hello z people!

[frost]

Welcome aboard! Surprised you could test drive it and not take it home!

[cherubim]

Originally Posted by frost

Welcome aboard! Surprised you could test drive it and not take it home!

It was hard. But I got away for two reasons: I didn't bring the title to the car I have, and I'm still on the fence about the automatic transmission.

Used to live in Phoenix btw.

[jginnane]

Originally Posted by cherubim

... I got away for two reasons: I didn't bring the title to the car I have, and I'm still on the fence about the automatic transmission.

FWiW ... I got the 7AT, and it took a lot of deciding. But I'm not sorry in retrospect. Someone else can drive my car occasionally (though in the first 500 miles, she drove about 20.

This AT is probably characteristic of most recent-generation Nissans, which I hadn't driven since the name change. (Used to drive a Datsun 200SX, aka "Silvia", followed by a 1980 Datsun Maxima wagon. Then I wandered away for a few years.)

When you punch this AT down there's a moment hesitation, almost like a very very short turbo lag, while the car tries to figure out what you want and flush the fuel injectors. Then she comes on all screaming crazy all at once, and doesn't let up until you do. (We're talking an initial lag of 100-250 milliseconds here -- nothing, really.)

I wouldn't think of an automatic if I was ever going near a track, but there's some discussion that the AT shifts are faster than an MT, giving you a better 0-60 time. This is important for people who like to run on treadmills, I think.

Bottom line #1: If there are voices in your circle of influence who point to the overall impracticality of a sports car, ANY sports car ... an AT will help mitigate that. It makes this a better daily driver.

-OR-

Bottom line #2: If you know how long you expect to keep this car, and how many other people may possess one of your key fobs, and what you intend to do with the car ... the MT makes it more personal. (With perhaps some slight reduction in value at trade-in.) But if you're going this way, you've probably already rejected the lighted "Z" kicker plate in favor of one with your own initials, and are mapping out the next few seasons of your life with weekly mods.

Best of luck in your choices, and welcome!