Well hello everyone, yes.....I am a newb. At this point I'm 95% positive I'll be buying a Z within the next few weeks unless my test drive today with the chevy ss truck goes unbelievably orgasmically well.
My problem is that I've never owned a standard, much less a sports car. I test drove the Z in automatic form the other day and it STILL pulled me back in my seat. I don't want to rule out any mods on the car for later but I don't know how the automatic would handle them.
This car will not be taken to the track and will be my commuter car. Thanks for the help and I'm looking forward to being around for a while.

 

Considering resale, your expierence, and your commute I would go with Auto.

I like Stick shift, auto fits most people needs.

Omer.

 

Because it will be your commuter car, and you`ve never had a stick, I would go with the auto.

 

You'd have to [learn to] drive a MT for awhile in order to determine if it's the right fit for you, and that would DEFINITELY include commute driving (traffic is your pinnacle factor against). Don't know if you have the time, but see about practicing with a MT... if it's a good fit, go for it. Not many people that can endure long periods of traffic with a MT (I do it, but not everyone can ).

 

what mods are you thinking, anything you can buy right now will work fine on an automatic, if you start going custom on the FI side, youll have issues.

automatic takes 15-20rwhp stock. this is about 3000$ worth of boltons. so its a fair amount of cash value to say, Ill mod it to be as fast as a manual.

but 15-20hp is only like .1sec in the quartermile, so not a whole huge difference if your not racing.

Id get the auto. traffic blows, and the Z clutch is not one of the easiest to hold down; maybe Im a wimp, but after 2 or 3 miles of traffic, my back starts to hurt.

<-wimp

 

While the auto is fine, the 6spd has precise, short throws that really add to the sports car experience. I commute in awful traffic every day, and have rarely found the 6spd to be a pain - the powerband is so versatile that you don't have to shift as often in other cars. Still, if you're afraid stick with the auto...but if you want to enjoy 100% of the Z, the stick is your only option. :-) Plus you can't get VDC with an automatic...another loss.

NzZ

 

I had a 300ZX shift , then traded on a 1995 Maxima automatic , then just traded for the 04 Z - stick. It took quite a bit of getting used to from the quick Maxima back to the stick - but after almost 8 weeks I can whip it around real well - stop and start in traffic easily. One thing about the low gear - in slow traffic it will pull the car in idle throttle - also easy to down shift with the 6 once you get accustomed to it - almost just keep shifting down at 2500 rpm if traveling in 4th gear - which is usual around town or 3rd gear for shorter distances.
Once you drive the stick - you seem to really enjoy it! I do.

 

I'm 27 and NEVER drove standard.
I learned 3 days before my Z came last week.

I will NEVER buy a automatic again.
Way to much fun. Of course i still suck at standard driving...don't stall...but still takes me 3-5 seconds to get going at lights/stop sign.

So much, what have i been missing out on?

 

If you want the full sports car experiance I'd go with a stick. My personal feeling is they shouldn't even make auto sports cars, tiptronic or not.

 

get the 6mt, it is really easy to learn to drive stick. IMHO if you get an auto sports car you will always regret it in one way or another.

 

First, I have the 6 speed and did not even consider auto.

I agree with 006Roadster, REAL sports cars have manual transmission. It is the only way to drive a sports car and IMHO the only transmission that should be available in the Z. But Nissan didn’t ask me, so you have a choice. (BTW, a dealer told me that 60% of Zs were produced with auto in 2003, which I do not believe.)

But, back to your question. Given you do not have any experience and it will be your commuter. I say go with auto. The Z does have a heavy clutch. (more so than your average Honda or a typical FWD car) If your commute is heavy, a lot of stop and go traffic, you probably would be better off with the auto.

Good luck

 

Real men drive cars with 3 pedals hahahahahahahah

But seriously, get the stick, in autos the car drives you, in a stick you drive the car.

 

Oh boy... a whole new can of worms have been opened. Again.

This thread is going to get interesting come Monday

 

time to learn to drive a stick now! you won't regret it!

 

If you have to ask, then get a 5AT. 6MT people just know. My last car was a very rare 5MT Lexus SC300. I've never owned an automatic transmission automobile, except in 1976, when I lived in California, and Trans-Ams were not available with a 4MT in that state. I hated it. Every personal car I've owned, since 1957 (Yes, I'm an old guy) has been a stick. From 3 on the tree, to 3 by the knee, to four on the floor, to 5MT and now 6MT, all sticks. But, as I say, that's me, and I want to be part of the experience.

Lou

 

I'm going to answer this by quoting Kevin Pollak's character in "The Opposite Sex and How to Live With Them" when he is asked about light beer:

"Do I look like a *****?"

 

Sorry I didnt have the chance to read all the replies in this thread but here's my opinion.

First off, this decision is PURELY a personal preference. It doesnt matter what other people say, the bottom line is you have to go with what's good for you.

It's like asking people what colour car you should buy. People can give you their preference but the only thing that matters in the end is what YOU want.

If you're worried about making the wrong choice, the best thing to do is to just try it out for yourself. Take some driving lessons so you can learn to drive stick and then go back and test drive a 6MT Z. To really make sure, get a rental (not necessarily a Z) and try it out on your daily commute to work.

As for the mods, unless you plan on adding some SERIOUS SERIOUS HP then it should not effect your decision either way.

Since you've driven auto all your life you'll know what to expect. On the other hand, if you go with stick, you might end up regretting it (or you may not).

So safe bet = Auto
Want to go out on a limb and try something new = 6MT

As for me, I took the jump and went with stick on my previous car and I've never looked back. But hey, that's just me

 

I Agree! LEARN to drive standard!!!! You will be happy with your decision. I never drove a manual until I got my Z, I definitley made the right decision.

As far as I see it, in these kind of situations there are 3 types of Z owners....

1. Z owner that HAS to have Stick...or won't drive at all.
2. Z owner that wants auto (and is 100% satisfied with that decision) because the wife can't drive manual/been driving stick for 20 years, wants a change, etc..etc..
3. Z owner that is indifferent about manual/stick. A bit nervous because they never learned manual, so goes with an auto. But not really sure if they made the right decision.

Don't fall into category #3. These people are NEVER happy and are ALWAYS justifying their purchase to make themselves believe it.

(imo of course)

 

my Opinion....get the 6MT, sports cars should only be MT

Second, the issue I have is that to get a drivers license everyone should learn on a MT. Once you have a license and want a AT fine...but everyone should learn on a MT. There could be a situation where you HAVE to drive a MT....what do people do then?

Ask a friend to teach you to drive the MT (I've tuaght plenty of friends...not on my Z though...lol). MT is the way to go...IMHO

 

Sigh... I'm #2 (wife didn't want to learn). However, it took me 1 1/2 hours to drive the 20 miles to work today so I was happy with the AT.