Base 370z 7AT vs. Sport Package MT

OrangeJuice · 05-11-2011, 01:51 AM

Will be picking up my 370z within the week, got 2 models locally I can choose from within the price I'm willing to pay:

-Base 370z but with Automatic Transmission

-Base + Sport 370z with Manual Transmission

I know the sport package is a great value with the upgraded brakes, wheels and most importantly the VLSD (don't care so much for the aero stuff). But alas, I can't drive manual very well at all...only done so once or twice in my life in an old beater Civic. I know, I know, flame on...ZOMG JOO DUN BELONG IN TEH SPORTZ CARRR!!1one!!11one!

Is it worth it to get the Base 370z and just add a diff on my own (as well as brakes down the line) or just nut up and sharpen my standard transmission abilities? The VLSD is really the most important thing to me out of the Sport package anyway...

The car won't be tracked, but driven (occasionaly spirited) on the street 4 to 5 times a week.

Just looking for some solid opinions from folks have have gone Base and Base + Sport. Thanks!

Dizon248 · 05-11-2011, 02:10 AM

Get the manual, and continue practicing.

DJ-of-E · 05-11-2011, 02:11 AM

Actually, when I buy a car, I always go for the brakes. I'm an occasionally spirited driver as well, but after years of owning various different cars, the most important feature I want at max is not the LSD, the body, nor whatever fancy features in the car, it's the brakes. At many times, the brakes are what save my butt from other drivers' mistakes on the road.

Now how much better are the brakes from stock to the Akebono on the sport package, I do not know, but I kept reading on online magazines that it is worth the upgrade.

ImportConvert · 05-11-2011, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeJuice

Will be picking up my 370z within the week, got 2 models locally I can choose from within the price I'm willing to pay:

-Base 370z but with Automatic Transmission

-Base + Sport 370z with Manual Transmission

I know the sport package is a great value with the upgraded brakes, wheels and most importantly the VLSD (don't care so much for the aero stuff). But alas, I can't drive manual very well at all...only done so once or twice in my life in an old beater Civic. I know, I know, flame on...ZOMG JOO DUN BELONG IN TEH SPORTZ CARRR!!1one!!11one!

Is it worth it to get the Base 370z and just add a diff on my own (as well as brakes down the line) or just nut up and sharpen my standard transmission abilities? The VLSD is really the most important thing to me out of the Sport package anyway...

The car won't be tracked, but driven (occasionaly spirited) on the street 4 to 5 times a week.

Just looking for some solid opinions from folks have have gone Base and Base + Sport. Thanks!

Get the manual and learn. You gotta learn some day, so why not now?

DjSquall · 05-11-2011, 07:00 AM

Dude, i regret not getting the sports package. Go with the brakes. It WILL help.

hansoac · 05-11-2011, 07:32 AM

7AT is really nice for cruising...but I would have to hop on the manual train on this one.
Go for that manual w/ sport!!

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-11-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansoac

7AT is really nice for cruising...but I would have to hop on the manual train on this one.
Go for that manual w/ sport!!

If you think the 7at is only good for cruising then you needa hop in when I'm driving. Lol. Infinite gear ratios gives you on tap accelration like you wouldn't believe and once you master the 7at. You can really customize your driving and make your actions unpredictable when in a race. The trickiest part is learning how to make that 7th gear work for you. Once u understand it. Everyone around u is toast.

In this case I say go with the manual. The sport package is not just a cosmetic feature upgrade. The akebono's on this car are among the most power full brakes on a production car. 103 ft stops from 60 are the shortest I have seen on record for a production car thus far. Imagine with lines pads and rotors. Ur looking at well under 100ft.

wstar · 05-11-2011, 08:27 AM

I like the 7AT on this car for a DD, but I don't think I'd pass on the Sport Package to get it. Besides, everyone needs to own a manual at least once in their life

PapoZalsa · 05-11-2011, 08:29 AM

Base + Sport Package = FTW

hansoac · 05-11-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

If you think the 7at is only good for cruising then you needa hop in when I'm driving. Lol. Infinite gear ratios gives you on tap accelration like you wouldn't believe and once you master the 7at. You can really customize your driving and make your actions unpredictable when in a race. The trickiest part is learning how to make that 7th gear work for you. Once u understand it. Everyone around u is toast.

In this case I say go with the manual. The sport package is not just a cosmetic feature upgrade. The akebono's on this car are among the most power full brakes on a production car. 103 ft stops from 60 are the shortest I have seen on record for a production car thus far. Imagine with lines pads and rotors. Ur looking at well under 100ft.

