I doubt that. I would say that 95% of slush box drivers can't outperform an average MT driver. It's not that hard to drive a MT you don't have to be Fittipaldi to drive a MT.

As for F1 cars not having a clutch pedal what does that even mean? Do you think a F1 car is a slushbox? LOL.

 

Which transmossion to get was a tough decision. My 328i has a 5 speed steptronic auto similar to the 350Z's trans. You can cruise in "D" on the interstate or zip through the gears with a flick of the wrist in the twisties.

I decided on the 6MT because 1) this is a SPORTS CAR and 2) the extra features that come with the 6MT, especially VDC.

 

I'm sorry, but I can not see where an Automatic Transmission (especially this one) makes the 350Z any less of a Sports Car. Nissan has 20 patents on the amazing 5AT and it should be at least experienced once by every Z driver. Granted, the 6MT is fantastic and fun to drive on the open road - but after driving both, I feel that the Automatic can easily keep up with any stick in a head to head race (IMHO).

 

I got the AT because of LA traffic as well.

I enjoy my first cup of coffee on the way to work every morning and thought that would be too much of a pain with a MT

in the early 90's I had an Eagle Talon MT. Enjoyed it, but got tired of shifting after a few years.

Now I am in for comfort and convenience

 

sorry, didn't mean to sound snotty about a manual versus an automatic; just so excited about getting a two seater sportscar. This will be my first one since highschool when I had a Fiat 124 Spyder which broke down more than I had it on the road. In fact it caught fire when I was going to by my second one.


I went to automatics in 1991, shifting gears, cell phone, drinking coffee and driving at the same time were difficult. Got rid of the cell phone, stopped drinking and driving literally and figuratively. Moved to the boonies with a lot of twisty country roads. The new Z will work well with either transmission, the car is going to be super! Can't wait until February.

 

People often bring up the point that an automatic can have the same performance as a manual. In a 0-60 sprint, that may even be true. But that's not the point! When you drive a car for fun, your interaction with the machine is very important. You want to be in the correct gear at the right time. You don't want to wait for a downshift or have to force a downshift by flooring the accelerator. Even these "manual mode" autos are not really all that manual: the shift doesn't happen exactly when you want.

Some people care about this stuff, and some don't. So if you don't care and like an auto, get it! But for others, an auto would so diminish the joy of driving that it would almost defeat the purpose of a sportscar like the 350Z. To each his (or her) own. Personally, I enjoy the manual and would not consider an auto, regardless of traffic jams.

 

I hope Nissan develops their own SMG tranny, I'd buy that in a NY minute. While rowing through the gears is fun, it's slow compared to hydraulic systems like SMG. When your car is not in gear, you are falling behind, so SMG or some similar technology is preferable in racing situations. I sure would like to see some wheel-mounted paddle shifter on my Z in a couple of years.

 

I guess it comes down to:

Do you want to DRIVE a true SPORTSCAR or

Do you want to be seen RIDING in a sportscar?

SHIFT!!!! It's all about the DRIVING!

If not, buy an Altima!

 

z350z: perfect analogy.

It comes down to your choice.

Personally I would never ever buy a AT on a car with 250 bhp + its just point less.

I drive in huge traffic in the morning and even worse traffic in the afternoon. But there is moments that you can just go for a drive. And having a AT is plain borning. Pressing 2 pedals whats the fun in that.

Having MT lets you become one with the car. As gay as that might sound its the truth.

BTW I have seen F 355 F1 competizone with the formula 1 shifters now if we are talking about that kind of AT then its a different story. But going to D and pressing gas pedal is little different.

 

Like I've said, I don't really care what people get. But no matter how good the AT is, it is high-level control that takes away your ability to apply power exactly when and how you need it. Sure, it might be close, and it might be better for some people for some reasons. If you have a very powerful automatic, you just have raw power without the same ability to control it. But driving isn't just about power. It's about applying power to the road.

 

The 350Z is the first MT car that I have driven, and I love it.
I had regrets at first but once I drove it for a couple of days, I have no regrets. I love driving more than I ever thought possible. MT is easy to learn.

 

Does it count if I shift my AT w/the manual mode 1st through 5th gears? Have you driven an AT 350Z?

 

as i'm sure many can attest, la traffic is horrible. i lived in hollywood and worked in santa monica over the summer. the afternoon commute was not fun, taking a minimum of 35 minutes if i left at a good time. this was only 12 miles. many others commute longer distances. i was on my clutch the majority of the trip. so, yeah, perhaps he was exagerating about the hour and a half, but not by much.

though i would personally get a stick, i do agree that an automatic is an appropriate choice for many people.