Nissan 370Z Automatic Transmission Review from Driver's Republic

AK370Z · 02-18-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

On the face of it saddling a new sportscar with a tight dynamic focus and the brief to knock seven bells out of the Porsche Cayman with an automatic gearbox seems quite baffling.

However, the torque converter automatic isn't the slushy old thing it used to be, and the new 370Z has a cracking 7-speed unit with paddle shifters and genuinely punchy, precise shifts. I'm surprised to be writing this, but the auto 370Z is a pretty appealing package.

This is a basic US-spec car and it differs from the UK and European Z because it isn't fitted with the viscous limited-slip differential that's standard in the old world. It's also running on the 18-inch wheels and Yokohama rubber - and in the UK at least, the £1400 optional 'box isn't available until you tick the box marked 'GT Pack', which comes exclusively on the 19s. Confused? Me too, so let's just worry about the 'box for now.

Tellingly the automatic 370Z has a pair of long metal and leather paddles attached to its steering column that would look at home in a Ferrari with the F1 Superfast system. So it may not have the wonderful DCT twin-clutch GT-R transmission, but it seems that Nissan hasn't just thrown any old auto at the 370Z to appease that strange breed who don't want to change gear even in a sportscar - those sculpted paddles hint that this is a properly resolved package.

And so it proves. The 7-speeds are very tightly stacked - perhaps a bit too tightly as you do find yourself hunting between 2nd and 3rd as the road wriggles ahead of you - and the torque converter locks-up very quickly, giving you a direct link to the rear wheels from the throttle pedal. It punches home upshifts with a bit of a kick (think PDK on Sport) but doesn't feel contrived. There's also an effective blip on downshifts and overall it's great when in manual mode. Nearly a match for the IS-F 8-speed automatic 'box and a bit less confusing. However, it's not as smooth as a ZF 6-speeder in something like a 3-Series BMW when in full auto mode. If it was my 370Z (which would be nice), then I'd stick with the manual 'box, but the 7-speed auto shouldn't be looked upon as a clunker.

Other interesting things thrown up with this car? Well, those 18s make a big difference to the feel of the 370Z. It rides more fluidly and what it loses in grip it gains in adjustability - the whole car just feels more alive, and some of the old 350Z fun factor that I thought might have been lost in the car with the 19s and Bridgestone rubber is restored. So the ultimate spec 370Z might not be the GT Ultimate at all, but a basic car with a manual 'box and riding on 18-inch wheels and Yokohama tyres. Good to know in these tough financial times. Please send the money we've just saved you to DR via recorded delivery.

Source: First drive of Nissan 370Z automatic via 370zblog.com Drivers Republic Review the 370z Auto

s2kap2 · 02-18-2009, 03:51 PM

Am I to surmise that the UK gets an LSD even on the base model?? WTF?

ctzn · 02-18-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

...to appease that strange breed who don't want to change gear even in a sportscar...

That's a good line

AK370Z · 02-18-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2kap2

Am I to surmise that the UK gets an LSD even on the base model?? WTF?

UK is getting a phenomenon deal on the 370Z. It's only 164 pound more than the previous model (350Z). You can learn more here

Nissan 370Z(ed) UK Pricing Released! 02.02.09

Nissan 370Z UK Press Release Document - PRICING AND GRADES

sbkim · 02-19-2009, 04:51 PM

I see the mfg claimed 0-62 at 5 secs but I presume this is NOT the offical track time tested by DR?

ZeeRay · 09-24-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctzn

That's a good line

Although I choose the auto for health reasons now I can say that I no doubt would have anyway. I have been through enough race cars to tell you that you cannot shift as fast as I can, I never lose power during, and with the auto stick I am just as in control as any manual minus the human error. The only time they are a loss is when the cars are raped of power to accommodate them. The new Vettes are a good example. I look at the manuals now and think it is a preset plan for when they get spanked. You can always fall back on "I missed 2nd"

Especially if you live in a larger town or city all that up shift down shift gets real old real fast. All to his own, but my own will be 7 over 6 and no clutch to burn up.

Just my .02

ZeeRay · 09-24-2009, 05:36 PM

"and the torque converter locks-up very quickly, giving you a direct link to the rear wheels from the throttle pedal."

I realize there is a small loss for a short time, but I honestly doubt that it is as bad as the clutch time and human error or lag. I think Nissan has made a really great advancement in the auto. It is true that the days of 33% loss through drivetrain with auto are gone. I'm happy to put this or my auto Vette up against a stick any day. The difference if any would probably not even be measurable. Plus the added bonus of no constant shifting in town and no error.
I am all for the guys that love to pound through the spurs, but to dunce the auto for loss in performance has become nostalgic instead of fact. I have to say I enjoy the hell out of bouncing my + paddle at 7,000R's and feeling it yank into third. By the time I even look to see what is going on over on the speedo side of the dash I am braking to get back down to something near the speed limit that won't land me in jail. All the while balancing a cup of coffee in my left hand rested on my left knee

Lol, I should add that it seems we are revisiting a conversation that has plagued the ages, just with better equipment.

