Nissan 370Z Forum
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Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)
-   Nissan 370Z General Discussions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/)
-   -   Dream car as my first MT? (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/66365-dream-car-my-first-mt.html)

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 08:01 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Augustus (Post 2141943)
But I saw it in Fast 'n Furious. That's how you shift, right? :happydance:
:icon18:

Dlm6568 02-01-2013 08:06 AM
2 M/T stories here
 
First my wife, never had a driver's license let alone did she know how to drive a MT. Her first car 2 weeks after she got her license she bought a 1990 Miata. Had to have a friend drive it home she didnt know how to drive it. She learned the hard way, burned out the clutch in the first month, somehow got the dealer to replace for free. (pouty eyes and a great smile will turn any guy to nush) Never looked back. She's alittle older now but that experience will never go away. BTW she drives a FX35 now.

Second me, I learned on a MT, took my driver's test in an MT drove an MT for like 15+ years before my first AT. Bought it because I had a 1.5hr commute back then. When I shopped for the Z I test drove the MT, didn't hate it and actually was leaning towards it. THEN I drove the 7AT and absolutely loved it. the 7AT can definitely shift way better than I could, extremely responsive and when I get stuck in traffic, my left doesn't feel sore at the end of the day. I am sure with practice the feeling would come back quickly.

If you do plan on buying new I found the Z clutch to be stiff, I'm sure it will loosen as it breaks in, but that takes time and practice.

That being said, get the MT practice, practice and just drive the hell out it. You definitely wont regret it, you are young and have plenty of time for the nanny trans.

Good Luck in whatever you get!:driving:

isayimandrew 02-01-2013 08:11 AM
you'll be fine getting a 6MT. Once you get used to driving stick, you wont even notice shifting between gears. having a 6MT in traffic isnt all that bad either. With you revving too high, you can change your shift light indicator to turn on at a lower rpm as a reminder to shift

Augustus 02-01-2013 08:20 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nailzs (Post 2141857)
Go 7AT. You'll have auto shifting, manual on the floor shifting and paddle shifting. What could be better? :eek:
I was having a conversation with a co-worker a few weeks ago. The topic of learning/driving a manual transmission came up. The conversation concluded when he actually said, "oh yeah, I can drive a manual. Easy. My car has the +/- thing on the transmission. I drive it manually all the time. I don't know what all the fuss is about, because driving a manual is pretty easy. You just move the shifter when the engine revs up. Yeah, maybe sometime I can take your Z for a ride around the block, see how she drives."

(He drives an automatic Chevy Cruze)

:gtfo2:

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 08:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Augustus (Post 2141982)
I was having a conversation with a co-worker a few weeks ago. The topic of learning/driving a manual transmission came up. The conversation concluded when he actually said, "oh yeah, I can drive a manual. Easy. My car has the +/- thing on the transmission. I drive it manually all the time. I don't know what all the fuss is about, because driving a manual is pretty easy. You just move the shifter when the engine revs up. Yeah, maybe sometime I can take your Z for a ride around the block, see how she drives."

(He drives an automatic Chevy Cruze)

:gtfo2:
:bowrofl::bowrofl:

Hookah 02-01-2013 08:31 AM
I highly disagree with people saying get an AT, not because I like MT or AT, but because you said this might be your last chance to get some experience with a MT sports car... The sports package will make it even easier to drive a MT because of the syncro rev match. My first manual car was my dream car as well, a 2003 Nissan 350z. Before that I had some experience with a manual Toyota Corolla :bowrofl:

I wouldn't be worried about messing up your car. These cars can take a lot before something goes wrong. They are made to be driven hard, messing up here and there won't ruin your car.

Get the MT, start out nice and slow and I have no doubt at all you will be fine.

Hookah 02-01-2013 08:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nailzs (Post 2141857)
Go 7AT. You'll have auto shifting, manual on the floor shifting and paddle shifting. What could be better? :eek:
MT could be better :tiphat: Manual isn't a manual without a clutch. Just not the same experience.

