[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

msl82 · 04-03-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forumite

I drove both, the power was still there with the A/T and it felt worlds smoother than the M/T. I like my sports cars to be smooth, I like my muscle cars to be jerky.

I don't know about you but my 370z is butter smooth just like an automatic. But then again, I think that totally depends on the individual's competency to drive manual.

MarcusMIA · 04-03-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msl82

But then again, I think that totally depends on the individual's competency to drive manual.

Oh no he didn't...

Musashi · 04-03-2009, 04:41 PM

1 thought I have and I'm not bashing anyone, because I don't give a damn if you drive auto or manual. It's what ever you prefer and are use to.

Obviously it takes more skill to drive the manual, but not much more since the synchro rev matching makes it a good amount easier for people to live with as a daily. The clutch in the Z is so soft its unbelievable. Whatever.... Threads like this can go on forever. Im out...

jayhawk · 04-03-2009, 10:33 PM

If you get an auto tranny, how will you hold your head high at the gatherings of the true sports car fans? The manual on the 370Z, with the syncro, is the talk of the sport car world.

If you get an auto, you might as well get an infiniti G37 coupe with 4 seats! (the horror!)

just my 2 cents worth....

The Z is a "pure" sports car. Don't mess with that!

--jayhawk
Original owner, 1973 Datsun 240Z
(and second owner of a 1993 300ZX - both are in my garage right now. and both with manual transmissions.)

Crash · 04-05-2009, 10:37 PM

Well, although I'll never buy an auto, I do disagree with that statement. What is a Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini LP-670? Not a "pure" sports car? They don't have manuals, and yet they're pretty damn fast and sporty to me.

Paddle shifters are a pretty good setup (if the line pressure is raised) for track use and therefore I don't see automatics as a non-sports car.

Also, there are those that either don't like to drive manuals for one reason or another (my friend has a blown-out knee, for example) and would still like to drive a sporty car. And then of course there are those that don't know how to drive a manual. I don't see anything wrong with getting an auto and I don't look down on those that have autos. A car enthusiast is a car enthusiast.

Endgame · 04-05-2009, 11:33 PM

Aman Crash... Look at the big picture people...

Grow UP. GEEZ....

Forumite · 04-06-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawk

If you get an auto tranny, how will you hold your head high at the gatherings of the true sports car fans? The manual on the 370Z, with the syncro, is the talk of the sport car world.

If you get an auto, you might as well get an infiniti G37 coupe with 4 seats! (the horror!)

just my 2 cents worth....

The Z is a "pure" sports car. Don't mess with that!

--jayhawk
Original owner, 1973 Datsun 240Z
(and second owner of a 1993 300ZX - both are in my garage right now. and both with manual transmissions.)

LOL since when does the tranny make a car a sports car?

wstar · 04-06-2009, 02:20 PM

I'm a good manual driver, and I went with Auto on my 370Z. It's been great. I still flip back and forth all the time (my older Trans-Am is a 6 speed, and I still drive it too (mostly to pick up missing tools or parts while the Z is up on jack stands getting some work done)). Sure with the 6 speed I have more direct control, but the Z's auto is really well done. It's really nice if you're busy, on the phone, stuck in crawling traffic, etc, to just be able to put the car in D and not worry about it.

As for any real driving (high-speed cornering, etc) in the power-band of the engine, the auto is a pretty fast shifter, and makes smoother engagements than I ever could in a manual. One less thing for my brain to focus on means I can spend more time watching my speed, my line, the curb, other drivers, etc.

Brandon26pdx · 04-06-2009, 03:17 PM

I'd would probably never be happy with an auto in a car like that, but have heard Nissan's new 7-speed auto is a marked improvement over the old 5AT, both in acceleration and fuel economy. I can certainly appreciate that.

OnCallZ · 04-06-2009, 03:45 PM

I went with 7speed since it's my daily driver + I already have two manuals sitting in the garage

jekel · 05-17-2009, 09:02 AM

I've driven manual since 2003 and test drove the Z a few weeks ago, they only had a auto. Never thought i'd consider auto and especially for a sport car as i always had it in my mind mt was the only way to go. Now however im kinda leaning towards the auto, was pretty happy with it when i played around with it.

6MT · 05-17-2009, 09:39 AM

For me, it's a manual gearbox. With the performance of the 370, my liking is the manual. But, I take nothing away from anyone who prefers an automatic.

CBRich · 05-17-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawk

If you get an auto tranny, how will you hold your head high at the gatherings of the true sports car fans? The manual on the 370Z, with the syncro, is the talk of the sport car world.

And if you buy the sport and use SRM how can you hold your head high knowing you should have learned heel-toe already?

nicknick · 05-17-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticreaver

true but obviously brand recognition is important too. which is probably why people buy what they wear or drive.

like everyone said, it's a personal choice.

Why is brand recognition so important to you? Are you not comfortable in that you have bought good quality but want a "name" to go along with it?

jgabriel66 · 05-17-2009, 10:13 PM

the guy who started the thread answered his own question when he started the thread.

What I mean by that is if you have to talk yourself into an MT, you'll and up with the auto.

There are exceptions like a few posted on this thread, but if you enjoy driving stick, especially on a sports car, you'll do it in traffic, on hills, in bad weather, whatever.

I drove manual transmissions for 15 years, then got marred, turned 35 and got a Lexus Gs 300. Great car with a lot of goodies. I wanted to shoot myself.

I traded it in 1 year later for a mini cooper S.mt Didn't have half the bells and whistles of the Lexus but I couldn't wait to drive it every day.

That's when I fully realized I was a MT guy.

If you have to convince yourself, get an auto because you'll probably regret getting a manual in the long run.

To enjoy driving a manual is not just an extension of the car, it's an extension of ones personality. Like many of you, I get bored driving an automatic. It turns a drive into a chore. My 6MT Z makes going to the dry cleaners a fun driving experience.

04-05-2009, 10:37 PM	#80 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 590	Well, although I'll never buy an auto, I do disagree with that statement. What is a Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini LP-670? Not a "pure" sports car? They don't have manuals, and yet they're pretty damn fast and sporty to me. Paddle shifters are a pretty good setup (if the line pressure is raised) for track use and therefore I don't see automatics as a non-sports car. Also, there are those that either don't like to drive manuals for one reason or another (my friend has a blown-out knee, for example) and would still like to drive a sporty car. And then of course there are those that don't know how to drive a manual. I don't see anything wrong with getting an auto and I don't look down on those that have autos. A car enthusiast is a car enthusiast. __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

04-06-2009, 02:20 PM	#83 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	I'm a good manual driver, and I went with Auto on my 370Z. It's been great. I still flip back and forth all the time (my older Trans-Am is a 6 speed, and I still drive it too (mostly to pick up missing tools or parts while the Z is up on jack stands getting some work done)). Sure with the 6 speed I have more direct control, but the Z's auto is really well done. It's really nice if you're busy, on the phone, stuck in crawling traffic, etc, to just be able to put the car in D and not worry about it. As for any real driving (high-speed cornering, etc) in the power-band of the engine, the auto is a pretty fast shifter, and makes smoother engagements than I ever could in a manual. One less thing for my brain to focus on means I can spend more time watching my speed, my line, the curb, other drivers, etc. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-06-2009, 03:17 PM	#84 (permalink)
Brandon26pdx Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 36 Drives: 08 350Z Rep Power: 16	I'd would probably never be happy with an auto in a car like that, but have heard Nissan's new 7-speed auto is a marked improvement over the old 5AT, both in acceleration and fuel economy. I can certainly appreciate that. __________________ 08 350Z-6spd-Magnetic Black

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04-03-2009, 04:41 PM	#78 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 606	1 thought I have and I'm not bashing anyone, because I don't give a damn if you drive auto or manual. It's what ever you prefer and are use to. Obviously it takes more skill to drive the manual, but not much more since the synchro rev matching makes it a good amount easier for people to live with as a daily. The clutch in the Z is so soft its unbelievable. Whatever.... Threads like this can go on forever. Im out...

04-03-2009, 10:33 PM	#79 (permalink)
jayhawk Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Francisco Bay area Posts: 12 Drives: 1973 Datsun 240Z Rep Power: 16	If you get an auto tranny, how will you hold your head high at the gatherings of the true sports car fans? The manual on the 370Z, with the syncro, is the talk of the sport car world. If you get an auto, you might as well get an infiniti G37 coupe with 4 seats! (the horror!) just my 2 cents worth.... The Z is a "pure" sports car. Don't mess with that! --jayhawk Original owner, 1973 Datsun 240Z (and second owner of a 1993 300ZX - both are in my garage right now. and both with manual transmissions.)

04-05-2009, 11:33 PM	#81 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	Aman Crash... Look at the big picture people... Grow UP. GEEZ....

04-06-2009, 03:45 PM	#85 (permalink)
OnCallZ Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 108 Drives: g37 Rep Power: 16	I went with 7speed since it's my daily driver + I already have two manuals sitting in the garage

05-17-2009, 09:02 AM	#86 (permalink)
jekel Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 170 Drives: Pearl White 6MT Rep Power: 16	I've driven manual since 2003 and test drove the Z a few weeks ago, they only had a auto. Never thought i'd consider auto and especially for a sport car as i always had it in my mind mt was the only way to go. Now however im kinda leaning towards the auto, was pretty happy with it when i played around with it.

05-17-2009, 09:39 AM	#87 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	For me, it's a manual gearbox. With the performance of the 370, my liking is the manual. But, I take nothing away from anyone who prefers an automatic.

05-17-2009, 10:13 PM	#90 (permalink)
jgabriel66 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Elkins Park, PA Age: 58 Posts: 16 Drives: 2009 370Z, PG, 6M, Rep Power: 16	the guy who started the thread answered his own question when he started the thread. What I mean by that is if you have to talk yourself into an MT, you'll and up with the auto. There are exceptions like a few posted on this thread, but if you enjoy driving stick, especially on a sports car, you'll do it in traffic, on hills, in bad weather, whatever. I drove manual transmissions for 15 years, then got marred, turned 35 and got a Lexus Gs 300. Great car with a lot of goodies. I wanted to shoot myself. I traded it in 1 year later for a mini cooper S.mt Didn't have half the bells and whistles of the Lexus but I couldn't wait to drive it every day. That's when I fully realized I was a MT guy. If you have to convince yourself, get an auto because you'll probably regret getting a manual in the long run. To enjoy driving a manual is not just an extension of the car, it's an extension of ones personality. Like many of you, I get bored driving an automatic. It turns a drive into a chore. My 6MT Z makes going to the dry cleaners a fun driving experience.