I bought a 5AT, All though I would have preferred the 6MT, for the following reasons.

1.) Wife wanted an AT
2.) Before my back surgery and for a while after it I was unable to press in and release a clutch smoothly.
3.) Less stress in daily traffic

Now looking back in hine sight.
1.) Wife hardly drives it "likes to drive the 5MT RX-7 most of the time."
2.) Back is much better have no probs with MT now.
3.) Most of the time I only drive a work vehicle in heavy traffic

I felt very strange at first driving a sports car without a stick for a while after getting the Z. I do like the performance of the AT5 though. It's the best AT I've ever driven and shifts extremely smooth even at redline.

Bottom line is the MT gets you more involved in the whole sports car experience. I plan on adding a roadster to my collection and am purchasing a S2000 next year. They only come with a stick

 

if it came out like s2k. with no automatic option.

we wouldn't have this kind of arguements.

Family member is another issue when puchasing automatic over manual. Espeacially when you have kids. unless you have 2 or more cars.

People have different reasons.
If an automatic wasn't neccesary, Nissan wouldn't put them in as an option.

but I want manual.

 

dang... what do you do? give me some money. I want both but have none.

I can't decide which one to buy.
If 350z comes in convertible, I would get it but I have to buy it in december which means, I can't wait that to come out in US.

guys help me up here. 350z or s2k? I mean I know it's 350z board but I want honest opinions.

 

This issue is close to my heart. As someone mentioned on this tread; I would not drive anything but a MT vehicle, of any type. This has to do (for me) with the fact that I LIKE DRIVING and want to be involve every minute behind the wheel. Then when it comes to performance (spirited) driving, I consider a MT essential in managing the experience and extracting the most fun, and performance from the car. MT allows you to stay within the most optimum part of the power band most of the time, making the car a little more responsive and balanced for any given situation, if you like this kind of driving then there is no other way. In addition, there is the issue of weight (MT being a little lighter that AT) power loss, durability and yes I admit that these issues are arguable.
There is a little of being a purist to all of this, some people will only drink straight Scotch, coffee, or the right type of wine with the proper food. This does not make the alternative choices any less enjoyable.
When it comes to cars people have a multitude of reasons for their choices and these vary in gradation and complexity. I and everyone in this forum should respect anyone else’s choice for choosing their Z’s configuration, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because we all love the Z.
IMO opinion choosing other than MT for the Z is perfectly all right and can lead to a great car experience. It just happens to be part of a personal choice when buying a car. We all enjoy these cars in our own way. All I can say is, if you choose AT or MT because is what you want, then YOU ARE RIGHT.

 

You can get a 5AT in the Enthusiast model and add leather seats from Nissan. You would need to add 18" wheels from the after market, unless you could find someone on this site or others who are selling their factory wheels. You can check with Nissan to see if they will be offering 18"ers as an option in the future.

 

The only figures I saw were, Nissan expected 1/3 of the Zs sold here would be 5ATs. The numbers are smaller on enthusiast sites where most people want the 6MT. I chose the 5AT because I wanted a change from over 3 decades of driving MTs. I wouldn't buy a 6MT for the Z after driving the 5AT. Its more fun to play with than my 91 MR2T was with a 5spd and thats why I would not buy another MT if this trans was available on a car with the Z's power and TORQUE.

 

I use my Z as a daily driver. There are many times where I'm stuck in traffic. My last Z was an automatic, & even though I loved it, I hated the fact that it was AUTO. It was my first automatic car & I hated it.

So, of course I got 6spd. So I get to play with the clutch in traffic a lot. I'd still rather have 6 speed than AUTO. But that is only my opinion.

Marcin

 

A quick comment about the above stating that the MT is lighter than the AT...
Absolutely false based on the specs of the touring figures that Nissan quotes in their brochure. I'm sure this has to do with the wheels being larger and heavier(18's) but be careful about assuming MT are "lighter".

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

The 350Z tiptronic does not automatically shift up at redline. It bounces you back if you haven't shifted. You ought to go out and drive one. At full acceleration it is very quick and smooth. I'm sure that I can get through the gears quicke that I can with my 5 speed 84 Anniversary Edition.

 

so what is the automatic tiptronic then? is it slower to shift than a manual or not really? for instance, the new smg's in the bmw's are actually quicker shift times than a clutch manual and it is much easier on the transmission so bmw is phasing out the real manuals. is the Z's like this or is it a different kind of automatic/tiptronic that isn't as good or what? i hate how you have to get touring/enthusiast to get automatic but then that keeps you from getting other options and vice versa. do you think late availability or next year they will have it so you can get more options a la carte or separately or what?

on a side note, i called some numbers that had some for sale in my paper...
base model for $30k - dealer is selling a used car but they are selling it as new somehow...bought by a promotional company and has 300 miles on it. They want 3-4 grand more than a brand new base costs plus its used plus it has 300 miles on it plus it was owned by a promotional company and driven to hell probably PLUS they won't let me test drive it even though it has 300 miles on it!

touring model with 250 miles on it for 39.999. OMG i could order one from Nissan with every option and it would still be a lot less than that...is the wait that bad?

enthusiast model w/ no options and 470miles on it. He says he just got it and its not wheelchair compatible for his paraplegic wife. Um why would a 2seat sports car be wheel chair compatible and why did he get the windows tinted and lots of other stuff if he was gonna sell it. He said he ordered it in February and just got it...I have no idea about what's up w/ this car. Oh he wants 35k for it!

