a few questions before I take the plunge!

[f00d4tehg0dz]

Hey guys, I've posted a few times, and browsed and done a ton of searches for the questions I'm about to ask. Unfortunately I was never able to find a definitive answer!

First question is.. Manual or Automatic?
Over the winterbreak I went ahead and learned manual, and seem to be pretty decent at it (i hope). I've been told though, that since I live in the City (Tampa) That I have a much Higher chance of burning out my clutch with manual since I would be doing alot of stopping at lights etc. Is this true? Should I just pay the extra and get automatic? I should mention, this will be my main and only car, as I'm trading in my corolla for one of my downpayments.

Second question is Can I add the Nismo body kit later on?
I absolutely love the body kit, and saw that no matter what configuration on Nissan's site I made, I could always add the kit later. Even though I've read on here, that people have had issues. Right now I'm looking at getting the Sprt Touring Pckage, with the Nav unit in Gun Metallic.
Would Nissan install it for me later down the road?

Third question is If Automatic is the better route for me (bearing on the answer u guys provide on question1) should I just not get the Sprt Pckage and stick with Touring and Nav unit?

Fourth Question. Any shops in Tampa or surrounding areas, that could install the Nav unit unlock kit that I've seen one of the guys on the forums selling?

And last question Monthly payments. Right now I'm looking at just as an estimation putting down 11k, and in a 60month time period, I would be paying at best around 550-650 a month. Is that the normal? I don't mind paying that, just want to make sure that on average to everyone else!

Thank you guys! I'm really hoping to get my Z in Feb - April! And considering this would be my first sport car, I want to do it right!

[FL 4Motion]

Originally Posted by f00d4tehg0dz

Hey guys, I've posted a few times, and browsed and done a ton of searches for the questions I'm about to ask. Unfortunately I was never able to find a definitive answer!

First question is.. Manual or Automatic?
Over the winterbreak I went ahead and learned manual, and seem to be pretty decent at it (i hope). I've been told though, that since I live in the City (Tampa) That I have a much Higher chance of burning out my clutch with manual since I would be doing alot of stopping at lights etc. Is this true? Should I just pay the extra and get automatic? I should mention, this will be my main and only car, as I'm trading in my corolla for one of my downpayments.

buy the trans that you want, if you drive stick well, "burning out the clutch" in stop and go isn't going to happen. However, driving a manual in rush hour can get old fast so think about it and decide. If you really want a manual but are nervous, get it, b/c you'll get better with practice and you may wind up later regretting it

Second question is Can I add the Nismo body kit later on?
I absolutely love the body kit, and saw that no matter what configuration on Nissan's site I made, I could always add the kit later. Even though I've read on here, that people have had issues. Right now I'm looking at getting the Sprt Touring Pckage, with the Nav unit in Gun Metallic.
Would Nissan install it for me later down the road?

Yes, BUT, it's stupid expensive and much more cost effective to just buy a nismo out the gate. I am not sure if a nissan dealer would install a nismo body on a non nismo, for the right amount of $$ I'm sure they would put your corrolla body on your Z for you though.

Third question is If Automatic is the better route for me (bearing on the answer u guys provide on question1) should I just not get the Sprt Pckage and stick with Touring and Nav unit?

If you get a non nismo, I would absolutely get touring AND sport package

Fourth Question. Any shops in Tampa or surrounding areas, that could install the Nav unit unlock kit that I've seen one of the guys on the forums selling?

Don't know.

And last question Monthly payments. Right now I'm looking at just as an estimation putting down 11k, and in a 60month time period, I would be paying at best around 550-650 a month. Is that the normal? I don't mind paying that, just want to make sure that on average to everyone else!

That seems high to me, what is the interest rate/otd cost ect that you are getting? w/o that info, cant' really know what kind of deal it is.
Thank you guys! I'm really hoping to get my Z in Feb - April! And considering this would be my first sport car, I want to do it right!

Hope you get the exact Z you want, they're great cars and I'm sure you'll enjoy it regardless of what trim level you wind up with.

[Red__Zed]

Originally Posted by FL 4Motion

Hope you get the exact Z you want, they're great cars and I'm sure you'll enjoy it regardless of what trim level you wind up with.

pretty much exactly this. I will add that the Z clutch is pretty damn light and easy to drive in traffic. If you know how to drive a stick, it shouldn't be an issue.

[tonybui]

If you are not good at MT, you will burnt the clutch and break the transmission at 20k miles like I did ...











Nah, I'm j/k. The Z is my first manual car, never knew how to drive one before but it's very easy with the assist of rev-match system. I say get manual if that's your only concern

[f00d4tehg0dz]

Wow thanks for all the replies so far, I'm thinking Manual is the way to go eh?!

@FL 4Motion I've just been doing payment estimators online. And truecar.com shows at Invoice Price a 2012 Touring Manual Gun Metallic with Sprt Package, Nav unit, Kickplate, splash guard, Carpeted front/trunk mats to be around 39,414. With 11,000 downpayment it shows around 500 bucks. And I have a Credit Score of 740 right now, I figure at best I'll get 2.99% for 60 months.

Does that sound good?

[Mike Z]

First off, I was in your position last year and I don't regret getting the Z at all! I love the interior and exterior and its a blast to drive.

