[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

[Jigalo]

Don't mean to revive an old thread, but also don't want to start another pointless manual vs auto thread. Currently in the market for a 370z, just waiting for the right used one at the right price. Ive decided on the trim ( touring and sport with nav). Only thing I haven't decide on is stick vs auto. I live in Houston and have owned both previously, just when I had my first stick it was in high school and I just drove around town never through traffic. So just curious if any Houston people can chime in if manual is a pain in traffic. For Houston people I got to school at U of H and work right off 45 and 59 and I live in clear lake area. So avoiding traffic is not and option and neither is another car, this will be my dd. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DEpointfive0]

^are you planning on forced induction or heavy tracking? If your answer is no, get the auto.
If you answered no, then yes, know that tracking an auto costs a bit more because you will have to get a tranny cooler and whatnot.

[Jigalo]

Ya wont be doing any forced induction or tracking.

[Chuck33079]

I DD a manual with a bitch of a clutch. It's doable. It sucks in traffic, but it makes up for it when the roads clear up. The 6mt's clunky, but it'll take a beating. The 7at is a good transmission considering it's a torque converter auto not anything fancy like a dct/smg. It just won't reliably handle much beyond the standard bolt-ons/tune. Either way, you'll enjoy the car.

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I DD a manual with a bitch of a clutch. It's doable. It sucks in traffic, but it makes up for it when the roads clear up. The 6mt's clunky, but it'll take a beating. The 7at is a good transmission considering it's a torque converter auto not anything fancy like a dct/smg. It just won't reliably handle much beyond the standard bolt-ons/tune. Either way, you'll enjoy the car.

It'll take stage 1 supercharger power, not TT power. The TT has too much torque

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

It'll take stage 1 supercharger power, not TT power. The TT has too much torque

Yeah, but the $/hp on that is a little screwy. If I had gone with the 7AT, it would have been an intake/LTH/cat-back setup with a tune and gears for ~325-330 whp and mid 12s. That's plenty and reliable. That's still a fast car.

[Jigalo]

kk thank you for the advise. So is the clutch not smooth like I have read?

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by Jigalo

kk thank you for the advise. So is the clutch not smooth like I have read?

It's not the smoothest, but there's a spring you can take out to make it better. There's an adjustable pedal people rave about as well, and it's only $225 or so. My clutch is a pain in the *** because it's aftermarket. Stock isn't bad at all. It's not going to suck worse than any other manual in traffic.

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by Jigalo

kk thank you for the advise. So is the clutch not smooth like I have read?

You've read the clutch is smooth?
It's pedal feel is non existent with the spring Chuck mentioned and the transmission is clunky too... It's really is one of the worst manuals... Take ing the spring out makes it a lot better, but still not a manual I like

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

It's really is one of the worst manuals...

Nah. I've had worse. Granted, they were in trucks.

Actually, the Viper I drove was pretty rough as well. I think transmissions that can hold serious power tend to be clunky. You learn to live with it.

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Nah. I've had worse. Granted, they were in trucks.

Actually, the Viper I drove was pretty rough as well. I think transmissions that can hold serious power tend to be clunky. You learn to live with it.

500-550WHP isn't serious hp IMO, Supra is easier to drive IMO and they'll take more than our trannys! Lol


That's neither here not there... But I definitely don't like the manual. But I definitely think that the 7AT is one of the best that's not in an exotic car

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

500-550WHP isn't serious hp IMO, Supra is easier to drive IMO and they'll take more than our trannys! Lol


That's neither here not there... But I definitely don't like the manual. But I definitely think that the 7AT is one of the best that's not in an exotic car

Nobody's broken the tranny yet due to power, have they? We don't know where it lets go. The Supra Getrag wasn't the smoothest thing in the world either if I remember correctly.

[b15]

I test drove both and bought the manual and have zero regrets. Get what suits you. Can't go wrong with either.

[Jigalo]

Just from the forums, I see most people complain about the clutch but overall its doesn't bother them that much, so smooth was the wrong word. But im coming from a civic and that clutch sucked. Im more concerned about traffic since I haven't had to do that since my g37 is an auto now. I guess my deciding factor will be whatever car becomes available with the packages I want ill take it.

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by Jigalo

Just from the forums, I see most people complain about the clutch but overall its doesn't bother them that much, so smooth was the wrong word. But im coming from a civic and that clutch sucked. Im more concerned about traffic since I haven't had to do that since my g37 is an auto now. I guess my deciding factor will be whatever car becomes available with the packages I want ill take it.

Why not go up to a dealer and test drive both? That way you can look for exactly what you want and you won't be second-guessing yourself about whether you would have liked the other one better.