Dual Clutch Vs Torque Converter.

Dual Clutch - Lambos, GT-R
Torque Converter - 370z

i wouldn't be surprised if the 2012 Z has dual clutch.

Some things to note. If you are going for power mods, get the MT due to ease of upgrades. The Auto is as fast or faster. I've personally seen a lot more complaints about MT problems (sycros, grindy, etc) than AT problems even though I think they sell about the same amount of each (someone correct me on this if you know the actual sales #'s of each). In this car, it's simply a very hard choice. there are good reasons to choose either.

I am also 40, and mostly drive to work and back - sort of a waste having a stick. the auto is very tempting, and the manual on this car is tricky, not the easiest to use - I think because of a light flywheel - anyway, I have the manual. At least with the manual, you get to decide what gear you are in. I don't think the manual mode of the auto works very well, but perhaps others have a different opinion.

^ i thought our flywheel is rather heavy.

The few times that I've talked myself into buying an automatic car, I've ultimately come away disappointed. After the honeymoon period is over, the lack of involvement, the sluggish response, the slurred shifts, etc. just don't do it for me. For long term enjoyment, I've always needed a manual gearbox. There is that 2% of the time when I'd rather be driving an auto (stuck in heavy traffic or just plain tired), but that's the price you pay by choosing a manual.

Of course, some modern torque converter automatics have become much better - the auto 135i I test drove did shift very well...not quite up to dual-clutch standards, but it had respectably quick, sharp shifts. I haven't owned a dual-clutch car, though I have driven a friend's A3 DSG. I do think I would enjoy that transmission much more, however, I would still want a manual car alongside the dual-clutch car. It's hard giving up a manual trans when you've been using one for 30 years.

I do realize that those not skilled at using a manual probably wouldn't want one, especially when buying a sports car. While learning to drive one from A-to-B isn't difficult, driving one well does take time...i.e., being able to extract the car's performance. There's not much sense in buying a manual performance car if you can't get the car to perform to its ability. In that case, an auto does make more sense and will likely yield more long term enjoyment.

get a vette AT.

Yup yup, the 7AT is something really new and fresh in the slushbox world. To drive the 7at is to throw away everything you know about autos and apply totally new driving concepts with an AT.
The 7at cannot burn rubber like a stick and a couple of other manual trans circus tricks will be missing. BUT, if your focus is aggressive and dilligently skilled driving. This 7at will provide you with crisp ultra quick snapping shifts, tough as nails aggressive engine braking and higher overall acceleration. Hands down these paddles are no joke. The 7at put autos on a equal fun factor level against manuals.
And which is better depends on what your mind is willing to embrace. If you learn the auto, learn to freak the slushbox and grab on to a whole new set of driving fun. Get the auto. But if fun to you still means making donuts in the parking lot and making 25ft skidmarks. Get the manual. On a true driving open circuit. The lack of clutch and paddles make you a slightly more focused driver. Flipside is manual makes you a slightly more multi-faceted driver.
I would mostly recommend the manual to anyone who will go F.I. on this car. Once you turbo or SC it the auto immediately becomes the inferior tranny. But if you are goin bolt ons only. The 7at is probably a better choice in more cases than not.

Agree with most of that... except:

1. I've laid wheels in the Z. Just turn off the VDC and floor it! :D

2. Actually, boost and autos work VERY well together. You can build boost during shifts and the auto generally can get better traction. Also, autos tend to be more durable as there's fewer hard parts to endure shock and thus possibly break.

3. Never need to worry about Clutch Shatter out of 1st

4. Never need to worry about Replacing the Clutch

5. Never need to worry about replacing syncros down the road

6. Never need to worry about Clutch cylinder going out

7. Never need to worry about slave going out

I like manuals but my daily grind in LA made me go with an 7A. but to each his own. :tiphat:

I both own and love manual cars, and I can tell you this...

Try both types. It's a subjective thing. The 370z is quick and sporty either way. It's a fun car.

imo there are advantages to either one. Pick what's right for you.

:tup:

I agree.. Get that Auto!

never again
 

Had a great Infiniti M35; wonderful car - great ride, nice look, and enough pep..problem after a few months - AT. So, glad to be driving an MT again, will never again buy an AT.

streets around my town is pretty straight so i cant imagine i would enjoy motoring any car with a AT. if i lived in LA with canyons to carve, then different story. i might even get a AT on purpose. :)

Agreed but.. if something should happen to your AT tranny and it needed repair/replacing that's going to be costly.

i have a rather large member so i do not feel the need to say the MT makes my **** bigger.

I could never own an AT if a MT is available for the car. There is something about downshifting and bliping the throttle just before corner entry that makes me :drool: everytime.

I purposely didn't buy the sport package as i prefer to heel and toe, and will eventually replace most of the sport package upgrades, most importantly wheels/LSD.

you know you can TURN-OFF syncro-rev match. :rofl2:

I will never buy an automatic Sport Car! ;)

Doesn't matter how old I get.



That is why I didn't get an IS350!

