370z hard to drive?

spearfish25 · 12-16-2010, 07:28 AM

The Z is not "hard to drive" at all. An 18-wheeler with 22 forward gears is "hard to drive". The Z just magnifies clumsy clutch action and shifting, which becomes apparent by the herky-jerky shifts you'll get.

On the Z, the clutch and transmission require some finesse to make the gear transitions smooth. If you're stalling the car, you're missing some core fundamentals to manual transmission operation. If you'd like to try driving a manual car that's truely 'hard to drive', go try out an early Jaguar X-type manual. The clutch was fully engaged about 1/4" off the floor. If you stall the Z, you'll never get the X-type moving.

houkouonchi · 12-16-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

If you're stalling the car, you're missing some core fundamentals to manual transmission operation.

I think I dis-agree with this. The point between which the clutch starts ingaging and is fully engaged, etc... can make a huge difference on how difficult it is and easy to stall if you are not used to it being like that.

See on my 370z if I let out the clutch slowly (at the grab point) I have no problem getting the car going (nice and slow) without giving it any gas at all (just letting off the clutch). The idle RPM is more than enough to get it going in reverse and forward. I typically don't give it any gas when backing out of my garage, parking lot at work, really bad stop/go traffic. etc...

I have driven Z's (mainly just 350z's) where the clutch was like digital. There is no way you could get it going without stalling it if you didn't give it gas. IMHO those Z's were pretty easy to stall and harder to drive than normal. My 370Z is not like this so I don't really consider my 370z to be hard to drive but I can imagine some 370z's are like the 350z I test drove that literally seemed to have a 'digital' clutch. The 'digital' clutch is a term me and my dad made after test driving that car.

shadoquad · 12-16-2010, 08:14 AM

I've never had trouble driving this car, and I've driven manuals for 15 years now. I've driven sports cars for most of that time, plus one small SUV and one sedan (these are just the manuals, I've driven plenty of autos as well). It's not "hot knife through butter" like a Mazda short shifter, but it's not Mt Everest either.

Jeffblue · 12-16-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

It's not "hot knife through butter" like a Mazda short shifter, but it's not Mt Everest either.

that is where you are mistaken my friend.

15 years of driving shado? how old are you. you said you were 17 with nice boobs and a sexy butt

Hijinks · 12-16-2010, 08:41 AM

Been driving manual Hondas for the last four years and never stalled the Z once. I agree it took me a couple hours of driving to be smooth if a passenger is in the car.

I really think launching a four wheel drive manual is MUCH harder than the Z. My friend has had his Subaru for two years and still struggles to get good starts off the line.

ClemsonWill · 12-16-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memorylasts

Clutch is a bit snappy in comparison to other clutches I've driven...and randomly test driven. But I dont think it is a hard car to drive.

I think this is a great way to explain it. I feel the clutch is somewhat "snappy" as well. Specifically when changing from 1st to 2nd. It's not hard to drive though. Just takes a bit of getting used to it.

shadoquad · 12-16-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

that is where you are mistaken my friend.

15 years of driving shado? how old are you. you said you were 17 with nice boobs and a sexy butt

Yeah, I've been driving since I was 2.

kenchan · 12-16-2010, 09:50 AM

the biggest difference between my Z and my other MT cars that i currently own and have owned in the past is the delay in the throttle input.

it takes considerably longer for the car to respond to your input. that throws me off a little bit each time i get in my Z after a week of driving my other cars. this is another reason why i keep SRM on becuase im tired of timing myself a fraction earlier than my other MT cars just to setup a downshift.

kenchan · 12-16-2010, 10:03 AM

cell- yep, that's normal for us MT folks usually.

ImportConvert · 12-16-2010, 10:30 AM

Lots of people do seem to have issues with the Z. It isn't a bad feel, it's just different and takes time. I do wish it had more feedback from the clutch pedal, though. That is all learnable.

kenchan · 12-16-2010, 10:34 AM

this coming from a G20 owner with a super-slush box from the 90's...

ImportConvert · 12-16-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

this coming from a G20 owner with a super-slush box from the 90's...

You own a 370Z.

What's your point?

I'm sure you have owned more manual cars than I have (2), but I have had about a year's experience working for a Ford dealership driving everything they offered with a stick. The Z and the Ford Ranger rank as the 2 trickiest manuals I have driven, although the Ranger was definitely worse, regarding clutch-feel/lack of torque (we won't even go into shifter throw, lol!).

kenchan · 12-16-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

You own a 370Z.

What's your point?

I'm sure you have owned more manual cars than I have (2), but I have had about a year's experience working for a Ford dealership driving everything they offered with a stick. The Z and the Ford Ranger rank as the 2 trickiest manuals I have driven, although the Ranger was definitely worse, regarding clutch-feel/lack of torque (we won't even go into shifter throw, lol!).

like you, ive also made the mistake of owning a G20 yrs ago... in AT. it was terrible. i speak from experience.

dont get all worked up, im just kidding around.

ImportConvert · 12-16-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

like you, ive also made the mistake of owning a G20 yrs ago... in AT. it was terrible. i speak from experience.

dont get all worked up, im just kidding around.

It is slow, but it gets from point A to point B, and that's all I require for my DD to do. Never intended it to be a fun car.

kenchan · 12-16-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

but it gets from point A to point B

on a good day.

12-16-2010, 07:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	The Z is not "hard to drive" at all. An 18-wheeler with 22 forward gears is "hard to drive". The Z just magnifies clumsy clutch action and shifting, which becomes apparent by the herky-jerky shifts you'll get. On the Z, the clutch and transmission require some finesse to make the gear transitions smooth. If you're stalling the car, you're missing some core fundamentals to manual transmission operation. If you'd like to try driving a manual car that's truely 'hard to drive', go try out an early Jaguar X-type manual. The clutch was fully engaged about 1/4" off the floor. If you stall the Z, you'll never get the X-type moving. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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12-16-2010, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3887	I've never had trouble driving this car, and I've driven manuals for 15 years now. I've driven sports cars for most of that time, plus one small SUV and one sedan (these are just the manuals, I've driven plenty of autos as well). It's not "hot knife through butter" like a Mazda short shifter, but it's not Mt Everest either.

12-16-2010, 08:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hijinks Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 20 Drives: Nissan 370z 6spd Rep Power: 15	Been driving manual Hondas for the last four years and never stalled the Z once. I agree it took me a couple hours of driving to be smooth if a passenger is in the car. I really think launching a four wheel drive manual is MUCH harder than the Z. My friend has had his Subaru for two years and still struggles to get good starts off the line.

12-16-2010, 09:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	the biggest difference between my Z and my other MT cars that i currently own and have owned in the past is the delay in the throttle input. it takes considerably longer for the car to respond to your input. that throws me off a little bit each time i get in my Z after a week of driving my other cars. this is another reason why i keep SRM on becuase im tired of timing myself a fraction earlier than my other MT cars just to setup a downshift.

12-16-2010, 10:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	cell- yep, that's normal for us MT folks usually.

12-16-2010, 10:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7628	Lots of people do seem to have issues with the Z. It isn't a bad feel, it's just different and takes time. I do wish it had more feedback from the clutch pedal, though. That is all learnable.

12-16-2010, 10:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	this coming from a G20 owner with a super-slush box from the 90's...