6M/T vs. 7A/T race with consumer advice

runner42 · 02-20-2011, 04:11 AM

Me and my friend did race 6 M/T 2009 silver (with 7000 km on it ) against 7 A/T 2010 euro black edition (2500 km) on the closed track yesterday

We switched both cars frequently, races were always neck to neck close, however, there is one important factor that with one exception led always to A/T close victory

We both are used to drive crisp and perfectly built euro cars with M/T - bmw 3er and audi a5, that's important to mention.
After switching to Zs, we quickly come to conclusion, that 7 A/T in manual is first-class transmission, one of the best we have driven so far (I've definitely liked it more then a dual clutch S-tronic in Audit TT).
The manual however is not. We hated it. As a huge Z fan I'm really sorry to admit it, but the manual quality is average at best and SynchroRev cannot compensate for extremely hard and not very precise shifting with stick violently shaking all the time

And results are clearly visible in a race conditions or under stress when you try to do shifts as fast as possible - you will miss a gear. During our testing, we both did. For the first time in at least 2 years

When I drove my A5 home, I missed the power and agility of the Z, however I was so happy to be back with my audi's M/T...

Yes, we are both spoiled and not pro racers, but if anyone there is like us, the 7 A/T is to way to consider

Nitrouz · 02-20-2011, 04:18 AM

Thanks for your opinion. However my opinion is the complete opposite having owned a host of vehicles from beaters to exotics. The 6MT (IMO) defines the fun factor of the Z. The auto feel slow, sluggish, and detached, coming most recently from a GR6 DCT so it's not quite fair.

But as they say...opinions are like a$$holes............that's why they make both for the Z! Happy driving!

Cyberium · 02-20-2011, 05:12 AM

Ibtl

I own a 7 AT and I can see both points. Yeah manuals and definitely more fun and yeah the Auto feels sluggish when it's in auto mode but there are just some days where I'm like thank god I don't need to shift (bad traffic or just lazy). But yes, the 7 AT is a kickass auto transmission and the paddle shifters work great.

Thanks for posting your experiences, now we'll just wait for the AT vs. MT war

Vegitto-kun · 02-20-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz

Thanks for your opinion. However my opinion is the complete opposite having owned a host of vehicles from beaters to exotics. The 6MT (IMO) defines the fun factor of the Z. The auto feel slow, sluggish, and detached, coming most recently from a GR6 DCT so it's not quite fair.

But as they say...opinions are like a$$holes............that's why they make both for the Z! Happy driving!

I can understand the whole manual = more fun.

but saying that the AT is sluggish is...wrong.

it can feel sluggish in D but you arent going to tell me that it shifting in 0.5 seconds is slow

runner42 · 02-20-2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberium

Thanks for posting your experiences, now we'll just wait for the AT vs. MT war

Well I don't want to start a useless MT vs. AT war.

I just want to warn euro car owners that switching to Z manual can be big issue and not at all pleasant experience. Especially if Z is second car to the daily driven manual BMW, MB or Audi. These are my 2 cents.

Vegitto-kun · 02-20-2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runner42

Well I don't want to start a useless MT vs. AT war.

I just want to warn euro car owners that switching to Z manual can be big issue and not at all pleasant experience. Especially if Z is second car to the daily driven manual BMW, MB or Audi. These are my 2 cents.

I test drove the Z manual at francorchamps and at the dealership.

it sure as hell felt rough compared to my old megane's MT.

but then again I like it rough

kenchan · 02-20-2011, 08:02 AM

Basically wat it comes down to is I like charburgers and cheese fries.

CrownR426 · 02-20-2011, 08:21 AM

I think manuals better because your wife and kids can't drive it!
Not only that but manual is faster if you are somewhat decent at manual driving.
Though auto would be nice if I did not have one arm but fortunately I do have both arms therefore I drive manual.

xfrgtr · 02-20-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runner42

Me and my friend did race 6 M/T 2009 silver (with 7000 km on it ) against 7 A/T 2010 euro black edition (2500 km) on the closed track yesterday

We switched both cars frequently, races were always neck to neck close, however, there is one important factor that with one exception led always to A/T close victory

We both are used to drive crisp and perfectly built euro cars with M/T - bmw 3er and audi a5, that's important to mention.
After switching to Zs, we quickly come to conclusion, that 7 A/T in manual is first-class transmission, one of the best we have driven so far (I've definitely liked it more then a dual clutch S-tronic in Audit TT).
The manual however is not. We hated it. As a huge Z fan I'm really sorry to admit it, but the manual quality is average at best and SynchroRev cannot compensate for extremely hard and not very precise shifting with stick violently shaking all the time

And results are clearly visible in a race conditions or under stress when you try to do shifts as fast as possible - you will miss a gear. During our testing, we both did. For the first time in at least 2 years

When I drove my A5 home, I missed the power and agility of the Z, however I was so happy to be back with my audi's M/T...

Yes, we are both spoiled and not pro racers, but if anyone there is like us, the 7 A/T is to way to consider

you should take some driving courses

JACKPAC · 02-20-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runner42

Me and my friend did race 6 M/T 2009 silver (with 7000 km on it ) against 7 A/T 2010 euro black edition (2500 km) on the closed track yesterday

We switched both cars frequently, races were always neck to neck close, however, there is one important factor that with one exception led always to A/T close victory

We both are used to drive crisp and perfectly built euro cars with M/T - bmw 3er and audi a5, that's important to mention.
After switching to Zs, we quickly come to conclusion, that 7 A/T in manual is first-class transmission, one of the best we have driven so far (I've definitely liked it more then a dual clutch S-tronic in Audit TT).
The manual however is not. We hated it. As a huge Z fan I'm really sorry to admit it, but the manual quality is average at best and SynchroRev cannot compensate for extremely hard and not very precise shifting with stick violently shaking all the time

And results are clearly visible in a race conditions or under stress when you try to do shifts as fast as possible - you will miss a gear. During our testing, we both did. For the first time in at least 2 years

When I drove my A5 home, I missed the power and agility of the Z, however I was so happy to be back with my audi's M/T...

