You can use the shifter or the paddles for sequential shifts in the Z. I find myself using the paddles more than the shifter. Its pretty responsive and quick, not quite as quick as a dual clutch set up found in vw's or bmw's, but for an auto, its quicker than most. It does rev match when you downshift manually, which is more or less so you can hear your engine blip hehe.

The paddles will override the "D" position if you flick them while driving. If you don't do anything with the paddles for about 5-7 seconds after flicking, it'll go back to "D" mode. I use this often when I'm on the highway and need to downshift a gear or two for passing. Then I let it be and it goes back to being lazy auto mode :)

I haven't tracked my car yet, but I feel if/when I do, that's where I might say "hrm, should have gone with the MT"...but as a daily driver and dealing with the stupid Dallas traffic, the auto is better for me. So, for me, the auto suited my needs and having the paddles there for when I want to have some involvement is definitely a nice to have. If you want the true sports car experience though, the MT is the way to go.

:shakes head:

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Get an Auto they are Faster and better if you live in the city and you dont like shifting alot.

DAN

:iagree: - Well said.

I have driven my 5 spd manual Miata for the past 14 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I bought a 370Z at age 61with the automatic for fear my knees may cause a problem for me in the outyears of my Z ownership. Although the paddle shifting is fun and to an extent a bit of both worlds, I have to say it's simply not the same as the fullfledged clutch arrangement. It's second best though preferred to a simply conventional automatic transmission. I bought it only as a matter of necessity and not choice. In short---better than nothing but just not quite the same. Incidentally, no buyer's remorse here as I had been driviing my Altima coupe for a year and a half before buying the Z. It's automatic transmission can also be shifted semi-manually (though it's no nearly as much fun as the paddle shifters) so I had a partial preview of what to expect.

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

Just wondering, doesn't this hurt the clutch?

Good thoughts. Enjoyed reading your post.

well you DO have to hold the clutch in to blip the throttle...

Don't know...but "riding" the clutch will.

it's a preference that one would make when buying a car. most people would make up their mind one way or another. I am in the camp of those who would go for the manual transmission.

to me, driving a manual is not a hassle at all. in the old days when sports cars had no power steering, a stiff gearbox, and a super heavy clutch, i can see how that could be a hassle in traffic but the 370z has power steering, a light gearbox and clutch.

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!!!!

i may have mis interpreted what I meant I like to do with a Manual car, but I meant I like to press in the clutch pedal (when engine is disengaged with the tranny) and then rev the engine just for the heck of it to hear the Engine Roar. And so no, it wouldn't hurt the clutch as I am not releasing the clutch pedal until the RPM drops back down to idle or the proper RPM, but you can't really do that with an auto tranny without being harsh on it while it's in motion. But forget what I said, that's a ridiculous reason to buy a manual car, I think one should buy it for the driving experience. Driving a manual car takes a certain amount of skills which takes time to perfect; and to me driving an auto kind of takes that away. Sure some may argue that it's the same for the Sychro Rev matching system performing the Heel to toe for us, but I think people who never drove Manual and only drove Auto tranny will never understand that driving experience. Paddle shifters can never give you that same experience. If you had 30 years of driving a manual car, I can promise you will miss driving a Manual car if you ever went with an Auto 370z. You may feel that the M-mode in an auto tranny can somewhat satisfy you, maybe for awhiile, you may even be able to convince yourself for awhile that it's better for gas mileage or easier in traffic, but like me after a month or so, you'll realize it's not the same and it'll leave you wanting a Manual car again. Especially when you find out that this 370z may be one of the last true Manual sports car before technology phase out manual transmissions for Auto. Afterall, car manufacturer's only have 2 main goal in it's mind... 1) is to create as little transmission configurations as possible to satisfy majority of the driver's preference, which in this case is Automatic Transmission. And 2) is to cater to people who cares about performance and speed, which a Manual car used to have an upper hand because it can handle more torque and has better efficiency until technology's able to advance Auto tranny to be comparable or even better than Manual transmission in terms of shift time, etc. So it doesn't really leave a place for Car manufacturer's any interest to continue making Manual cars....well, at least for the old school manuals....their only focus now is Twin Clutch Manual, which to a driver no different than an Auto. For the people that wants some kind of control so the computer doesn't do everything for you, the so called M-Mode is the best you're gonna get (meaning no clutch pedal) No one in the future will ever know that a car can stall. Sad...but it's reality.

have a 7AT, but I pretty much never use the shifters.

I have the 7AT and I use the shifter all the time, and it feels like Im doing everything but the clutch. Im getting to where I know what speed Im in by the gear Im in without looking, like I could with my stick. I in no way miss the clutch at all and I still get that burst of speed when Im shifting with the paddles or the stick by being in the right gear for quick boost. Buts all an individual thing that you have to figure out for yourself. And if Im in traffic its a hell of alot easier. And when Im in regular "D" mode I get good MPG without having to worry about shifting at low rpms as it does it for you.