than electronic adds more of that toughness feel to the car, and is just plain fun.