[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

[CervanteZ]

Depends on your driving. I bought Auto since my commute can be stop and go. Nevertheless, it's really fun to drive.

[nmjaxx9]

Originally Posted by CervanteZ

Depends on your driving. I bought Auto since my commute can be stop and go. Nevertheless, it's really fun to drive.

I agree the main reason I got auto as well. and yes regardless of auto or manual the fun factor is def there.

[alexanderb]

[Matt]

It comes down to how much you enjoy driving manual, not how much you dislike the 7AT. There are zero complaints about the auto and performance wise, it's equal or better than the manual.

Me? I love driving manual. The 7AT could be a full second faster on the 1/4, and I'd still be buying the 6MT. Despite all that, I test drove the 7AT, and it blows away any auto I've ever driven.

[j.arnaldo]

From my searches: In the 350Z, the AT is f-a-r better than the MT, which is clunky, at best. An added bonus is that the MT has 260ft/lbs torque, while the AT has 274. I dunno 'bout the 370Z, but if the pattern has kept up, it should be even better. In the last Auto Issue of CR (last April), the Z fared as "Much Better Than Average". My experience with my '04.5 350Z Touring Coupe's AT is "Much MUCH Better Than Average"!

[Lug]

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

From my searches: In the 350Z, the AT is f-a-r better than the MT, which is clunky, at best. An added bonus is that the MT has 260ft/lbs torque, while the AT has 274. I dunno 'bout the 370Z, but if the pattern has kept up, it should be even better. In the last Auto Issue of CR (last April), the Z fared as "Much Better Than Average". My experience with my '04.5 350Z Touring Coupe's AT is "Much MUCH Better Than Average"!

Depends on what you want to do. The AT is slower in the 350Z, it's very dependable, but you simply can't add a lot of hp/torque to it. If you plan on any FI upgrades, the AT is almost useless. You have to upgrade the throttle body AND move the rev limiter spot for it to work. The 370Z's AT is a completely different beast.

[cprokesh]

2010-z Gun Metallic 7-AT. 11,400 miles, mint with seibon Carbon NSM wing with support base painted color matched and wing body exposed Carbon-Fiber. Fully loaded with factory navigation, illuminated kick panels, absolutely every option it can possibly have from the factory...Looking to trade mine for a 6-MT just because I miss the "Seat of the Pants" feel. I bought it after test driving both, and thought I was getting old enough to not miss the gear banging but I think I made a mistake! Its Bone stock as it sits but looking at the STILLEN VQ37 supercharger and dont know if the 7-AT will hold up to it as they claim an increase to 515hp???? Anyone know of superchargers/turbo chargers running on the 7-AT Platform???

Also anyone wanting to consider trade email me at cprokesh@hotmail.com. Would greatly appreciate any views on the 7-AT reliability with a blower. Thanks.

[Moonlitebiker]

I couldn't imagine having a sports car that wasn't a MT. To me it's the difference between riding in a car and driving a car. Plus, a majority of the women I date can't drive stick, so it saves me from getting slapped when I say Hell No!

[LinPark]

In my search for a new 370Z, one of the constants has been that I wanted a 6MT. I have a '78 280Z 4MT (you can check out my albums if you want to see some pics) and I've always enjoyed the feel of the manual transmissions. But, alot has changed in 30+ years.

What I'm looking for here is comments from people who have the 7AT setup but use the manual capabilities of the system and how that feels/compares to a real manual transmission. I realize there is no clutch, but I just want to know what the experience is like of treating the AT like a manual.

The latest 2010 Nissan 370Z brochure implies you can use the paddles or the stick for sequential shifts (no easy way to skip gears I suppose). Do you slide the stick over toward the driver into the + and - section for that? And do the paddles override the "D" position automatically? The brochure even implies the 7AT comes with the Downshift Rev Matching built in.

So tell me what you think about the 7AT and maybe you'll open my mind a bit - would definitely make my car search a little easier because it sure seems like there are move 7AT's out there for sale than 6MT's.

Thanks!

[antman22]

You can use the shifter or the paddles for sequential shifts in the Z. I find myself using the paddles more than the shifter. Its pretty responsive and quick, not quite as quick as a dual clutch set up found in vw's or bmw's, but for an auto, its quicker than most. It does rev match when you downshift manually, which is more or less so you can hear your engine blip hehe.

The paddles will override the "D" position if you flick them while driving. If you don't do anything with the paddles for about 5-7 seconds after flicking, it'll go back to "D" mode. I use this often when I'm on the highway and need to downshift a gear or two for passing. Then I let it be and it goes back to being lazy auto mode

I haven't tracked my car yet, but I feel if/when I do, that's where I might say "hrm, should have gone with the MT"...but as a daily driver and dealing with the stupid Dallas traffic, the auto is better for me. So, for me, the auto suited my needs and having the paddles there for when I want to have some involvement is definitely a nice to have. If you want the true sports car experience though, the MT is the way to go.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by antman22

You can use the shifter or the paddles for sequential shifts in the Z. I find myself using the paddles more than the shifter. Its pretty responsive and quick, not quite as quick as a dual clutch set up found in vw's or bmw's, but for an auto, its quicker than most. It does rev match when you downshift manually, which is more or less so you can hear your engine blip hehe.

