New 370 owner (first non 4 cylinder car)
 

I picked up an 09' 370, Auto with sport package last week. This forum was extremely helpful during the buying process and I was able to secure the purchase for $3,100 under invoice.

This is the first performance car I've owned and every morning when I go down to the garage i do one of these :happydance:

I couldn't be happier with my new Z and am looking forward to continuing my automobile education on these forums.

congrats on the car, what color did you get. pics???

Welcome and congrats! :pics:

This is my second Z (first was an '03 350z) and I still do this :happydance:
every time I'm about to head out for a drive; it never gets old! :tup:

Congrats!

Congrats and welcome!

I went with the lighter silver. I didn't really have a lot of options because I was looking for a 2009. I attached the only pic I've taken so far. I've been too busy driving... I've put 1000 miles on it in 5 days!

It took me 4 days to discover downshifting. I would put it in manual mode and then attempt to accelerate in 6 and it would accelerate slowly... didn't realize downshifting makes you go faster...

I don't know how to drive a stick shift and my one buddy was trying to get me to go manual but after reading through this forum it seems like the manual mode in the AT provides optimum performance for your average driver.

One quick question I have for anyone with a auto is when to shift in manual mode if I want to go as fast as possible from a start. I'm assuming I'm wanting to hit near 7000 for optimal acceleration before the next shift every single change? Is that correct?

Also, how do I figure out how hard I can push it around corners?

http://i27.tinypic.com/xbesxw.jpg

You should find out if there is any auto cross in your area. That's a great way to learn car control and the limits of your car. If you don't have that option, find a desolate parking lot and have at it.

Until then, I would keep VDC on as you get up to speed. Far too many inexperienced drivers have trashed their Z's because they couldn't handle the car with it off. It's actually a pretty obscene number.

That's awesome, I don't think it will ever get old for me either. I've been wanting a z since the 350 came out. I've probably built z's 300+ times on the Nissan configurator... I knew it would be awesome when I got it but it's been so much better than I expected. Best decision I've ever made.

yeah, I've heard a lot of people have wrecked z's too. I'll probably seek out a parking lot soon.

I was in the same spot you were in over a year ago. I never had a chance, nor needed to drive stick before this car. My previous car had a "manual" mode also, but after a while, I found myself not using the "D" anymore. Huge learning curve to drive a stick and nerve racking, but well worth it. The auto with manual mode on the Z is one of the best I've seen without going to a dual clutch type setup.

To get an idea of when to shift in manual mode, drive the car as you would normaly in "D" and watch the tachometer. Then try it in manual. I'm not sure if this transmission shifts automatically at redline anyways, maybe someone with the auto trans. can help. If it doesn't, just stay off the redline and you'll be fine. Just remember that shifting at higher rev's will use up a lot more "premium" gas.

Leave the VDC on at all times. The car is a lot to handle with it on, especially comming from a 4-cyl. Your usually going faster than you realize.

Stay safe and welcome to the forum.

$3000 below invoice! :eek: You, Sir, stole that Z. Hopefully no one saw you do it! ;)

Congrats and welcome to THE370Z! :tup:

Unless you practice (a lot) on acceleration runs, I think you'd be faster leaving it in full auto. Even though the shifts are (supposedly) a little slower, the car should always shift at the best time when you are at WOT.

I generally use manual modes in AT for when I am going at a slower pace and the auto wants to shift up when I know I want more throttle responsiveness (say, getting ready for a two lane pass) or engine braking (not too often) or accelerate after a turn (downshift before the turn, rather than have the AT auto downshift during the acceleration out).

Congrats and good work

Congrats!