Please no flaming, just wanted to give my input.

Hey guys, I read all the posts about manual vs. auto. I read how the manuals are more "fun" to drive and have 10-15 more rwhp. So guess what? Tonight I went to a dealership and test drove a couple manual 350Z's. I test drove one with a really crappy aftermarket exhaust (prob a T-pro or something) the shift **** rattled and vibrated and the car did not feel smooth at all, the exhaust just sounded cheap. Then I test drove an '03 with Nismo Intake and Exhaust. Loved the exhaust difference, but was not very impressed with the ride quality, the clutch pedal felt a little heavy, the shifts were not smooth (yes I know how to drive a manual, I had a 240sx with SR20DET). I guess I'm just used to my luxury feel Touring 5AT, my ride feels so smooth, shifts are so silky. The seats were hard, I really love my black leather seats. I didnt feel the power difference either. I am really glad I test drove the redline manual Z though, I am just about to start modding heavy and didnt want to put lots of money into a car I was just going to trade for a manual. So... my plan is to stay NA and auto, keep my sexy comfy leather seats and add 100 shot of Nitrous to my car. (Audible Mayhem is installing it!!!)

 

wuss

 

I have no regrets with my 5AT especially with the price I got at the time. I am also modding and not looking back. I am probably 60/40 toward the manual, but auto mode does come in handy in heavy traffic. If it was DSG or flappy paddles, I'd like it even more.

 

I actually prob wouldnt mind Touring manual, but those are hard to find. Gotta have my comfy seats....

 

I like manual....I can see Auto in traffic would be nice though....

But a sports car should always be a straight drive IMO

 

...and the skies opened up and out came bunny rabits, flowers, and all types of beautiful naked women... and life was good... and the rivers flowed with chocolate like ***** wonka and the chocolate factory... and life was better... and everyone was given new GT-Rs and new Zs to play with... and life was perfect!...

 

^^ huh? lol

 

AT is pretty good during traffic, but MT is fun to show off you have a little "motor skill" lol. You can do what some ricers w/ AT's do.... let go of the gas and pretend you're shifting

 

Thanks for sharing?

 

The 5AT can be shifted manually. the only reason I have one is I can't drive in commuter traffic with a stick. I have a serious advantage over other Z's at the drags and on a road course can usually pull similarly equipped Z's coming out of the corners.

If me knee wasn't screwed up I would have a 6MT and but I'm extremely happy with my 5AT. Shifts fast in manual mode, has about 100 runs at the drags and 40k with no tranny problems

 

To the original poster, how much did the swap+ engine cost you?

 

as long as youre happy, thats all that matters. everyone could argue standard vs. auto till youre blue in the face, but what it comes down to is personal preference.

 

Give this man a medal!!

 

A lot of money. When it was all done and said... the swap labor, S13 black top SR20DET, bolt ons (also did auto to manual swap) was about 6Ktotal . But I did it right. The car was a 13 second flat car on stock tires, stock itty bitty turbo, stock boost. Weighed about 2700lbs. 248 rwhp on stock boost.

 

took me 40 minutes to get to work today when I only live 9 miles away. By the time I got on the highway, it was too busy to exit and the streets were just as bad. glad i have an auto

 

Uhh...what does that have to do with MT6 vs. 5A? Both trannys are optional on every leather-available trim level.

 

^^ "I actually prob wouldnt mind Touring manual, but those are hard to find."

 

"my ride feels so smooth, shifts are so silky" <<<<<you forgot to say slow...here ya go


"my ride feels so smooth, shifts are so silky and its so slow"

haha im jp...congrats on wasting peoples opinions for nothing

 

^^ actually it's not slow at all. my car feels faster than the two i test drove. no one has ever said it was slow either.

 

Oh man dont get your pants wet bc i called your AUTO CONVT slow. Its ok...It might very well be faster. But the lady who works with me has the same 5AT in that sameee EXACT color...good luck with your Z