Considering the Z is a sports car, I had to get manual. It just makes it much more enjoyable to drive and also, sport package comes with SRM which I think is innovative and useful.

As far as the Nismo body kit, I would only get the Nismo if you REALLY like it. IMO its pricey and I would rather get the sport package and spend the extra money on aftermarket parts. It would be a waste of money to buy the Nismo body kit separately unless you got a real good deal on it(most likely being used).

[kellyefields]

Hey I am in tampa as well and I have a MT with a supercharger on it and drive it daily so it is not that bad. to answer your question about MT or AT just ask yourself if you plan on modding the vehicle if the answer is yes then MT all the way. alot easier to do. Also if you are after the nismo look then go with a nismo you will not get the leather or the nav but you you will get the look that you are after otherwise it will cost you more in the long run to get the nismo look. also you can always put in leather and aftermarket nav way cheaper if you choose to. Personally right now it is a buyers market with vehicles when it comes to private sales. with having 11k you could just get a loan for 20k almost cut your payments in half and find a nice nismo if you are willing to travel to get it. If you want to talk more just PM me. I know a few tricks to find the right car.

[Jsolo]

Some months back, my faithful z28 (lt1 6mt) succumbed to old age. It was too rotten to repair. I bought a new fwd automatic car that had reasonable power (engine rated at 270+ hp). It came with paddle shifters too. Within a few months, I got bored of it. I very disconnected from the driving experience. Had no idea what gear the car was in when taking on/off ramps. The paddle shifters was a joke. Sometimes the indicated gear did not jive with the speed/rpm. No rev matching on the downshifts.

Got rid of that car in short order and got a 6mt g37. In a way, it's sort of an upgrade to the camaro. It's kinda/sort of a 4 door camaro. Similar/better handling, 6spd, more power, more room.

If you'd like to be more in tune with your car, absolutely get a manual. If you like to talk on the phone, drink coffee, and eat while in traffic, don't get a manual. Lack of a third hand will make all those tasks difficult.

[tonybui]

Originally Posted by Jsolo

Some months back, my faithful z28 (lt1 6mt) succumbed to old age. It was too rotten to repair. I bought a new fwd automatic car that had reasonable power (engine rated at 270+ hp). It came with paddle shifters too. Within a few months, I got bored of it. I very disconnected from the driving experience. Had no idea what gear the car was in when taking on/off ramps. The paddle shifters was a joke. Sometimes the indicated gear did not jive with the speed/rpm. No rev matching on the downshifts.

Got rid of that car in short order and got a 6mt g37. In a way, it's sort of an upgrade to the camaro. It's kinda/sort of a 4 door camaro. Similar/better handling, 6spd, more power, more room.

If you'd like to be more in tune with your car, absolutely get a manual. If you like to talk on the phone, drink coffee, and eat while in traffic, don't get a manual. Lack of a third hand will make all those tasks difficult.

Actually you have bluetooth
As for eating, take a bite and lay the food down when shifting is needed. Drinking is even easier lol

Why would anyone eat burgers and drink coffee in a nice car anyways?

[Jsolo]

True about BT. Maybe i'm just not used to it. Even with handsfree, I found I was more focused on the conversation than the road. I try to limit my conversations only when i'm on the highway and things are static. I'll text while waiting at stoplights only.

My main point, is if you like to multitask, it's more difficult to do with a manual.

[gbrettin]

Make sure you check the used car section here.

---Edited Below
http://www.the370z.com/370z-sale/469...m-tt-370z.html

Mods done for you and it looks clean, just sayin'. 11k down would bring it to 19k for your loan which would be about 300 per month (You break out a loan calc... im guessing).

[FL 4Motion]

Originally Posted by f00d4tehg0dz

Wow thanks for all the replies so far, I'm thinking Manual is the way to go eh?!

@FL 4Motion I've just been doing payment estimators online. And truecar.com shows at Invoice Price a 2012 Touring Manual Gun Metallic with Sprt Package, Nav unit, Kickplate, splash guard, Carpeted front/trunk mats to be around 39,414. With 11,000 downpayment it shows around 500 bucks. And I have a Credit Score of 740 right now, I figure at best I'll get 2.99% for 60 months.

Does that sound good?

I still think your payment sounds high but that is probably being driven most by the cost of the car as you are est it. If you are married to the idea of getting a brand new '12, then your wiggle room with the dealerships will be lower than if you are willing to pick up a new left over '11 or perhaps lightly used 370z.

At the end of the day, honestly, the $$ car payment is irrelevant if you can comfortably swing it and you aren't sacrificing quality of life in other areas, ie food, entertainment, savings, house etc. If you aren't doing that, then it's just disposable income and you can spend it on much worse than a Z (hookers and blow come to mind, wait, maybe that's a better use...I'm so confused right now.)

[kellyefields]

Originally Posted by FL 4Motion

At the end of the day, honestly, the $$ car payment is irrelevant if you can comfortably swing it and you aren't sacrificing quality of life in other areas, ie food, entertainment, savings, house etc. If you aren't doing that, then it's just disposable income and you can spend it on much worse than a Z (hookers and blow come to mind, wait, maybe that's a better use...I'm so confused right now.)

Charlie is that you????

[FL 4Motion]

[Footloose301]

I'd say get the manual 6spd + touring(and NAV if you want it). I'm happy with my purchase. It's my first manual and taught myself how to drive it. It's easy.