My 6MT vs Auto driving impression. Opinions please

Bucketlist2012 · 04-30-2012, 06:17 PM

Since this is 2012, Automatics have come a long way..

If we were talking the days of the past, you would NEVER see an automatic car on the track...The hesitation with an automatic downshifting is just madness on an older car.

The old days you would downshift an automatic coming up to a turn and then wait......................Then BOOM, it would downshift causing a compression lock up on the rear tires entering the turn....

But the newer cars have come a long way...But I understand some guys must have a manual transmission...No problem with that..

As far as testing the Mercedes, you must test the AMG model to really get the feel...You don't care that it is an automatic...The cars are just crazy fun...

But I am new to the 370Z, and cannot wait to really test the paddles...

I would never buy an automatic older sports car..Now that would suck..

wstar · 04-30-2012, 08:01 PM

We have to have this debate at least once a year month week on this forum anyways lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayrton88

There is a huge difference. First of all, your left foot is just as important as your right in getting the car going and shifting gears. There is something satisfying about feeling the clutch start to bite while timing the accelerator perfect. I never tire of it. I just feel so much more in control taking care of all aspects of driving myself. To me it is an advantage...maybe not for everyone.
It is sad to me that so many people don't even know how to drive a stick.

I drove a stick for a long time, I know how to work one. I just like this better, at this point in time. I've got 99 other problems to focus on with my driving, and a clutch ain't one

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucketlist2012

Since this is 2012, Automatics have come a long way..

If we were talking the days of the past, you would NEVER see an automatic car on the track...The hesitation with an automatic downshifting is just madness on an older car.

The old days you would downshift an automatic coming up to a turn and then wait......................Then BOOM, it would downshift causing a compression lock up on the rear tires entering the turn....

But the newer cars have come a long way...But I understand some guys must have a manual transmission...No problem with that..

As far as testing the Mercedes, you must test the AMG model to really get the feel...You don't care that it is an automatic...The cars are just crazy fun...

But I am new to the 370Z, and cannot wait to really test the paddles...

I would never buy an automatic older sports car..Now that would suck..

For reference, a couple laps in a 2009 7AT 370Z (all in 3rd and 4th on this track). The 7AT is perfectly track-capable. Far more so than I am yet, in any case. You'll hear some upshift hesistations in the video. That's me shifting late and bouncing into the throttle rev-limiter. User error

Bucketlist2012 · 04-30-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

We have to have this debate at least once a year month week on this forum anyways lol.

I drove a stick for a long time, I know how to work one. I just like this better, at this point in time. I've got 99 other problems to focus on with my driving, and a clutch ain't one

.

For reference, a couple laps in a 2009 7AT 370Z (all in 3rd and 4th on this track). The 7AT is perfectly track-capable. Far more so than I am yet, in any case. You'll hear some upshift hesistations in the video. That's me shifting late and bouncing into the throttle rev-limiter. User error

Very Nice....yes the new Automatics have come a long way...I love it..

wdkwang · 04-30-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

We have to have this debate at least once a year month week on this forum anyways lol.

I drove a stick for a long time, I know how to work one. I just like this better, at this point in time. I've got 99 other problems to focus on with my driving, and a clutch ain't one

.

For reference, a couple laps in a 2009 7AT 370Z (all in 3rd and 4th on this track). The 7AT is perfectly track-capable. Far more so than I am yet, in any case. You'll hear some upshift hesistations in the video. That's me shifting late and bouncing into the throttle rev-limiter. User error

hey wstar, what software/device did you use to get that tach/speedo info on the side

wstar · 04-30-2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdkwang

hey wstar, what software/device did you use to get that tach/speedo info on the side

The basic details are outlined here: wstar's Journal

It's an Android phone on a window mount (a crappy one, hence all the extra shake), and the software on the phone is "aLapRecorder HD", which uses the internal camera and then pulls 5Hz D-GPS + OBD-II sensors over bluetooth, etc. Then post-processing in RaceRender2.

04-30-2012, 06:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bucketlist2012 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,424 Drives: 370Z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 18	Since this is 2012, Automatics have come a long way.. If we were talking the days of the past, you would NEVER see an automatic car on the track...The hesitation with an automatic downshifting is just madness on an older car. The old days you would downshift an automatic coming up to a turn and then wait......................Then BOOM, it would downshift causing a compression lock up on the rear tires entering the turn.... But the newer cars have come a long way...But I understand some guys must have a manual transmission...No problem with that.. As far as testing the Mercedes, you must test the AMG model to really get the feel...You don't care that it is an automatic...The cars are just crazy fun... But I am new to the 370Z, and cannot wait to really test the paddles... I would never buy an automatic older sports car..Now that would suck.. __________________ 2009 Sport/Touring 370Z 1971 Z/28 with coil overs, rushforth's, willwoods, Hotchkis. 4 speed GMC Sierra1500

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