370z hard to drive?

mick · 12-20-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegitto-kun

because americans suck at MT amirite

yep. that's why it makes sense to get a mt here.
suppose i am involved in a car jack. the bad guy probably would not be able to drive away

Vegitto-kun · 12-20-2010, 05:18 PM

lol

"GIVE ME YOUR CAR (kicks your *** out) **** YEAH (stalls) ****"

kenchan · 12-20-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

suppose i am involved in a car jack. the bad guy probably would not be able to drive away

i think there is some truth to this.

onzedge · 12-20-2010, 05:19 PM

For what it's worth, my Mom and Dad's CTS Cadillac has an automatic tranny. She's 77 and he's 80. The new CTS coupe is available with manual -- probably a marketing ploy to attract actual drivers to the brand.

kenchan · 12-20-2010, 05:30 PM

^^ and for caddy, i think that's a smart move. even if it's just marketing it shows car folks that caddy is changing to a more car-guy car manufacturer.

JayYoon · 04-28-2011, 04:21 PM

Interesting

ghostbusters · 06-13-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cell

Why is it difficult for you some of you guys? I drove mine out the dealer without any problems or stalling. Sure the clutch is a bit more sensitive compared to a Honda/Toyota but it isn't to the point where it's hard to drive. I notice a large number of people have trouble with the 370z. I just don't see how people cannot adjust quickly to the difference.

One of my buddies wanted to test drive my 370z and going from a civic's clutch to a 370z he almost stalled it many times over. He was basically dropping the clutch like he would in his civic. That is because the civic has a larger range of engagement compared to the 370z.

When I first got my car, I got used to the clutch within 10 minutes. I didn't bog it or anything either.

^

I just test drove the manual 370z, precisely 30 minutes ago at a Sydney Nissan Dealership. I wouldn't call myself a good manual driver, but in a non-sports car, manuals are a lot easier to drive because of that larger range of engagement. With the 370z, and perhaps other sports cars for that matter, when the clutch has a much narrower range of engagement i.e. the "sweet" spot as most of you will call it. It's indeed a "spot", not a "band".

Perhaps more practice will make you better. As for me, with Sydney's traffic and high numbers of rear-end accidents (particularly by cab drivers

) which does not boost my confidence in "mastering" the stick in a 370Z, I will most definitely go with an auto.

Kenny · 06-14-2012, 01:16 AM

This is an old thread, but if the topic is still relevant, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be bumped. So before you forum nerds start posting crap like, "thread necromancy" and etc, at least the person who bumped it did a search instead of creating a new thread.

With that said, I always felt the 370Z was a bit difficult to drive in a smooth fashion. For example, when I'm in my friend's old manual Hyundai Sonata, he could drive that thing as if it were an automatic. No shift jerks or anything. Even when we're on a hill, he can launch it w/o any rollback and still be smooth. It really depends on the car and the driver. I personally drive a bit rough, especially in my Z. So I notice my passenger's head bob from the corner of my eye when I upshift. I try to be smooth, but sometimes it's hard to find that sweet spot clutch engagement point.

Drex · 06-14-2012, 01:27 AM

Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring!

getting a lighter spring or simply removing it helps

even so the 1-2 shift is usually pretty rough until the car fully warms up

blackcherry20 · 06-14-2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostbusters

^

I just test drove the manual 370z, precisely 30 minutes ago at a Sydney Nissan Dealership. I wouldn't call myself a good manual driver, but in a non-sports car, manuals are a lot easier to drive because of that larger range of engagement. With the 370z, and perhaps other sports cars for that matter, when the clutch has a much narrower range of engagement i.e. the "sweet" spot as most of you will call it. It's indeed a "spot", not a "band".

Perhaps more practice will make you better. As for me, with Sydney's traffic and high numbers of rear-end accidents (particularly by cab drivers

) which does not boost my confidence in "mastering" the stick in a 370Z, I will most definitely go with an auto.

The "sweet spot" is a lot harder to find-once you do tho, look out! Pure fun after that!
Side note: i killed it before i even got off the dealer lot! Lol!

bigsix · 06-14-2012, 11:27 AM

i found the Nismo to be more difficult to drive than the Roadster: both manuals.

kenchan · 06-14-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny

This is an old thread, but if the topic is still relevant, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be bumped. So before you forum nerds start posting crap like, "thread necromancy" and etc, at least the person who bumped it did a search instead of creating a new thread.

