Nissan 370Z Forum - How many like 6MT but cant drive stick?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by speedoflife (Post 155646)

...before dropping 30-40k on something you might not enjoy or be comfortable driving.

haha, funny you say that...

one of my brothers learned on a new G35 a couple years back, the other brother just learned recently on a new Z06, and I'm about to learn on my Z when it arrives. We're all idiots, lol

if you can get someone to teach you how to drive a 5-speed manual, I will teach you how to drive a 6-speed...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexus (Post 159414)

It's all a matter of preference in this day and age. The automatic will consistently outperform the manual on a day-to-day basis; no one I know can shift up or down faster than the Z's 7-speed automatic. Hell, I don't think Michael Schumacher can do it as smoothly, either.

Don't let anyone talk you into getting one or the other. Get what you want, or you will not be 100% satisfied in the long run. The so-called 'fun-factor' is non-existent for me in a manual transmission car. There's only so much more fun you can get out of rowing through gears. I'd much rather have both hands on the steering wheel and the pedal to the floor.

Oh, and definitely don't listen to those who need to row through gears to justify their manhood; they've already lost. Also, don't listen to those who say that real sports car have sticks. They obviously haven't spoken to F1 racers, Le Mans racers or even the Porsche or BMW auto-x'ers.

Also, I don't understand those that say people should learn to drive in manual transmission cars (or it being required). Matter-of-factly, ten or so years from now - with the evolution of dry-clutch automated manual trannies - manual cars will be a special-order at-cost option, at best. Ford PowerShift in the $15,000 Fiesta is only the beginning. SRM is effectively the beginning of the end for conventional manual transmissions.

The primitive need to row through gears is one that dies in the mid-thirties, believe me. By then, the need for a manual transmission car will be purely economical, not fun-based.

I got automatic because it's got the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and I'm sorry but that's just very cool. Also did you know that you can downshift (to help braking or to take off faster) with the auto shiftknob still in D (using the paddles)? Another really cool feature. I drove a stick for years on my two Mustang GT's, and I do love the feel, but the auto tranny in the Z along with the ability to drive it in manual mode and be able to change gears on the fly while still in auto was the better option for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest (Post 157400)

Right now my fear is when i shift with out syncro rev its horrible. Honestly i learned how to drive manual rather smoothly, i suspect with out any damage on the transmission. So far i did a total of 2 grinds while attempting to go in reverse up hill, other then that i have been extra nice to the gear box. My fear right now is i will cause damage to my gears trying to shift with out syncro rev.

I need to do alot of research on heel and toe and get the concept down. I want to lean it due to if i get in another manual car i will look real bad lol.

Sounds like you are trying to do too much too soon. Heel/toe is an advanced technique and mainly adventageous when on the track (i.e. you need to brake and downshift at the same time).

Right now you just need to get accustomed to where the rpm's should be in each gear at various speeds. Synchro rev can help you with this. Go to a secluded area, cruise at a constant speed, then downshift a gear with synchro rev on and pay attention to where the rpm's go to. Next, cruise again at the same speed and downhift without synchro rev making sure you blip the throttle to bring the rpm's to where they need to be.

Also remember that YOU control the clutch. Dont let the clutch out if the rpm's are not matched to the gear. If you need to blip the throttle 1k rpm's more and you accidentally blip it by 3k rpm's, just wait for the revs to fall before letting out the clutch otherwise you will jerk forward. Same concept if you blip too little, just give it a little more gas to raise the rpm's to where you want them to be otherwise you will jerk backwards.

Quote:

How many like the 6MT but cant drive stick?

Normally, probably about 75% of the purchasers of the 6MT :)

HAHA! I just got 370z yesterday, first time owning a manual car, and only drove manual like 2 times on my friend's truck, stalled a couple times, but got it home lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest (Post 155658)

I learned manual on my 370z. Your left foot does not have clutch skills at first. Its reflexes that you develop slowly as you go along.

Only way i can really say it is you have to learn how to "caress" the clutch with your left foot.

I have owned the car for a total of 7 Months now, only thing that bothers me still becuase i dont get much practise on is hills. The skill to start slowly up a hill with out jerking foward fast, and then being able to stop smoothly 5 feet after intial movement. I can do it all jerky and jacked up but i want to do it with out rolling or being smooth.

The last thing is, even though I learned how to drive manual, I only know syncro rev. I turn it off and all my shifts are jerky and not smooth. Part of me is saying i should learn with out it, part of me is saying why bother.

You guys who can't drive a manual, go buy a 91 mx5 and practice on that, it'll make you good.

my first manual is my z, i had never driven a stick before and i learned how to drive it in a few days just because i hardly wanted to get out of the car.

I love driving w/ a manual, and can't imagine not driving w/out it. Although the paddle shifters on the Z sound cool. I would like to try it out one day.