OMG

 

As mentioned before, the manual option in the Touring isn't just the 6spd, it is the performance options, wheels, etc. Great value, actually.

 

I can't believe how bent out of shape some people get over automatics in sports cars. I've only had autos in my trucks (and intend to keep it that way), but just b/c some can't or don't want to shift manually doesn't mean they won't enjoy the rest of the car.

The Z's engine has plenty of torque, which should make it well-suited to an auto (unlike the S2000, which would be a disaster w/ one). Buy what suits your needs, not to fit the mold that others try to impose upon sports cars and their drivers.

 

PLZ TELL ME HOW!! but with 6speed.

I thought enthusiast model can't come with the leather seats. because top of the base, all I need is LSD and leather. (convertible too )

 

One more time. The Enthusiast comes w/ a 6MT and cloth seats standard. You can order a 5AT for $1000 more. Nissan has also made available, for an extra cost, leather seats, dealer-installed for about $1000 also. The leather seats were made available only in the last few weeks. The Enthusiast also has LSD and TCS standard. You still have to pay extra for 18" wheels and tires. 17" tires and wheels are standard on the Enthusiast. OK?

 

At last, the voice of reason rears its head and peace is restored once more in Zcyberspace. Too bad it won't last.

 

When people make general statements they should expect some feedback, especially if they have not acknowledged the possible exceptions that exist. I do agree that with a manual transmission you have more control over the shifting of the vehicle, but there have been many comments made in the comparison of manual transmissions vs autos that are either not true with this new auto tranny or the gap has been narrowed significantly. There are articles out there talking about this new tranny and how excited nissan is about it. They have multiple patents pending because of the work they did. I have been a big "manual" transmission fanatic in sports cars myself, but this 5AT is truly incredible. I only miss one thing and that is the ability to push in the clutch and disengage to neutral, which would be nice in the winter, but I am not out to whip "cookies" and burn off exspensive tires so dropping the clutch is not something I would typically do anyway. I had posted a while ago to see if any 6MT owners had the ***** to race a 5AT owner yet and nobody responded. I truly believe that only the best 6MT drivers will beat this 5AT through the quarter mile. When you have the pedal to the floor the car simply goes, no worry about what rpms to drop the clutch and slower times because of tire spins. The shifting during acceleration is faster than anyone could shift a manual unless you opt to not depress the clutch and slam the shifter, which is not the best treatment of your car. When it comes down to it, to each his own, but I do wish some people would first learn about the new 5AT before passing judgement as it truly is incredible! Thank you Nissan!!!

 

are the leather seat options the real leather or is it aftermarket kind of covers? courtesynissanparts.com has leather seat covers for 850 but they look lower quality and offer it in black/tan which isn't genuine/original of the 350Z so i was just wondering...

 

First off, I made a few remarks that I knew would inspire some heated exchange. The point I was making to dmcgibbo was that if you're going to buy a sports car like the 350Z, buy it with a manual. If you want the best experience and interactivity with it and the road, then manual is the only choice. As for lil popa pump, I think it's quite apparent by the way I write that my reading comprehension and writing ability far surpass yours, and I wasn't replying to your post anyway, I was shooting from the hip on a subject that I am passionate about. To Boomer, I say again, you CAN drive an auto in a sporty manner. I was also talking about driving, not top fuel racing-Slight difference. I also say again that this car, being a driver's car, is better suited to a manual for optimum performance and enjoyment. I think that the person who put it best in all of these posts was Zeeing. What you choose is what's best for you, and yes, it's all about the drive. Some people, like he, have the knack for putting it all into perspective, while others, like myself, who are a bit more hot-headed, have the knack for throwing a little gasoline on fires. However, I've always been a pyromaniac, but that's another story.....

 

I still see a bit of dancing around here, redz32/bluez33.

For better clarity, why don't you just express what you REALLY think, such as in the first two excerpts, but preface these personal OPINIONS with something like...

IMHO?

By acknowledging personal preference in that way, you're much more likely to be respected for your personal views, rather than being ridiculed for being judgemental and close-minded to the cornucopia of ideas and diversity which makes the world oh so much more interesting.

Example...

IMHO, I do not think anyone else should mount my Butt Ugly Wheels on their Z.

Does anyone disagree with the above statement?

 

My bad, I thought you were talking to me. I guess I am bit of a pyro myself!

As to your reading and writing comprehension skills, you are better than most, but hardly better than me!

Peace