Originally Posted by Hi-Step'n370Z

This is really good, intelligent advice. Really sum's the whole thing up.

BUT!

Let me add a quick comment, there will be holes in it, but read it for what it's meant to say.

Before you make any move, drive a stick for a while, preferably a 370Z, like at least a full day of different driving experiences. You may find that the experience is not what you thought it would be.

If you make the trade, it's gonna cost you, so why not spend a few bucks up front and try to rent a stick Z for a day and see how you really feel about the whole thing. It doesn't have to be a 2010, an 09 or even a 350Z would be good enough. Then you could drive it under varied conditions and at least get a fairly good idea of how you really feel about the tranni.

I have the 7 speed AT and I love it. It's my first auto, always stick before, and I don't miss the stick at all. You can shift her over to manual and shift using the tach with a simple, quick snap forward on the stick, so you do have control over how you want your Z to perform at a given time.

And, this car is SO QUICK AND SO FAST that unless you're really used to handling a car like the Z, you would be well advised to be able to put both hands on the wheel, should things get a little hairy, as quickly as possible.

I am NOT advocating speeding, reckless/unsafe driving! But, even the safest driver can find themselves in positions on the road that call for quick thinking, and the ability to do what's needed to avoid trouble.

For example, you're shooting up an on-ramp, and you get to 3rd gear, and you find that you suddenly need to concentrate on merging over between a bunch of cars. With the AT, you just flick the stick back to auto, put both hands on the wheel and take it from there, not having to worry about engine brake or having the engine revving like crazy until you're settled into the lane. That could take what should have been a safe and normal driving maneuver, and turn it into possibly a dangerous one.

Again, if you're really good behind the wheel, (experienced) great, but if you're not, then you could get into trouble with a car like the Z in a flash.

The paddles are good for those twisty turny "mountain roads" drives when keeping both hands on the wheel is a very good idea, and the manual mode is great for just having fun on the mostly straight drives.

So, right now you have the best of both worlds with the Z you already have.

But, I do understand how some just love the stick, and that's great too, just be sure you know absolutely which one you really want to have before you make a move.

I hope you're not letting someone else's opinion sway you, make sure you do what YOU want. don't feel bad about your Z because someone said that an Auto tranni is whimpy. You're paying for the car, not them.

Let us know what you decide.
.
.