Autoweek's Take on the Automatic

jpit · 09-29-2009, 10:23 AM

2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, an AutoWeek Drivers Log: AutoWeek Magazine

Lug · 09-29-2009, 12:23 PM

I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, but it seems like they wrote that article w/o even driving the car. I've never heard anyone call the shifting speed on this tranny "slow" before. The spec puts the shift speed almost 1/2 second faster than the 350Z.

dszombiex · 09-29-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, but it seems like they wrote that article w/o even driving the car. I've never heard anyone call the shifting speed on this tranny "slow" before.

You know its gonna be a fair and objective review when they start throwing around the words "sad" and "boring" before they even drive it

marcussoori · 09-29-2009, 12:26 PM

Horrible reviews by both guys. The shifting IMO is slow only in gears 5, 6, and 7...which are meant to be cruising gears, anyway. Depending on the acceleration and engine speed of the car, downshifts and upshifts in gears 1-5 can be very fast, as fast as the SMG trans. in my old 2003 BMW M3.

The cool thing about the auto, as many seem not to mention, is that even in manual mode, 1) your rate of acceleration and 2) engine speed at which you choose to downshift...both determine the speed of the shifts. Higher acceleration and engine speed at which you choose to downshift means faster shifting, and vice versa.

Understand the nuances before bashing the transmission, people!

ZeeRay · 09-29-2009, 12:39 PM

Very often they fail to mention the rev matching for downshifts just like the manual. The auto in these cars is fast and tight enough to be considered even harsh as far as I am concerned. All in a good way, but slow, boring, or weak? I think not! It's a matter of choice and for some of us necessity. That said this guy may have gotten passed by someone shifting a manual but to blame that on the trans. is a sad cover for his own lacking skill or intestinal fortitude. I would put my 7AT against a M6 anytime. On a road track the minor MINOR losses would come out in the driving. These guys are more like MotorWeak than week.....

chris410 · 09-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Like or hate an auto that review was pathetic. It was more an opinion VS any real input or fact. The whole 6MT VS 7AT is pretty stupid since both provide "fun" it is more preference than anything else.

In the end the only thing that matters is what the driver thinks. I am amazed that any writer would post up an article like this one though. I understand how some people find automatics boring, I completely get that however, the way this article was presented is terrible. I hope the writer doesn't get paid to actually write articles if so...they need to hire someone who knows what they are talking about.

Modshack · 09-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris410

Like or hate an auto that review was pathetic. It was more an opinion VS any real input or fact. The whole 6MT VS 7AT is pretty stupid since both provide "fun" it is more preference than anything else.

.

I have a 6MT, but have driven the 7AT and was really impressed. If the Blue coupe that showed up at my dealer the night before I did the deal was an automatic, I'd own that one instead of what I have...No downsides there that I can see..

nogoodname · 09-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

It'd be way too much money, but what this car really needs is that sweet dual-clutch gearbox from the stellar GT-R. But its chances of being saddled with a CVT are probably better.

there's no chance of the dual clutch in a stock Z...lol
Nissan would never do that b/c the price would shoot up through the roof..
and a CVT for a Z... c'mon now

Modshack · 09-29-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

there's no chance of the dual clutch in a stock Z...lol

Yeah, careful what you wish for! I've driven DSG's in Audi's and VW's and they snap off nice shifts, but they are not a quantum leap above what the stock 7AT does now. Factor in the incredible complexity of these systems and I'm not sure they're the answer. While they've been pretty reliable with the Audi guys, there aren't enough out there with high miles at this point to really make me feel warm and fuzzy. The repairs that have been needed (aside from the recalls) have been big $$$ usually requiring transmission removal to fix..

09-29-2009, 10:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
jpit Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 440 Drives: 370Z Tour MT w/Spt Rep Power: 16	Autoweek's Take on the Automatic 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, an AutoWeek Drivers Log: AutoWeek Magazine

09-29-2009, 12:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	I wasn't there so I can't say for sure, but it seems like they wrote that article w/o even driving the car. I've never heard anyone call the shifting speed on this tranny "slow" before. The spec puts the shift speed almost 1/2 second faster than the 350Z. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

09-29-2009, 12:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZeeRay Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lawton, Ok Posts: 51 Drives: 370Z and a Corvette Rep Power: 15	Very often they fail to mention the rev matching for downshifts just like the manual. The auto in these cars is fast and tight enough to be considered even harsh as far as I am concerned. All in a good way, but slow, boring, or weak? I think not! It's a matter of choice and for some of us necessity. That said this guy may have gotten passed by someone shifting a manual but to blame that on the trans. is a sad cover for his own lacking skill or intestinal fortitude. I would put my 7AT against a M6 anytime. On a road track the minor MINOR losses would come out in the driving. These guys are more like MotorWeak than week..... Last edited by ZeeRay; 09-29-2009 at 12:51 PM.

09-29-2009, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
chris410 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 345 Drives: 10' GT500 Rep Power: 15	Like or hate an auto that review was pathetic. It was more an opinion VS any real input or fact. The whole 6MT VS 7AT is pretty stupid since both provide "fun" it is more preference than anything else. In the end the only thing that matters is what the driver thinks. I am amazed that any writer would post up an article like this one though. I understand how some people find automatics boring, I completely get that however, the way this article was presented is terrible. I hope the writer doesn't get paid to actually write articles if so...they need to hire someone who knows what they are talking about. __________________ Chris Current: 2014 WRX Stage I + SPT / 2013 Hayabusa 202HP Former:09 370Z 7-AT PW/Ark Type 2 exhaust/Evo R lip/TSW Nurburgring carbon

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09-29-2009, 12:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 16	Horrible reviews by both guys. The shifting IMO is slow only in gears 5, 6, and 7...which are meant to be cruising gears, anyway. Depending on the acceleration and engine speed of the car, downshifts and upshifts in gears 1-5 can be very fast, as fast as the SMG trans. in my old 2003 BMW M3. The cool thing about the auto, as many seem not to mention, is that even in manual mode, 1) your rate of acceleration and 2) engine speed at which you choose to downshift...both determine the speed of the shifts. Higher acceleration and engine speed at which you choose to downshift means faster shifting, and vice versa. Understand the nuances before bashing the transmission, people!