Nissan 370Z Forum - Soon to be car owner question..?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by buddyZ (Post 1832535)

Wow 17 years old and getting a 32-35K sport car? Are you going straight to a 4 year Univeristy or Community College?

Im going to a community college for 2 years to become an X-Ray Tech, and I'll take over the payments when I start college because I'll be using my Mom's GI Bill. So she'll only be paying for it for like 3 months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KERMIT (Post 1832567)

All the people complaining about 6m must come from fwd cars. Most rwd vehicles the shifter feels similar. I have no complaints

Not even close IMHO, and others I know who have driven them. Two popular vehicles that I have driven as of recently include the S2000, and the 5.0, and the both feel much better than the Zs 6 speed. The S being one of the smoothest out there IMHO, and the 5.0 not far behind. This coming from someone who loves their Nismo dearly. Forgot to put that I have driven 23 other Zs including a roadster that all felt as crappy as my transmission. The clutch helper spring replacement did help a little, but not much.

Now that I think about it, my old 95 GSX had smoother shift points too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRon (Post 1832593)

Lol, I'll be 18 when I get it though.

I was your age when I got my Z. I got in for my HS grad present. I have the 7spd. The main reason I got it was because I come from a SMALL town and I was afraid that getting a manual in the "horrendous" atlanta traffic would be a bad idea. Turns out traffic isn't that bad, and now I wish I would have gotten the manual. However, I still the auto. It is amazing and super quick.

P.S. Please don't act like a retard and give us(those who got the Z as a teen and act responsibly) a bad name :tiphat:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpritche (Post 1832605)

hey i know you.

to people posting..

changing the tranny fluid and the clutch line makes the shifting alot smoother. engagement is alot more consistant and the shifting smoother. Esp when cold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Read T (Post 1832382)

My first car (2001 civic) was an automatic. I wished it was manual, and hondas are easy to learn on.

My second car (1997 240sx) was an automatic. After 2 weeks of owning it, I parked it in my parent's garage, took out the automatic slushbox and put in a 5 speed manual. The car felt totally different - I was much more in control, the car was much faster, and the car was much more responsive. I still own this car and it is a blast to drive.

I own 3 other vehicles. A (1959 Morgan +4) a (2004 Kawasaki Ninja) and of course my (2011 Z) All of which are manual. I personally think a sporty car needs a manual and I much prefer driving a manual even in traffic. The Z's transmission isn't the smoothest and the clutch is kind of a pain in the butt but it's lightyears easier to drive than my Morgan - which doesn't have synchros, or my 240 which has a crazy stiff clutch. The Z with the sport package also helps smooth out your shifts when you're first learning with it's synchro-rev-matching (SRM).

As far as the Z not being a good car to learn stick on:
The shifting isn't bad, I taught one of my good friends to drive a manual in my Z last week. She stalled a few times in the parkinglot, but then drove it about 50 miles around town at 4:00am with no real issues. She had never driven a stickshift.

However, I would never let my future children have the Z as their first car. It is FAST and it has a temptation to GO FAST. With new drivers, this means you DIE FAST. I think manual transmissions easily get out from under new drivers, this coupled with a powerful engine and rear wheel drive make the car a bit of a handful for new drivers. If you are responsible it would be an okay first car (albeit very expensive for a first car). A kid when I was in high school got a Dodge Viper for his first car :shakes head: and he managed to roll it. Remember that if you want to go fast in it go to a track or autocross - and since you're in highschool you will need one of your parents to go with you to sign a waiver.

In conclusion: I wouldn't recommend it as a first car. I'd get something else like a stickshift civic or even miata (which is fuuun car!) and leave a Z for later once you are a more experienced driver. The Z is an AMAZING car though. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but just looking out for you and I'm not trying to sound like I'm the best driver out there either. Just my .02$

Im super responsible and I'll only race people on busy streets. :D
But I forgot to add that I learn things extremely quickly and I would just learn to drive it when I get it, but I already know how to drive it because of me watching like 20 "How to drive a Manual Transmission Car" videos. So I know exactly what to do when I get in it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpritche (Post 1832605)

lol, don't worry. I am superdy responsible. :driving:

I learn the manual on the Z, bought it without knowing how to drive manual, have a co worker teach me in a parking lot and been driving ever since. you will have to judge by your self since you will be driving in CA traffic.

