The one I drove was an automatic, so the shifting was a none issue. The steering is weighted fairly haevy, but has good on raod feel. THe feedback of the steering is a little numb though. the suspension is ok, it's great for a raod car, but ultimate corning force is not it's strong point. I wasn't able to push very hard, so it's difficult to say how well balenced it is. It sounds good, looks better, and drives like you would expect a Benz to drive. I would have taken out by myself, but the powers at be know how I am around new toys. Needless to say they were affraid I would fuck it up and putmore than 5 miles on it. I can understand that considering the first two we have gotten both have sold in less than an hour for $4,000 over MSRP and there is a waiting list. Hell they won't even let the prospective buyers drive it before they comit.