Anybody have a 350Z with the automatic sport shift? I know sports car & automatic don't go together. Just want to know if anyone on here has a automatic Z & do they like it? Or wish they'd bought a manual? I've done several searches & couldn't find anything on this subject hence the new thread. Sorry...

 

Not trying to get flamed, but how does this not pertain to: Engine/Drivetrain/etc.... ?

 

i bought the auto for several reasons- in stop and go around phoenix it is a killer to keep the clutch alive.
my wife can drive it (although she claims disinterest)
the auto is essentially as fast as the manual- you do not need 6 gears- just keeps you stirring- and who really uses them....
with a can of additive (i forgot the name)- the shifts will be almost as fast as a 350 hydramatic- so who is kidding who about 0 to 60 times...
the auto is less precise than any of the US automatics i have had, so it takes some getting used-to. but once you figure out how to sort of shift-ahead, it is fine.
good luck

 

"sports car & automatic don't go together" The statment is true but the time has changed. F1 cars don't use stick shift anymore.

 

i bought the automatic touring model. i WISH i bought the stick. Even though i live in houston where stop n go traffic is hell, the auto just isnt as fun. Only plus thing though about the auto is that i can do is flirt wit a girl more (hold hand) and smoke a cig without a hassle (not at the same time )while driving.

 

ewww...your interior smells like smoke!

 

I bought the Touring 5AT also. LA Area "stop n stand" traffic would make a six-speed more trouble than it's worth. I am a bit disappointed with the manual mode. It's not as quick as I would like. Still, twisties are fun.

 

This is my fist AT and I have to say is it a step down with respect to no direct connection to the car. It's more like piloting a rocket ship, than shifting through gears. Once you learn how to use the manual mode on the AT, you can begin to feel the connection you once had with a manual. True, it's not the same. But for those of us who want to have the best of both worlds, this is about as close are you're going to get (F1 paddles would be nice).

Side notes: When you're driving aggressive the shifts do feel harder. And you can smoke the tires from a dead stop just by stomping the accelerator. TCS off of course. All this car needs are a few mods to make her a beast on the road. A BETTER tires are a must. IMO the OEM tires are really bad. I’m going to upgrade to Track wheels and buy 18” and get better tires. Any suggestions for the 18” tire? I’m a touring driver, I like to race on tracks, not drag strips. These will be summer tires only. I’ll put winter tires on the 17” if I ever take her out in the cold.

 

I've been too chicken to turn the TCS off yet..whats gonna happen if I did..she'd slide out all over the place?

 

That doesn't mean they use automatic! They have manual box with automatic gear changes. I.e they don't have to work shift **** and clutch. Though it looks like auto for uncompetent observer, it's totally different from automatic.

 

i absolutely LOVE my 5AT Touring. Stick is fun to drive if you know how to use it properly AND your in situations that would make the automatic a pointless option. If you never plan to track your Z then there is no possible "downfall" to having the auto over the stick. Besides, with the automatic, you still have that shiftronic mode for controlling your gears (although it tends to be a bit slow at times) I got used to the slight delay when in manual mode, but after driving around my friends car with manual trans, i think i personally still shift slower in a manual than my car does on its own. Also, every time aftermarket forced induction is brought up, everyone i know seems to aggree than automatics will always take to the mods better and be overall "safer" than with the manual trans. Nitrous also seems to be much safer to use on an automatic than manual (as long as you stay in full auto mode, have a rev window sensor installed, or are absolutely sure to shift before hitting fuel cutoff...)

For anyone that says "oh yea, but you dont get the VDC control with the automatic" I dont think it worth anything on this car anyways, having it on a "sports car" might as well be seen as bad as putting an automatic in one. So you buy a manual to be more in tune with your car and to control your car instead of your car controlling you, yet you have a braking system that controls the braking forces for you instead of controlling them yourself, kinda funny trade-off if you ask me, either way youll never have a full true control over your vehicle if you get ANY model over the base version. (but then you wouldnt get the LSD either...)

 

Not to start something here, but if I were you I wouldn't use the word incompetent unless you know what the word is.

 

I'm scratching my head now......Automatic with manual gearbox. is there a little man changing gear manually in the F1?

 

l heard they don't have to upshift but they do have to downshift.

 

I have no regrets on my 5AT. When you drive easy, the shifts are slow. Driving aggressively, the shifts are fast. Now when your driving easy,why do you want to shift fast? In manual mode I could take control of the gears. I know a stick your in more control ofthe gears. I just dont want to deal with the clutch. Did you know F1 racer Paul Tracy owns auto sports cars?

 

Im probably thinking wrong with this, but dont quite a few newer vehicles have an electronic assisted clutch now? I thought I had read the Integra Type R (RSX TypeS with 220 hp) had an electronic clutch and that several owners were starting to install push-button kits with their shifters so they could just push the button and shift gear without using the clutch, but the clutch pedal would still need to be used from a stand-still to get the car moving without stalling? Anyone else that may know of this please feel free to add or correct me....

 

I have a Silverstone 5AT and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm not in the usual 20-40 age group that seems to be on most of these forums. When I was, my Z's had manual transmissions and I loved them then. Now, being somewhat older, the automatic suits me just fine. I enjoy pampering the car, the looks of the Z, its comfort, and driving it without having to go through the gears all the time. I do believe that those that say one must have a manual transmission in a sports car are mistaken. For them it's a must, for others, maybe not. No matter what you have enjoy your Z to the fullest.

 

...for all the input. My P5 has sportshift, but only 4 gears. I like the way my car sticks in the corners, BUT it is just too damn slow. When I say that to my co-workers they just shake their heads & walk away. AGAIN thanks for all the info & keep the info flowing...

 

I know at least M3 has an SMG gearbox, which is semiautomatic, and of course a lot of exotic cars do now, like Ferraris. I don't know how it works in details since I never drove one. It's not making sence to have a clutch pedal. The whole idea is that electronics can operate clutch faster.

Here is more

As for current Formula 1, I believe only Minardi (poorest) is still using paddles to shift gears. I think all the others have full electronic management...

BTW, I like my 5AT. It would be nice to have MT from time to time, but for the most cases AT with manual option works perfect. Of course when Nissan will produce semimanual in 2 or 3 years I'll have to upgrade to that.