I've been driving manuals all my life and learning the 370 was a challenge. It took me a good 30 minutes before I got the feel for it and that's saying something considering I've been driving manuals for almost 30 years.

I agree with bdavis89... learn before you get on the road with a brand new Z.

Go to a parking lot that's empty and practice for an hour or so. It's not hard to learn. But be careful on inclines, that can be tricky with the Z.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavis89 (Post 1832657)

IBTL

Seriously sick of the kids getting the car from mommy and daddy, then post on here saying they're super responsible. Just stop. You're a 17, going on 18 male wanting to get a $30k+ performance car. The testosterone flows, we all get it, so stop trying to convince yourself you're going to drive slow. If you wanted a nice car with status, etc. and didn't care about the speed element, you'd be getting a Lexus or BMW from your parents, who can obviously afford it.

That being said, don't take a $30k+ sports car and destroy the transmission trying to learn stick. Learn stick before you buy get it.

Sorry man but just because they are 18 doesn't mean they are irresponsible. Just because you may have been doesn't mean all male teenagers are. Yes the vast majority couldn't handle a car like the Z at that age but that doesn't mean all of them. Driving a manual transmission isn't difficult and learning on it won't destroy it. Bad habits like riding the clutch are what can wear out clutches and throwout bearings.

OP, just make sure you take care of the car, respect it, and treat it right. The good thing about a 2 seater when you are young is you can't take many people with you to be a distraction. I would strongly recommend taking some driving classes on a track and/or possibly doing auto-x to get a feel for the limits of the car and in a safe environment (its also a lot of fun!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavis89 (Post 1832657)

IBTL

Seriously sick of the kids getting the car from mommy and daddy, then post on here saying they're super responsible. Just stop. You're a 17, going on 18 male wanting to get a $30k+ performance car. The testosterone flows, we all get it, so stop trying to convince yourself you're going to drive slow. If you wanted a nice car with status, etc. and didn't care about the speed element, you'd be getting a Lexus or BMW from your parents, who can obviously afford it.

That being said, don't take a $30k+ sports car and destroy the transmission trying to learn stick. Learn stick before you buy get it.

Why do I feel like you are jealous when you said whats in the bold.
My mom is paying the first 3 payments then I'm taking over.
And of course im going to drive fast, but unlike other guys my age, i know when to do it and when not to....You make it seem like I am going to go 120 on Example Ave.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guavazo (Post 1832650)

I am planning to teach myself stick on my new Z. What was your biggest struggle and how long until you felt really confident??

Get to the topic at hand and STOP attacking the OP for his age!!

Op's asking for help and not opinions if he's old enough to own a Z

Either help or Move along!!

King Ron...King Mike here.

Age is just a number. I am 52, and I am in the middle of a rebuild of a car that I have had for 28 years.

It is a 4 speed, and I plan to put in a 6 speed..Right now I am deciding on a 450HP engine swap, or a 540HP engine swap.

I am almost 53. So some people just lose their Mojo when they get old. I refuse to.

We do have a 2009 370Z Auto for the wife, and I love it. But I do spend a lot of time paddle shifting.

So not all of us older people are Carmudgeon's. You will have to google that.

Also enjoy the car you get, whatever it is...

Lol! Good luck learning manual-its great fun if you like to drive. I briefly thought about getting an automatic Z...but for me the manual shifting is part of the power experience...so thats where i went...try them both, extensively, before you decide, thats a lot of money to spend and find out afterwards "I wish..." good luck and be safe whatever you choose! (i am a bit jealous ;) my Z was a long time coming-happy for you!!)

P.s. i've only had my Z two months and it has yet to get tiresome OR boring-still get a thrill when i realize again "it's mine-all mine"!!! Yay us!