Buy the manual. The first night home, sleep in the car. Bond with it. Be one with it. Get into the Zen of driving that particular Z with that particular clutch and transmission and engine. Shut off the stereo and your cell phone and listen to your car. It will speak to you in it's own language. Concentrate. It is not difficult. When you no longer think about what you are doing regarding operating the clutch, gas, brake and gear lever and it becomes an unconscious act, you will have achieved mastery of your machine.
If you over-think the procedure you will fail. :tiphat:

Well said :tup:

I bought an automatic Z because I've owned a lot of manual cars that have clutches that can be adjusted so the clutch disengages at about half way down to the floorboard and you can slip the clutch before the engage/disengage. My past Chevy, Fords, and other manual cars I've owned would do just that. Not Nissan manuals, or at least the 4 I test drove.
They were on and off switches right at the top of the clutch peddle movement.
No slipping the clutch period. It reminded of the old headlight dimmer switch on the floor. Push it's high beam, push again it low beam. If not for the 7AT I probably wouldn't be driving a Z.

I drove the 6MT tonight and it is settled! I have a smile so large it doesn't fit on my face. We hit Alpharetta Highway in Roswell, GA during rush hour and I had no problem whatsoever. 1st is really short, 2nd is a tough shift as it seems jerky, but it is probably due to my ineptitude. It's really hard to stall this car.

One thing I failed to take note of is that people treat you differently when you are driving the sexiest thing they have seen that day. I spent an hour and a half in traffic on my way to the dealership, no one cares about your Mazda3. But once I got in that Z, it was like the seas parted - everyone wanted to open up a spot for me! :rofl2:

I am resolved to bond with this car as you so eloquently described, and drive it with passion until my fun days are numbered.

So many have contributed to my decision through this thread (taking both sides), and I am very grateful! All of it has helped me put things into perspective. I feel much more confident now.

Looking forward to adding some pics of my shiny new Z soon!

Maybe tomorrow... :excited:

Get the manual, its a sports car. I've been a big proponent of AT as they are the future. They shift faster and F1 has already converted, all good reasons!

In the end, its making the machine an extension of your brain. Think Ripley in the power loader ala Alien!

OK I can't resist any longer.

I'm inches from buying this 2011 370z 6MT Touring/Sport

Those stripes gotta go though please!

Yes those are going away as soon as possible!

Hilarious. Nice car minus the stripes.

The transmission in an F1 car is not technically an automatic in the road car sense. There is no torque converter. It still has a clutch, but it is some sort of electro-hydraulic unit. Come to think of it, I don't think any racing car has an automatic with a torque converter like the Zs AT.

Cuz our Z = GET DA F**K OUT OF MY WAY!:happydance:

:iagree:

:driving:

Excellent advice!

I was worried about the quality of the picture at first, as it appears there are some major problems with the paint from those but I drove it last night and IT MUST BE MINE!

Some models/cars are best-suited to a certain transmission type.
For example; I would only buy a 3-series with a manual.

OP, congrats on the decision. I think you made the right one. Its good to see somebody willing to go out there and learn to drive manual, instead of just saying "screw it" and going AT because they don't want to take a few hours to learn a new skill.

I see the ride has wheels and intakes on it, any other mods? If you plan on keeping those wheels, please buy some spacers for the rear. Those things are sunk in bad.