Mandingo 02-01-2013 09:27 AM
I have to disagree that the base seats are uncomfortable. They are fine for me even on road trips. Everyone's got a different body shape though. Also, the sport package is a definite must!

UNKNOWN_370 02-01-2013 10:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sorrovv (Post 2141478)
I have been shopping around for a while and I am definitely considering buying my first Z. I've wanted one since I was a teenager (the 300z), and now may be the last time in my life that I can afford one. I’ll be grabbing a manual transmission. I want to feel that connection with the car that so many people describe to me - in the 370z.

That being said, I’ve never driven a MT with consistency. I have some experience from about a decade ago with a truck, but it’s much different from a sports car. It’s hard to practice on a MT if you don’t have a buddy who has one, since you can’t rent one. I have taken a recent course in a Chevy Cruze and did well, but I go through a ton of stop and go traffic on a daily basis and I’m worried that I still may not have the experience.

Yet I’ve also heard that driving a MT car with higher torque makes it easier. Is this true? I am pretty decent with the clutch but my problem is I often do not know how much gas to use. I over accelerate (10+ mph) from a stop into turns at intersections in first gear and find myself with high RPM and the engine roaring. Perhaps I also need to learn to shift into second during a turn – or is that too pro? :driving:

I’m not necessarily worried about stalling out, or being slow. That much is bound to happen. I am mostly concerned with damaging the car in some way, or hitting a car in front of me if I over accelerate, since it has much higher horsepower and torque than what most people choose to drive daily. Replacing a clutch may not be so bad, but are there other issues as well?

Also it seems to me that extreme situations of stop and go traffic can be hazardous for learners. For a neophyte of the MT, keeping track of when to shift, clutch and brake as well as learning to feel the speed/rpm of the car and downshift appropriately in hills or slowdowns can be quite a challenge.

What do you think? Is it foolish to buy my dream car as my first MT?

I know there are many question marks in this post, but any input on any of the above is greatly appreciated. There are obviously a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum, and I’m looking to soak some of the excess knowledge up! :excited:

I would get a used miata/rx8 or e92 3 series just to fvck around with first.

You can rent manual cars at hertz but its expensive due to the class of car. Mustang GT/GT500 and Corvette/Z06.

Not foolish, but the recommended are cars, will give the manual standards you should learn from. Nissan manuals are not the greatest. And if you're going to fvck up a car? get a cheap, used Great manual shifting car. Not a expensive great car with an extremely average or sometimes a below average shifting experience.
Then come to the big boy 370 or Z35... :)

kidkotic2001 02-01-2013 10:37 AM
I had a 05 350z MT it was nice I really liked it so when I got my 2012 370Z they had a sport 6MT and a sport 7AT I test drove both and I have to agree that the 7AT feels a bit faster for some reason. My heart told me to go with the MT but my head told me to go with the AT. I ended up going with the AT and I love it. This is my second automatic my first one was an old Sentra that broke down fast. You should really think about it especially if this is your first MT car.

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 10:50 AM
You should start learning on the Z. Like Hookah said, if you are patient and learn how the manual transmission works, you WILL NOT f*ck it up unless you do something really stupid.

Gauge 02-01-2013 10:51 AM
If I'm being unbiased (from my perspective). I got the MT for a few reasons. Nismo doesn't come with anything else, and it's a sports car, so I just automatically assumed to get it. I've driven plenty of manuals so I wasn't expecting anything out of left field.

This MT isn't very good IMO. It's not "bad", but I wouldn't say it's good either. The AT is way, WAY, better for street driving.

Having driven a few MT Nissan's from many different years, and plenty of other MT from other car companies, I think Nissan just sucks at making MT's. Especially second gear... every single MT Nissan I've ever driven has an issue with second. I don't see this in other cars.

Like I said, it's not bad, and once you get used to it, you won't even notice the flaws. But honestly, unless you plan to track it, I would get the AT. Having said that, if I did it all over again, I will still get the Nimso edition and get the MT. So... I don't know what that means :/ guess it makes me a hypocrite.

