Like everyone has mentioned... Don't do a dealer trade. Imo never do one. Ride it out, trust me you dont want to start the old Upside down game.

I was dead-set on having a manual transmission for my 370z.

I test-drove a 370z Automatic. By the time I took it back to the lot, I was OK with getting an automatic. The auto-stick is a nice plus for when you want to play and drive more agressively with less "lag" between throttle position and taking off (as the system tries to figure out WTF you're doing)

The automatic is a bit "jerky" at times, as it's trying to predict my erratic driving behavior, but, when I'm just cruising, it's nice to not have to think about what gear I'm in, what RPM I'm in, while focusing on my cornering. If I want to do that, I can bump it over and work it like a manual.

The funny thing is when I forget that I have it in auto-stick mode, and gun it - and forget to shift it. Like a manual, it'll stay in that gear...


Honestly, I feel quite connected to this car despite it not having a manual, which was one of my "things" about getting one. That, and the perception that you loose power/torque with an automatic...as I said to a gal here at work who has a Mustang GT w/ auto - having an automatic in a sports car is a waste of a sports car.

I don't feel that way any more!

If you have the cash to make up the difference and really want to do this you should sell your car yourself.

Funny - I don't feel ridiculous driving my 7AT 370Z... ;)

There can be some advantages to a dealer trade. In Maryland anything we get for a trade is deducted from the price of the new vehicle and we don't pay sales tax on that amount. That just saved me nearly 2K on my Z. I'm sure I could have sold the car on my own and gotten that 2K, but it would have taken quite a bit of time and I would have had to go through the hassle of clearing the title, bill of sale, inspection, etc..