Originally Posted by mrobinso
I drive a NA Limited Coupe with the 6-speed (not for long though, trading in the Cross and picking up an '06 C55 with 32,000 miles on Saturday) and I can honestly say that for the underpowered 215hp engine of the Limited, and the heavy 3300 lb (give or take) curb weight, the manual transmission seems to really make the car seem quicker, louder, and more involving.
Now I am sure Limited Coupe owners with the auto tranny are going to bash me for saying that, but when I can rev the engine up to 5500rpms in each gear - I tend to forget that something like a Civic SI can beat me off the line, and it reminds me that I am driving a finely-tuned European sports car, not a Chrysler.
If I lived in a rural or less-populated area I would try to find another manual transmission vehicle. However, being that I am located just outside of Washington, D.C. - driving can be a hellish experience most times of the day and the stop and go traffic is no place for a manual transmission.
Additionally, the shifter is definitely notchy and has its quirks but as any 6-speed Crossfire owner knows, you come love the quirks and adapt to the clunkiness of the shifter. Also, the Crossfire (especially 2004 model year) is known for its particularly clunky first gear where sometimes the shifter will pop suddenly out of gear.
You can use the Autostick to rev it to 5500 rpm's (I thought it was 6k, but it's been awhile since I've driven a limited). It's all about learning how it works, and then working with those limitations. Remember it's an already outdated version of autostick.
Currently if you're ordering a new Ferrari 458 you can't get it with a stick. I don't believe they'll make one for it either. Anyone ever see an Enzo with a stick? No? well that's because they didn't make a stick for that one either. This isn't because customers wouldn't buy one either.
I honestly can't wait until I can get a car with Porsche's new transmission the "Doppelkupplungsgetriebe". This thing is just awesome.
The SRT doesn't have a stick, and unless you've got really deep pocket's it won't have one. My advise, learn it, play with it constantly, and you'll eventually figure out why it works the way it works.