Auto 370Z...Is it Good?

DJcuetip · 07-16-2009, 12:20 AM

I honestly think this thread will only make the decision more difficult.

KillBill · 07-16-2009, 01:22 AM

I've been driving my G37 5AT for almost two years now. I love it and continue to mod it for weekend track use (oil and transmission cooler highly recommended). It's a personal choice..what is the best weapon for battle? Warriors choose your weapon, become familiar with it and enjoy the battle

Zof9i6 · 07-16-2009, 02:36 AM

u shouldnt let ppls suggestion talk u into gettin auto or manual. get the one u really really want. the one u think u prably wont regret later on. for me i hate driiving manual goin big uphills in san francisco but i still got it cuz its fun to drive to me. i gotten use to the sf uphills stop and gos.

kannibul · 07-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Having driven a manual for years, it is taking me a bit to get used to the automatic in the 370z...for example, I'd toss it in neutral a lot on exit ramps and similar situations where I don't want the drag of the engine...yet)...or skip gears for different accelleration/decelleration curves. (hammer it 1-3, drop into 5th...or reverse of that for decel) - the thing that gets me is there is a very small window on the gas, where you have your foot off the gas and it's seriously dragging the car, and where you have your foot on it lightly, and it's coasting, and when you have your foot on it a bit more and it's maintaining or acellerating.

I'm also used to bumping the clutch to make the car/truck jump forward, but not continue with momentum - if that makes sense. I did that once with my Z as I was going up the drive way - and the car LAUNCHED and didn't back off as quickly as it should have...I had to jump on the brakes!

But, all that said, these are really just minor annoyances - on the street, in either automatic or manual-mode and using the stick...or automatic with paddles...or manual with paddles...it's fun in a very good way. If you leave it in automatic and use the paddles when you want the tranny a bit more responsive - it's really the best of both worlds...

Demon Z · 07-16-2009, 10:25 AM

Both transmissions have their draws and detractions. What matters is what is best for YOU and how you're going to be using the car. It pains me that threads like these usually end up in a flame war... there's NO reason for it. .02

Robert_Nash · 07-16-2009, 10:41 AM

With the quality and performance of an automatic today; especially the 7AT in the 370, if I was getting a car for and/or that would be used as a daily driver there would be no choice for me; it would be the auto.

As with most things in life, once you've had many vehicles with manual transmissions the "uniqueness" wears off and you are left with a choice based on more practical matters than how "connected" you feel to the vehicle or how much "control" (real or imagined) over the driving experience...spend a couple of hours a day in stop and go traffic; especially if you live in a area with lots of elevation changes and the benefits of an auto in a daily driver become very apparent.

I've enjoyed my 7AT...I love the manual mode and the paddle shifters and equally love being able to let the transmission do all the gear changing when I don't feel like doing them)...when doing the Dragon as I do fairly regularly I don't feel as if I'm giving up anything to any other car, including other 370s just because I have an AT and they have the MT.

That said, I will be ordering my replacement for my current 370 soon and I'm seriously considering getting the 6MT this time mostly so that I can live with the rev-match feature (it won't be a daily driver).

In the '50 and perhaps up through the mid-'90s or so the performance of a manual driven by a very good driver were quite tangible but in today's world, it really and truly comes down to personal preference.

Get what you want for your own reasons and you'll be happy with your 370 (and after all, isn't that what really matters?).

whoady4shoady · 07-16-2009, 10:47 AM

You guys may laugh, buy my main reason for getting the manual is the way it looks. I can drive a manual fine, and would probably be just as happy with the auto, but I cant stand the way the center console looks with the auto shfter stick/interface. I really dont mean to flame at all, but to me it looks a little to femalish

Please dont take my last statement the wrong way. I have driven an eclipse for years and constantly been told I have a girls car. LOL. It is just my opinion.

juan05 · 07-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoady4shoady

You guys may laugh, buy my main reason for getting the manual is the way it looks. I can drive a manual fine, and would probably be just as happy with the auto, but I cant stand the way the center console looks with the auto shfter stick/interface. I really dont mean to flame at all, but to me it looks a little to femalish