I realize that, however with the cost of new wheels, LSD and much needed upgrades to the stock akebono's, i figured id just save my duckets on the car purchase as i really didn't feel i needed SRM and ill be upgrading all of the above. I think its great that our cars are pushing new technology though! :icon17:

yah, i didnt buy the MT for its SRM either. i heel/toe myself too... but i did like the Sport wheels and the brakes and rear spoiler and the front air dam and didnt want leather seats (my G has leather so didnt want two of the same) so the base + sport was perfect for me. :p

Well... do you feel the same way about dual-clutch manuals that lack a clutch pedal? If so, you'd have to pass on a GT-R or LFA too.

I appreciate your enjoyment of the unique qualia associated with operating a tradtional manual transmission set-up -- but that design is going to be all but gone in about 10-15 years, and is already not available on any high-end sports cars.

For me, yep. If the GT-R came with a 6MT I wouldve gotten one.

Actually the LFA is a single clutch transmission.
I have no qualms with good automatic transmission, and the 370z 7AT is a very good step but even after a test drive it was "lacking" compared to the 6MT that is offered. Now bring the double clutch from the GT-R over and it might be a different story.

Hmm. I didn't know that about the LFA...

Fair enough -- they're coming :D

I like to feel so connected to my car that I tell the dealership to take away the auto windows and locks so I can feel them when I roll them up and down and lock and unlock the doors. LOL. Its all preference and this will be a never ending discussion, until they stop making manuals that is.

That was generally my logic. And not only that, but the 7at is not known for holding more than 450rwhp while the manual I think can hold 100+ more hp, if I'm not mistaken. Though I prefer the auto, when modding the manual makes better sense IMO

I think the ATs transmission holds up better than the clutches and all in manuals. Nissan should just go ahead and put the DSG in the Z too and make it shift even faster.

:iagree:

I've read this thread and have to laugh!! First the 7AT is NOT a faster car then our manual cars!!!! (especially ones' with short shifters!)

Folks are getting confused with the write ups for the DSG (Dual Clutch) transmission cars that are out which act like Automatics but are truely clutch type trannys without a pedal!

Those vehicles (DSG) are quicker then a human driver with a manual. To date any traditional torque converter automatic is still slower then a manual.

Also who wants to hear the torque converter sound with a tuned exhaust??? Sounds like crap!! Cracks me up when folks go buy an exhaust and then post a video on Youtube and then it ends up being an automatic! If your an old man/woman in your twilight years with a hip problem then yes, you need an "automatic". A true sports car requires a clutch with or without human control!!

Also the comment about reliability, Bull!! If you know how to drive a stick it'll last for very high miles!!(I've done 150k on an original clutch on past cars) If there is a problem you can always rebuild depending on what failed. You can't do that with an automatic (in most cases). You generally will need an entire transmision if there is a problem which will cost a whole lot more! It's a definate an automatic trans will go with higher miles also, especially when mated to a performace engine!

I can't stand all the kids out there with there automatic Hondas and such with those big can exhaust pumping that loud torque converter noise!

One more thing, The DSG is an Audi/VW creation that has since been copied by Nissan, BMW, Porsche, etc...let's keep it real!

To review:

Automatic w/ Torque Converter = Bad! (Please do not put an exhaust on it)
Dual Clutch Transmission = OK, fast!! Race Car Tech!
Manual Transmission = Good! Tradition!! Skill!! Fun!!

LOL...How's that for beating around the bush!! :driving: (Notice the ICON shifting!) ;)

oh shi. I ordered the FI exhaust.

I would of gotten the MT but 6000 euro(around 7000 bucks?) less and no 3 month waiting time made me pick the AT

I think we all know if you are a super car race driver you can shift fast too and that if you take care of your car it will last and that dsg is on the audis, I had 2. But not everyone is the super race driver and not everyone shifts perfect and a dual clutch on any car is keeping it real. Im for real man.

Manual locks and windows were traditional too, you still use those.

The manual was more expensive?! Say wha?

I'll be honest. I wanted the 40th Anni and if it came in auto, I may have bought the automatic. The automatic on the 370z has some pretty good reviews and traffic can be brutal in south Florida. That said, I don't regret my choice at all and I'm always reminded of that when I fly through the gears or drop a gear and let out the clutch in a turn. There's something to be said about those motions and connection with the car

That's a different reason to pick a car and makes sense!

You're a work of Art! :facepalm:

Let me see? can you read my earlier Post? :driving:
http://images110.fotki.com/v572/phot...napshot-vi.jpg

Well 10 to 15 yrs is faaaar down the road! I will enjoy my 6MT until then, by that time I will probably be an old fart to drive stick anyway. :roflpuke2:

There will always be stick shift cars around, doesn't matter what new technology comes out. ;)

Bwahahha, that .05 seconds faster makes that big of a difference huh? Do you even have the capability of dressing yourself in the morning? :roflpuke2:

His too busy shifting Gears!! :roflpuke2::bowrofl:

Too funny, shifting gears is fun and all but can be a pain in arse in traffic too. The DSG in my Audi never got boring. It had the auto mode, sport auto mode, and manual mode. It was a blast in both the manual and sport mode. The Z would be cool with this.