[s-cars] RE: SSK

[Krasusky Paul (WQQ2PXK)]

Alex shared: 

<<<Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 09:25:17 -0800 (PST) 
From: alexander witham <alexander_witham at yahoo.com> 
Subject: [s-cars] SSK 

I've never driven a Testarossa, only an F355, so I 
can't speak intelligently on the Testarossa's shifter 
feel, but I would imagine from the numerous writings 
I've read that you are indeed correct the Apikol is 
vastly superior. However, nobody has ever claimed 
Ferrari made great shifting cars. The F355 was a blast 
to drive and I like the way it shifts, you have to be 
very deliberate and precise, but I wouldn't say it's a 
great shifting car, at least not from a standpoint of 
performance. I like the feel, but I know people who 
find it annoying and prefer the F1 paddles. Certainly 
not in the same vain as a 911 with factory SSK, or 
without SSK for that matter. 

I've never understood the fascination with BMW 
shifters myself. I'm not all that impressed with any 
of the newer BMW's I've driven. I find there's a bit 
of a rubbery feel to the shifter. This seems to have 
become worse over the years. I have an older 5 series 
that I maintain feels better than the newer cars. 

Alex 

PS - I envy you having driven all those luscious 
Ferrari's. If you ever need someone to help you out 
with that, just let me know!>>> 






Ah, those who (unfortunately) know me know I don't drive all these things
and share with you all to be envied, only for humor sake really.  Plus, it
makes me go BOINGOINGOINGOING! 8-)  And I was sorta kidding when I was
comparing my UrS shifter to those in them there other cars.  The TR is a
doglegged pattern (which I do dig, ala me old 2.3-16), and it is (of course)
gated, but man did it downright SUCK in feel / actuation.  SUCK.  Again,
thought it funny to compare a $140k car in '89 to my $50k car in '95.

You like Porsche shifters better than the 355???  And then call BMW shifters
rubbery???  Eeegads!  911s are the rubberiest of the bunch!  Tho w/ an SSK
they're certainly better and to their credit they are VASTLY improved
nowadays then on some of their earlier cars (964 and under).  I don't much
recall the GT2 shifter, was too busy trying to break the assend loose and
stuff heee hee.


For the $95 or whatever, sure, do both SSK options, why not?  AND weight
your current one!  Now that is a set up I'd like to feel.  Won't feel as
good as the F550M but hey we'd hafta install gates into the boot to do that.
Least it wouldn't shift like the Mack truck feel of the Mustang Cobra R's
Tremec 6 spd, with the gears kicking back into your palm.  Again, hard to
recall, tried to keep it from going sideways the whole time.  

Do both SSK's Alex, weight the APIKOL, and get back to us!  Love to hear
about it. 

But please don't envy...  how about surpass me and make me look bad or
something instead?  Go out and drive a Carrera GT or McLaren F1 or SLR (or
all 3) or something uberstupid somehow and put my fortunes to shame.  But
don't envy 8-)!  I just make it a mission to go out and drive what I can
when I can, that's all.  I am a hoar afterall.

Sorry for the WOB, but it's fun to share random pointless info.  Go out
there and make us proud Alex! 

-Paul shifting stupid conversations for the sake of humor, boredom,
whatever, K.