Hookah 02-01-2013 11:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gauge (Post 2142406)
If I'm being unbiased (from my perspective). I got the MT for a few reasons. Nismo doesn't come with anything else, and it's a sports car, so I just automatically assumed to get it. I've driven plenty of manuals so I wasn't expecting anything out of left field.

This MT isn't very good IMO. It's not "bad", but I wouldn't say it's good either. The AT is way, WAY, better for street driving.

Having driven a few MT Nissan's from many different years, and plenty of other MT from other car companies, I think Nissan just sucks at making MT's. Especially second gear... every single MT Nissan I've ever driven has an issue with second. I don't see this in other cars.

Like I said, it's not bad, and once you get used to it, you won't even notice the flaws. But honestly, unless you plan to track it, I would get the AT. Having said that, if I did it all over again, I will still get the Nimso edition and get the MT. So... I don't know what that means :/ guess it makes me a hypocrite.
Interesting, we can't even tell which side you are on :D

Anyways, as far as I can tell, this isn't about whether AT or MT is better, but about if the OP can pull this off as he thinks this may be his last chance to ever do so. If you don't do it and you get an AT, you will always wonder what a MT sports car was like. I know I personally couldn't live with that feeling :icon14:

You said something about taking turns in second gear, and yeah, that is normally what I do. First gear is just to get the car going, so if you are doing some regular driving, when you get passed like 5 mph or so, just throw it to 2nd gear.

I moved from a manual corolla, which I only rode for a short amount of time, so there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to do it, specially when you have some experience with MT. Once I got my MT Z, I never looked back even after I drove my friends automatic Z. Driving his Z actually made me even happier I got mine in MT.

Chuck33079 02-01-2013 11:06 AM
Just buy the MT and drive it. You'll be fine. It's a solid transmission, it's just clunky.

UNKNOWN_370 02-01-2013 11:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by m4a1mustang (Post 2141548)
The Z MT is easy. Is it the most graceful clutch/shifter around? Hardly. But MT is MT. If you can drive one you can drive them all. :)

The Z is barely acceptable in the shift quality dept. Drive a mazda if you want to feel a good shifter on a cheap car.

Hookah 02-01-2013 11:14 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2142465)
The Z is barely acceptable in the shift quality dept. Drive a mazda if you want to feel a good shifter on a cheap car.
My corolla shifted so smooth it felt like an automatic lol, doesn't mean it was fun. Z's have clunky MT's but it's sure as hell fun and nothing less.

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 11:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2142465)
The Z is barely acceptable in the shift quality dept. Drive a mazda if you want to feel a good shifter on a cheap car.
After driving the S2000 and a few Porsches I'm forever spoiled when it comes to the shift department.

I will say that while the Z is clunky, it's not as bad as many people try to say it is. Just like the MT82 in the Mustang, you need to take your time with it. Treat the transmission like a lady and it will reward you. :)

Now some of the old Tremec transmissions I've had could be bitch slapped around and they loved every minute of it. :bowrofl:

Projects 02-01-2013 11:17 AM
I never drove a car with a manual before but decided to get mine with a MT anyways. Family all had automatics. :( Just took a few days of driving around side streets to get a feel for it. I enjoy the shifting more compared to the AT in my daily not to say that either way is just fine.

UNKNOWN_370 02-01-2013 11:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by m4a1mustang (Post 2142481)
After driving the S2000 and a few Porsches I'm forever spoiled when it comes to the shift department.

I will say that while the Z is clunky, it's not as bad as many people try to say it is. Just like the MT82 in the Mustang, you need to take your time with it. Treat the transmission like a lady and it will reward you. :)

Now some of the old Tremec transmissions I've had could be bitch slapped around and they loved every minute of it. :bowrofl:
The z isn't bad but, when people start gassing it up. I can think of 10 better manuals by far...

That said, there's nothing silkier than paddles... :stirthepot:

:rofl2:

isayimandrew 02-01-2013 12:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gauge (Post 2142406)
If I'm being unbiased (from my perspective). I got the MT for a few reasons. Nismo doesn't come with anything else, and it's a sports car, so I just automatically assumed to get it. I've driven plenty of manuals so I wasn't expecting anything out of left field.