Yes, we are both spoiled and not pro racers, but if anyone there is like us, the 7 A/T is to way to consider

This is the exact same reason I went into the dealership only wanting a MT and came out only wanting the AT.

Cmike2780 · 02-20-2011, 09:54 AM

The Z is my first manual, and I will never go back to an auto.

tranceformer · 02-20-2011, 10:11 AM

Oh boy another MT vs AT thread!

I'll guess I'll stir the pot a bit and put in my 2 cents.

6MT 370Z = more fun, takes more skill to drive fast
7AT 370Z = seems to be quicker with the average driver

IIRC, #1, #3, #4, #8 spots are 6MT.

Nissan 370Z 1/4 Mile Drag Racing Timeslips - DragTimes.com

red6spd · 02-20-2011, 10:11 AM

Didnt AT first start finding there ways in sports car to appeal to women??? Ouch I'm going to make alot of people mad LOL... When it comes to a car like the Z a stick is the only way to go I'm sorry. Then if you have an Auto and you put an exhaust on it, eww I hate that sound inbetween gear changes.

One_Quick_Z · 02-20-2011, 10:13 AM

Yes! IBFTL!!

DAN

runner42 · 02-20-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfrgtr

you should take some driving courses

Maybe my 60.000 km a year is not good enough for you and you know we are wrong, because you've heavily tested both MT and AT Zs and you own first class german car to compare. Right?

But sure, I will do an advanced driving course as I always do with every new car. I do have feeling this will not improve quality of Z's manual transmission even a little, so for the first time in my life, I'll do it with an AT. Yes, I love Z so much.

02-20-2011, 04:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
runner42 Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 12 Drives: Audi A5 Rep Power: 15	6M/T vs. 7A/T race with consumer advice Me and my friend did race 6 M/T 2009 silver (with 7000 km on it ) against 7 A/T 2010 euro black edition (2500 km) on the closed track yesterday We switched both cars frequently, races were always neck to neck close, however, there is one important factor that with one exception led always to A/T close victory We both are used to drive crisp and perfectly built euro cars with M/T - bmw 3er and audi a5, that's important to mention. After switching to Zs, we quickly come to conclusion, that 7 A/T in manual is first-class transmission, one of the best we have driven so far (I've definitely liked it more then a dual clutch S-tronic in Audit TT). The manual however is not. We hated it. As a huge Z fan I'm really sorry to admit it, but the manual quality is average at best and SynchroRev cannot compensate for extremely hard and not very precise shifting with stick violently shaking all the time And results are clearly visible in a race conditions or under stress when you try to do shifts as fast as possible - you will miss a gear. During our testing, we both did. For the first time in at least 2 years When I drove my A5 home, I missed the power and agility of the Z, however I was so happy to be back with my audi's M/T... Yes, we are both spoiled and not pro racers, but if anyone there is like us, the 7 A/T is to way to consider

02-20-2011, 04:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nitrouz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 934 Drives: 40th Z, GTR, 420z-tt Rep Power: 15	Thanks for your opinion. However my opinion is the complete opposite having owned a host of vehicles from beaters to exotics. The 6MT (IMO) defines the fun factor of the Z. The auto feel slow, sluggish, and detached, coming most recently from a GR6 DCT so it's not quite fair. But as they say...opinions are like a$$holes............that's why they make both for the Z! Happy driving! __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

02-20-2011, 05:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cyberium Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 379 Drives: 370z Touring \| Sport Rep Power: 16	Ibtl I own a 7 AT and I can see both points. Yeah manuals and definitely more fun and yeah the Auto feels sluggish when it's in auto mode but there are just some days where I'm like thank god I don't need to shift (bad traffic or just lazy). But yes, the 7 AT is a kickass auto transmission and the paddle shifters work great. Thanks for posting your experiences, now we'll just wait for the AT vs. MT war __________________ Stillen G3 Intakes \| F. I TDX

02-20-2011, 08:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	I think manuals better because your wife and kids can't drive it! Not only that but manual is faster if you are somewhat decent at manual driving. Though auto would be nice if I did not have one arm but fortunately I do have both arms therefore I drive manual. __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

02-20-2011, 09:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	The Z is my first manual, and I will never go back to an auto. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

02-20-2011, 08:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Basically wat it comes down to is I like charburgers and cheese fries.

02-20-2011, 10:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
tranceformer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,213 Drives: 2009 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 268	Oh boy another MT vs AT thread! I'll guess I'll stir the pot a bit and put in my 2 cents. 6MT 370Z = more fun, takes more skill to drive fast 7AT 370Z = seems to be quicker with the average driver IIRC, #1, #3, #4, #8 spots are 6MT. Nissan 370Z 1/4 Mile Drag Racing Timeslips - DragTimes.com __________________ Ray 2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires official 1/4 mile track times

02-20-2011, 10:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	Didnt AT first start finding there ways in sports car to appeal to women??? Ouch I'm going to make alot of people mad LOL... When it comes to a car like the Z a stick is the only way to go I'm sorry. Then if you have an Auto and you put an exhaust on it, eww I hate that sound inbetween gear changes. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

02-20-2011, 10:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	Yes! IBFTL!! DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

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