(even better to have a real transmission, assuming all four limbs intact. Or a dual-clutch box, or CVT. A torque converter auto doesn't do a small car like this justice I test-drove the Abarth version of the 500 with a real stick, and it was pretty awesome like a little roller-skate.) But agreed that the manual gear selection on the FIAT is better than most cars. Had a Camry automanual where the numbered ranges still shifted autotragically, but limited the top gear. i.e. "4" allowed for gear 1 through 4, rather than keeping it in 4th until the engine either lugged or redlined.