This MT isn't very good IMO. It's not "bad", but I wouldn't say it's good either. The AT is way, WAY, better for street driving.

Having driven a few MT Nissan's from many different years, and plenty of other MT from other car companies, I think Nissan just sucks at making MT's. Especially second gear... every single MT Nissan I've ever driven has an issue with second. I don't see this in other cars.

Like I said, it's not bad, and once you get used to it, you won't even notice the flaws. But honestly, unless you plan to track it, I would get the AT. Having said that, if I did it all over again, I will still get the Nimso edition and get the MT. So... I don't know what that means :/ guess it makes me a hypocrite.
have you tried driving the 2006-2008 Honda Civic SI? 2nd gear on that sucks worse! Honda even had to do a recall after all these people kept complaining that 1st-2nd gear and 2nd - 3rd would grind almost all the time, even when the clutch was pushed all the way down.

Chuck33079 02-01-2013 01:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2142609)
The z isn't bad but, when people start gassing it up. I can think of 10 better manuals by far...
In a perfect world, all manual transmissions would be identical to the mkIV supra getrag.

JungleZ 02-01-2013 01:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2142465)
The Z is barely acceptable in the shift quality dept. Drive a mazda if you want to feel a good shifter on a cheap car.
Yup not even close to acceptable, if anyone has driven a type r, prelude, s2000 now that's what you call shifting

xxAGAVExx 02-01-2013 01:19 PM
This car was my very first manual. Don't regret it one bit. 1st gear is a little short, but after I installed my intakes it's a lot more fun to drive and I don't mind the short 1st as much since the engine sounds and feels better.

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 01:22 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JungleZ (Post 2142801)
Yup not even close to acceptable, if anyone has driven a type r, prelude, s2000 now that's what you call shifting
Hey, we can argue about transmissions forever, but at the end of the day we're just comparing which stick feels best in our hand. :rofl2:

Hookah 02-01-2013 01:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by m4a1mustang (Post 2142810)
Hey, we can argue about transmissions forever, but at the end of the day we're just comparing which stick feels best in our hand. :rofl2:
:rofl2::rofl2::rofl2: LOL

Chuck33079 02-01-2013 01:25 PM
The Z shifter is directly connected to the tranny, right? It seems like we keep comparing it to cable shifters.

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 01:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck33079 (Post 2142813)
The Z shifter is directly connected to the tranny, right? It seems like we keep comparing it to cable shifters.
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-1280x782.jpg

Chuck33079 02-01-2013 01:29 PM
That's a really cool cutaway. Does the Z have a valve in the clutch line to slow down the engagement?

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 01:34 PM
I don't think so. I don't remember seeing one but it's been forever since I've been under a 370.

Hookah 02-01-2013 01:35 PM
Things you can learn in this forum... Always impressive...

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 01:42 PM
Here is a photo of TR6060 and MT82 (GT500 and 5.0, respectively).

http://www.drivingenthusiast.net/sec...T82-TR6060.jpg

The Z has sort of a hybrid linkage. The good thing about it is that it's directly connected to the transmission, so the engine torquing won't have an effect on the linkage.

On the MT82, the shifter is mounted to the body. With the stock vibration dampening (i.e. soft, compliant) bushings, engine torque can shift the linkage juuuust enough to make the shift action inconsistent under heavy load. The MT82 would have been a great transmission if they left well enough alone and mounted the shifter to the case instead of the car. :icon17:

And below you will see... perfection! The Aisin unit in the S2000.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...xNWH/trans.jpg

m4a1mustang 02-01-2013 01:52 PM
While we are at it here is the Corvette. I think this is a C5.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...0/DSC00356.jpg

UNKNOWN_370 02-01-2013 01:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JungleZ (Post 2142801)
Yup not even close to acceptable, if anyone has driven a type r, prelude, s2000 now that's what you call shifting
You left out Miata/Rx8. they shift mad smooth

forza370z 02-01-2013 02:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2142925)
You left out Miata/Rx8. they shift mad smooth
VW GTI and Audi A4 too.:)

ayrton88 02-01-2013 04:54 PM
I agree with what was said earlier. If you are even thinking of getting the manual, go with it. It will always bother you wondering how different it would be with the third pedal. Much more involving in my opinion. Experience will come quickly. Don't worry about traffic. I drive in rush hour in Chicago all the time and actually prefer the stick. Takes away the boredom of stop and go since you have something to do.

