Manual Transmission
 

So this is a bit embarrassing but after 25 years on this planet I still never really drove a stick shift car. I mean I did it a few times just playing around on my friends car but never actually drove a car which was stick. So I have a question for you guys.

I ride bikes all the time and have absolutely no issues shifting gears and riding them aggressive with constant gear change. Does that concept transfer over at all to cars just obviously use your feet instead of finger?

I plan on picking up a Nismo mid next month and don't want to look like a dumb *** stalling the car all over the parking lot.

Would appreciate a little advice so I know if I should just let the sales guy drive me or if I should just screw it and go for it. I am sure I will have no issues after a few screw ups, but just a little nervous to fail in public I guess.

my suggestion for newbs is to wear the same shoes, dont mess with the driver's seat once you got the position set. no fast movements. your goal is to be smooth.

why not get the AT? make FP proud.

I have had auto my whole lift, and after getting into motorcycles I really love how much more fun manual is.

If you can, go test drive Z's from a bunch of different dealers. Ask to test drives ones with SRM and ones without. Just use it as practice lol

My dad went to test drive a vehicle with his father many years ago. After the test drive, my grandfather asked my dad if he had ever driven MT before. My dad's answer: nope. lol

Also, I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I think you treat the clutch a little differently. On a motorcycle you can ride the clutch all you want, right? You don't want to do that automobile clutches. You want to engage and disengage the clutch in one smooth motion. Too much gas while letting out the clutch can burn it up quickly.

you son of a bitch lol

i randomly see a thread under new posts to walk in and post #2 there's kenchan already talking shit :shakes head:

Relax. Any idiot can drive a MT. This forum proves it everyday.

:stirthepot:

:iagree:

this may be my favorite post of the month :tiphat:

It's a whole different set of muscles/reactions but at least you will have a good idea of what is going on with the clutch and shifting. Only way to learn is to do it. There is no substitute for practice.

Thanks for the replies guys. Looks like its pretty simple, go out and do it.

I hope the smoothness I can grasp quickly, only reason I say that is because I do stunt riding on my motorcycle and to do slow 5mph no handed wheelies I have to really work the footbrake smoothly. Hopefully that will help with it.

And as far as riding the clutch, I really don't know. Would never do that on a bike or car, just the concept sounds awful haha. I do know when I clutch up my wheelies I try to rev and release of clutch at the same time to make it a smooth transition.

smoothness is the hardest part. just go easy on yourself and the car. and when in doubt, just clutch-in (disengage clutch) and re-try. at least you have the fundamental knowledge on how MT works from your bike experience.

With your motorcycle experience, if you want the manual, go for it. You'll have a few fits and starts, but it really won't be too much trouble for your skills and experience to transfer quickly. The only real "new learning" probably will be holding it on an uphill grade at a stop.

I drove manuals for years and really prefer them. However, the dawning of the cell phone age (sigh!) and an increasingly debilitating coffee-addiction combined to influence me to choose an automatic at this point.

I'd guess that you will regret it if you choose an automatic simply due to your fear that you'll be embarrassed during the early stages of your Z career.

Unless you are set on a Nismo (or at least a pre-2014 one, they come with 7AT's now), I'd test drive both a 7AT and a 6MT 370 and see which one you prefer.

No need to make the choice based on any other reasons.

Cant wait!
Yeah Jordo I am 100% set on a nismo and def want 2014 or below. 2015 is nice but not my cup of tea, a little too much going on for my taste, love the simple yet aggressive look of the 14's. Thats my own opinion though and I know everybody has their own feel about the new and old, so I am not trying to start a conversation about which is more appealing.

my 370z was my first manual ever, had the concept down from moving cars on the lot at work, but had never been in traffic. picked it up in Downtown kansas city during bumper to bumper rush hour. :driving:killed her like 5 times before i got to open road. white knuckled as hell, but man after a few pointers from friends and few months practice its a blast and second nature. my clutch probably disagrees but oh well i anticipated replacing that sooner rather than later ! i say go for it man!!:happydance: