Nissan 370Z Forum - Forum newbie - looking for advice between MT and AT

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Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

- Introduction (http://www.the370z.com/introduction/)

- - Forum newbie - looking for advice between MT and AT (http://www.the370z.com/introduction/15710-forum-newbie-looking-advice-between-mt.html)

JDubya

05-27-2010 06:04 AM

The 370 was my first manual car as well(granted I had been riding dirt bikes for quite a while so I wasn't unfamiliar with shifting) and at first I hated it & second-guessed my purchase because I wasn't used to the transition to using my foot on a clutch as opposed to my hand & and I just get too frustrated when i'm not immediately able to do something.

But, within a few days once I was comfortable, it confirmed my gut instinct when I bought the car, that I really do love the manual transmission. I love the control and I honestly believe I pay more attention to actual driving as opposed to an AT where my mind can wander at times on the road(especially in traffic). It can be a little rough in stop-and-go traffic, but I wouldn't trade it for an AT at all.

Either way, you need to go with what you like the most, you're the one spending $30k+ on a car and it's your opinion that matters, so go with your gut instinct, because it's probably going to be right in the long run.

ImportConvert

06-24-2010 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rui Z (Post 515652)

I have a manual on my Z and an automatic w/ manual shifting on my MINI. I keep the MINI in auto mode cuz it's boring changing gears without a clutch. The 370 is my first manual car and I'm glad I chose manual. Loads of fun skipping gears, trying to go up hills from a stop without backing up too much or burning the clutch, and coasting to a stop in neutral. I have yet to drive through heavy stop-n-go traffic, so I haven't experienced the dark side of clutches. Plus I LOVE SynchroRev. I don't know how you manual guys ever matched revs so easily. I guess I'm just too uncoordinated. It makes driving a manual almost as easy as driving an automatic.

That is hard on syncros.
Just use the E-brake. You could park a Ferrari an inch off my back bumper on a 30* hill and I wouldn't worry a bit. E-brake. Made for that sort of thing.
Just bump the auto into Neutral. Same effect.

Matching revs takes time to learn. It took me about 3 years to get decent at matching revs on demand regardless of the situation in my GT and then WS6. I never tried toe-heel shifting, though, so I was kinda slow at it. Not very pro at all there. Still, it was much fun. Glad you can turn that feature off if I do decide to get a Z.

ImportConvert

06-24-2010 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snapping (Post 549428)

This is my first car and im so glad i choose manual. It's so much fun to drive and when you get use to it, it's just second nature and you dont really think about shifting you just do it.

Congrats and lucky you for a first car! Just be careful with it. I know 330hp isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, and that's about how I felt about my first sports car, but damned if that car wasn't the fastest thing on the planet the night I lost it. That is what broke me of owning automatics, btw. It downshifted in a corner, snapped the rear-end around, and the rest is history. After that, I was manual only in a sports car. No more suprises.

mitchb

09-03-2012 08:43 PM

yea i gotta deal on auto wish mine had stickS & SIX !!

blackcherry20

09-03-2012 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriz (Post 438578)

The 7AT you will find in a 370z is a great transmission. It is great for daily driving especially in traffic, and when you want to have some fun, you could always switch it into manual mode. Although it is not a DSG, it is still more responsive and faster than your average sequential manual. Performance stats have even shown that the stock 7AT is quicker than the 6MT. Now don't get me wrong the 6MT is a great transmission too. In the end it really is all about preference.

:tup: :iagree: buuuut....

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtroun (Post 438637)

I live in the Atlanta area and do drive a manual 370. The traffic is horrible, but once those lanes open up, there is no better feeling than switching gears with a manual. I feel more a part of the car driving a manual and love it. I did like the paddle shifters on the car, but it is a sports car and it’s my OPINION that a sports car should be a manual. You will get a calf workout in traffic though. It’s a give and take relationship with a manual, but the experience is worth it.

I also :iagree: with this-personal pref for a sports car for ME is manual-

Drive them both-choose the one YOU love! Thats whats so great about a Z-you get what you personally like and then join the fun! GL!

mitchb

09-04-2012 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 591043)

THANKS for that info ! ive never had or thought about that either .i will be sure to have my auto in manual mode from now on when getting down n around. :tiphat:

OMGiGOTaZ

09-04-2012 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoTrip (Post 438458)

I don't have my Z yet, still in the decision phase. I haven't driven one yet, so don't know the "butt feel" difference between MT and AT. I wanted to get some on-line opinions from the experts before I scheduled the test drives.

Obviously the AT isn't a clutchless manual like a DSG tranny. But is there enough of a performance benefit to the MT? I couldn't find any comparo's of 0-60 times between the 2.

I'm wondering if the "Fun Factor" of the MT will wear off over a short time, and I'll find myself wishing I had the Automatic.

This will be my full time daily driver. So I'll need it to handle commutes as well as the fun drives.

I am a car guy, which is why I'd consider a Z in the first place, but I also traded in my last MT car 2 years ago and have been driving an AT since. I guess my ideal car would be a clutchless manual, but I'm wondering if I'd be missing out on the whole "sports car experience" if I got an AT?

Any and all opinions welcome. I've been reading a lot of the posts here, and there's a lot of good info.

I'll post a followup when I finally test drive the 2 models.

Thanks guys.

Looks like your getting plenty of response but i'll chime in... I've seen enough and read enough I can say I've seen Dynos that show the MT puts about 5more hp down to the wheels:ugh2: I have the 7AT

wilsonp

09-05-2012 11:24 PM

The power difference between the MT and AT is made up by the gearing eifferences - it's why the AT is slightly faster, the torque curves are better in gear.

The 7AT is a great auto but it's not a DSG, and it does have wierd delays on downshifts, and when you are manually downshifting and aren't aggressive you can be caught by the automatic downshift at stall revs and end up a gear lower than you wanted, which can be a surprise, especially when DRM revs the engine over 5000 :)

11Thumper

10-26-2012 03:14 AM

If you're not secure with your manhood then get the 6MT. :D

Ok, all kidding aside. Each has benefits and downsides. You need to make your own choice. I got the 7AT and love it. Do I sometimes wish it was 6MT? Sure, of course. If it was just a pleasure car I would have gotten the 6MT. However, this is a DD for me as I have another car to run gears through.

Don't let fools tell you there's no such thing as an automatic sports car. That's just a lame way to think. That's like saying all hot girls are a pain in the a$% to deal with.

Oh wait... ;)

Grindkiezer

10-26-2012 04:21 AM

Manual, drive the car like a true sports car

homeryansta

10-26-2012 06:46 AM

real men drive stick shift /thread

Why would anyone in their right mind buy an automatic sports car? GTR or not.

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