Question on trade back my auto Z to a manual

DjSquall

Yessir!

Zsteve

Mine just has a nasty habit of spitting out the window.

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2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

Lug

It's ok to love your car but not to love your car!

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keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

Hi-Step'n370Z

This is really good, intelligent advice. Really sum's the whole thing up.

BUT!

Let me add a quick comment, there will be holes in it, but read it for what it's meant to say.

Before you make any move, drive a stick for a while, preferably a 370Z, like at least a full day of different driving experiences. You may find that the experience is not what you thought it would be.

If you make the trade, it's gonna cost you, so why not spend a few bucks up front and try to rent a stick Z for a day and see how you really feel about the whole thing. It doesn't have to be a 2010, an 09 or even a 350Z would be good enough. Then you could drive it under varied conditions and at least get a fairly good idea of how you really feel about the tranni.

I have the 7 speed AT and I love it. It's my first auto, always stick before, and I don't miss the stick at all. You can shift her over to manual and shift using the tach with a simple, quick snap forward on the stick, so you do have control over how you want your Z to perform at a given time.

And, this car is SO QUICK AND SO FAST that unless you're really used to handling a car like the Z, you would be well advised to be able to put both hands on the wheel, should things get a little hairy, as quickly as possible.

I am NOT advocating speeding, reckless/unsafe driving! But, even the safest driver can find themselves in positions on the road that call for quick thinking, and the ability to do what's needed to avoid trouble.

For example, you're shooting up an on-ramp, and you get to 3rd gear, and you find that you suddenly need to concentrate on merging over between a bunch of cars. With the AT, you just flick the stick back to auto, put both hands on the wheel and take it from there, not having to worry about engine brake or having the engine revving like crazy until you're settled into the lane. That could take what should have been a safe and normal driving maneuver, and turn it into possibly a dangerous one.

Again, if you're really good behind the wheel, (experienced) great, but if you're not, then you could get into trouble with a car like the Z in a flash.

The paddles are good for those twisty turny "mountain roads" drives when keeping both hands on the wheel is a very good idea, and the manual mode is great for just having fun on the mostly straight drives.

So, right now you have the best of both worlds with the Z you already have.

But, I do understand how some just love the stick, and that's great too, just be sure you know absolutely which one you really want to have before you make a move.

I hope you're not letting someone else's opinion sway you, make sure you do what YOU want. don't feel bad about your Z because someone said that an Auto tranni is whimpy. You're paying for the car, not them.

Let us know what you decide.
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fullmonty

^Really good advice

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DjSquall

Aye that's some good points there.

mick

i am curious: to match the zero to 60 mph time of a 370z with a 7AT, does the driver of a 370z with a 6MT have to drive car the to red line of each gear or can he accomplish that by switching gears prematurely (like at 5000 rpm or 6000 rpm)???

370zproject

says the one with the mt...
agreed i love how drivers in crap cars say u got a auto.. im like yea it has mt to.. and i could crush ya... <.< on the track...

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DjSquall

So far I've laughed back at everyone who has tried to flame my AT. 1) I remind them that they drive a shitbox, and if that comment is inapropriate, I just invite em tithe track. So far, no takers.

kannibul

Personally, I'm a bit in the same thought...

I bought an AT to keep myself "out of trouble" and from going "mod happy". However...lol...that's not really stopped me, I've just hit the limit and still want more, and I still get myself into trouble - but truth be told, I'd have more control without it being an AT - because I can always stomp on the clutch for instant power removal, instead of relying on the engine to spin down hard enough, or the torque converter to release when it wants to.

I also compromised on the color (I wanted plat)...so, for me, is it worth trading in a perfectly good 7AT black touring/sport with all the options except nac, a FI cat-back, and a G3 intake, for a new PG 6MT touring/sport bone-stock...AND...have to pay 4-6K in depreciation, even though I have a total of 3750 miles on the Z? No.

That said, I have considered trading it on a Mustang with a 5.0 (which I'd promptly dump more money into) or even a top-level Camaro SS (which in person doesn't look bad...just some camera angles it's like waking up the next morning after boozing and realizing what you brought home...), and also putting in a roots SC...

Anyhow...

370zproject

excatly

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Red370

I'll agree with everyone that said just keep the car, your wallet will take the hit. But I dont care what any of you AT guys say, there is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING more fun than kicking a clutch and banging through the gears, I could never in a million years, get any enjoyment out of clicking a paddle on the steering wheel, an auto just feels so disconnected and boring. I'll admit, during high traffic conditions, an auto would be ideal, and it would be easier just to stomp the pedal for straight line acceleration, but my MT is just too damn fun.

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2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs

chuckd05

6M for me, forever, as long as its a sports car


I wouldn't trade it in, maybe sell privately and try to snag a good deal on a left over 09

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09 370Z 6M PW - FBO Best 1/4 mile = 12.926 @ 109 SOLD -- 08 BMW 135i - FBO 12.1@120mph SOLD -- white 09 e92 335 Coupe Mtech - 11.9 @ 119 :-)

gauchowr

good point there Jeff,

I traded in a 6 month old accord coupe and lost my 6k downpayment and 6 months worth of payments to be in the Z. I wasn't happy in the accord and would be on the370z.com every night looking at people's pics and browsing threads. I said eff it, you only live once! haha. Now when I leave work, I try to avoid leaving the same time as my partners and co workers because they are all about "practicality." I work for an accounting firm, and most people make sensible decisions which they would not think the Z is. This car is a waste in MOST peoples eyes, but do what you want. You only live once, so like Jeff said, if you're gonna do it then do it now. I have no regrets here.

Red370

^^^ BTW, an Auto isnt the only 12 second 370 now.

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2011 Mustang 5.0 | 3.55's | Lethal Performance off road H-Pipe | Magnaflow Muffler Delete | JLT CAI/Bama tuned 417whp/ 404 ft/lbs