[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by LinPark

In my search for a new 370Z, one of the constants has been that I wanted a 6MT. I have a '78 280Z 4MT (you can check out my albums if you want to see some pics) and I've always enjoyed the feel of the manual transmissions. But, alot has changed in 30+ years.

What I'm looking for here is comments from people who have the 7AT setup but use the manual capabilities of the system and how that feels/compares to a real manual transmission. I realize there is no clutch, but I just want to know what the experience is like of treating the AT like a manual.

The latest 2010 Nissan 370Z brochure implies you can use the paddles or the stick for sequential shifts (no easy way to skip gears I suppose). Do you slide the stick over toward the driver into the + and - section for that? And do the paddles override the "D" position automatically? The brochure even implies the 7AT comes with the Downshift Rev Matching built in.

So tell me what you think about the 7AT and maybe you'll open my mind a bit - would definitely make my car search a little easier because it sure seems like there are move 7AT's out there for sale than 6MT's.

Thanks!

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.