Hello! I decided to join the forums because I'll be getting my 350z next summer but I have a issue and I want your opinions on it.

See I really would like to buy a standard because its cheaper and people say you feel like you have 'more control over your car' but the problem is that I have no idea how to drive a standard. Not one clue. No idea.

So should I buy the automatic instead or attempt to learn how to drive a standard? I've heard alot of stories of people crashing, etc. because they don't know how to drive it but they try to anyways and I really don't want to take that chance with a car like this. Is it hard to learn?

What do you guys think?

 

Spend a few $$$ on driving lessons.... Dont learn on your first car (ok with a beater but not a Z imo)....

Goodluck

 

how do people not know how to drive stick these days?

 

Sorry? :/

 

Surely you have a friend a stick...

It's not hard to figure out. It might take a little while to get your shifts smooth (and that applies with each new stick shift you drive), but if you can't get the basic idea of how it works within ten minutes, just shoot yourself.

 

You've got plenty of time to learn to drive stick. If you can't find someone with a stick-shift car who is willing to teach you, try a driving school. At least, by next summer, you'll know if you're ready for a stick-shift car or not.

(P.S. It's not really that hard, so don't let a simple lack of experience in that area deter you.)

 

Real simple - the vast majority of cars come with automatics. The only cars I've ever owned that were standards were my three Zs.

 

Don't sweat it - buy a Z with a standard and you won't regret it. Sure it will take you a few days to become familar with it. Sure you'll stall it a few times. Sure you'll miss a shift and grind the gears a couple of times. None of those things will mean the end of the world or the death of your Z.

The first time I drove a standard was when I test drove my first Z. I picked it up on a Friday and by Monday I was driving it in traffic like it was no big deal.

Unless you're totally uncoordinated you shouldn't have a problem - if you do, then you probably should be driving a high power performance car in the first place.

 

+1

Most people want a vehicle with an auto. trans.

 

I don't know about other driving schools but when I was in high school, their driver's ed cars only came in automatic. I guess they didn't want the kids to mess up the cars. It was probably cheaper for them in long run for maintenance. IMO, I would have loved to try driving a manual car back when I was first learning to drive.

 

You guys are all suggesting standard. Is it really that much better than an automatic? I've been driving autos ever since high school...parents wouldn't let me get a standard because they were afraid I'd ruin the car.

 

I suggest renting or buying a cheap car that is stick and learn on that. that way you don't have to worry about messing up the trans or screwing up. you should have someone who knows how to drive stick take you to a big empty parking lot the first time and help you get the hang of it. the only part that can be difficult to learn is getting the car going in first or on an incline. once you get the hang of it you'll be fine. and yes, I strongly recommend getting any sports car in stick, otherwise you will not get the same feeling of engagement and control that a car like the Z can give you (this is just my opinion of course). either way though you'll love driving a Z

 

I bought my first manual transmission car in 1967, and have never bought a car with a automation transmission.

The 350Z is not the best car to learn to drive a manual, but all-in-all, I think that the clutch-transmission are pretty forgiving of mistakes and abuse.

So can you learn to drive a 350Z with a manual transmission? Sure. Why not.

 

The key is age. Many of us old farts were in the armed forces when it was not, umm, voluntary. The Army and other branches just about give everyone a 2.5 ton truck to drive around. Besides, if you are in the middle of nowhere, and someone gives you a Jeep, you learn to drive a manual transmission fast. Very fast.

 

find a friend with a manual and just drive it and burn his clutch out

 

Lets not begin Automatic-Manual Transmission War XVII.

 

I hear an automatic is the way to go.

 

wait.... they had cars back in 1967 damn


yeah dude, just ask one of your friends with a raggedy honda to teach you how to drive it. learning how to drive a stick only takes a little while, learning how to drive it well.... priceless

 

If your starting out on a Z with manual your going to either wreck or break something. It's not a very nice car to learn on. I suggest LEARN FAST, a year or more of manual driving experiance is almost a must when getting a car such as the Z.

 

I agree with most people here, learn on a beater not the Z.