[OFFICIAL] Manual v. Automatic Thread
 

Manual or Automatic, simple question.
Ok, maybe not that simple, what I am looking for is some solid thoughts on the difference in the 370z. I have driven manual in a crappy car for the past few years, it sucks, and I was looking at getting an automatic in my next car. The 370z seems like a car I would want a manual in but the automatic is very well built.
I have driven the manual, dealership had no automatics, but I want to hear some owners thoughts. I will drive the automatic before I pick one, but want to get a good idea of things beforehand.

I was in the same boat as you. I have test driven the 7AT and 6MT and like them both. I was surprised at how much I liked the 7AT. I know, though, that deep down inside I will be much happier with the 6MT so that's what I'm going with.

Oh lord, IBTC..

This will not turn out well.

My two cents are that the manual is more involved, the automatic isnt bad on the Z though.

I am out of this thread for good, may god be with all who try and defend their opinion in the battleground that will become of this.

lol... uh oh.

I think you forgot to say, "Amen"! But you really hit the nail on the head! Let the **** slinging begin!

:icon18:

OK - I'll say what he wanted to say - Automatics are for retards who can't drive.

I hope not, I am just looking for user experience of what they think of the manual v. auto in the 370z. I hope their a place for discussion of what people think of their own experience. If people want to debate manual v. auto in a more general discussion, I can make a thread in the general discussion (non-370z news).

I'd say it's personal preference. I just drove the automatic and I was quite thrilled by it's performance. But if I had the full use of my faculties (I have degenerative arthritis in my left knee at age 32) I wouldn't even consider anything other than standard. But again that would just be personal preference. I found there to be nothing considerably wrong with this car in automatic form. The BMW 335i is a different story, when I drove that one (in auto form of course) I didn't like it because it was too..... calming? It felt as if I should be cruising more so than enjoying the rigors of its manual-matic mode. I want to be instigated, and I believe I may have found my poison in the 370. Others may have a completely different outcome.

So take your time and experience both, I truly believe the only person whom can answer your question to your satisfaction........... is you.

Best of luck.

When i test drove the M/T 370z it was only the 2nd time i drove a m/t, and it went well didnt have a problem. But for me a A/T is better because im on the phone alot or adjusting the radio lol, plus i just dont like the hassle of a M/T. But it all depends on you.

How about this:

M/Ts are for those who do not like change and want to remain in the dark ages!
A/Ts are for those who are lazy and cannot drive!!!!

That said, I don't like change, think the dark ages are cool all the while being lazy and wishing I could drive better! How is that for a loaded answer!

All kidding aside, I plan to go 7AT as I have to fiddle with my B Berry a lot when driving. But I may change my mind if I test drive a M/T. While there is only a 5% chance of the MT, there is still a chance!!!!

the auto on the new Z isnt bad. i mean the paddles are a welcomed addition but dont let it fool you its very much a traditional automatic. some people are diehard 6MT guys but if your debating the two your open to a 7AT and after driving both back to back i think they more or less performed about the same more or less

Couldn't have said it better. If the paddle shifting in the Z involved the same tranny in the GTR is would be a different story, but there is no getting around it, even if it is improved.

I am a die hard 6MT guy myself so I won't go into arguing about it, but I will say it is rather concerning for me to hear people say they plan on driving while on their phones so much. It has recently become illegal to be on your phone (without a headset) in CA and I personally feel much more comfortable driving around now, I hope the rest of the country follows suit soon. It makes me very nervous to know I am on the same road with people texting and reading emails on their phones while they are driving.

For me it comes down to what kind of car I am driving. The 370 is obviously built as more of a sports car than most others, therefore I feel it proper to go with a manual. If was looking for comfort and luxury I would have gotten a TSX or an accord. But I understand that some people want both, so to each their own I guess.

I live in an area were stop and go traffic is rare. Road America is 30 minutes away so track is accessible:driving:. For me the 6MT is perfect

I concur.

In my opinion, 370z is two door, RWD, pure sports car. Hence I want total control and most fun out of it. Manual will give you an ability to have total control of the car, and its more fun than automatic.

Also, look at how Nissan promoted, exposed and marketed 370z as, they initially released manual transmission model to the world. Its a sign to me that Nissan clearly has preference of manual over automatic. In addition, this Z has worlds first SynroRev!!!

If Nissan preferred automatic model, then, I think they would have released automatic version first.

If I wanted to drive an automatic car, then I would have bought Infinity G37.

The quote I personally like is, "Don't let the car drive you, let the car be driven by you"....:tup:

lol, gotta respect that Appleton and Sheboygan traffic - Kohler is a really pretty town though so props for living near Road America

Well said.

exactly !!!!!

:ugh2: man this is completely up to you this thread is like how to break in a new car thread or how often should i change the oil should i put 20w60 instead of 5w30 it is completely what a person prefers. it the same exact reason why you can get a whopper with onions but without pickles its completely to the taste of the person. I myself will be buying a manual due to fact that well I just PREFER it over an auto on a SPORTS vehicle.

Heres A good link to read more on your question Manual VS Automatic :D

I drove an automatic last Saturday (been driving MT everyday since 12/03 when I bought my 350Z) and I thought it was fun...not quite the best of both worlds but close that one would think. Test drive them both and be happy with the decision you make.

That is what it will come down to, of course. Just wanted to hear from those who have more experience with these systems than me, but I do want to thank everyone for their input.

