Originally Posted by scruffydog (Post 402557)

I totally know where you're coming from. I've always love the feel of a manual transmission and I am also in the process of buying a 370z, but one thing I am sure of wanting is a Manual, not an auto. One of the most recent car I bought was a Lexus IS and it comes with an Auto with Paddle shifters. I sold my previous manual car for an auto becaues I figure a Lexus isn't really a true sports car so an Auto just seems more suitable as it is an luxuary car. Plus, I needed a car that can be shared between my fiancee and me. Not to mention, I injured my left foot several years back so having a stage 2 clutch was hurting my left foot as it applied too much pressure on me.

Of course I know a Lexus IS is not comparable with the Nissan 370z auto, but to me, it's not too far different to use in this comparison as we're talking about Manual vs Auto and not Auto vs Auto. Don't get me wrong, I love driving an Auto and i see the benefit of having an auto (esp in traffic), but the reason I am getting a 370z is because I miss driving a manual car. I feel that there's more to the driving experience in a Manual. Not to mention, the 370z is the pretty much the only car out there that is still looking for ways to improve manual transmission technology instead of switching over to twin clutch like most car manufacturers.

Times have change, and I know and admit that Auto is faster and better in almost every way. But after driving an Auto (even with the paddle shifter), it's just not the same feeling - half the time when I'm in an auto, I don't even both with the paddle, because it's still computer controlled. Also, not to mention, most of the time when you're putting the Auto transmission in Manual mode, you're probably doing a crappier job than leaving the computer to do the work. Especially for the cars that have Sports mode, vs normal mode where the designers have research when the best possible scenario case is for the car to downshift or upshift for performance or fuel economy. The computer is programmed to do what's the engineers think is best for the car's performance everytime and never make a mistake like humans do. Of course this could be argued between car manufacturers to manufacturers as this all depends how much research and how well of a job the engineers do when they test out these cars.

Personally, I feel more disconnected to the road experience. The more the computer takes over, the less skill it requires me to have to drive the car. To me, I prefer take control over more things myself, but I can see for someone who only cares about getting the fastest lap time in a track, an auto or twin clutch is the way to go.

By the way, Road and Track has a really good article that talks about Manual vs. Twin Clutch (Auto) I think it's 2 issues back...but it's really worthwhile to read it. To sum it up, for driving experience - go with Manual, but for the best time around lap - go with auto.

PS> Sometimes I just love to depress my clutch pedal to Rev my car and you can't really do that with an auto...unless u shift it to Neutral...so for me, this alone makes a manual transmission all worth it =P muhahahaa j/k

Originally Posted by romoore14 (Post 403124)

I've only had my 370 for a little over a week now and the manual mode is cool as hell! You can get off the gas when shifting in manual mode and then get back in the gas and I'll be damn if it doesn't feel like a real M/T!!!!!!! It's awesome feeling the head and body push and snap back in the seat when going from 1st to 4th!!!!

Originally Posted by Rasengan (Post 403730)

scruffydog, i completely agree with you...the AT is nothing like a manual...in my case, i went from driving manuals for 12 years (including a 3000GT, an RX-8, and an '06 350Z) and figured i had enough of sports cars and bought an AT Lexus IS350...i figured the same as you, why shift in a luxury car? and plus, Lexus doesn't even give you the option of getting the IS in MT...but boy did i miss using a clutch and a gearbox, pushing up or down on the stick and/or pedals just isn't the same...so after only 3 years i traded the IS in for a 370Z Roadster, i missed driving an MT sports car that much

of course if you don't care about shifting gears with a clutch then by all means there's no point in getting an MT, you'd be much happier getting AT as it's just as fast if not faster because it takes human error out of the equation...but if you've driving MTs all your life and have loved it, driving an AT sports car just wouldn't be the same much like how some people will oppose the SRM system (in my opinion i don't mind SRM because at least you have the option of turning it off)



you don't have to let off the gas when you're "shifting" in an AT...letting off the gas so it feels like an MT actually defeats the purpose of getting the AT in the first place which i'm sure doesn't help with your acceleration

Originally Posted by scruffydog (Post 403836)