Well, I am not saying I don't rip through some gears at times. But when you just want to sit back relax and hit the gas while you have both hands gripping the wheel as the gears shift..then that's where the 7AT has its plus over to manual. I am not saying one is better than the other.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-11-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hansoac

Well, I am not saying I don't rip through some gears at times. But when you just want to sit back relax and hit the gas while you have both hands gripping the wheel as the gears shift..then that's where the 7AT has its plus over to manual. I am not saying one is better than the other.

I know you weren't claiming superiority... lol. I was just sayin.

OrangeJuice · 05-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Well it's all settled then.

To everyone in Louisiana and Baton Rouge in particular, stay off the road for the next week as I will probably be stalling like a madman!

HoneyBadger · 05-11-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeJuice

Well it's all settled then.

To everyone in Louisiana and Baton Rouge in particular, stay off the road for the next week as I will probably be stalling like a madman!

whoady4shoady · 05-11-2011, 10:52 AM

6speed sport package for the win! Brakes are amazing and have saved my but from stupid drivers twice already.

ChrisSlicks · 05-11-2011, 11:00 AM

Just get what you'll be happiest driving. On the street the base brakes are going to perform admirably and the stopping distances will be the same as the sport brakes. When the brakes are pushed harder then the difference of a fixed caliper will come into play.

05-11-2011, 01:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
OrangeJuice Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 16 Drives: 2012 Mustang GT Rep Power: 14	Base 370z 7AT vs. Sport Package MT Will be picking up my 370z within the week, got 2 models locally I can choose from within the price I'm willing to pay: -Base 370z but with Automatic Transmission -Base + Sport 370z with Manual Transmission I know the sport package is a great value with the upgraded brakes, wheels and most importantly the VLSD (don't care so much for the aero stuff). But alas, I can't drive manual very well at all...only done so once or twice in my life in an old beater Civic. I know, I know, flame on...ZOMG JOO DUN BELONG IN TEH SPORTZ CARRR!!1one!!11one! Is it worth it to get the Base 370z and just add a diff on my own (as well as brakes down the line) or just nut up and sharpen my standard transmission abilities? The VLSD is really the most important thing to me out of the Sport package anyway... The car won't be tracked, but driven (occasionaly spirited) on the street 4 to 5 times a week. Just looking for some solid opinions from folks have have gone Base and Base + Sport. Thanks!

05-11-2011, 02:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
DJ-of-E Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Garden Grove, CA Posts: 676 Drives: 00 Toyota Celica 040 Rep Power: 15	Actually, when I buy a car, I always go for the brakes. I'm an occasionally spirited driver as well, but after years of owning various different cars, the most important feature I want at max is not the LSD, the body, nor whatever fancy features in the car, it's the brakes. At many times, the brakes are what save my butt from other drivers' mistakes on the road. Now how much better are the brakes from stock to the Akebono on the sport package, I do not know, but I kept reading on online magazines that it is worth the upgrade. __________________

05-11-2011, 08:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	I like the 7AT on this car for a DD, but I don't think I'd pass on the Sport Package to get it. Besides, everyone needs to own a manual at least once in their life __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-11-2011, 08:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	Base + Sport Package = FTW __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

05-11-2011, 11:00 AM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Just get what you'll be happiest driving. On the street the base brakes are going to perform admirably and the stopping distances will be the same as the sport brakes. When the brakes are pushed harder then the difference of a fixed caliper will come into play. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

05-11-2011, 02:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dizon248 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: California Posts: 46 Drives: IS300 Rep Power: 14	Get the manual, and continue practicing.

05-11-2011, 07:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
DjSquall A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tottenham, ON Age: 36 Posts: 1,340 Drives: My first car Rep Power: 22	Dude, i regret not getting the sports package. Go with the brakes. It WILL help.

05-11-2011, 07:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
hansoac Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toledo Posts: 497 Drives: 09 370z Sport CY Rep Power: 14	7AT is really nice for cruising...but I would have to hop on the manual train on this one. Go for that manual w/ sport!!

05-11-2011, 10:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
OrangeJuice Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 16 Drives: 2012 Mustang GT Rep Power: 14	Well it's all settled then. To everyone in Louisiana and Baton Rouge in particular, stay off the road for the next week as I will probably be stalling like a madman!

05-11-2011, 10:52 AM	#14 (permalink)
whoady4shoady A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,088 Drives: 09 Silver Nismo Rep Power: 18	6speed sport package for the win! Brakes are amazing and have saved my but from stupid drivers twice already.

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