Dream car as my first MT?

TheGreatOne

I think it would be worth it to learn to drive the MT if this is a car you've longed for and you've wanted it with a Manual.

Especially if you think you have a short time to "play" and your next ride may not be a sports car...DEFINITELY do the manual now.

Not to mention, you won't want to look like a bad driver so you will learn how to drive it properly even faster lol.

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cv129

Z's MT is a bit tough, but it's not rocket science. Theory is all the same, just smaller margin for error.

If you have made yourself enough money to get a z, you have enough intelligence to learn the MT

Magic Bus

I'm sure many of us this forum, learned how to drive a manual trans car when we finally purchased one. I know I did, drove a 4 on the floor Toyota Corona back in the day. Yes, I'm sure you have no idea what that car is (LOL), as I'm an older fella.

You're correct, a manual Z is not that hard to drive as the torque in the car doesn't require you to be spot on pressing the gas. It's actually pretty hard to stall this car and even starting up hills isn't that bad. To make it a little easier, get the clutch helper spring as an early mod, it's only $20 on here and it gives you a better feel for the clutch.

Don't think you can go wrong either way getting an auto or mt. However I say get the mt to get that out of your system. Otherwise you'll always have that little voice in the back of your head saying, I wonder what the manual would feel like. Good luck on your decision and welcome to the club!

Sorrovv

Thanks for the advice, and the welcome! I'll definitely take a look at the clutch helper spring if the intense Atlanta traffic is too bad for me.

I do feel that I need to get that manual transmission voice out of my head.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to contribute to this thread, wish I could quote you all.

MMIX

My Z is my first manual no prior experience.. drove my bosses stick civic twice thats it.. well motorcycles also long story short practice makes perfect.. i live in alpharetta and we get horrible traffic.. ONLY problem i had when learning was taking off from a dead stop going uphill with a typical atlanta driver tailgating... Trust me you will not regret MT.. perfect place braves stadium parking lot.. proving grounds for ya

m4a1mustang

Indeed.

A lot of people don't understand how transmissions work. If they did they might understand where they are going wrong or simply why the transmission behaves a certain way under certain conditions.

And then you have the newb kids that try to powershift every gear.

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Augustus

But I saw it in Fast 'n Furious. That's how you shift, right?

m4a1mustang

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m4a1mustang

Once you learn the basics and get comfortable driving in traffic is not that bad with a manual. Its not like these cars have super heavy clutch pedals. They are relatively light. And a veteran MT driver will limit the amount of clutch work required in traffic which makes it easier.

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JungleZ

I feel like I mastered this 6 speed but I when I've driven the 7at it felt quicker on gas pedal response! I know I'm not the only one.. The first gear on this manual goes nowhere unless you absolutely floor it. Not to mention you have to be really careful shifting from 1st to 2nd if you do it slow and sloppy it's a nice clunky sound you can hear.

Overall in heavy traffic being a newbie for you, no I don't suggest the manual.

11Thumper

I have always owned a manual (still have one). But...the 7AT is fantastic. No reason to get MT unless you plan to track or do FI. Just my opinion. I'm absolutely glad I got the 7AT.

Magic Bus

Thumper, Valid points. I currently own an 11 auto GTI w/paddle shifter and my 6mt Z . I'm happy with both and glad we both have the experience of owning each transmission. But if you only have had one all your life, how do you know that it was the best choice for you?

Highsider9

Same here. I always owned manual cars and was never to keen on AT Transmissions. But from the first moment i drove a 7AT i knew it was the way to go. Never missed the shifter since, the AT works great and fits the Z very well.

dastaco

From my experience of learning mt on the Z.... In the long run it is worth it and you will love the manual on this car. That said, the learning curve is horrible. I and many of my friends agree that this is one of the hardest cars to learn stick on, the low end torque isn't there on these cars so you really have to get a feel for the clutch.

This is my personal experience though, so take that for what its worth.

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bigsix

No pride lost in driving an Automatic performance car, man.
Nissan makes great automatics, not to mention their CVTs