Dream car as my first MT?

Dwight Frye · 02-01-2013, 06:30 PM

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.

BeemaaZ · 02-01-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Frye

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.

Well said

Nailzs · 02-01-2013, 07:39 PM

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.

Sorrovv · 02-01-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Frye

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.

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!

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...

Ziggyman · 02-01-2013, 07:53 PM

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!

Sorrovv · 02-01-2013, 08:54 PM

OK I can't resist any longer.

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

Joelito · 02-01-2013, 09:22 PM

Those stripes gotta go though please!

Sorrovv · 02-01-2013, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joelito

Those stripes gotta go though please!

Yes those are going away as soon as possible!

CDepp · 02-01-2013, 09:31 PM

Hilarious. Nice car minus the stripes.

ayrton88 · 02-01-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggyman

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!

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.

forza370z · 02-01-2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorrovv

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!

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...

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

Sorrovv · 02-02-2013, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forza370z

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

Sorrovv · 02-02-2013, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmkraft12

Ask the seller for a new pic. Grainy pictures are used to hide imperfections in paint.

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!

bigsix · 02-02-2013, 02:55 AM

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

MJB · 02-02-2013, 09:28 AM

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.

02-01-2013, 06:30 PM	#76 (permalink)
Dwight Frye Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Occupied California Posts: 423 Drives: '09 Tour/Sport/6MT Rep Power: 16	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. cv129, Hookah, Dlm6568 and 1 others like this.

02-01-2013, 09:22 PM	#82 (permalink)
Joelito Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Queens Posts: 120 Drives: 12 370z 6sp Rep Power: 13	Those stripes gotta go though please! Dlm6568 likes this.

02-01-2013, 09:31 PM	#84 (permalink)
CDepp Track Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 837 Drives: sideways Rep Power: 14	Hilarious. Nice car minus the stripes. forza370z likes this. __________________ -CDepp- 2011 MB Base+S M6 \| Invidia Exhaust \| TommyKairaHebiBeibi \| H&R Spacers 15/20 \| GTR Start \| 305hp/240tq

02-02-2013, 02:55 AM	#89 (permalink)
bigsix A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,227 Drives: Honda City/Mazda 2 Rep Power: 19	Some models/cars are best-suited to a certain transmission type. For example; I would only buy a 3-series with a manual. Dlm6568 likes this.

02-02-2013, 09:28 AM	#90 (permalink)
MJB A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Age: 41 Posts: 1,498 Drives: a POS truck Rep Power: 496	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. __________________ 09 Nismo #0483 sold. Viper or C7 next time around.

02-01-2013, 07:39 PM	#78 (permalink)
Nailzs Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 395 Drives: 13 370Z 7at Sp Tour Rep Power: 13	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.

02-01-2013, 07:53 PM	#80 (permalink)
Ziggyman Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: North Shore Posts: 176 Drives: 11 SR Tour/Sport MT Rep Power: 12	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!

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