Lol very true... What do u drive... Okay then..

Getting the AT never even crossed my mind.

No regrets.
Besides I like to do to much gear jumping and the sequential shifting of the auto just wouldn't do it for me. Although It's a fine trans.

I dont care how good a transmission it is, nothing beats banging through the gears, nothing, period. Pulling a paddle just feels so synthetic, its like you're completely disconnected with the car, I like knowing and being able to feel what gear im in just by how the engine sounds. And nothing beats getting onto a two lane off ramp, downshifting from 5th to 3rd and blowing by that fancy jaguar in the lane on the right like its standing still...

On a serious note, how old are you and how are your knees? If your knees have been tortured in sports or something, the left one might appreciate you buying an AT. My dad hasn't been able to drive a stick for 15 years now. Another key point for me is that my girlfriend can't drive a stick, so she will never even ask to drive the Z.

There is no question that I would have chosen the 6MT, if I had to do it again.

once every 2 weeks a tell my self why did i get a M/T (usually in traffic) then i downshift, rev match and remember why i got a M/T.:tup:

Interesting (priceless) perspective on the 6MT vs 7AT debate. :rolleyes:

By the way, your brother in law is 100% accurate: neither the 9mm and the .32 Berettas have no significant stopping power.

chances are the person attempting to assault you isn't equipped with any armor, considering he doesn't count on robbing/mugging someone who has a gun... or 2

No Regrets Here
 

As a 60 year old, I bought the automatic make sure I wouldn't have to give driving the Z in the outyears of this ownership due to knee problems. I would have preferred the manual. However, I'm very happy with the automatic and the paddle shifters are almost as much fun as the manual. By getting the automatic in this car, you pretty much get the best of both worlds. I have no regrets.

i think its awesome that your 60 and you drive a Z! (not saying your old, your still a spring chicken! you just dont see that everyday)

Hell no, while I wish the manual gearbox wasn't as clunky and was closer to my friend's s2000 gearbox I wouldn't trade it for an automatic even though it's consistently faster.

I had seriously regretted buying MT for about the first 2 weeks of owning the car, being that I was a noob at driving stick.. however once I got the hang of it, haven't regretted it since.

The Z is an Icon for many older people. Its long history makes it a car for all ages. Im sure there are alot of older guys driving Zs they just dont use the forums. I see older guys in older Zs all the time.

I only drove a manual z and I think I just have a big stigma against the manual emulating automatics bc i have a cvt in my Altima coupe and the tiptronic manual mode thig I find just awful. Probably bc the car doesn't really have gears. Is the manual mode in the z vastly differnt then manual mode in a cvt?

i haven't driven the cvt, but i could imagine its much different since we have gears. no, it doesn't replace a true manual, but it allows you to down shift and upshift to get it in the gear you want. ultimately though, if you do something stupid, its still an automatic, so it'll sort itself out or will prevent you from doing something dumb. that and you can't stall hehe.

Simply, NO
MT btw.

for me it was never a question to get the 6MT even though i live in Chicago and have to commute at times during rush hour...there's nothing more fun to do in your car then to manually shift gears and play with the clutch...IMO, automatics are boring and i've been down that path - i drove manuals all my life then one crazy day i bought an AT...driving became boring even in "manual mode" with the paddle shifters, it truly isn't the same, it isn't "the best of both worlds"...i'm not going to buy an AT for as long as i can possibly hold off

Here's an older guy 60 and I drive mine to work every day 110 miles round trip and as I said before the AT is not for me but it is a fine trans.

I wonder what what all these guys who equate their manliness with their transmission choice will do when manuals go the way of the dodo in place of dual-clutch automated transmissions. Ride bikes?

"I'm a real man! Pushing the pedals is where it's at! Hey...wait for me!!"

You know I haven't seen one of them here. This isn't the Mustang forum.:bowrofl:

Umm... do what people still do today? drive manual cars.

There are people who would say you are compensating for something by driving a sports car in the first place. if you're happy with the car you drive then nothing that anyone says to you about its styling, transmission, color etc will bother you. Its only if they kind of like their car but regret getting it for some reason that they will be offended. If you see someone driving a lowered PT cruiser with a spoiler, hood scoops, and plates that say 'PT OR DIE' theres pretty much nothing you can say to them about their car sucking thats actually going to matter to them.

