I'm still not sure how a shift gate makes it look like an auto... An auto trans has a channel for the gear selector to travel through.
The shift gates for a manual trans are aesthetic but certainly unique. Nobody has ever mistaken the shift gate on a Ferrari with the open-slot automatic trans selector in a Camry.
The "H-pattern" has always been synonymous with spendy sports cars.
The new Audi R8 has them as well, and EVERY person that has test driven the Audi raves over the retro "clink" from the gear selector being thrown from gate to gate.
The synchros guide the transmission lever, not the gates. We have no gates whatsoever and I never miss a shift. It simply plops in by feel.
I would hazard to say that you could remove the shift gate from the Audi R8 and still make your shifts
. It just looks much cooler with it in place.
At any rate, I'm not sure why I'm being such a salesman for the product, seeing as it won't even fit my car.
I still beg the question... what is the difference between the Limited and Base cars with the 6MT? Same engine, same trans, same interior, same clutch linkage, same throws (I've driven a base before).
I can't think of anything that would be different from a mechanical standpoint.
Can someone enlighten?