I just had my first test drive in a 370Z

shadoquad

As a counter-point, I know quite a few Z owners who bought automatics and later regretted not getting the stick. Again, no right or wrong, just individual impressions. I've driven both and like both. I think everyone should test drive both if they want to feel it for themselves. The above posters all did their due diligence and decided they liked the 7AT better. I know quite a few who've gone the other way as well. A very good friend and member here tells me all the time that he wished he'd learned manual before buying his 7AT, and says he would have bought the manual instead. I also know 6MT owners who wished they'd bought Automatic.

I'd like to avoid the sort of debate that arises. They are both good. The manual is cheaper, the automatic is generally faster. My whole point is that if you're considering both as options for purchase, drive both and see which you like better. Better to do that up front than regret it later.

Tazicon

I have never met one Z owner with the 7at that wished they went the other way.

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shadoquad

Talk to b1adesofcha0s.

I know a few others as well.

I'm not saying Auto is worse. I'm saying that people have differing opinions. I can accept yours.

Again, I'm trying to avoid a debate here. I don't want this thread devolving into another of the countless and futile arguments about which transmission is better.

I just think that prospective owners should test drive both and decide for themselves. Is that something you would seriously argue against?

A-Train

True dat. I've got a base model 7AT 2011. Test drove a manual, and coming from the silky smooth manual on my Bimmer, the Nissan wasn't nearly as good. The automatic, however, is way quicker off the line and with the paddle shifters I can still enjoy the thrill of shifting through the twisties. The two things that I will never regret are going with the automatic and the Solid Red A54 color. I get around five compliments a day when I drive my car. It makes Dudes jelly and chicks wet.

One caveat, though. If you're looking for a quiet car with uber luxury features and soft steering and practicality, then steer clear of the Z. Buy a Toyota Camry or Lexus instead.

OldGuy

I bought my '09 base new 2.5 years ago and love it. Reduced the cabin noise by repolacing stock tires with Continental Extreme Pro DWS. My 7 sp auto tranny is great and I'm pleased I got it. Get a ClearBra. Value in these cars will depreciate a good bit.
Nissan dealership service has been excellent for me---I've owned several. Haven't really needed it with the Z, as my car has been trouble free in three years. Many are.
Test drive the car a bit more before you decide.

SailFree

Howdy! Lizbet Salander might like the Z, but she'd probably add a supercharger and other go-fast stuff.

Seriously:

1) I have 2012 Sport/Touring 7AT and find it perfect for my driving, commuting to work in city traffic, and yet can switch to manual mode if I feel like it on occasion.
2) Performance on the OE tires on dry and wet roads is fine--haven't yet run into snow, and won't see much here in Virginia. If I lived in Sweden, I'd go for a set of snow tires.
3) Tires are relatively expensive compared to passenger car tires.
4) My prior auto was an Infiniti, relatively quiet, and the road noise was briefly annoying, but I've grown used to it and it hasn't made my ears ring any worse than they always do. Too many howitzers in Vietnam.
5) Bluetooth works well 90% of the time, but wife says occasional problem. I don't know why. No streaming audio feature, but I doubt I would ever use it anyway.
6) Essentially same engine in my Infiniti, though earlier version and less horsepower, but it ran perfectly with no maintenance for 8 years--and then I had to replace a throttle motor. $400 American.
7) Infinitis (basically same manufacturer, engine, etc.) have a good rep for low maintenance and good trade-in value. The 370Z seems less so, but whether due to the car or the drivers or the use is not clear to me.
8) I had a friend with the roadster, and it actually seemed LESS noisy to me, perhaps because the coupe directs the noise from the rear tires right into the driver's seat.
9) I suppose if I had plenty of money lying around, I might have gotten the GT-R, but then I would expect the maintenance to be a lot more expensive, not to mention the sadness of having no roads upon which to get anywhere near full potential. The Z acceleration, top speed, and handling are very good and to a greater degree usable compared to the GT-R. Wish I lived where there's an Autobahn or Autostrada. Though I think they set limits in Italy a while back, since I drove there. On good tires and a good surface, the Z will come very close to a 1G lateral acceleration, not significantly worse than the GT-R. Now if they just made an AWD Z!
10) Irrelevant to this, but have a friend who owns a GT-R--as well as a Lamborghini Gallardo and several other megabuck cars--and he prefers the GT-R to all the other much more expensive vehicles. Nissan and the auto/computer wizards have created an amazing vehicle for the price.

