Is this because they don't have those in England? or is it the "luxury" of not having to worry about shifting? I wish they did have that option as I enjoy stick, especially on a car that looks so fast.

Please note I've not tried the other side of the "J" gate shifter, is that a sort of stick?

 

With the left side of the J gate you can shift from 2 to 5 which gives you some control over what gear to be in. After the novelty wears off, you will likely leave it in regular auto. If you leave the car in sport mode, it will start out in first and use all the gears. If you don't it will start out in second for smoother acceleration. XKRacer has installed a stick in his racer but don't expect everything to work. I believe even Jaguar did one and even it is not set up for normal operation as such. There is one bypass mentioned recently where a company will sell you the wiring/computor that will accomodate a LS1 engine install and the stick I believe.

 

Ah, there is a lot of lag when I punch it maybe I'll try the sport mode and see if it helps. thx

 

I upshift my 2003 manually 95% of the time (using sport mode.) I do this to prevent the well known 6HP26 transmission/torque convertor annoying pulsations at slow speeds when the engine is just warming up... AND to control when I WANT the car to shift - not when the hunting and sliding trans computer wants it to! It's FAR more satisfying as a driver's car this way.
NOW if I can only figure out how to get it to manually stay in 1st gear until I want it to shift I'll be MUCH happier!

Try it, you'll like it...