I hear you, i took mine to Honda and said that everything is normal. A good buddy of mine that’s been working for Honda for a while told me that there has been multiple complaints about it. Funny thing is very few people are willing to admit to it. Im just adjusting to this car and it kind of helps. But its getting tiring, i wanted to be smooth. I might try some things before i decide to sell it.
I'll try to find a good video or photos that explains this. Basically every gear should use a different hand placement to make it impossible to shift into the wrong gear. I learned it while driving my S2000 and it's become habit now. It really does make a difference and gives confidence once it becomes muscle memory.
I've noticed that 2nd gear in my car is a little harder to get into under heavy braking sometimes. I think this is the nature of the forces the car is under though and might just be what we have to live with. Yes the car rev matches on upshifts as well.
Am I lucky or maybe the people with issues are unlucky? This seems like a very small minority on the FL5 compared to the FK8 so Honda did improve things. If you are experiencing a lot of issues you need to take it into the dealer to get it checked out. You have a warranty for a reason.
The shifter in the FL5/DE5 is definitely notchier than most other cars. The only car that I have personally driven that is as precise while still being notchy is an S2000. This amazing feel comes with the tradeoff that you WILL feel when the synchros don't work perfectly on upshifts or downshifts.
If you want to feel a shitty transmission go drive something with a T56. Everyone raves about how amazing they are until you drive one and have to slam every gear under normal driving conditions.
Yes apparently you are lucky and people and issues are unlucky. You said "improve" and that's very accurate. Honda improved the transmission but didn't completely fix it. That's why people here still complain about the second gear. How can you judge it's user's error without actually experiencing it? And if it's user's error, why only on the second gear, not the third, or the fourth? Why did many experienced manual drivers only ground FL5's second gear, not other sport cars'?
That's exactly what I meant. Compared to FK8, it's improved and fewer people have the issue. But can't deny that the issue is still there and can't say it's usually the user's error.
Definitely bring it up every service appointment. When I had my Tacoma I noted every paint issue during those appointments and it helped my case later. Look up "Super White Tacoma paint recall" if you want to hear about a huge issue in another reputable brand. Honda will take care of you if you can replicate the problem with a technician in the car.
Easy, tiger.
