Question on trade back my auto Z to a manual

Originally Posted by 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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Originally Posted by Jonathan Vach

well i talk to a dealer today and i may have to pay around 7000 USD out of my pocket to get the exact same car! I put 15000 for this car and i still own around 28,000 USD....my first bill aint even here yet!

Originally Posted by Dan37TZ

Still uses a torque converter, still delay no matter how much you AT guys want to deny it when queuing an upshift or downshift. You're not in control, the Z's 7spd Auto sometimes has to hunt for gears and randomly downshifts multiple times ect. when you put the pedal down just to get to the right gear. When an AT owner approaches a corner he/she has to frantically pull the paddle and wait for the car to respond to the multiple downshifts ect.

Originally Posted by Dan37TZ

I think the Z's auto slips all 1st and locks up in 2nd, there is no human error involved... since the car shifts for you.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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...

Originally Posted by Dan37TZ

Exotics use automated manuals, usually with a dual clutch setup. I think some early Ferrari's and BMW's SMG uses single clutch units.

NOTHING like the torque converter setup in the 370Z auto. Design and function wise they are COMPLETELY different. The Z's auto is the same concept as any other automatic in your typical accord or camry, with the exception of an extra gear or two and some extra tricks like rev match on downshift. Still uses a torque converter, still delay no matter how much you AT guys want to deny it when queuing an upshift or downshift. You're not in control, the Z's 7spd Auto sometimes has to hunt for gears and randomly downshifts multiple times ect. when you put the pedal down just to get to the right gear. When an AT owner approaches a corner he/she has to frantically pull the paddle and wait for the car to respond to the multiple downshifts ect. A manual owner puts it in whatever gear he want directly..instantly. Sure the 7AT is slightly faster in a straight line because you can launch better(loading the torque converter), I think the Z's auto slips all 1st and locks up in 2nd, there is no human error involved... since the car shifts for you.


My 335i has a ZF 6spd steptronic paddle shift AT, also with rev match, and one of the fastest shift, only second to the IS-F. I purchased my 335i in AT because in the 135/335i form it's also slightly faster than the manual counterpart. First couple months I told myself, hey this could work, I don't really miss manual since this is an EXCELLENT automatic. After a year of owning it I was ready to tear my hair out. I would absolutely say one of the most enjoyable and satisfying part of sports car or sports sedan ownership is driving it with a manual, it just feels so incredibly dull with an automatic. ESPECIALLY in a true sports car like the 370Z.

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

I did a smilar thing. selling my CVT altima coupe after just under 2 years for my Z. i had paid it off but still, it was basically a nice car, that cost me gas+insurance. but it was no fun to drive



My friend has an audi S8. i asked if he had an auto or manual, he said 'both'. i paused with a weird look on my face and he said 'its got tiptronics.' tip tronics are not a manual transmission. you are clicking a button and telling the ecu to change the gear. that is all. i'm not saying its not fun, i'm just saying it isn't a manual transmission.

everyone here talking about how the car doesn't gear hunt etc if its in MANUAL MODE. why would someone get an auto tranny just to drive it in manual mode all the time if they were able to drive stick?


When people with shitty cars criticize your car for being automatic, i think its perfectly legitimate. They are saying 'Damn! i wish i could get a really nice sports car like that, that must be so fun to drive, probably more fun than my piece of ****.... wait yo got an automatic, nvm thats probably not that fun.' all their saying is if theyh ad 30k+ to spend on a sports car, they'd have got it in a manual. obviously they dont have the money to spend, or they'd have the same car, in a manual.

Originally Posted by DjSquall

We could sit here and argue about it all day! What are you guys going to do when manuals become obsolete

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

The extra gear over the 6MT generates more downforce, therefore it is faster in the corners as well.

Originally Posted by DjSquall

The other day I floored the z around a quick series of tight bends. 0-60k while fishtailing left and right. Both my wrists are sore from fighting the steering, and if I was in a manual and did the same thing, I wouldve lost control b/c of having to use my right hand to shift.

That is one major superiority of an auto tranny - it frees up your right hand for whatever you need it for. In some cases, to save your car. There are way too many advantages here, and trying to say that manual is better, in my opinion, is just being plain stuck up on retardedly old cumbersome technology.

Originally Posted by Zsteve

I can understand people liking to shift to feel the car and thats fine for those that want that side of the house. The other side is the ones that want the quicker shifts for performance and not have to work the clutch so much in traffic. F1 guys arent in it for the feel of the car but the better performance. Just depends which side of the house you are in.

Another thing might be age too, Ive had plenty of manuals and I really dont miss them with the new ATs. IMO of course.

Now 7AT FTW. lol.

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

good point, i wish people would just be honest. If you got an AT just b/c you didn't want to use the clutch(whether cuz you've had enough manuals in your life or you just never learned), thats fine

apparently regardless of transmission choice in this car, everyone seems to love shifting gears, just some don't want to use their left foot, nothing wrong with it just admit it. just be honest. i got a manual because it makes my peni$ seem bigger... can't we all just get along?