Base 370z 7AT vs. Sport Package MT

OrangeJuice

Will be picking up my 370z within the week, got 2 models locally I can choose from within the price I'm willing to pay:

-Base 370z but with Automatic Transmission

-Base + Sport 370z with Manual Transmission

I know the sport package is a great value with the upgraded brakes, wheels and most importantly the VLSD (don't care so much for the aero stuff). But alas, I can't drive manual very well at all...only done so once or twice in my life in an old beater Civic. I know, I know, flame on...ZOMG JOO DUN BELONG IN TEH SPORTZ CARRR!!1one!!11one!

Is it worth it to get the Base 370z and just add a diff on my own (as well as brakes down the line) or just nut up and sharpen my standard transmission abilities? The VLSD is really the most important thing to me out of the Sport package anyway...

The car won't be tracked, but driven (occasionaly spirited) on the street 4 to 5 times a week.

Just looking for some solid opinions from folks have have gone Base and Base + Sport. Thanks!

Dizon248

Get the manual, and continue practicing.

DJ-of-E

Actually, when I buy a car, I always go for the brakes. I'm an occasionally spirited driver as well, but after years of owning various different cars, the most important feature I want at max is not the LSD, the body, nor whatever fancy features in the car, it's the brakes. At many times, the brakes are what save my butt from other drivers' mistakes on the road.

Now how much better are the brakes from stock to the Akebono on the sport package, I do not know, but I kept reading on online magazines that it is worth the upgrade.

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ImportConvert

Get the manual and learn. You gotta learn some day, so why not now?

DjSquall

Dude, i regret not getting the sports package. Go with the brakes. It WILL help.

hansoac

7AT is really nice for cruising...but I would have to hop on the manual train on this one.
Go for that manual w/ sport!!

UNKNOWN_370

If you think the 7at is only good for cruising then you needa hop in when I'm driving. Lol. Infinite gear ratios gives you on tap accelration like you wouldn't believe and once you master the 7at. You can really customize your driving and make your actions unpredictable when in a race. The trickiest part is learning how to make that 7th gear work for you. Once u understand it. Everyone around u is toast.


In this case I say go with the manual. The sport package is not just a cosmetic feature upgrade. The akebono's on this car are among the most power full brakes on a production car. 103 ft stops from 60 are the shortest I have seen on record for a production car thus far. Imagine with lines pads and rotors. Ur looking at well under 100ft.

wstar

I like the 7AT on this car for a DD, but I don't think I'd pass on the Sport Package to get it. Besides, everyone needs to own a manual at least once in their life

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PapoZalsa

Base + Sport Package = FTW

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hansoac

Well, I am not saying I don't rip through some gears at times. But when you just want to sit back relax and hit the gas while you have both hands gripping the wheel as the gears shift..then that's where the 7AT has its plus over to manual. I am not saying one is better than the other.

UNKNOWN_370

I know you weren't claiming superiority... lol. I was just sayin.

OrangeJuice

Well it's all settled then.

To everyone in Louisiana and Baton Rouge in particular, stay off the road for the next week as I will probably be stalling like a madman!

HoneyBadger

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whoady4shoady

6speed sport package for the win! Brakes are amazing and have saved my but from stupid drivers twice already.

ChrisSlicks

Just get what you'll be happiest driving. On the street the base brakes are going to perform admirably and the stopping distances will be the same as the sport brakes. When the brakes are pushed harder then the difference of a fixed caliper will come into play.

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