[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

[airikrankin]

U could get into tires diff upgrade sudpension etc but again that effects car, not driver skill. Car vs car

Racing auto in a straight line, pointless. Just curious as to why someone would choose auto if they planned on racing it and was able to drive a manual? If its your dd and you drive in traffic i understand. But if its a weekend toy that you use to compete with i would like to know why choose auto? Auto vs man...auto wins, your not going to be able to shift faster than an auto or be nearly consistent. But in the end do you feel that your the reason you won that race? If 2 stock auto 370 z were racing it would come down to reaction time as to who would win, assuming traction control was used as well, so why bother going the whole 1/4? One will never catch the other. Driving back roads or autox im sure the auto is a blast and if you prefer the auto then great! I Just dont see the thrill in drag racing an auto, but i guess i just view things differently everything growing up was a manual, hell our first lawnmower had a clutch! I live in the country, as a little kid driving tractors, atvs, dirtbikes, motorcycles, my first 5 cars were manuals. Only started driving autos once i started driving farther to work. Im 29, i hate to sound old but it saddens me to slowly see the manual go away


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FPenvy]

Originally Posted by airikrankin

U could get into tires diff upgrade sudpension etc but again that effects car, not driver skill. Car vs car

Racing auto in a straight line, pointless. Just curious as to why someone would choose auto if they planned on racing it and was able to drive a manual? If its your dd and you drive in traffic i understand. But if its a weekend toy that you use to compete with i would like to know why choose auto? Auto vs man...auto wins, your not going to be able to shift faster than an auto or be nearly consistent. But in the end do you feel that your the reason you won that race? If 2 stock auto 370 z were racing it would come down to reaction time as to who would win, assuming traction control was used as well, so why bother going the whole 1/4? One will never catch the other. Driving back roads or autox im sure the auto is a blast and if you prefer the auto then great! I Just dont see the thrill in drag racing an auto, but i guess i just view things differently everything growing up was a manual, hell our first lawnmower had a clutch! I live in the country, as a little kid driving tractors, atvs, dirtbikes, motorcycles, my first 5 cars were manuals. Only started driving autos once i started driving farther to work. Im 29, i hate to sound old but it saddens me to slowly see the manual go away


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I DD my Z
it's auto
I can drive stick
and I race it.

I also have one of the better 1/4 mile ET's of all the Z's on here with the auto with 2 mods and a tune.

as for the 1/4 mile reaction time doesn't mean anything really. it's the ET that matters. haven't you seen when GT-R's with LC race? most sit there and get the LC up and have a .500 RT.

wait 29 is old now? wtf?!

[11Thumper]

Originally Posted by airikrankin

U could get into tires diff upgrade sudpension etc but again that effects car, not driver skill. Car vs car

Racing auto in a straight line, pointless. Just curious as to why someone would choose auto if they planned on racing it and was able to drive a manual? If its your dd and you drive in traffic i understand. But if its a weekend toy that you use to compete with i would like to know why choose auto? Auto vs man...auto wins, your not going to be able to shift faster than an auto or be nearly consistent. But in the end do you feel that your the reason you won that race? If 2 stock auto 370 z were racing it would come down to reaction time as to who would win, assuming traction control was used as well, so why bother going the whole 1/4? One will never catch the other. Driving back roads or autox im sure the auto is a blast and if you prefer the auto then great! I Just dont see the thrill in drag racing an auto, but i guess i just view things differently everything growing up was a manual, hell our first lawnmower had a clutch! I live in the country, as a little kid driving tractors, atvs, dirtbikes, motorcycles, my first 5 cars were manuals. Only started driving autos once i started driving farther to work. Im 29, i hate to sound old but it saddens me to slowly see the manual go away


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just my opinion, but racing anything in a straight line seems totally pointless. I don't care what I drive I'm not racing in a straight line. It's just a waste of gas & tires with a risk of getting busted. Sure, there's some driver skill involved but not much IMO. Besides, if measuring manhood I'm ready for the real test.

Racing on a road course is totally different and I agree with what you're saying. I suppose if the car was mainly track then sure, 6MT. But really, how many of us spend more than 20% of our time with the Z on a track? So, if you're going to do mixed driving then nothing wrong with considering the 7AT and honing your cornering skills instead of how to shift a transmission.

Not saying it's superior but...

How many 6MT divers have been caught in horrible traffic and think (or wish for) the 7AT and are scared to admit it? I would venture to say many here have imagined this.

If we're being 100% honest here I'll admit there are times I regret the 7AT because I've always driven MT. My Z is no longer my DD and more of a weekend toy so this makes me feel a bit more strongly this way. I still don't regret my decision enough to do something about it or really care a ton because the 7AT works so well (very, very well in fact). Also, my lady can drive the car if I have a bit too much to drink (usually when she's eager to talk a lot lol) so there is another advantage. Would I trade for a 6MT if it was an even swap? Sure, I probably would actually now that my needs have changed but it's just not too important to me.

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

How many 6MT divers have been caught in horrible traffic and think (or wish for) the 7AT and are scared to admit it? I would venture to say many here have imagined this.

Never.


Ever.


And I've been stuck in some traffic that shut down I-35 for hours. I contemplated crossing over the grass to get to the frontage road several times and finally did, joining only a couple of pick up trucks willing to go down a 15' tall embankment into weeds up to the window in my Z and back up a 10' embankment to get onto the frontage road (where there was no curb). Not once did it cross my mind in those three hours that I should have gotten an AT.

[11Thumper]

Originally Posted by JARblue

Never.


Ever.


And I've been stuck in some traffic that shut down I-35 for hours. I contemplated crossing over the grass to get to the frontage road several times and finally did, joining only a couple of pick up trucks willing to go down a 15' tall embankment into weeds up to the window in my Z and back up a 10' embankment to get onto the frontage road (where there was no curb). Not once did it cross my mind in those three hours that I should have gotten an AT.

Jesus, I would have just pulled over and grabbed a pint (or 4) to wait it out...

You took the damn thing off road 4x4 style?

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

Jesus, I would have just pulled over and grabbed a pint (or 4) to wait it out...

You took the damn thing off road 4x4 style?

No where to pull off. The shoulder was being used as a lane. And the embankment drops off pretty quick. Also, the nearest bar was across the highway.

Yes I did. It was a very calculated maneuver though. I was getting frustrated that no one was attempting to cross (I would have done so way sooner in any of my previous SUVs). Finally a few pick up trucks started crossing where the slopes weren't quite as steep. I watched their various paths because I couldn't see the ground due to the weeds and I didn't want to take a sharp angle down the hill. Finally, two trucks took the same shallow path, which seemed very smooth as I watched their suspension. I noted the exact location, and when I approached, I followed the same. No issues