Um......Age really has nothing to do with it for real car enthusiasts. I'm surprised that's a surprise to you. I'm over 60 and in the past 3 years have had an Audi TT, '08 Corvette, Mini cooper S, VW GTI, and the Z. All but the Mini have been 6 speeds. Back on topic, if I were to do it again I'd probably go with the 7AT....It is really an excellent transmission and nothing to be embarrassed about.. If that choice compromises your manliness, then you have more problems than the car can cure...

I do wish I'd gotten the manual, but, at the same time, I'm quite happy with the automatic.

Primarily because the way I drive a manual - I use neutral a lot. I also skip gears when appropriate and shift smoother than an automatic because I know what I'm doing more than the car can anticipate what I'm doing...for example I love to drop the hammer and accellerate quickly, but then let off and roll in neutral. Same with stop signs. I'll drop in neutral and brake. Sometimes I'll engine brake...but not always.

Can't do that with the auto, unless in D mode. If you use the paddles or auto-stick to get in a gear where you want to be, you're committed to that gear.

With a manual, say you want to pass someone, you can downshift it and ride the clutch a bit until you're ready to jump out and go. With the auto, you blip it a gear or two down, and you're engine is already racing and is committed to whatever RPM you're sitting at.

In those situations, a stick would be better.

What I don't miss about the stick is jerking. For example, I like to take it very nice and easy in my driveway so I don't scrape. I leave it in D and the car is very calm and responsive. With a stick, I'd be in 1st or 2nd and ride feathering the clutch.

The other thing is that I don't like the idea of having a clutch to burn out. With the auto, I will never burn up a clutch. I was driving around the other day and managed to light the car up in 1st through 2nd with the auto-stick before it grabbed in 3rd. I know this because it was fish-tailing in the rear ;)

This car is simply amazing...auto or stick. I probably would enjoy the stick more, but, at the same time, the auto in some ways keeps me from being stupid with it. Stick + high performance + inexperience w/ high performance dynamics = probably totalled by now, even though I've driven a stick most my life...

Anyhow...

I would of prefered a stick but I am loving the automatic since it does have manual shifting options with the whole flappy pedals and auto-stick.

but yeah 6000+ bucks less and no waiting for 3 months > manual

Well said Mod, I have the 7AT and auto in the Max.....no regrets at all. My mom is 63 years old and still rolls her 83 280ZX (excellent shape) 5spd manual that she has had since new.

Love my 7 AT choice. Good thing I have it too. I had a serious crush injury at work 3 weeks ago and fractured my wrist and most likely will need surgery to repair torn ligaments. Otherwise I would be driving the Corolla everyday for awhile..:(

It freaken hurt like a SOB:icon14:

i like my cars MT, but AT is nice too. they have their goods and bads.

The decision between AT or MT is heavily a function of preference. Once the technical difference are put aside (which I think with today's great AT designs, in terms of performance we are roughly 50-50) it comes down to driving pleasure.

I have just learned to drive manual, and as you can imagine, a 370z is a tough teacher! I couldn't be happier with my decisions. Not everyone knows how to drive manual, and I like the looks that I get when I drive one! I feel more in tune with the car, (and that doesn't mean that I can drive it any better, just a feeling).

I love the 6MT! It is me versus the clutch!

huh... driving MT is not hard at all. i dont even think when im shifting up/down heel toe, etc. if you need to think, just keep at it and it'll be second nature.

Stick.............
 

REASON:
I have been a stick man all of my life and I'm 67. I know that several prefer the auto and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just I feel that the stick is much more fun for me..............
:tiphat:

hell n0

If you want a Sport Car then MT, if you want a luxury one go AT!

Thanks for the kudos. Get this: my other car is the Miata I've owned for 15 years!

I love banging gears to much to even think about buying anything other then a MT.

Thanks for all of the great responses! I really appreciate all of your help. I think my current plan will be to try to find a manual with the options I want. If my time runs out and I can't find one, then I'll just go for the AT. :)

You wont be disappointed sir, good things come to those who wait!

manual sport... love it and will be even better with urethane bushings to stiffen things up a bit... having the SRM is a great option even for a track car like mine

now if it came with optional sequential race trans that would be have been even better for me

hey, isn't that kyle@stillen's avatar ???

Everyone says the automatics are faster, but the only article I've seen claim that is
Car & Driver here. I'm not too convinced by just seeing one article on the subject.
Does anyone have other articles to post claiming the automatic is faster, or is it just
track times posted by forum members (etc.)?