Please dont take my last statement the wrong way. I have driven an eclipse for years and constantly been told I have a girls car. LOL. It is just my opinion.

i love how the manual looks inside the z. and personall i lik the whole syncrho rev match...so i say maul...an my left foot gets bored with a auto.

av370 · 07-16-2009, 03:13 PM

I test drove both and for me the auto was hands down the best, try to launch both hard and you cant match the dead stop launch the auto has, car and driver confirmed this with the auto VS stick 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times.
2009 Nissan 370Z Automatic - Short Take Road Test

baboola · 07-16-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by av370

I test drove both and for me the auto was hands down the best, try to launch both hard and you cant match the dead stop launch the auto has, car and driver confirmed this with the auto VS stick 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times.
2009 Nissan 370Z Automatic - Short Take Road Test

it's no dsg or pdk. c&d probably didn't try hard enough with the first test. (or they had a not-so-skilled driver for the first test)

kannibul · 07-16-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboola

it's no dsg or pdk. c&d probably didn't try hard enough with the first test. (or they had a not-so-skilled driver for the first test)

The 7AT has a quicker rear end ratio, and a shorter 1st gear.

mrarroyo · 07-16-2009, 04:35 PM

I say you should live dangerously and buy one of each!

MeZadude · 07-16-2009, 04:43 PM

I've been driving for around 40 years, and have had my share of manual transmission cars, including sports cars. I opted for the A7T in my new 370Z as it's just easier to deal with anymore. The car's an absolute gem to drive, and the automatic 7-speed transmission just adds to it's appeal.

MeZadude

Endgame · 07-16-2009, 04:47 PM

I was sold on the 7AT at the outset. However, I SO miss my MT 240x that was JDM'd up. I drove my brother in law's S14 240 MT. Drove my buddy's Z06. Fell in love in MTs all again. My car will be a semi daily driver, and I probally will not enounter too much traffic. That said, I have switched back to wanting a MT.

gatorfast · 07-16-2009, 04:57 PM

One isnt really "better" than the other. Its all about personal preference. At the end of the day, an auto is still an auto and same with the manual. If you really like rowing through the gears then there is no substitute for a manual transmission. If you get sick of using a clutch on a daily basis then the auto is for you.

07-16-2009, 10:41 AM	#21 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	With the quality and performance of an automatic today; especially the 7AT in the 370, if I was getting a car for and/or that would be used as a daily driver there would be no choice for me; it would be the auto. As with most things in life, once you've had many vehicles with manual transmissions the "uniqueness" wears off and you are left with a choice based on more practical matters than how "connected" you feel to the vehicle or how much "control" (real or imagined) over the driving experience...spend a couple of hours a day in stop and go traffic; especially if you live in a area with lots of elevation changes and the benefits of an auto in a daily driver become very apparent. I've enjoyed my 7AT...I love the manual mode and the paddle shifters and equally love being able to let the transmission do all the gear changing when I don't feel like doing them)...when doing the Dragon as I do fairly regularly I don't feel as if I'm giving up anything to any other car, including other 370s just because I have an AT and they have the MT. That said, I will be ordering my replacement for my current 370 soon and I'm seriously considering getting the 6MT this time mostly so that I can live with the rev-match feature (it won't be a daily driver). In the '50 and perhaps up through the mid-'90s or so the performance of a manual driven by a very good driver were quite tangible but in today's world, it really and truly comes down to personal preference. Get what you want for your own reasons and you'll be happy with your 370 (and after all, isn't that what really matters?). __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama - Last edited by Robert_Nash; 07-16-2009 at 10:43 AM.

07-16-2009, 03:13 PM	#24 (permalink)
av370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: antelope valley CA Posts: 70 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 264	I test drove both and for me the auto was hands down the best, try to launch both hard and you cant match the dead stop launch the auto has, car and driver confirmed this with the auto VS stick 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times. 2009 Nissan 370Z Automatic - Short Take Road Test Last edited by av370; 07-16-2009 at 03:18 PM.

