I have put about 1450 miles on my 2007 since I got it in late Feb. The shifter and clutch on mine are best described as being smooth as butter. And I come from a Miata which has one of the smoothest shifters around... I really don't know what the mag reviewers were drinking when they said the XF had a notchy or bad shifter feel.. For those that say they have issues with 1-2 shift, I have never experienced any issue, hot or cold. The shifts are smooth and all I have to do is just flick the shifter and it jumps right inot the gear I want it to.