Yeah, I'd go with a manual as well. I know there's always varying opinions, likes/dislikes etc.. But any "sports" car should IMO be a manual, that is if you like driving it like a "sports" car.. If you just wanna jump in and go from point A to point B without any cares, than an auto will do..

 

When you buy a two seater sport car like the 350Z, the rule of thumb is to buy a manual transmission because of it is lighter, cheaper and faster than the automatic. Search for the 07-08 350Z because it is more refined, without oil consumption and transmission issues in the 03-06. Also, be sure to check the car VIN for recall before you buy. Use this my350z search site to find more information about 350Z before you buy, so you can have better knowledge to make the right decision to suit your purpose. Because, once you pull that trigger, there is no turning back. Make sure your 3-5 years monthly payment is worth your enjoyment with the Z. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips. I am looking for the newest models(07' and 08'). And maybe I will go for a manual, but the car I'm in talks about getting is an automatic. It has that rare San Marino dark blue color you rarely see on 350z's, and its an 08' and was owned by a woman. So that is good news for me, the car should be in good condition.

 

My first Z was an automatic. The one I have now is a manual. The manual is so much more fun. You save a lot more gas, and it's cool. Before you buy this automatic one, at least give the manual one a shot. Find one to test drive or something. You'll love it.

 

Unless it was driven by the woman’s boyfriend, who “drove it like he didn’t own it.” --Spike

 

And, newbietoz… Don’t run down to the dealership waving your debit card or a check or cash telling the salesperson how much you love that shade of blue.

Be cool… hold back… act disinterested... There will be many other cars for sale that you might be interested in purchasing (lots of blue paint out there). Don't hurry. --Spike

 

+1 on the color and the HR

Get the tranny you like best OP, your car anyways..

Good luck

 

you said you wanted a dark grey z so i dont think you have spent much time looking at 350's. also this is a car site i think that you may be looking for answers better suited for bankofamerica.com. if you give me your bank account and routing number i could answer this for you. your social security number also if its handy!!

 

Automatic in a sports car=dead sports car experience. And your worried about gas mileage in a sports car? Maybe you should step away from the Z and start looking for a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic. Those cars fit what your looking for. You can even get a neat little fart cannon and some cool Vtec stickers.

 

Well, I haven't driven a stick shift in so many years. I probably forgot how now, but it shouldn't be hard to remember again. I think the automatic is more relaxed, the car is for looks anyway. I aint into racing, modding etc, and I live in a small town where the fastest you can go is 35mph.

Hey, do you know if this car comes with 18" rims? I will be getting this Friday.
http://tinyurl.com/agcrzh7

 

One does not simply forget to learn how to drive stick. And I consider that an insult to think a z is just for looks. All the more reason to check out a honda civic, looks neat and doesn't go too fast and you save on gas and insurance.

 

Eighteen rims are stock on the '08 350Z, and they're pretty nice looking, too.

The 5AT is a great transmission. It's smooth as silk when driven gently, but the shifts are quick and solid when driven aggressively. On top of that, it's essentially bulletproof.

The 6MT on the other hand is a quirky thing with marginal synchronizers just waiting to go bad. You've no doubt heard about the really cool Synchro-Rev-Match Nissan puts in the 370Z. In truth, it's primarily a gimmick to take make life easier for the synchronizers.

And don't forget the POS concentric slave cylinder in the later 350Zs that turns the 6MT experience into a maintenance nightmare.

 

So I did good in choosing the automatic cool. I have another question(sorry for all the questions). I try to do a lot of research and reading up on things before I buy. I've read that tall people have no problem fitting in 350z's and that they don't really feel discomfort. So that is cool and all to hear but I think its the fanboy in them that they only talk good about the car. I am kinda worried that this seat http://www.flickr.com/photos/5110614...in/photostream is going to give me back pains. My question is: Can I adjust the seat to be flat? In the pic, I pointed the arrow to the part I would like to bring up to make the seat flat.

 

I'm 6'2" 195lbs and I fit into the car like a well tailored suit. You'll be fine, even though it's a Japanese car they designed it to accommodate taller people. If your fat, it will be uncomfortable though. I suggest you not have anyone over 5'7" riding in your passenger seat because when they tilt the seat back and block the little window that you would normally look out of when changing lanes it pisses will **** you off that their head is in the way.

 

I am not fat and I know I will fit in np. I just wanna know if you can adjust the seat for maximum comfort. Like bring the back part of the seat up to make it flat. http://www.flickr.com/photos/5110614...in/photostream

 

The seats are comfortable (to me at least). I've driven 2 hour trips in the Z with the stock cloth seats and i don't get any back pains.

and yes you can adjust them

 

With a manual you can get 20 or better by not smashing the gas. Or you could get 13 driving the Dragon or a road course while having fun. An automatic weights more, hence lower mileage. And not nearly as much fun but that is only IMHO....

 

In my 2006 automatic I could barely get 19 miles to the gallon. A few weeks ago in the manual I have now, I got 30. It's nice.

 

It always irritated me when someone buys an automatic sports car if the person isn't a chick. I just always think that they only want it only to look cool and to be a poser. I actually give riced out civic owners more respect because even they know a manual is more engaging and fun, requires more skill, and makes the driver better.

 

Pretty sure i have fun driving my car everywhere i go. Auto weighs more by about 70 or so pounds, which is negligible. I have both an auto z and manual vette in the driveway, both cars are super fun to drive. The driver makes the experience, not the car.

Bullshiit ^ Pics or it doesnt happen. And if your getting 30 miles to the gallon, your driving your "sports car" like a prius, just buy a prius if your worried about gas mileage.

A manual is not that much engagement, its a simple shuffle of the feet to switch gears, so having an auto sports car is not a bad thing. If your irritated by it, cool story bro, but just because you have a manual doesnt mean ****. Go to a track and see if you dont get destroyed by someone who knows how to drive their auto.

Plus most super cars dont allow you to use a stick anymore, they are semi-manuals with computer shifted double clutchs, not making it a true manual, so does that mean you wont drive a GTR or a Ferrari? No it doesnt and if you say yes your a dumbass. Just because you have an auto doesnt mean you dont have a sports car, its a personal preference, I could see if the Z's auto tranny sucked ***** but its actually safer than the manual tranny that they had to revise twice. Ive never had my tranny replaced under warranty and my gears have never grinded, my clutch has never burnt out and ive never had problems shifting.

Point blank Tranny dont make the car fun or the driver have fun, the driver makes that happen with his own skills and knowledge of his cars.