Forum newbie - looking for advice between MT and AT
 

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.

You really need to drive them both, preferably back to back. I started off saying I would never buy an auto and was only looking at the 6M, but was "forced" to drive the auto as well, due to it being the only sport on the lot and I wanted to test out the sport package. Well after that day, I'm now only looking for 7AT- I was that impressed. Also, just my opinion, I didn't like the clutch on the manual. This is after being used to my short-shifting, no effort 6M on my Acura RSX type-S (which probably didn't help). You will really only know which is best for you after driving both. I have driven DCT's from both AUDI and BMW and although the new DCT from BMW is faster than that of the Z's 7AT, I thought the Z was quicker (subjective) than the AUDI dual clutch.

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.

Perfect. That's exactly the type of experience I was looking for.

Thx again guys.

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.

auto got 4.6 with caranddriver best for manual iv seen is 4.9 thats 0-60 im talking about

i only like to drive manual transmission cars but if I were someone who was undecided about which one to get, i would go for the automatic transmission car. good luck with your decision.

i got a 7AT and im loving it. Came from a 5AT crappy Acura tranny so its like night and day difference.
Its all about driver preference

Manual all the way!!!

I was going to buy the AT because I didn't like the manual tranny in my 06 350z. Saturday I test drove both transmissions back to back and must say the 6spd is much better in the 370 over the 350. Or at least in my opinion which is why I put a deposit on an inbound 40th Anniversary (manual only).

There's no such thing is an automatic sports car.

Doesn't Ferrari pretty much blur that idea?

I test drove one, hated it as I found the shifts to be harsh, car is constant revving the engine to match the road speed blah blah blah. Buy whatever makes you more comfortable, this is too objective

Much to my chagrin.

I bet they said the same thing when switching from horses to engines.

You think they were talking about automatic sports cars when there were horses? :confused:

The 7AT a sick transmission. Daily driver? I say auto. Weekend car? Either one is just as good as the other. The auto is slightly faster. But the manual handles slightly better on the track. The auto gets slightly better gas mileage and those paddle shifts will changes gears like you are poppin clutches. Test drive em both. I prefer the auto myself. But either way you can't go wrong.

Nope because Ferrari's, Lambo's, Nissan GT-R's transmissions are TOTALLY different types of technology. They use twin clutches, instant response to input from the driver's command and instant upshifts and downshifts, complete control like a manual but without the clutch pedal.

The paddle shifters on the Z 7AT are there to "simulate" that type of technology with a conventional torque converter automatic. It's not the same thing, so don't compare it to dual clutch transmissions.

:roflpuke2: AWESOME!!! I can't believe this gif hasn't been used more often....which I expect it will be now! :rolleyes:

Just because the tech is different does not change the result (faster shifts than one can pull off in a manual). I get instant upshifts and downshifts as well. :tup:

You should get an auto.
Manual isn't for everyone.
x:

MT: Fun & thrills. Period.
AT: Comfort during heavy traffic, city driving AND IN THE COMPANY OF A BABE!! You need that right hand FREE!!!

:eek: shhhhhh we have some people in here with virgin ears!!!

When I was driving a manual, I found it incredibly hard to drive, masturbate, AND work the transmission. Likewise when a girl in the passenger seat was working my crank; it was too difficult with our arms constantly bumping into each other and crossing.

Thats what they make highways for

:iagree: with the automatic all you have to worry about is accidently knocking it into neutral :ugh2:

Damn dude, sometimes you wanna whip the crank out when you're not going out of town.

............ and sometimes you wanna crank the whip out when you're not going out of town :roflpuke2:

I.b.t.l.

Time for honeymoon, ears!

Right hand free?
You can drive manual and have the right hand free.(Not all the time)
That's the dumbest excuse I've heard.
When I hear that I grin to myself cause people who say that are noobs...
:shakes head:

If it's good enough for indiana jones, it's goo enough for me.

whip out the crank, crank out the whip ......... either way, sounds like there's some good sex gonna happen :icon17:

Yeah, win-win really.

Glad to see we're helping this guy decide haha. Anyways, I love the manual because it is a lot more fun to drive. I don't even notice it in traffic, so I could really care less...plus I kind of get a workout.

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.

You just said F-cars aren't sport cars...lol. I know a guy here in Northern VA who just bought a 430...I beg to differ!

You Gotta get a manual transmission, I just bought my 370z a week ago w/ manual trans and I'm loving it, the last time I drove a manual was 18 years ago w/ my '77 datsun 280z

by the way, first time I learn to drive was in a stick shift car so it kinda stick that knowledge to me all this years .

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.