Dwight Frye 02-01-2013 05:30 PM
Buy the manual. The first night home, sleep in the car. Bond with it. Be one with it. Get into the Zen of driving that particular Z with that particular clutch and transmission and engine. Shut off the stereo and your cell phone and listen to your car. It will speak to you in it's own language. Concentrate. It is not difficult. When you no longer think about what you are doing regarding operating the clutch, gas, brake and gear lever and it becomes an unconscious act, you will have achieved mastery of your machine.
If you over-think the procedure you will fail. :tiphat:

BeemaaZ 02-01-2013 05:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight Frye (Post 2143370)
Buy the manual. The first night home, sleep in the car. Bond with it. Be one with it. Get into the Zen of driving that particular Z with that particular clutch and transmission and engine. Shut off the stereo and your cell phone and listen to your car. It will speak to you in it's own language. Concentrate. It is not difficult. When you no longer think about what you are doing regarding operating the clutch, gas, brake and gear lever and it becomes an unconscious act, you will have achieved mastery of your machine.
If you over-think the procedure you will fail. :tiphat:
Well said :tup:

Nailzs 02-01-2013 06:39 PM
I bought an automatic Z because I've owned a lot of manual cars that have clutches that can be adjusted so the clutch disengages at about half way down to the floorboard and you can slip the clutch before the engage/disengage. My past Chevy, Fords, and other manual cars I've owned would do just that. Not Nissan manuals, or at least the 4 I test drove.
They were on and off switches right at the top of the clutch peddle movement.
No slipping the clutch period. It reminded of the old headlight dimmer switch on the floor. Push it's high beam, push again it low beam. If not for the 7AT I probably wouldn't be driving a Z.

Sorrovv 02-01-2013 06:46 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight Frye (Post 2143370)
Buy the manual. The first night home, sleep in the car. Bond with it. Be one with it. Get into the Zen of driving that particular Z with that particular clutch and transmission and engine. Shut off the stereo and your cell phone and listen to your car. It will speak to you in it's own language. Concentrate. It is not difficult. When you no longer think about what you are doing regarding operating the clutch, gas, brake and gear lever and it becomes an unconscious act, you will have achieved mastery of your machine.
If you over-think the procedure you will fail. :tiphat:

I drove the 6MT tonight and it is settled! I have a smile so large it doesn't fit on my face. We hit Alpharetta Highway in Roswell, GA during rush hour and I had no problem whatsoever. 1st is really short, 2nd is a tough shift as it seems jerky, but it is probably due to my ineptitude. It's really hard to stall this car.

One thing I failed to take note of is that people treat you differently when you are driving the sexiest thing they have seen that day. I spent an hour and a half in traffic on my way to the dealership, no one cares about your Mazda3. But once I got in that Z, it was like the seas parted - everyone wanted to open up a spot for me! :rofl2:

I am resolved to bond with this car as you so eloquently described, and drive it with passion until my fun days are numbered.

So many have contributed to my decision through this thread (taking both sides), and I am very grateful! All of it has helped me put things into perspective. I feel much more confident now.

Looking forward to adding some pics of my shiny new Z soon!

Maybe tomorrow... :excited:

Ziggyman 02-01-2013 06:53 PM
Get the manual, its a sports car. I've been a big proponent of AT as they are the future. They shift faster and F1 has already converted, all good reasons!

In the end, its making the machine an extension of your brain. Think Ripley in the power loader ala Alien!


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