Soon to be car owner question..?
 

Hi. I am new to this forum, and as you can see by my name, I am a king named Ron. lol :hello:

But I have noticed something with older people that drive automatics. It seems that they don't enjoy driving anymore and they say it is like a chore that they can't get around. And (the only person I know that drives manual) my uncle still has fun in his Mustang and Camaro at 34. Also (by car videos) older older people say they enjoy manuals because they are more engaged with the car.

I am 17 and I may get a 370z for my graduation present (next year). I was wondering I should get an automatic because me being a novice, or get a manual (that I have no experience with) to possibly enjoy driving for the next however many years.

*And do any of you enjoy your 370z still like you did when you first got it?

hey ron and welcome to the forums, to answer your question i would say that most older people who make comments like that aren't really much into driving in the first place and have probably never enjoyed driving. secondly you might want to think about test driving a few cars before you settle on a manual transmission on the Z as it does tend to have a very steep learning curve when it comes to being able to shift properly in the Z. Having said that i will have to agree with alot of others on the forum that the automatic in the 370Z is among the best automatics out there on the market. The main thing you have to keep in mind when thinking about getting a car is what YOU are going to use it for and just go from there.

I think this all just depends on the person and is a cultural/personality thing.

I personally would never even think about getting in automatic in a Z and don't really understand why anyone does. Its probably partially due to my upbringing because my dad is the same way. He is 54 and he drives a 6mt 350z. My first real car I drove for a long period of time was a '78 280z (it was my dad's that he bought in 1981).

So for me Z's run in the family. I didn't make enough money to get the 370z as my first own car (and back then it was still just the 350z) so instead I got a lease on a non turbo subaru impreza. A nice car and decently fast for the cheap $200/month lease.

Anyway I got a manual transmission on that and every car I have ever really driven more than once or twice has been manual. To me its a requirement, Z or not.

I think if you don't have any such disposition to manual transmissions then there is probably not a huge reason for you to get a manual if you don't even have experience with it. Of course to me anyone who gets auto is crazy... But that is just me =)

All the car's that my parents ever had/drove when I was younger were also manual transmission. There have been only two exceptions. One was when my sister was learning to drive my dad got a nissan altima and automatic so my sister would have less problems learning. It was the decision of an inexperienced parent and he regreted it because my sister now has a 6 spd nissan versa and she also drives/prefers manual.

My mother (parents are divored and i have not lived with her since I was 13) finally got an automatic later in life when her health started to fail and she has trouble moving her legs and with body co-ordination so she went the auto route.

Take my input with a grain of salt =)

the way i look at it is this............. whether its manuel or Automatic.....

if you have fun with the car period ( doesnt matter transmission) then thats all that matters.

for me? i have an 7 speed Auto..... and i will say........ i LOVE it to death. i enjoy driving it. why? i love the CAR itself. the transmission i dont give a dang.

Would anyone here that has a MT describe yours as "excellent"? To me this is one of those things like oil temps that Nissan dropped the ball on. The MT is loud, and not very smooth. And before I get bombarded, I still love my Z and wouldn't have another car. I just wish it had a different transmission in it :)

17.
Z for graduation present...
High school graduation present.

Yes! 1st to 2nd feels like what plinko looks like on the price as right!:icon14:


The Price Is Right - Game of the Day - Plinko - YouTube

With that said, I just cant get into the Pad shifters yet, and good Lord I cant stand the way the center console looks on the automatics of this car. Just make sure whatever you get that you enjoy it and treasure it, especially at 17 years old ya lucky dog.

X2

I don't think the 370 Z is a "learn how to drive a manual" car. You must already know how to drive a manual if not just get an automatic. The manual is notorious. Not smooth loud and if you don't know to shift properly forget about ever being able to feel how quick this car is. Stick to Auto.

Hrmm. I find the manual in my car smooth... much smoother after a SS clutch line and better fluid.

Honestly, its really easy to drive.. shiftings easy. (it is a tad loud).. Wouldnt be a hard car to learn in at all.

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$

From what I hear, the automatic tranny in the Z is really good. But personally I would only get a MT.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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.

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!).

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.

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!

I am older and I can not understand the chore analogy. I'm just not that old and unfit.

Everyone should learn to drive a stick, then decide if they want to stick with it.

* I enjoy my 370 more all the time.

Man, that Z28 is awesome! What year is it?

1971.. Thanks.:tiphat:

Just posted it to let the young gun know that not all of us older folks will just fade away. No automatic for me..

But the 370 Automatic is super sweet...Not as sporty as the manual, but good for all around driving.. I love the two manual options on the 370Z, at the shifter, and the paddles..

I hope the OP enjoys whatever he buys.

Thank You for ending all their nonsensical comments. lol
And since you live in SoCal I might just drive by you one day and say, "Howdy Partner!"

So if that ever happens, you'll know its me lol :D

At 31 years old having driven many sticks, and with the knowledge knowing I will get made fun of, I invite anyone on this forum to come to my house and drive my car.

If you say it is "smooth" and "easy" after driving it, I will shake your hand and admit my complete ignorance of driving.

I don't know if there is a massive variance in Nissan manual transmissions in terms of quality, or people haven't driven a smoother stick before. I assure you, anyone with any experience who drive my car will not use the word "smooth" or "easy" to describe it.

The only positive thing I can say about it is that it works. If you start to critique it at all you really won't have many positive things to say about it. I don't know, maybe I'm spoiled.

OMG That Z28 is so sick! My plans are to get a Black 370z and get black rims also. Then I'll be in the "Black on Black Club" with you. lol

Ron
I got my 370z for my graduation gift as well when i was only 17 years old. I had the same dilemma between deciding weather to get a manual or automatic transmission. I had very little experience with driving manual transmissions, and in the end it just all came down to deciding that i can't buy this car as an automatic, the 370z was meant to be driven as a manual transmission, its a sports car!

How long did it take you? And did you use the Automatic Rev Matching system, or whatever it's called?

Thank You King Ron.:tiphat:

I bought it at 23 years old and could never get rid of it..It used to have the 15" old school Black Mesh Enkei Rims, and now I just put on 18 and 19" Rushforth's to give it the Modern look.

My Wife thinks I am crazy..I am...Crazy for cars.

You enjoy your new car and just be careful, but enjoy yourself..I hope you enjoy many cars in your life...

You are welcome.
And i may be getting way too ahead of myself but I am planning to replace the rims with 19" BBS's, but this is when I have a well established income, probably by the age of 21. lol