370zGatorman

Shadoquad is correct in that you should test drive both and see which you like best. If you're sometimes wanting to chill out in traffic without shifting and then tear it up at other times using the paddle shifters go for the 7AT. If you're wanting the manual and don't mind shifting all the time that's the other option.

I can drive stick but chose the 7AT but it doesn't mean the 7AT is better for everyone. It comes down to what the driver's choice is. You'll have fun with the car either way that's for sure

UNKNOWN_370

The auto puts out a higher torque feel and is faster or at least faster feeling. (probably due to feeling more of the Z's natural torque). But the manual gives you more connection to the car and is more engaging. The Z has better engine characteristics from the auto. Adding an intake increases throttle response and greatly improves that feeling. The Z manual is most preferable if you compete or plan on eventually going FI.

NuffZed

My 370 is the most fun I've had with a car period. Not the fastest but that's OK. I've owned 2 vettes that I turned into race cars, a jag, an alfa Romeo, mustangs, trans am and others not worth mention but the 370 is a joy for me to drive.

My crowning moment thus far with it was last month when a gorgeous copper Audi R8 GT pulled up beside me at a light and the knockout woman driving it says she loves my car... Sadly my invitation to coffee resulted in a "Sorry"and a wave of her hand with a very big ring on it. But damn a BMW or Cayman wont get that level of attention.

Buy it, put softer rubber to lessen the noise and enjoy. Maybe the R8 driver who admires yours won't be married...

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Japanjay

Same car situation with me. Was in downtown seattle one night on first ave right by pikes place and my car was parked on the side of the street. My GF went inside to look at stuff to buy while waiting for a friend who was with his GF decided to miss the exit when he was following me. While we were waiting for him to meet back up with us a R8 drove by while I was standing next to the Z. Dude damn near redlined his throttle when he glanced over at the Z. Put a big azz grin on my face to know a almost $200k Audi took enough notice to rev up.... Just concretes my thoughts on how well Nissan did with the design and budget that the 370Z brings to the table.

MacCool

I got the 370Z trying to be reasonable in my expectations. It has significantly exceeded those in the performance area. As to the rest, I was expecting it to be a sports car. Noisier than some cars, yes, but not intrusively so for me. It's not gadget-laden, but is very functional (sport-tourer) and has a sufficient number of amenities to make it generally commensurate with modern sports cars.

My first Z was a 240Z and my last one before this 370Z was a 280ZX Turbo. By the time I got the Turbo, the Z had gone far from the sports car category and become a bloated GT luxo-cruiser. I lost interest in the platform. Thirty years later, the 370Z goes back to my expectations of a performance sports car and I am completely happy with it.

DLSTR

Well said. Its what a sports-car should be. If you want airconditioned seats and heated massage lounge chairs get an Audi A8L or the like and leave the real sportscars to those of us who know the difference. People beeotch about what it doesnt have, forgetting what they actually bought in the first place.

2011_6Spd

I would say it also depends on the road surface. Some roads the car is quiet a cruiser others its like dam i can't hear myself think. Sometimes when I go away for buisness and have a rental like a camry or altima I get used to them being so quiet. Get back home hop in the Z and think dam this car is loud. Ha! But I still love it. The only thing I don't like about the car is the rear quarterpanel blind spots. Makes backing up in parking lots and merging onto highways a little adventurous.

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cossie1600

Given most of the cars don't ever see the track, what's the point to have it built like a race car? I will take the AC and power windows anyday.

MacCool

My 370Z has AC and power windows.