Naum16 · 10-03-2013, 12:23 PM

I always thought i made a bad choice with the 7 at due to the fact that everyone would say things about it. But in all honesty its a great crafted and designed transmission. Other then the hard down shift from 2nd to 1st it is ideal. Comfortable to drive and when you wanna rip it pop it in manaul mode. You see people with manuals chirp there tires in gears i can do that with my auto son!;P (tired it,nasttyyy)

Mt Tam I am · 10-03-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naum16

I always thought i made a bad choice with the 7 at due to the fact that everyone would say things about it. But in all honesty its a great crafted and designed transmission. Other then the hard down shift from 2nd to 1st it is ideal. Comfortable to drive and when you wanna rip it pop it in manaul mode. You see people with manuals chirp there tires in gears i can do that with my auto son!;P (tired it,nasttyyy)

Since I rarely down shift from second to first, do you think it is harder than MT6?

kenchan · 10-03-2013, 01:31 PM

Haboob · 10-03-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Since I rarely down shift from second to first, do you think it is harder than MT6?

I've never even tried to downshift 2-1.

I'm afraid to!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

!!!

janglez · 10-03-2013, 02:35 PM

i got the auto due to health reasons (right shoulder condition) and have absolutely NO regrets...the auto stick is awesome and smooth and the paddle shifters are very nicely placed on the wheel...great job nissan

Haboob · 10-03-2013, 02:43 PM

Don't think there'd be any regrets if I went with the AT as well, I just like the nostalgia I guess.

MT suuuuccckkks in traffic, but I got the MT also for "health" reasons, being that it keeps my left leg busy and not going numb/burning.

kenchan · 10-03-2013, 02:47 PM

i got the MT for health reasons as well, to keep me happy.

Nailzs · 10-03-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

09-24-2009, 05:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZeeRay Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lawton, Ok Posts: 51 Drives: 370Z and a Corvette Rep Power: 16	"and the torque converter locks-up very quickly, giving you a direct link to the rear wheels from the throttle pedal." I realize there is a small loss for a short time, but I honestly doubt that it is as bad as the clutch time and human error or lag. I think Nissan has made a really great advancement in the auto. It is true that the days of 33% loss through drivetrain with auto are gone. I'm happy to put this or my auto Vette up against a stick any day. The difference if any would probably not even be measurable. Plus the added bonus of no constant shifting in town and no error. I am all for the guys that love to pound through the spurs, but to dunce the auto for loss in performance has become nostalgic instead of fact. I have to say I enjoy the hell out of bouncing my + paddle at 7,000R's and feeling it yank into third. By the time I even look to see what is going on over on the speedo side of the dash I am braking to get back down to something near the speed limit that won't land me in jail. All the while balancing a cup of coffee in my left hand rested on my left knee Lol, I should add that it seems we are revisiting a conversation that has plagued the ages, just with better equipment. Naum16 likes this. Last edited by ZeeRay; 09-24-2009 at 05:39 PM.

10-03-2013, 02:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
janglez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: 44130 Posts: 330 Drives: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Rep Power: 15	i got the auto due to health reasons (right shoulder condition) and have absolutely NO regrets...the auto stick is awesome and smooth and the paddle shifters are very nicely placed on the wheel...great job nissan Streetlife and Felix 808 like this. __________________ *>>> 2017 INFINITI Q60 3.0 TWIN TURBO V6 AWD PREMIUM*

10-03-2013, 02:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Haboob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Surface of the sun. Posts: 13,159 Drives: '18 GTI Autobahn DSG Rep Power: 1387	Don't think there'd be any regrets if I went with the AT as well, I just like the nostalgia I guess. MT suuuuccckkks in traffic, but I got the MT also for "health" reasons, being that it keeps my left leg busy and not going numb/burning. janglez likes this.

10-03-2013, 02:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i got the MT for health reasons as well, to keep me happy. SouthArk370Z, Magic Bus, Haboob and 2 others like this.

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02-18-2009, 03:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
s2kap2 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: oregon Posts: 12 Drives: s2000 Rep Power: 17	Am I to surmise that the UK gets an LSD even on the base model?? WTF?

02-19-2009, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
sbkim Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: nj Posts: 177 Drives: RRSC Rep Power: 17	I see the mfg claimed 0-62 at 5 secs but I presume this is NOT the offical track time tested by DR?

10-03-2013, 12:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Naum16 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: IN Posts: 152 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 13	I always thought i made a bad choice with the 7 at due to the fact that everyone would say things about it. But in all honesty its a great crafted and designed transmission. Other then the hard down shift from 2nd to 1st it is ideal. Comfortable to drive and when you wanna rip it pop it in manaul mode. You see people with manuals chirp there tires in gears i can do that with my auto son!;P (tired it,nasttyyy)

10-03-2013, 01:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521