I don't intend any offense, but people like you scare me. Just like people who read or put on makeup while driving.

Here's what I wrote in another thread (I'm a diehard manual guy that's gonna buy a 7AT):

Let me preface this by saying that my current '07 335i is a manual, and I have owned about 8 cars with manual transmissions, I have always been a huge automatic transmission hater.

I just got back from the dealership. I had it all set up to drive a 370Z MT and an AT back to back, so I could see which one I wanted. As opposed to my previous 15 cars, this one is going to be a "buy and hold", i.e. I plan to keep it as a 3rd car for a long time.

I drove the AT first, and I absolutely loved it so much when we got back to the dealer, I told the sales guy to not worry about getting the MT to drive. It wasn't worth his or my time.

Two weeks ago, I drove an Audi TTS with the DSG, and in my opinion, this AT was every bit as good. The throttle blips on the downshifts were great, and the time to shift was much quicker than I was expecting.

Here's a highlight of my test drive. Keep in mind I was redlining before every shift, and yes, I asked if he minded me being a little hard on it, and he said, "go for it". I took the car up an access road of the highway up to a turnaround (we have a lot of these in Texas) downshifted through the gears from 6th to 2nd while I was braking, went through the turnaround in 2nd, and went back up through the gears to about 6th on the opposite access road. Came up to a stoplight, downshifted to about 3rd, the light changed accelerated back up through the gears to 5th, downshifted back down to 2nd, made a left turn onto another access road, went through some curves in 3rd, then 4th, hit the entrance ramp to another highway, went back down to 3rd, and then accelerated all the way up to 7th and then cruised back to the dealership. All this to say that I gave the transmission a hefty workout. The sales guy (nice guy - not your typical douche bag), said, "wow, that was cool, I've been dying to do that, I'm glad someone finally did it".

I have no doubt in my mind that the AT is the way to go - at least for me. There's not an ounce of doubt as far as I'm concerned.

Hmmm No offense to the OP but this question has been debated sooo many times. I am starting to think most of these threads are more for people that want to know if they get the 7AT will they be just as good as the 6MT. Answer is YES! Will it be better then 6MT? Only if the 6MT can't drive:driving:

Next I am waiting for a poll :shakes head:

:drama:

No offense taken, my goal of this thread is just get user input to help me make the best decision. In the end it is my choice, but I like to hear others thoughts on something like this, especially with me not knowing much about how automatics in the range actually perform.

I've driven automatics for all my life. My buddy taught me stick recently in his Integra. Now I wonder why I've never considered a manual long ago. It was a blast to be in total control of the car. When I do get my 370Z it will be manual all the way.

Well you don't have to drive on the road with me and I don't have to drive around you! :tiphat:

When I say mess with, I mean answer it if I get a call or turn the volume dial up if I am on a conference call. I do nothing unsafe and 'am an excellent driver'. I know the type of driver you are referring to and they annoy and frighten me as well....

I personally will enjoy the type of car the Z is more in a MT. It will be more engaging for me that way. Likewise, I would not want a manual in a LS460. But that is a personal preference.

My favorite watch is an Omega Speedmaster Professional (the moon watch) which is a manual wind. I have more expensive watches that are automatics, but there is something special to me about winding that historic watch. Would not want another manual watch but it makes me enjoy the one from that era.

So pick what you think will make you enjoy your Z the most. The great news is you will not be unhappy either way. :tup:

Beautiful analogy.

I haz blue tooth.:tup:

Good to know. When you said 'mess with' I had envisioned something entirely different. :rofl2:

i got this car for one reason - the looks. honestly i really dig the look. it was either this or the G37S but the infiniti didn't looks as mean at the 370z. i drive AT and i have for since my first car. MT doesn't appeal to me because i never learned it. to me, a car is just a car, of course you gotta take care of the thing but, it's still a car. i drive it from point A to B.

it's down to preference i guess. i just like a good ride.

Mt ftw
 

Love my manual! Test drove the AT, was very impressed... but, in the end... glad I went with the MT. :driving:

That's not a reason, it's a consequence

You spent all that money just to get from A to B and because you like the way it looks?

I enjoy those two aspects as well, but if that was all that mattered to be I would have bought a civic and saved myself $20K.

I can accept people that prefer the paddles and can appreciate the car for what it is, but this is the kind of reasoning I picture coming from 40 year old single ladies buying a V6 Mustang convertible...

I bet you did!!! No worries... Hope are enjoying your Z....

true but obviously brand recognition is important too. which is probably why people buy what they wear or drive.

like everyone said, it's a personal choice.

If you choose an A/T car because you spend a lot of time on the phone, you're really not on the money. A Z is not an office or a coffee bar. It's a powerful sports car. If you don't respect it, it will bite. However, if you do respect it, it will repay you a hundred times over and give you deep deep joy for the rest of its life.

...so get an M/T for godsake and enjoy the car.

The Touring comes with bluetooth, anyways... so talking on the phone shouldn't be a big deal.

Maybe he's one of those guys who gestures with his hands when he talks. :rolleyes:

^ You mean an Italian? LOL

I bet I'll enjoy it either way.... Not to mention it would be less of a battle with the wife if I got the 7AT....

I will get another S13 and build it for my 'fun' track car (MT).... Or maybe a 2012 MT RX7 if they make it....