Originally Posted by mdxj

Here is my short, personal review of why I chose a manual over what UNKNOWN370 thinks is the best transmission, the 7AT and why PDK felt better. After this, I am done with this tread and him. This is all personal opinion from my experience with these and I am not saying one choice is better then another..

I drove a Cayman S with both PDK, an older model with out and the standard. Between PDK and the regular auto they used, not sure exactly how it was set up, PDK shifted smoother and the gear changes seemed to come on quicker. Even though PDk is still automated, it gave off the impression that you still had control compared to the older Cayman's transmission.

The 370z's 7AT is a big step up from the 350 and most trip-tronic autos that cars are coming with today, and having an auto in traffic is a huge advantage. The paddles are with in easy reach and make it easier then using the stick, which is something that never seemed natural to me with an auto. It felt more lively then what I was expecting and was more willing to change gear in both modes, but to me it still felt like an auto and that I was not in complete control over my gear changes compared to a dual clutch set up.

Comparing gear boxes in cars that are almost double the price of the Z isn't really fair but I could feel the difference. I can easily see why the dual clutch gear box is starting to replace a standard in most high end cars where speed is the only goal and once they start to get cheaper, i have a feeling more and more lower end cars will start having them as standard equipment.

Sorry to thread jack.