Forum newbie - looking for advice between MT and AT
 

I don't have my Z yet, still in the decision phase. I haven't driven one yet, so don't know the "butt feel" difference between MT and AT. I wanted to get some on-line opinions from the experts before I scheduled the test drives.

Obviously the AT isn't a clutchless manual like a DSG tranny. But is there enough of a performance benefit to the MT? I couldn't find any comparo's of 0-60 times between the 2.

I'm wondering if the "Fun Factor" of the MT will wear off over a short time, and I'll find myself wishing I had the Automatic.

This will be my full time daily driver. So I'll need it to handle commutes as well as the fun drives.

I am a car guy, which is why I'd consider a Z in the first place, but I also traded in my last MT car 2 years ago and have been driving an AT since. I guess my ideal car would be a clutchless manual, but I'm wondering if I'd be missing out on the whole "sports car experience" if I got an AT?

Any and all opinions welcome. I've been reading a lot of the posts here, and there's a lot of good info.

I'll post a followup when I finally test drive the 2 models.

Thanks guys.

You really need to drive them both, preferably back to back. I started off saying I would never buy an auto and was only looking at the 6M, but was "forced" to drive the auto as well, due to it being the only sport on the lot and I wanted to test out the sport package. Well after that day, I'm now only looking for 7AT- I was that impressed. Also, just my opinion, I didn't like the clutch on the manual. This is after being used to my short-shifting, no effort 6M on my Acura RSX type-S (which probably didn't help). You will really only know which is best for you after driving both. I have driven DCT's from both AUDI and BMW and although the new DCT from BMW is faster than that of the Z's 7AT, I thought the Z was quicker (subjective) than the AUDI dual clutch.

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.

Perfect. That's exactly the type of experience I was looking for.

Thx again guys.

I live in the Atlanta area and do drive a manual 370. The traffic is horrible, but once those lanes open up, there is no better feeling than switching gears with a manual. I feel more a part of the car driving a manual and love it. I did like the paddle shifters on the car, but it is a sports car and it’s my OPINION that a sports car should be a manual. You will get a calf workout in traffic though. It’s a give and take relationship with a manual, but the experience is worth it.

auto got 4.6 with caranddriver best for manual iv seen is 4.9 thats 0-60 im talking about

i only like to drive manual transmission cars but if I were someone who was undecided about which one to get, i would go for the automatic transmission car. good luck with your decision.

i got a 7AT and im loving it. Came from a 5AT crappy Acura tranny so its like night and day difference.
Its all about driver preference

Manual all the way!!!

I was going to buy the AT because I didn't like the manual tranny in my 06 350z. Saturday I test drove both transmissions back to back and must say the 6spd is much better in the 370 over the 350. Or at least in my opinion which is why I put a deposit on an inbound 40th Anniversary (manual only).

There's no such thing is an automatic sports car.

Doesn't Ferrari pretty much blur that idea?

I test drove one, hated it as I found the shifts to be harsh, car is constant revving the engine to match the road speed blah blah blah. Buy whatever makes you more comfortable, this is too objective

Much to my chagrin.

I bet they said the same thing when switching from horses to engines.