Confessions of a 7AT Driver

Footloose301 · 05-30-2013, 09:28 AM

I love my manual. My old room mate had the auto 370Z and wasn't anywhere near as fun. The manual just makes me feel like I have more control over the car and its responses.

My new room mate just traded his 6spd 4 door GTI for an auto 2008 base corvette and its fun only because it has power but there's no way I would buy one. People make fun of him wherever he goes because he has the loud exhaust and its obvious to everyone around that its an auto. People of all ages, not just the younger ones, make fun of it.

With that being said, I don't think it's anyone's business which one you choose but people of all ages have much more respect from other people when they're in a manual. I laugh at the geezers in their auto convertible corvettes and the geezers with the Z06 get a thumbs up because in my honest opinion they are a true car enthusiast. Born in the times when autos weren't heard of.

H2O_Doc · 05-30-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltoy

Who's Manuel?

Maybe he has his gardener shift for him.

edub370 · 05-30-2013, 09:41 AM

sometimes i like to pretend my car is an auto by not hitting the clutch when i come to a stop

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-30-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O_Doc

Maybe he has his gardener shift for him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

sometimes i like to pretend my car is an auto by not hitting the clutch when i come to a stop

b15 · 05-30-2013, 10:59 AM

I knew the 6MT quirks going into it and still picked it over the 7AT. Personal preference really. The 7AT was good and as the AT owners like to point out, it's a tad bit faster, but it still lacks the sense of control you get from an MT. I don't care what they say about the paddles and manual mode- it's not the same. I test drove both and to me, the fun factor of rowing through your own gears was 100,000x better than tapping the paddle. A DCT is closer- but still not the same experience. I guess I'm just old school.

Jordo! · 05-30-2013, 11:18 AM

Within your lifetime clutch pedals wil vanish from anything designated as a "sports car" (already well on its way) and appear almost exclusively in economy cars.

If some guy asks you why you have an auto sports car, tell him it's so you have a free hand to fondle his mom when you pick her up.

1st · 05-30-2013, 11:21 AM

Automatic transmissions are for those who find driving to be a confusing task, for those who need to focus 100% on pushing one pedal. Rather than admit that driving is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered, the people who favor automatic transmissions blame their poor driving skills on everyone and everything else. Real men drive cars with manual transmissions. Real men understand that cars need three pedals, otherwise the vehicle is nothing more than a fancy golf cart. Men understand that driving is a skill, and that the best way to master this skill is to maintain absolute control of all aspects of a car at all times. If you think it’s better to let the car tell you what to do, you may as well turn in your testicles so that they don’t get in the way of your marathon sessions of watching The View.

1st · 05-30-2013, 11:24 AM

Automatic transmissions just aren’t considered cool; they are designed and built for your grandmother and have unappealing nicknames like “slushbox.” Newer dual-clutch automatic transmissions don’t fare much better, and are now often called “flappy paddle gearboxes.” Nothing flappy will ever be manly.

Men and manual transmissions seem to go hand in hand, and not just because you can’t say “manual” without first saying “man.”

Pintsize725 · 05-30-2013, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Automatic transmissions are for those who find driving to be a confusing task, for those who need to focus 100% on pushing one pedal. Rather than admit that driving is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered, the people who favor automatic transmissions blame their poor driving skills on everyone and everything else. Real men drive cars with manual transmissions. Real men understand that cars need three pedals, otherwise the vehicle is nothing more than a fancy golf cart. Men understand that driving is a skill, and that the best way to master this skill is to maintain absolute control of all aspects of a car at all times. If you think it’s better to let the car tell you what to do, you may as well turn in your testicles so that they don’t get in the way of your marathon sessions of watching The View.

Iggian!

FPenvy · 05-30-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Automatic transmissions just aren’t considered cool; they are designed and built for your grandmother and have unappealing nicknames like “slushbox.” Newer dual-clutch automatic transmissions don’t fare much better, and are now often called “flappy paddle gearboxes.” Nothing flappy will ever be manly.

Men and manual transmissions seem to go hand in hand, and not just because you can’t say “manual” without first saying “man.”

quit using top gear terms that you only know from watching the show.

really guys? another AT vs MT thread

i'd love to throw in my 2 cents but i know how it'll end up.

b15 · 05-30-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Within your lifetime clutch pedals wil vanish from anything designated as a "sports car" (already well on its way) and appear almost exclusively in economy cars.

It's a shame really. Yes Autos can do the shifting faster, but for the few like me: shifting by hand in a sporty car > computers. Well worth giving up the few tenths down the 1/4mile- which would be the last track I take this car to anyhow.

XiP · 05-30-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Automatic transmissions are for those who find driving to be a confusing task, for those who need to focus 100% on pushing one pedal. Rather than admit that driving is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered, the people who favor automatic transmissions blame their poor driving skills on everyone and everything else. Real men drive cars with manual transmissions. Real men understand that cars need three pedals, otherwise the vehicle is nothing more than a fancy golf cart. Men understand that driving is a skill, and that the best way to master this skill is to maintain absolute control of all aspects of a car at all times. If you think it’s better to let the car tell you what to do, you may as well turn in your testicles so that they don’t get in the way of your marathon sessions of watching The View.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Automatic transmissions just aren’t considered cool; they are designed and built for your grandmother and have unappealing nicknames like “slushbox.” Newer dual-clutch automatic transmissions don’t fare much better, and are now often called “flappy paddle gearboxes.” Nothing flappy will ever be manly.

Men and manual transmissions seem to go hand in hand, and not just because you can’t say “manual” without first saying “man.”

