Center console -vs- column mounted shifter -Opinions wanted
#1
Center console -vs- column mounted shifter -Opinions wanted
I realize this could be a potential hot-button issue for some people, but I'm curious: What advantages do you gain from having a center-console shifter?
Let me elaborate: It'* still an automatic transmission, -do you guys shift manually? At a drag-strip or something? Is there a speed advantage? Or do you still just let the transmission shift automatically?
I admit the center console Bonnies have nice bonuses: You can have the rear seat heating A/C vents, you get the bucket seats -which are very comfortable, you can have that funky 9-button seat controller, but of the shifter itself, is there any advantage to it being center-console mounted -vs- steering column mounted? -Or is it simply in a different place?
I have a steering column mounted shifter in my SE, and I rather like my large "captain'* seat", and I've had to fit three people up front before, and I like the larger cupholders in my aftermarket hump-mounted stuff-tray, and I have easy under-dash access.
So let'* hear it from you center-console owners, what advantages do you enjoy?
Let me elaborate: It'* still an automatic transmission, -do you guys shift manually? At a drag-strip or something? Is there a speed advantage? Or do you still just let the transmission shift automatically?
I admit the center console Bonnies have nice bonuses: You can have the rear seat heating A/C vents, you get the bucket seats -which are very comfortable, you can have that funky 9-button seat controller, but of the shifter itself, is there any advantage to it being center-console mounted -vs- steering column mounted? -Or is it simply in a different place?
I have a steering column mounted shifter in my SE, and I rather like my large "captain'* seat", and I've had to fit three people up front before, and I like the larger cupholders in my aftermarket hump-mounted stuff-tray, and I have easy under-dash access.
So let'* hear it from you center-console owners, what advantages do you enjoy?
#2
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From: South Bend, IN (hometown) Indianapolis,IN (college)
i dont know if shifting helps but i love having a floor shifter. when i think of a column shifter it makes me think of a van (thats what i learned how to drive in) and a floor shifter just seems sportier.
#3
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There really isn't a diffrence other than it looks sportier.... Both transmissions will do the same thing...
I have both... 91 LE is a Collum shift and the 95 has the floor shifter...
But, being that the 95 has more cup holders, Bucket seats, 3 power ports totall, cubby hole/sunglass storage in the roof, and the console for the doohickies... Its the one I take on long trips
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I have both... 91 LE is a Collum shift and the 95 has the floor shifter...
But, being that the 95 has more cup holders, Bucket seats, 3 power ports totall, cubby hole/sunglass storage in the roof, and the console for the doohickies... Its the one I take on long trips
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#5
IMHO it looks nicer. But thats about it. Yes its easier to work on a column shift dash, but do you spend more time working on your car than driving in it??
They were often equiped with different gear ratios weren't they?
They were often equiped with different gear ratios weren't they?
#6
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Groton, CT _NEBF 05, 06, 07_
Sometimes I think I would prefer a column shifter versus the console. I can't see any advantages or disadvantages to having one or the other, just preference. I drove a Citroen over in Europe one time where the gear selector (manual transmission) came straight out of the center of the dash. Now that was too cool!
#7
Originally Posted by Logan
They were often equiped with different gear ratios weren't they?
#9
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Ocean County, New Jersey
Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
Originally Posted by Logan
They were often equiped with different gear ratios weren't they?
#10
On the 00+ (well, at least on '04), there is a column shift AND cupholders (in the arm rest that folds down)
I test drove a sandstone color bonneville with a console shift, then test drove this white one... both were nice. I personally couldn't tell much difference in the seats. Bought the white one since it was $500 less and had less miles.
I test drove a sandstone color bonneville with a console shift, then test drove this white one... both were nice. I personally couldn't tell much difference in the seats. Bought the white one since it was $500 less and had less miles.