I grew up, ans spent most of my life, driving a stick. So I prefer my floor shifter just because that'* where my right hand goes when I'm driving. When I drive The Missus' Astro, with the column shifter, I feel like somethings missing.

Of course, I also forget to turn on/off the lights, put the seat back where I found it, etc.... But the missing shifter is the big thing. I'm just a creature of habit I guess.

It'* a matter of personal preference

And I prefer console...

I agree with the others. There really isn't any difference, it is just a matter of preference. I, myself, like having the center console. It make makes the car sportier looking and I do rest my arm on the armrest. I prefer it to the column shifter.

Now that I think of it. There are differences..but they have nothing to do with the trans.

Theres a place to put a PAC SWI controller for steering wheel controls to be retained with aftermarket radio. Switches etc.

I think it gives it more of a jet cockpit type feel, where you are almost surrounded by controls. Along with what Bill said about the room for switches and the like, I very much agree with that, specially becuase I'll probably be looking to put my cb radio in somewhere, mabe where my Bose emblem is... that is if the Bose amp isn't behind the emblem, and maybe a switch or two on the console.

^ how do you manually shift on the bonnie :?

Well, if you put the gearshift in first gear and take off, say from a dead stop, it won't shift into second until you move the gearshift to second. And if you keep accellerating, it won't shift into third until you move the gearshift into third. And fourth gear being the overdrive gear, if you don't move the gearshift to fourth, it won't shift into fourth until you move the gearshift there.

Likewise, if your gearshift is in fourth and you are approaching a curve that you want more power or traction in, you can move the gearshift to third to get that power and traction in the curve, and then shift back to fourth after exiting the curve. -All with an automatic transmission.

I'm not saying I'd recommend it with our Bonnevilles, Frankly I think our Bonnevilles have great torque throughout their rpm range, and I only shift into a lower gear if I'm going down a huge hill, or driving winding roads through the mountains, and I suspect that'* all anyone in our group does.

But I had wondered if maybe that'* what people might be doing, because of another thread where people were kind of badmouthing column shifters.

I've driven some cheapie compact rental Toyotas before, whose engines and automatic transaxles were so badly matched that you really had to shift the thing yourself.

It is really bad to manually shift the car.....dont do it

column pwns all...in what other bonneville can you seat 6 people in and not be completely squished? not to mention, but you can slide through the front seat. your g/f can sit right next to you...need i say more?