Dream car as my first MT?

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

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

Go 7AT. You'll have auto shifting, manual on the floor shifting and paddle shifting. What could be better?

MT could be better

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

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?

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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...

isayimandrew · 02-01-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauge

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.

02-01-2013, 08:31 AM	#46 (permalink)
Hookah Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Reston, VA Posts: 34 Drives: 03 350z LS 6MT Rep Power: 12	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 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. m4a1mustang and Dlm6568 like this.

02-01-2013, 09:27 AM	#48 (permalink)
Mandingo Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 624 Drives: '10 370z 6spd Rep Power: 3370	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 likes this. __________________ some mods

02-01-2013, 10:37 AM	#50 (permalink)
kidkotic2001 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 541 Drives: Like Crazy Rep Power: 15	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. __________________ ThAt WaS a CrAzY nIgHt

02-01-2013, 10:50 AM	#51 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	You should start learning on the Z. Like Hookah said, if you are patient and learn how the manual transmission works, you WILL NOT fck it up unless you do something really stupid. Hookah likes this. __________________ - Steve* Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-01-2013, 10:51 AM	#52 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 14	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. __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer.

02-01-2013, 11:06 AM	#54 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	Just buy the MT and drive it. You'll be fine. It's a solid transmission, it's just clunky. m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

02-01-2013, 11:17 AM	#58 (permalink)
Projects Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nebraska Posts: 13 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 13	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. m4a1mustang and Hookah like this.

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