The paddles will override the "D" position if you flick them while driving. If you don't do anything with the paddles for about 5-7 seconds after flicking, it'll go back to "D" mode. I use this often when I'm on the highway and need to downshift a gear or two for passing. Then I let it be and it goes back to being lazy auto mode

I haven't tracked my car yet, but I feel if/when I do, that's where I might say "hrm, should have gone with the MT"...but as a daily driver and dealing with the stupid Dallas traffic, the auto is better for me. So, for me, the auto suited my needs and having the paddles there for when I want to have some involvement is definitely a nice to have. If you want the true sports car experience though, the MT is the way to go.

- Well said.

[Trips]

[One_Quick_Z]

?




Get an Auto they are Faster and better if you live in the city and you dont like shifting alot.

DAN

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by LinPark

In my search for a new 370Z, one of the constants has been that I wanted a 6MT. I have a '78 280Z 4MT (you can check out my albums if you want to see some pics) and I've always enjoyed the feel of the manual transmissions. But, alot has changed in 30+ years.

What I'm looking for here is comments from people who have the 7AT setup but use the manual capabilities of the system and how that feels/compares to a real manual transmission. I realize there is no clutch, but I just want to know what the experience is like of treating the AT like a manual.

The latest 2010 Nissan 370Z brochure implies you can use the paddles or the stick for sequential shifts (no easy way to skip gears I suppose). Do you slide the stick over toward the driver into the + and - section for that? And do the paddles override the "D" position automatically? The brochure even implies the 7AT comes with the Downshift Rev Matching built in.

So tell me what you think about the 7AT and maybe you'll open my mind a bit - would definitely make my car search a little easier because it sure seems like there are move 7AT's out there for sale than 6MT's.

Thanks!

I have driven my 5 spd manual Miata for the past 14 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I bought a 370Z at age 61with the automatic for fear my knees may cause a problem for me in the outyears of my Z ownership. Although the paddle shifting is fun and to an extent a bit of both worlds, I have to say it's simply not the same as the fullfledged clutch arrangement. It's second best though preferred to a simply conventional automatic transmission. I bought it only as a matter of necessity and not choice. In short---better than nothing but just not quite the same. Incidentally, no buyer's remorse here as I had been driviing my Altima coupe for a year and a half before buying the Z. It's automatic transmission can also be shifted semi-manually (though it's no nearly as much fun as the paddle shifters) so I had a partial preview of what to expect.

[scruffydog]

I totally know where you're coming from. I've always love the feel of a manual transmission and I am also in the process of buying a 370z, but one thing I am sure of wanting is a Manual, not an auto. One of the most recent car I bought was a Lexus IS and it comes with an Auto with Paddle shifters. I sold my previous manual car for an auto becaues I figure a Lexus isn't really a true sports car so an Auto just seems more suitable as it is an luxuary car. Plus, I needed a car that can be shared between my fiancee and me. Not to mention, I injured my left foot several years back so having a stage 2 clutch was hurting my left foot as it applied too much pressure on me.

Of course I know a Lexus IS is not comparable with the Nissan 370z auto, but to me, it's not too far different to use in this comparison as we're talking about Manual vs Auto and not Auto vs Auto. Don't get me wrong, I love driving an Auto and i see the benefit of having an auto (esp in traffic), but the reason I am getting a 370z is because I miss driving a manual car. I feel that there's more to the driving experience in a Manual. Not to mention, the 370z is the pretty much the only car out there that is still looking for ways to improve manual transmission technology instead of switching over to twin clutch like most car manufacturers.

Times have change, and I know and admit that Auto is faster and better in almost every way. But after driving an Auto (even with the paddle shifter), it's just not the same feeling - half the time when I'm in an auto, I don't even both with the paddle, because it's still computer controlled. Also, not to mention, most of the time when you're putting the Auto transmission in Manual mode, you're probably doing a crappier job than leaving the computer to do the work. Especially for the cars that have Sports mode, vs normal mode where the designers have research when the best possible scenario case is for the car to downshift or upshift for performance or fuel economy. The computer is programmed to do what's the engineers think is best for the car's performance everytime and never make a mistake like humans do. Of course this could be argued between car manufacturers to manufacturers as this all depends how much research and how well of a job the engineers do when they test out these cars.

Personally, I feel more disconnected to the road experience. The more the computer takes over, the less skill it requires me to have to drive the car. To me, I prefer take control over more things myself, but I can see for someone who only cares about getting the fastest lap time in a track, an auto or twin clutch is the way to go.

By the way, Road and Track has a really good article that talks about Manual vs. Twin Clutch (Auto) I think it's 2 issues back...but it's really worthwhile to read it. To sum it up, for driving experience - go with Manual, but for the best time around lap - go with auto.

PS> Sometimes I just love to depress my clutch pedal to Rev my car and you can't really do that with an auto...unless u shift it to Neutral...so for me, this alone makes a manual transmission all worth it =P muhahahaa j/k