Automatic Transmission

Zaku

Hey everyone, I just got a question about the 7 speed Automatic. I've been researching it, and as a car enthusiast I love to get a manual.But due to the fact that I live in such a traffic congested area like DC, it's starting to get tire some for me to drive manual, especially when I have some knee problems as well, it hurts when I have to keep stepping on a clutch. therefore I wanted to look for an auto that will still give me a manual exp without a clutch.

Anyways could the automatic owners tell me a little bit about their experience with their cars, in auto or manual mode. I read up on reviews and their seem to be a rev matching thing on the auto as well? how well does it mimic a manual transmission? how are those paddle Shifters?

Thank you

nogoodname

it's pretty much when ever in sport mode (manual mode) and downshifting, it rev matches for you....so you get that Vroom....thats it.

weltall

the auto has paddle shifters?!?

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cave vulture

In auto mode, the trans seems to be hunting gears all the time, unless you get on it, then there is rapid shifting and strong accelleration.

nogoodname

weltall, only on sport package

weltall

thnx

im still buying a manual though just waiting till nov to do so so i can get a 2010 or a left over 09

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Zaku

oh that's good info, the paddle shifers. I didn't know it's sports package only. Also any good vid of the auto mode? I just wanna hear the gearshifts. If its too much and similar to the ISF.

dszombiex

Uh, I have the auto without the sport package and it has paddle shifters and rev matching.

edeeZee

Supposedly the auto is faster than the manual in the straight line.

2009 Nissan 370Z Automatic - Short Take Road Test/Japanese Performance/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

Educ8r

My 350 was a manual, but I decided to go with the AUTO because of the traffic here in Houston.

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kannibul

It fricken rocks. I've got a 4-banger 5-M 1997 Ford Ranger. I hate driving it, mostly because it's SO under powered, and it sucks in stop/go traffic.

Not the case with the 7AT...it's fast...actually, it posts better 0-60 and 1/4 mile times than the 6MT. In "manual mode" - it's a LOT of fun, as it shifts when you want it to...firmly - firmly enough that it will chirp the tires and break the rear end loose

With the paddle shifters, it'll shift in "D" mode to manual temporarily, then go back to D - great for when you're about to pass someone, and don't want to wait for the transmission/ECU to figure out what you're doing - which was one of my biggest gripes about automatics...

Then there's no clutch to burn/wear out...

wstar

To confirm what's above, all 7AT 370Zs rev-match and have paddle shifters. It's not a manual, and it's not an SMG, but it is a very fine automatic, and mostly does what you tell it do when you click the paddles.

The main complaints against it are related to shift lag when using the paddles. There's a delay between clicking and the ECU reacting and starting to shift, and there's the actual shift time itself. Most people are ballparking it around 500ms shift time, I don't know if anyone's timed it. The delay is more noticeable because you're not doing anything during the shift, whereas during the shifting "delay" on a manual you're actively working controls and stuff so you don't notice it as bad. A good manual driver should be able to shift faster than the 7AT, but not by that much.

Most likely the slight advantage the 7AT gets in the reported 1/4 and 0-60 tests is due to the gearing differences between the 7AT and 6MT (7AT has a crappier rear-end ratio, but a much lower first gear than the 6MT, which results in an overall gearing advantage for the 7AT for 1st gear acceleration), as well as the natural ability of any auto's torque converter to multiply torque.

Another point to consider: if you're thinking of doing any kind of forced induction or very serious NA power upgrades (like, requiring engine surgery), the 7AT will probably become unreliable at a lower horsepower than the 6MT, and be more expensive to upgrade to handle the power to boot. Seems to be fine with a full set of NA bolt-ons though.

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weltall

what is the reported 1/4 times of each trans?

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Zaku

I guess I should add that I will not be doing any heavy modding like force inductions, I will probrably just do simple intake exhaust modding. Thank you for the awesome informative replies, I definitely looking forward to test driving one, prolly gonna try to this Thursday or tommorow. Hopefully ill run into nice folks at the dealer and they'll let me try.

edeeZee

The manual usually does lower-mid 13's, but other sources have it at higher 13's.
The auto pulled a 13.1 according to the link I posted above.

I'm aware that ideal weather conditions, sea-level, etc. all account for the variation, but most important of all--the driver's experience in launching cars.