With that said, I always felt the 370Z was a bit difficult to drive in a smooth fashion. For example, when I'm in my friend's old manual Hyundai Sonata, he could drive that thing as if it were an automatic. No shift jerks or anything. Even when we're on a hill, he can launch it w/o any rollback and still be smooth. It really depends on the car and the driver. I personally drive a bit rough, especially in my Z. So I notice my passenger's head bob from the corner of my eye when I upshift. I try to be smooth, but sometimes it's hard to find that sweet spot clutch engagement point.

change helper spring. check forsale section and also vendor for sale area.

btw, there are plenty of threads on this...

elmz · 06-14-2012, 12:26 PM

I agree, I would look into removing the helper spring. This really gave it the normal clutch feel that I was accustomed to. Maybe you can meet up with a local member and you can see for yourself.

CCastro · 06-14-2012, 01:13 PM

I wouldn't say its hard to drive... I would say though it is less forgiving than most of your regular everyday standard transmission cars...

AlphaSnacks · 06-14-2012, 01:33 PM

I've come to realize last year the clutch requires more slip than practically any other car I've driven. Otherwise, starts are jerky.

12-20-2010, 05:19 PM	#139 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	For what it's worth, my Mom and Dad's CTS Cadillac has an automatic tranny. She's 77 and he's 80. The new CTS coupe is available with manual -- probably a marketing ploy to attract actual drivers to the brand. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

06-14-2012, 01:16 AM	#143 (permalink)
Kenny Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 330 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	This is an old thread, but if the topic is still relevant, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be bumped. So before you forum nerds start posting crap like, "thread necromancy" and etc, at least the person who bumped it did a search instead of creating a new thread. With that said, I always felt the 370Z was a bit difficult to drive in a smooth fashion. For example, when I'm in my friend's old manual Hyundai Sonata, he could drive that thing as if it were an automatic. No shift jerks or anything. Even when we're on a hill, he can launch it w/o any rollback and still be smooth. It really depends on the car and the driver. I personally drive a bit rough, especially in my Z. So I notice my passenger's head bob from the corner of my eye when I upshift. I try to be smooth, but sometimes it's hard to find that sweet spot clutch engagement point. __________________

06-14-2012, 01:27 AM	#144 (permalink)
Drex Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 498 Drives: '11 370z MB 6MT SP Rep Power: 14	Clutch pedal too soft/no feel? Remove the helper spring! getting a lighter spring or simply removing it helps even so the 1-2 shift is usually pretty rough until the car fully warms up __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z \| 6MT \| Magnetic Black \| Sport Package

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12-20-2010, 05:18 PM	#137 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 262	lol "GIVE ME YOUR CAR (kicks your * out) YEAH (stalls) **"

12-20-2010, 05:30 PM	#140 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	^^ and for caddy, i think that's a smart move. even if it's just marketing it shows car folks that caddy is changing to a more car-guy car manufacturer.

04-28-2011, 04:21 PM	#141 (permalink)
JayYoon Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 452 Drives: 2010 370z Rep Power: 15	Interesting

06-14-2012, 11:27 AM	#146 (permalink)
bigsix A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,227 Drives: Honda City/Mazda 2 Rep Power: 19	i found the Nismo to be more difficult to drive than the Roadster: both manuals.

06-14-2012, 12:26 PM	#148 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	I agree, I would look into removing the helper spring. This really gave it the normal clutch feel that I was accustomed to. Maybe you can meet up with a local member and you can see for yourself.

06-14-2012, 01:13 PM	#149 (permalink)
CCastro Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: SF Posts: 300 Drives: 10 Nismo MB Rep Power: 15	I wouldn't say its hard to drive... I would say though it is less forgiving than most of your regular everyday standard transmission cars...

06-14-2012, 01:33 PM	#150 (permalink)
AlphaSnacks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 1,618 Drives: '13 XKR-S, '10 370Z Rep Power: 18	I've come to realize last year the clutch requires more slip than practically any other car I've driven. Otherwise, starts are jerky.