I just took out a 7AT for a ride...

Sardis

It's all love..

The two horrid things about autos have all been fixed.. Shift times and excessive loss through the drivetrain.

Now it's all just down to preference, which is how it should be

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chief_Roka

This one of the or the most intelligent statement made concerning the auto manual debate.

I luv paddleshift! I think its way more fun!
And fact is. You have more control over the car.

sw1318

Here is my personal opinion:

I’ve driven manual most of my life and when I got my hands on an EVO X MR SST 40min test drive around the twisty mountains with a mate from Mitsubishi, I can tell you paddles provide exceptional control compared to my manual EVO 7 and 8. The control of the paddles allow you to focus your turning points and speed where as a manual you will loose some time during shifts. Also, the paddles allow me to focus more intently on left foot braking. Those who have mastered this will understand what I mean.

With the above all done and satisfied with how a twin clutch transmission feels, I then went back to my 370Z 7speed auto and gave it another hard run around the same mountain.

The verdict: I can tell you the 7 speed feels just as good and quick as the SST, you will feel a slight jolt when up shifting only at lower rpm (same as the SST) but this is due to the fact that the gears are shifting so fast that it just bangs into place instantly. Nissan have done a great job with this 7 speed even tho it’s not a twin clutch setup, it’s surely close.

In the beginning I felt I had more control with the manual but after seeing my lap times around the mountains I can tell you I’ve made the correct choice in my purchase. The manual on the other hand is more work and you might ‘feel’ like you are in more control. However, once you have mastered the technology behind paddle shifting, when and how to shift right and smoothly, you will feel highly rewarded.

Both transmissions are superior in my opinion and it’s more to do with “preference” as some here have already suggested. Both are also launchable if you do it correctly. Both have rev matching technology when downshifting. It really depends if you want to do more exercise with your left foot or be more relaxed with the 7SP among the same or similar performance. The saying ‘manual is for sports cars and for real drivers’ is no longer relevant in the current era as automatic transmissions are now more aligned with manuals or even better.

3SeventyZ

I've driven both and I ordered the 6MT.

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DropTopGal

6MT or 7AT, they both are good. The OP simply was stating how nice the 7AT is and the need for 6MT for sporting fun is no longer a necessity.

Has anyone else noticed that most of the high end sport cars (Ferrari F430, Lambo. Gallardo, MB SL65 AMG to name just a few) are sold in auto and the auto option for other makes (Porsche, Aston Martin, Audi R8 to name just a few) are considerably more expensive than the manual option due to the increased performance factor?

My point is, in this day and age, an auto can be equal or surpass performance and driver satisfaction compared to the manual, thus both are winners.

The 08 Vette I drive is an auto, 6AT, and while it is not as "fun" as shifting, the auto does shift super fast without missing a gear and there is no clutch to worry about. Playing with the paddles adds some thrill, but frankly, I am always feeling the desire to shift.

Sardis

All I know is I was gobsmacked when I saw the times the magazines are pulling in the 1/4 with the new Cayman S PDK. Definitely extracting the most out of the power

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MeetJoeAsian

OK...so here's my final verdict:

So tonight, I drove to a dealership and was ready to trade my Blue 6MT in for a Pearl White 7AT...that pearl white was one of my top color choices originally (yellow was the other) since my 350Z and G35c were both pearl whites...I got there, the general sales manager got a salesman to pull the car up for me...I forgot how beautiful the pearl white was...I got in, got the seat adjusted...moved it back a little bit farther from the steering wheel than my usual position (since there was no clutch to worry about)...took it out and tested everything I had anticipated to checkout from the paddle shifter and the auto-tranny.

The car downshifted quickly, but with the stiffness and precise control of the ride, I felt like wanted more control over the car...I felt a bit of hesitation when I shifted down from 4th to 2nd, but I think I felt that because there was really nothing for me to do other than click the left paddle...I guess it was so fast that it felt slow because I wasn't occupied shifting and clutching...I tested to see how comfortable I would feel downshifting, and it kinda felt plain...I guess it's because I feel so much more control when I know I am taking the clutch out and putting it exactly where I want it and it will act as I do instead of clicking buttons and allow the computer to translate it for me...

I then shifted the car over to the normal driving mode and sat back...I reclined back into the seat that's farther back now and stretched my legs over the leg room I have due to the auto-tranny...I grabbed the steering wheel and tried to experience driving home from work...I didn't feel to thrilled about the shifting in fully auto mode...it kinda brought back the feeling of my G35c 6AT...and I never liked that car over the 26 months that I had it....the ride was just like driving any other car with a bit stiffer suspension....