07-16-2009, 04:43 PM	#28 (permalink)
MeZadude Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 5 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG A7 Rep Power: 16	I've been driving for around 40 years, and have had my share of manual transmission cars, including sports cars. I opted for the A7T in my new 370Z as it's just easier to deal with anymore. The car's an absolute gem to drive, and the automatic 7-speed transmission just adds to it's appeal. MeZadude __________________ "South Frogspit..."

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07-16-2009, 12:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
DJcuetip Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: CA Posts: 704 Drives: 370 Rep Power: 260	I honestly think this thread will only make the decision more difficult.

07-16-2009, 01:22 AM	#17 (permalink)
KillBill Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Bernardino Posts: 86 Drives: 08-G37S Rep Power: 16	I've been driving my G37 5AT for almost two years now. I love it and continue to mod it for weekend track use (oil and transmission cooler highly recommended). It's a personal choice..what is the best weapon for battle? Warriors choose your weapon, become familiar with it and enjoy the battle

07-16-2009, 02:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
Zof9i6 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: sac Posts: 81 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 16	u shouldnt let ppls suggestion talk u into gettin auto or manual. get the one u really really want. the one u think u prably wont regret later on. for me i hate driiving manual goin big uphills in san francisco but i still got it cuz its fun to drive to me. i gotten use to the sf uphills stop and gos.

07-16-2009, 09:56 AM	#19 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	Having driven a manual for years, it is taking me a bit to get used to the automatic in the 370z...for example, I'd toss it in neutral a lot on exit ramps and similar situations where I don't want the drag of the engine...yet)...or skip gears for different accelleration/decelleration curves. (hammer it 1-3, drop into 5th...or reverse of that for decel) - the thing that gets me is there is a very small window on the gas, where you have your foot off the gas and it's seriously dragging the car, and where you have your foot on it lightly, and it's coasting, and when you have your foot on it a bit more and it's maintaining or acellerating. I'm also used to bumping the clutch to make the car/truck jump forward, but not continue with momentum - if that makes sense. I did that once with my Z as I was going up the drive way - and the car LAUNCHED and didn't back off as quickly as it should have...I had to jump on the brakes! But, all that said, these are really just minor annoyances - on the street, in either automatic or manual-mode and using the stick...or automatic with paddles...or manual with paddles...it's fun in a very good way. If you leave it in automatic and use the paddles when you want the tranny a bit more responsive - it's really the best of both worlds...

07-16-2009, 10:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
Demon Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 229 Drives: '13 FR-S Rep Power: 17	Both transmissions have their draws and detractions. What matters is what is best for YOU and how you're going to be using the car. It pains me that threads like these usually end up in a flame war... there's NO reason for it. .02

07-16-2009, 10:47 AM	#22 (permalink)
whoady4shoady A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,088 Drives: 09 Silver Nismo Rep Power: 18	You guys may laugh, buy my main reason for getting the manual is the way it looks. I can drive a manual fine, and would probably be just as happy with the auto, but I cant stand the way the center console looks with the auto shfter stick/interface. I really dont mean to flame at all, but to me it looks a little to femalish Please dont take my last statement the wrong way. I have driven an eclipse for years and constantly been told I have a girls car. LOL. It is just my opinion.

07-16-2009, 04:35 PM	#27 (permalink)
mrarroyo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Heaven on Earth Posts: 211 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 16	I say you should live dangerously and buy one of each!

07-16-2009, 04:47 PM	#29 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	I was sold on the 7AT at the outset. However, I SO miss my MT 240x that was JDM'd up. I drove my brother in law's S14 240 MT. Drove my buddy's Z06. Fell in love in MTs all again. My car will be a semi daily driver, and I probally will not enounter too much traffic. That said, I have switched back to wanting a MT.

07-16-2009, 04:57 PM	#30 (permalink)
gatorfast Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SoFla Posts: 120 Drives: Z4 M Coupe Rep Power: 289	One isnt really "better" than the other. Its all about personal preference. At the end of the day, an auto is still an auto and same with the manual. If you really like rowing through the gears then there is no substitute for a manual transmission. If you get sick of using a clutch on a daily basis then the auto is for you.