I don't know dude... I find it hard to multitask when you have to worry about shifting gears. Automatic transmission is a lot more convenient and less hassle if you have to multitask when driving.

Haboob · 05-30-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

Automatic transmissions are for those who find driving to be a confusing task, for those who need to focus 100% on pushing one pedal. Rather than admit that driving is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered, the people who favor automatic transmissions blame their poor driving skills on everyone and everything else. Real men drive cars with manual transmissions. Real men understand that cars need three pedals, otherwise the vehicle is nothing more than a fancy golf cart. Men understand that driving is a skill, and that the best way to master this skill is to maintain absolute control of all aspects of a car at all times. If you think it’s better to let the car tell you what to do, you may as well turn in your testicles so that they don’t get in the way of your marathon sessions of watching The View.

Well, uh, I use SRM, because I can't physically heel-toe to rev match properly (issues w/my knee)... so am I out on the "real man" part because of that?

Also, we have ABS, power steering, etc. Those are all to help make it easier...

Haboob · 05-30-2013, 11:42 AM

TBF, having a MT keeps me from using my phone while driving.

Not that I really need it, but it's an added buffer to prevent me from doing anything stupid.

1st · 05-30-2013, 11:42 AM

We know that eco-warrior at its core is the opposite of manliness, but perhaps not all things eco-friendly are for wusses. Manual transmissions have historically been more energy efficient than traditional automatic transmissions, and a quick look at EPA numbers will show that a manual version of a car can get 1 to 2 more miles per gallon than its identical automatic-equipped sibling.“Green” is trendy right now, and that means that all the ladies (especially the attractive ones) are doing what they can to project a “green” image. Play your cards right and the ladies will be all over you when you tell them that your manual 370Z gets several mpg more on the highway than the automatic version.

05-30-2013, 09:28 AM	#76 (permalink)
Footloose301 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,659 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 21	I love my manual. My old room mate had the auto 370Z and wasn't anywhere near as fun. The manual just makes me feel like I have more control over the car and its responses. My new room mate just traded his 6spd 4 door GTI for an auto 2008 base corvette and its fun only because it has power but there's no way I would buy one. People make fun of him wherever he goes because he has the loud exhaust and its obvious to everyone around that its an auto. People of all ages, not just the younger ones, make fun of it. With that being said, I don't think it's anyone's business which one you choose but people of all ages have much more respect from other people when they're in a manual. I laugh at the geezers in their auto convertible corvettes and the geezers with the Z06 get a thumbs up because in my honest opinion they are a true car enthusiast. Born in the times when autos weren't heard of. MJB likes this. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

05-30-2013, 09:41 AM	#78 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	sometimes i like to pretend my car is an auto by not hitting the clutch when i come to a stop UNKNOWN_370 and Vaughanabe13 like this. __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

05-30-2013, 11:18 AM	#81 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Within your lifetime clutch pedals wil vanish from anything designated as a "sports car" (already well on its way) and appear almost exclusively in economy cars. If some guy asks you why you have an auto sports car, tell him it's so you have a free hand to fondle his mom when you pick her up. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

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05-30-2013, 10:59 AM	#80 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36571	I knew the 6MT quirks going into it and still picked it over the 7AT. Personal preference really. The 7AT was good and as the AT owners like to point out, it's a tad bit faster, but it still lacks the sense of control you get from an MT. I don't care what they say about the paddles and manual mode- it's not the same. I test drove both and to me, the fun factor of rowing through your own gears was 100,000x better than tapping the paddle. A DCT is closer- but still not the same experience. I guess I'm just old school.

05-30-2013, 11:21 AM	#82 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,710 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	Automatic transmissions are for those who find driving to be a confusing task, for those who need to focus 100% on pushing one pedal. Rather than admit that driving is a skill that needs to be practiced and mastered, the people who favor automatic transmissions blame their poor driving skills on everyone and everything else. Real men drive cars with manual transmissions. Real men understand that cars need three pedals, otherwise the vehicle is nothing more than a fancy golf cart. Men understand that driving is a skill, and that the best way to master this skill is to maintain absolute control of all aspects of a car at all times. If you think it’s better to let the car tell you what to do, you may as well turn in your testicles so that they don’t get in the way of your marathon sessions of watching The View.

05-30-2013, 11:24 AM	#83 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,710 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	Automatic transmissions just aren’t considered cool; they are designed and built for your grandmother and have unappealing nicknames like “slushbox.” Newer dual-clutch automatic transmissions don’t fare much better, and are now often called “flappy paddle gearboxes.” Nothing flappy will ever be manly. Men and manual transmissions seem to go hand in hand, and not just because you can’t say “manual” without first saying “man.”

05-30-2013, 11:42 AM	#89 (permalink)
Haboob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Surface of the sun. Posts: 13,159 Drives: '18 GTI Autobahn DSG Rep Power: 1387	TBF, having a MT keeps me from using my phone while driving. Not that I really need it, but it's an added buffer to prevent me from doing anything stupid.

05-30-2013, 11:42 AM	#90 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,710 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	We know that eco-warrior at its core is the opposite of manliness, but perhaps not all things eco-friendly are for wusses. Manual transmissions have historically been more energy efficient than traditional automatic transmissions, and a quick look at EPA numbers will show that a manual version of a car can get 1 to 2 more miles per gallon than its identical automatic-equipped sibling.“Green” is trendy right now, and that means that all the ladies (especially the attractive ones) are doing what they can to project a “green” image. Play your cards right and the ladies will be all over you when you tell them that your manual 370Z gets several mpg more on the highway than the automatic version.