6M/T vs. 7A/T race with consumer advice

runner42

Me and my friend did race 6 M/T 2009 silver (with 7000 km on it ) against 7 A/T 2010 euro black edition (2500 km) on the closed track yesterday
We switched both cars frequently, races were always neck to neck close, however, there is one important factor that with one exception led always to A/T close victory
We both are used to drive crisp and perfectly built euro cars with M/T - bmw 3er and audi a5, that's important to mention.
After switching to Zs, we quickly come to conclusion, that 7 A/T in manual is first-class transmission, one of the best we have driven so far (I've definitely liked it more then a dual clutch S-tronic in Audit TT).
The manual however is not. We hated it. As a huge Z fan I'm really sorry to admit it, but the manual quality is average at best and SynchroRev cannot compensate for extremely hard and not very precise shifting with stick violently shaking all the time And results are clearly visible in a race conditions or under stress when you try to do shifts as fast as possible - you will miss a gear. During our testing, we both did. For the first time in at least 2 years
When I drove my A5 home, I missed the power and agility of the Z, however I was so happy to be back with my audi's M/T...

Yes, we are both spoiled and not pro racers, but if anyone there is like us, the 7 A/T is to way to consider

Nitrouz

Thanks for your opinion. However my opinion is the complete opposite having owned a host of vehicles from beaters to exotics. The 6MT (IMO) defines the fun factor of the Z. The auto feel slow, sluggish, and detached, coming most recently from a GR6 DCT so it's not quite fair.

But as they say...opinions are like a$$holes............that's why they make both for the Z! Happy driving!

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Vegitto-kun

I can understand the whole manual = more fun.

but saying that the AT is sluggish is...wrong.

it can feel sluggish in D but you arent going to tell me that it shifting in 0.5 seconds is slow

Nitrouz

yes 0.5 seconds feels slow. Like I said, "IMO". Especially when you like to play with the gears like I do....up up down down up down up upup down down down down up up up up down down up........the repeated use of torque converter makes it feel very laggy. You might not feel it driving normally, but with repeated use within a short timeframe, you would.

But it's just what you like...we're just all stating our opinions. You will never change my mind, just like I will never change yours. To me, the AT is slow, boring, disconnected, and incapable. To you, the 6MT is a hassle, slow, and tiring. We have different priorities when driving. We just need to enjoy our own cars that we spent our own money to buy.










oh and 7AT are for girls. j/k

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2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia
VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

odie99

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Vegitto-kun

So you can let go of throttle, depress clutch, move the shifter to the gear you want, let go of the clutch and hit the throttle in less than 0.5?

please record this. I would love to see this

and what the hell? saying its slow when you up down up down up down.

who in gods name is going to do this

And AT for girls? so the Zonda R is a girls car?

awesome.

Nitrouz

I can powershift if I want (no-lift) on the 370z. Like I said, to me, the 7At feels very slow.

The up down up down up down I like to do on the street to hear my exhaust. And to have some fun. Yes I do that and jump gears just to hear the synchro rev match work the exhaust.

That AT for girls comments was meant to be a joke, hence the emoticon. No the Zonda is not a girl's car imo. I've driven the Zonda F and it's an amazing car.

Like I said, IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION, the AT feels sluggish, slow, boring, and detached. You nor anyone else will change my opinion. Just like I can't change yours. So enjoy your car, yourself.

__________________
2010 370Z 40th Anniversary - Anastasia
VENACI / AERO JACKET / HKS USA / MXP / NISMO / FALKEN / STILLEN / T1R / MR WORKS / CARBON SIGNAL / EVO-R / BLUE BATMOBILE

Cyberium

Ibtl

I own a 7 AT and I can see both points. Yeah manuals and definitely more fun and yeah the Auto feels sluggish when it's in auto mode but there are just some days where I'm like thank god I don't need to shift (bad traffic or just lazy). But yes, the 7 AT is a kickass auto transmission and the paddle shifters work great.

Thanks for posting your experiences, now we'll just wait for the AT vs. MT war

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runner42

Well I don't want to start a useless MT vs. AT war.

I just want to warn euro car owners that switching to Z manual can be big issue and not at all pleasant experience. Especially if Z is second car to the daily driven manual BMW, MB or Audi. These are my 2 cents.

Vegitto-kun

I test drove the Z manual at francorchamps and at the dealership.

it sure as hell felt rough compared to my old megane's MT.

but then again I like it rough

kenchan

Basically wat it comes down to is I like charburgers and cheese fries.

CrownR426

I think manuals better because your wife and kids can't drive it!
Not only that but manual is faster if you are somewhat decent at manual driving.
Though auto would be nice if I did not have one arm but fortunately I do have both arms therefore I drive manual.

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xfrgtr

you should take some driving courses

runner42

Maybe my 60.000 km a year is not good enough for you and you know we are wrong, because you've heavily tested both MT and AT Zs and you own first class german car to compare. Right?
But sure, I will do an advanced driving course as I always do with every new car. I do have feeling this will not improve quality of Z's manual transmission even a little, so for the first time in my life, I'll do it with an AT. Yes, I love Z so much.

JACKPAC

This is the exact same reason I went into the dealership only wanting a MT and came out only wanting the AT.