I pulled back into the lot and parked my car right next to it...the pearl white was a beautiful color...so classy...I loved my PPW 350Z, and I loved the color pearl of my G35C...then I turned to my Monterey Blue...and it was like WOW...the white is nice and classy, but the blue just screams aggressiveness...I looked at the white from afar, and it's that color that will blend in if there's a horde of cars....it is beautiful if you look at the car alone....but when you have too many cars on the road and you skim quickly, you may the white 370Z...I then turned over to my car, and it was just screaming "SEXY & PROWESS"...I stood there back and forth trying to see which color I actually like more...I love the white, but the Monterey just screams "GET OUT OF MY WAY"...it's an attention getter...it's flashy...and I'm shallow enuf to admit that that is why I like the color...one thing about the white is that it's makes the car looks somewhat flat on the side and in certain poses...whereas the blue brings out all the curves and muscles of the car...the pearl white looks beautiful, but it just didn't scream to me....

In the end, I decided and am now 100% sure that I love the 2 biggest IF's about my car: the color and the transmission. I can now rest assured that I love the Monterey Blue more than the Pearl White and that I prefer the 6MT over the 7AT...I will now stop looking for another car because I have never been so sure of my color/tranny combo until now...

The 7AT is a great transmission...like I have said in my original post, I do think the 7AT shifts much faster than the 6MT...I think the 7AT will put the Z up top on the map amongst the F1-like trannies out there....however, it would be fun to drive for someone who once in awhile wants that instant boost to hit "88-miles per hour" (hehhe)...for me, I know that if I get the 7AT, it will be back to square one after a short while...I know that I will stop shifting using the paddles cuz I KNOW I don't have to...and I know, even though I will perfect paddle shifting over time, I will get bored of it because it is considered "more" work for me...whereas, with the 6MT, it has become second nature for me to shift, downshift....downshift going into a turn and holding the shifter and my left foot ready to smash the clutch once I hit the apex---SHIFT!!! (ok, that was over dramatic...but you know what I mean)...the 6MT just gives me so much more control and it felt kinda weird for me to sit and shift and not hit a clutch...the 7AT didn't really give me the feeling that I have full control of the transmission because, it just didn't feel---rock solid---like a guarantee...I don't know how to explain it, but I'm sure it's similar to the feeling knowing that you have full control of your car, and manually controlling your car into a twisty and burning rubbers getting out of it....

in any case, this is my opinion...I do not hate the 7AT, nor do I think the 6MT is better in any way...but to me, the 6MT gives me more control and that feeling that the 7AT cannot give me...for those who wants an occasional feel of control, the 7AT is perfect for you...I know that I will get tired of paddle shifting once the feeling wears off (I have tried sequential-shifting my previous autos I've owned the past 10 years, but in the end, it got boring and got old after 5 minutes...so I know how I will be with the 7AT in this case)...I don't care that the 6MT is slower than the 7AT, but for me, the 6MT is what makes this car a complete package for me...

(sorry, it's 1:15AM...I'm trying to write my PERSONAL review since I just got back from the dealership and it's still fresh on my mind...please ignore all misspelled words and grammatical errors)

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370Zwolf

All of the 3 dealers I visited when checking out and testdriving the 370Z told me how much fun the 7AT is and highly recommended it to me.
But I just imagined myself in a right turn, my hands in the 3/9 o'clock position of the wheel that is now turned 90° to the right, wanting to downshift and having to move my left hand to reach the paddle.
I love F1-like paddle auto shifting, but having the paddles fixed to the housing and not turning with the wheel on the 370Z and even on the premium GT-R is such a big no-no!
Nissan, with those paddles!

Even my $50.- USB steering wheel for PC gaming has paddles that turn with the wheel...

My

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Jason

most car reviewers agree that fixed paddles are better than the ones that move with the wheel. the confidence of knowing exactly where they are. you should actually drive one and see for yourself. the paddles are pretty long and it's hard to miss... ferrari uses fixed paddles too.

manual drivers have to take one hand off the wheel towards the shifter to shift, i dont mind moving my hand a few inches to the left/right for a quick second to shift.

Trips

I have to agree, there is a little getting used to them but once you do it's not a big deal and are really cool in manual mode....

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Jason

ah, i love that downshift blip. *tap* vrrram. damn, i wanna go drive right now. lol.

Trips

^^^Yea no kidding, I find that I'm looking for excuses to get in and drive around.

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need4speed

People that never drove the 7AT don't really kno how good that paddleshift is.
Playin with that clutch might occupy your mind so u feel like u doin somethin.
But that 7at is so good that. You hav more time to focus on serious driving even
Moreso than a stick. Mastering the paddle or autostick isn't easy.
But when u eliminate the 3rd pedal. U have more focus so u can master it quicker.
I luv the 7at. I think it will be a cult classic tranny in the import tuner world.
Can't wait to see tranny tune parts n programs for the 7at!

shumby

me likeie my paddles staying in one place.

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rudi

It doesn't take much to get comfortable with the paddles. When I drive my wife's auto, I'm always looking for the paddles. The only time I would drive the Z in auto is in heavy traffic.