grr i can`t remember the term for it, but it`s where there`s both the automatic and manual transmission in the car. the reason i ask is because my parents don`t want me buying a manual since it`s just one more thing that`d take my focus away from the road, but I honestly don`t see the point in getting an automatic sports car.

A little help?

 

If you have to get an auto on a sports car the Z is one of the best to get. People have posted some nice times with them on the 1/4 track and they can even be used with FI mods.

Some people call it manumatic but all automatic Z's have that feature where you can control the shifts with the + -.

I wouldn't wish an auto on anyone that wants a stick. Maybe you can find a driving school that teaches you how to drive stick and then your parents will feel better about you driving one.

 

Well, the way I look at it, manuals make people (especially younger drivers) safer drivers. If your steering with your left hand and shifting with your right one, you don't have a free hand to mess with your CD player/cell phone/girlfriend. You also have to pay attention and anticipate stops and stuff, so you're less likely to rear end someone. Definitely fight for the stick man, this car wouldn't be the same for me if I had gotten an auto.

 

The Z has the traditional automatic transmission, call it sports manual, automanual, whatever, but it isn't the same as Audi's DSG or BMW's SMG (which do use a clutch and automated by computers)

If you plan to take your car to road courses or weekend end canyon runs than the 6MT is the best way to enjoy the most out of a Z.

If you only plan to do non-track activities and just cruiser around, the automatic is fine and you won't notice much difference in performance.

However, given that you have the mentality that all sports car should be manual, you won't be happy with an automatic Z and it will leave a burning sensation that you wish you had a manual. If your parents refuse to get a manual Z, you might be better off not buying a Z. It really depends if you can accept the Z as an automatic car. Personally, I won't buy an automatic sports car if I feel it was made to be a manual. This is something you will have to think deeply about. Nothing is worst than stuck with a car with a transmission you dislike. If you even have a hint of doubt of driving an automatic Z, than it might be best you consider other cars that you can accept as an automatic.

I don't think manual cars distract you from your suroundings. Rather you have to be alert to be ready to shift when the situation chances. At first when you learn to drive manual, it is a distraction, but it becomes an automatic reflex in 2 ~ 3 weeks.

 

Sensation350Z just so you know, all current mainstream automobile transmissions use a clutch. It doesn't matter if it is a manual or an auto. The standard (manual) transmission is the only transmission that doesn't use a computer controlled electro-hydraulic clutch or have automatic shifting capabilities.

As far as the Z is concerned, there isn't any real performance difference between the 5AT and the 6MT. I've driven both versions and I find that overall performance is equal. The most noticable difference isn't even a result of the transmission difference. The biggest difference between the 6MT and the 5AT is in the Final Drive Gear. The 6MT because of shorter gearing on the FD will put down slightly higher HP at the higher RPMs than the 5AT but the range of error on both the 5AT and 6MT overlap each other. On the low to mid RPM range, the 5AT has better torque management because of the torque converter. The 5AT is better at staying in a given power band because the torque converter can adjust for torque when it is unlocked. Most of the other performance differences between the 6MT and 5AT are pretty minor or can be neglected.

Be careful of what the 6MT Fanboys tell you as far as the technical or real world performance of the 5AT. Most of them don't even know how an MT works let alone the added complexity of an AT. Most car enthusiats recognize there are differences between the 6MT and 5AT and accept it but the 6MT Fanboys are just out to stroke their own egos regardless of what the facts or reality is. They are easy to spot because they will support their statements with personal bashing or outright misinformation.

Since there is no real performance difference between the 5AT and the 6MT. You should really just drive both and just decide which you like better. Maybe, you can get a friend to teach you to drive a manual. You can get the basics down in just a few hours. After a few days, you should be proficient enough to not be a total hazard to yourself and to others. Show your parents that you can handle driving a manual and maybe they will reconsider. I really don't think having a MT or an AT will make you a safe or unsafe driver. It all in the attitude and ability of the driver that determines that.

 

There are basically four types of transmissions currently used in modern cars. 1 Manual and 3 Automatics

1) Standard Transmission:
The most basic. Uses friction plates to transfer power. Driver controls the gear change and clutch engagement. Other than the synchromeshers there is no automatic controls.

2) Full Automatic Transmission:
Usually uses a torque converter to transfer power. Clutch is a computer controlled electro-hydraulic clutch. Driver has very little interaction with controls. Gear selection is chosen by the computer with little oppourtunity to override the selection. Shift programs are usually basic but there are a few that are advanced (GM 4AT in the Corvette)

3) Sequential Transmission:
There are two subtypes of this transmission. Both types use a computer controlled electro-hydraulic clutch. Tiptronic type, named after the type used by most Porches, uses a torque converter to transfer power. F1 type, named after the F1 race cars, uses a gear spindle with friction plates. There are many variations of these two types ranging from very basic (Toyota SMT and the original Ferrari F1) to very complex (Porsche Tiptronic S, Nissan 5AT, Mercedes AMG SpeedShift, BMW SMGIII and Audi DSGII). Except for power transfer both types operate basically the same. A full auto mode with a manual override. The Nissan 5AT is one of the lightest, most advanced autoboxes on the market. Both types can uses sophisticated programs in Auto and/or Manual Mode to maximize the transmission characteristics.

4) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT):
Transmission uses one gear with infinite gear ratios between a high and low extreme. Power is usually transferred by a band, belt or chain. The clutch is a computer controlled electro-hydraulic type. Some come with a manual override to simulate fixed gear shifting like the previous 3 types. In full auto mode it is very smooth and the best at keeping the engine in optimum range for various driving styles. Switching to manual just sets the CVT to preset gear ratios within it's range. The CVT has only one gear. It doesn't have stepped gears like the others. Can use sophisticated programs to maximize the transmission characteristics.

 

i agree with BigMoeTaki42... the manual transmission makes me much more aware of what's going on around me.. when i drive automatic i tend to get lazy and just kinda go in cruise mode... when i'm driving stick in my Z i'm always more focused on the road

 

Hermaphrodite.......or Manumatic

 

thanks everyone for the help [besides maybe Risk ] It`s called Tip-tronic or something I guess.. That`s what I`m thinking of getting, does it really make a big difference. I was in my friend`s car tonite with tiptronic and all it really seems to do is give you a little boost... anything else?

 

There is plenty of long posts on regards of manual and automatic.

The big question is, can you live with what you choose and not regret it.

 

well it seems that as of now manual is completely out of the question.. tough to swallow, but i`ll get over it. Now what I wanna know is some more about the tip-tronic Z.. Does it make much of a difference compared to regular ol' 5AT

 

tiptronic (manumatic is what Nissan calls it) isn't what you called a 'both auto and manual trans. It's still an auto transmission...

 

Z only comes in triptronic or stick... all 5at's are triptronic..

I drive an auto and I don't use the triptronic mode that much unless I am showing up to some ricer b/c i can stay in lower gears longer and my exaust is louder. I can't drive the triptronic faster than just leaving it in drive...

members have postes 14.2's at the track leaving it in full automatic and one user has a lightly modded 5at running 13.99. The fastest 6mt i have seen stock is 13.68 but most 6mt can't come withen .2 of that, so driving an auto won't really slow you down as far as racing goes... which you shouldn't be doing anway

You will beat pretty much any car a stock 6mt will beat except maybe other Z's that are 6mt.

 

In stock form, very few people have the driving skill to consistently perform better than the 5AT. If you are one of those people you should be looking into making some serious money on the track.

Nissan doesn't call the 5AT a tiptronic or manumatic. Nissan just calls it by its description "5-Speed Automatic w/Manual Shift Mode". Tiptronic is Porsches' brand name. Many people use it to describe similar transmissions because Porsche was one of the early pioneers. Sort of like when people say Xerox instead of photocopy. Manumatic is just a generic term derived from combining manual and automatic.

Samw1978,
Yes, the 5AT is still an automatic transmission and the 6MT is still a manual transmission. No big secret there. What is your point and how does it help Sensation350Z? You didn't finish your statement.

 

Al,

Why did you lump the SMG and DSC with the 350Z 5at? They are completely different technologies because the SMG and DSC do not have torque converters.

 

Yes, you are correct that the SMG and the DSG do not use torque converters. The F1 transmissions use at least one gear spindle with multiple friction plates. The Tiptronic transmissions use a torque converter and planetary gearsets. Both the F1 transmissions and the Tiptronic transmissions are still sequential transmissions. Both operate basically the same way. They are both fully automatic transmissions with some type of sequenced manual override shifting (manual 1, 2, 3 shifting). They both use the same type of clutch and software controls and they are both very similar how they process the shifting commands. In both the F1 and the Tiptronic you really don't get to shift the gears like you do in a standard manual, you tell the computer you want to shift gears and it does the whole shift process for you.

Many people have the misconception that the F1 is a manual transmission. It is far from it. In some versions it is more automated than our 5ATs. Ferrari's version is a good example, the Ferrari version will shift even if you don't input the shift command. The 5AT will hold the gear until the driver actually inputs the shift command. The F1 transmissions use the same parts of manual gearbox but uses the technology from its torque converter brethren to automate the whole process.

It doesn't help either when BMW in their dealer manuals call the SMG an automatic transmission but in the US showrooms they call it the Sequential Manual Gearbox. Everywhere else outside of the US calls the SMG the Sequential M Gearbox after the M Series BMW.

 

I guess my question is how are you affording a Z if you still live with your parents? Darn kids...

 

Some of the more advanced features of the Nissan 5AT are:

1) Real-Time Learning Algotrithms: Continuously learns and monitors driving style and environment. It uses various shift programs and modifies them depending on the situation.

2) Driver Adaptable w/fuzzy logic: In auto mode learns the driver's style and continuously adapts to the driver. Transmission becomes part of the driver. It will attune itself to the driver over time.

3) Environmental Adaptable: In auto mode adapts the transmission to the monitored enviroment and conditions.

4) Automatic Downshift Rev Matching: In manual mode it will rev match the downshifts.

5) Throttle Override: Auto mode can be temporarily controlled from the throttle

6) Low-inertia Drivetrain: Less rotational mass

7) Torque Multiplication: When unlocked transmission can create more torque than the engine is outputting.

8) Variable Torque Adjustment: 1st-3rd gears can unlock and gear down

9) Torque Converter Lock-up: 3rd-5th can mechanically lock with a clutch so there is no slippage.

10) Fully manual upshifts/Semi-managed downshifts: In manual mode the transmission will not upshift without driver input. It will not automatically downshift unless you drop below the stall speed or you are almost stopped. Transmission will not let you over-rev.

 

Then I guess my answer is, it`s none of your concern.

I would just like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread, especially Al, I learned a lot from you. Thanks guys

 

No prob, hopefully we'll hear more from you if you get the Z. Whatever happens good luck and stay safe.