HAHA, I can't believe there's someone as crazy as me out there! Yea, the IS350 doesn't come with an AUTO, that was also another reason I went with an Auto. About the whole letting go of the pedal when shifting! I can't agree more with you, it's just NOT the same. The Lexus IS along with many other cars out there already comes with the option of allowing the drive to shift from either the paddle or the Gearbox (+ / -), but whenever I'm driving an Auto in M-mode, I still find myself immitate myself stepping down on the clutch and pushing the level to left/right and then up/down as if I'm still driving a true Manual car during shifts. Flicking a paddle or pushing up or down in a level just isn't as cool as trying to physically putting a shifter into a gear. Knowing that the shift linkage actually has some kind of mechanical attachment rather than some electronic sensors/switches in the end of the shifter just makes the whole driving experience that much more exciting and entertaining. Also, knowing that you're able to everytime shift into a gear without the Gearbox rejecting your gear shift makes you feel much more satisfying than pushing on paddle, aka, electronic switch that tells the computer when you want ti to shift and there's a possiblity of the computer not wanting to upshift for you until it think it's the best time to shift because you desire to shift upward but your computer is telling you that you could push the engine RPM to a little bit more prior to the upshift. That's just ridiculous...you still have some computer telling you when to shift and how to drive.

By the way, luckily I was able to keep my IS because I convinced my fiance that I could use a REAL sports car, that's 2 door, 2 seater, and with a Manual gearbox. Fortunately, she also loves the IS so I don't have to sell it. Instead I traded her Scion tC and sold it and I'm gonna pick up my 370z sometime the end of this month.

Originally Posted by Rasengan (Post 403896)

don't get me wrong, the IS350 is a great car...when i moved to the city from the burbs i figured i had enough with shifting gears, sports cars, nice rims (potholes), etc. i settled on the IS350 because it's reliable, had 4 doors and 4 seats (my gf and i have FOUR dogs!), has quite a bit of power, AND it had those nifty shift paddles and the +/- on the shift lever...best of both worlds, right? then i realized it just wasn't the same without the clutch...driving then became boring, the car became a vehicle to get from point A to point B...i no longer took the car out for the sheer enjoyment of driving which i always used to do with my sports cars...for a good 3 years my left leg could never find anything to do and so to save weight i cut it off...no just kidding, i didn't do that

literally though for the past year since the 370s came out i've been having dreams of owning a sports car again and driving for the sheer enjoyment of driving...i knew it was the most impractical thing to do in this economy and living in the city...but the dreams started becoming more frequent and i caved in when i saw pictures of the roadster

it's a good thing you don't have to give up the IS, man...when i was leaving the dealership i could see the IS looking back at me as if i was leaving her because she did something wrong...all i could think of saying was that "it's not you...it's me"

Originally Posted by alonlif (Post 455491)

Hi All,

Anyone put there with an automatic? I've been reading various reviews on the automatic and a few were really bad! A few however were not...

So i would like to hear what do you think? Should I go for auto or stick to manual?

Thanks

A

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo (Post 455651)

According to stats, the ATs in Zeds are near-flawless, while MTs are O.K., but a bit clunky.

Originally Posted by spearfish25 (Post 455726)

Bogus info

Originally Posted by NewlyIMPORTed (Post 455897)

MT is more fun :driving:

Originally Posted by frost (Post 455911)

Says the guy in "Kennesaw, GA" who doesn't have to deal with traffic :p

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 455965)

some folks just suck at driving MT in heavy traffic. i actually prefer MT in traffic because it's a lot easier to control and dont need to constantly step on the brake. just give yourself some room.

Originally Posted by labk888 (Post 455986)

I remember asking the same question ... a few weeks before I bought my Z. My favorite response was KillerBee's...

I'm a guy. I bought a sports car. It's a manual. What was the question again?

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...-decision.html

Originally Posted by Chriz (Post 438578)

The 7AT you will find in a 370z is a great transmission. It is great for daily driving especially in traffic, and when you want to have some fun, you could always switch it into manual mode. Although it is not a DSG, it is still more responsive and faster than your average sequential manual. Performance stats have even shown that the stock 7AT is quicker than the 6MT. Now don't get me wrong the 6MT is a great transmission too. In the end it really is all about preference.

Originally Posted by Chriz (Post 456027)

Theres my response from other threads.

Originally Posted by Chriz (Post 456027)

Theres my response from other threads.

Originally Posted by Triple's (Post 456032)

:iagree:

The End! :hello:

Originally Posted by Triple's (Post 455918)

I never knew the auto was quicker? :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by One_Quick_Z (Post 456160)

Now you know and Knowing is Half the Battle!


:)



DAN

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo (Post 455957)

Consumer Reports info', spearfishman. Just going thru' these threads allows to you pick up that one of the main complaints by Z (both 350s and 370s) owners is the "sounds" and general clunkiness of MTs.