Which new car? 370z IS an option.

Cuda1337

So you're saying, Divzero, that the Camaro has great handling for its size?

I just got home from test driving some different cars, here are my thoughts.

Drove a Camaro SS - The interior was alright, wasn't wow'd by it but it was ok. I drove an auto with paddle shifters and it felt ok initially. Once I actually used it in manual mode though it definitely felt a lot faster. Not quite as quick as the Z though, or maybe it just felt that way because it's so big. In any case, it was nice, but it didn't blow me away.

I drove a 370 auto right afterwards and it just felt much quicker. The interior I saw as about equal quality to the camaro.


I also drove a Hyundai Genesis and I was very underwhelmed. I drove the 3.8 turbo version and it just didn't feel fast at all. The interior was good quality though.


Perhaps I need a longer drive on the Camaro to really get an idea for its handling/power. The route we took wasn't that great for opening it up.


On a side note, I have a bit of a dilemma. Obviously most people who opt for a sports car get a manual. I've never driven a manual. Any car I've ever owned has always been an auto and as such, I just don't know how to drive a manual. That said, I'm not totally against the idea of having one. I think its kind of silly that I'm literally cutting out half of the cars I can look at because I can't drive a manual. Has anyone else gone through a similar situation where they had to learn to drive a manual to handle their new car? How long did it take to learn? Do any of you have manuals that wish you had an auto? For what its worth, I do deal with a bit of traffic from time to time and this will be my daily driver.

280z/300zx

I taught myself how to drive manual because I wanted to learn. I bought my 280z barely knowing how to drive it and learned with in a matter of a couple weeks. I didn't stress because I still had my 300zx which is auto. It doesn't take very long to learn how to drive manual if you already know the basics. If you know the basics then it's all about practicing to make it smooth. Plenty here had to learn how to drive manual int their new 370z so maybe they can chime in. I had both my friends driving manual in a matter of hours, at least enough to drive car from point A to B. Then it just takes a couple weeks to perfect it. Then maybe several months to be perfectly smooth at it every time. It's all about practice but it's definetly not rocket science

In regards to traffic it's up to the individual. I used to comute in my 280z 2hrs each way to college. Stop and go stop and go. Never bothered me once to have the manual. Case in point, I took my 280z 4 days out of the week and my 300zx only 1 day out of the week. Then of course there are others who wouldn't be caught dead in traffic with a manual. Only you can answer this question.

90 ST

Just a note, the Genesis is either a 2.0 turbo, or a 3.8...double check which one you drove.

DivZero

No way. It need a larger engine than anyone else and needs less restrictions on that engine to be competitive. The handling is sub par and as such, the car must make up for it on the straights with increased engine power.

Slightly related... the AM Performance 370Z's were running circles around the Camaros in the corners of Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio. While many suspension pieces on the AM cars are not stock (AST dampers, custom-fabbed sway bars, etc.), the stock geometry is maintained as per Grand Am rules.

Also, I think it should be noted for GM's sake that the Camaro is a huge leap in the right direction. It's not perfect yet, but it's much better than their other performance offerings in the past (Corvette excluded). Quality and R&D are up!

ImportConvert

Well, that may be so, but stock for stock, the Camaro SS will beat the NISMO 370Z on that track.

techumper

I went through the same thing in 05, I really liked a accord coupe but had a manual transmission, I had no clue on how to drive a manual. My dad ended up test driving the car, I really liked the car back then and I decided to go for it. Overal it took me a good month to feel comfortable driving it everywhere by myself, at first I was really nervous about inclines and the car rolling and me not getting the car in gear quick enough, but you live and learn.

I think if you have someone to help or guide you initially, you should be fine, all manaul drivers had to learn somehow... good luck!

mantella87

If I was in your position it would come down to the Gen Coupe (3.8) or the 370. I really like the 370's interior. It's pretty solid and not overdone. The 370 is also very hard to take your eyes off of. The 3.8 Gen Coupe fully loaded is hard to beat, and also looks awesome in my opinion. I can definitely tell you that the 370 is better and more fun than the 350. My Dad had the 7AT 370 and it was awesome to drive. The paddle shifting is a lot of fun.