1st Test Drive: clutch/shifting feel normal?

[Michael Jez]

Sentras- all Nissans and Subarus have a 1st gear lock out when U are rolling
and trying to put it in 1st gear. You need to rev match 1st gear in order to
select it. As far as 5th being hard to engage... What really helps the
sloppy shifter is the ES shifter bushing and a short throw shifter.  I don't
have that problem in my Max or my now sold SE-R. I feel that the tranny is
alot smoother in a Nissan and a Honda than they Toyota. Then again Honda
trannies just blow, they come from the factory with grinding gears. I don't
care how much stronger theoratically the Honda tranny is compared to a SE-R
tranny, no SE-R I ever drove grinded any gear no matter how many miles it
had. Friend of mine shifts his 240SX S14 without using a clutch, 90K miles
and the tranny shifts just great. I have 62K miles on my Max and I can't
complain about my tranny eighter- which internally is very similar to the
SE-R tranny- but ALOT beefier. FYI Nissan used to make Subaru trannies till
they sold their share in their company when they where in financial trouble
back few years ago. So basically Subie is a cousin to our SE-Rs.
Michael Jez
01 Max 5spd, verrry moded- best car I ever owned- PERIOD.