MT Comparo: Maxima v. 350z

How does the shifting in the Max feel compared to the Z? Is the Z easier to drive, same, harder. What is the difference to expect besides one being fwd and the other rwd.... The Z will be my first MT and I've been practicing on a '02 Maxima 6sp and been wondering how much of a difference I can expect between the two.

THANKS for the input.

 

Well this is somewhat of an easy question for me. I extensively tested the altima 2002 3.5 5MT, the 2002 Maxima SE 6MT, and own the 350Z with 6MT. The altima shifter is like putting a spoon in a bowl of refried beans and pretending to shift. Very rubber-bandy. The stoppage of the gates are not stiff and it felt like I could break it if I wanted to. The 6MT in the maxima is much better as far as feel and substance. The gears were hard to find at first but became very natural feeling (much better than the 6MT Celica I also tested). There is one consistency with these two transmissions, they are for FWD cars and are thus have cable linkage.

The Z is much different being a RWD car. The Z shift is quick, snappy, and precise. I have heard complaints about the 4th to 5th shift, but it is very simple once you realize the travel involved. The neutral position of the shifter is right behind third, thus making 2nd to 3rd shifts care-free. You pop it out of second, and the shifter finds third for you. Going into first can be tricky if you are just starting out because of this (I have even struggled a few times when I was sitting at a light). This is difficulty just like the others in that once you figure it out a few times it seems perfect. If it were not for the 1st gear and the 4th to 5th up shift I think it would be have the upper hand on the Boxster S and M3 shifter. I cant be much better than it is (especially after you learn it), but it could have been much worse for a 30K car.

I forgot to answer your question directly. The Z is easier to drive than the Max just due to the feel of things. The max was quiet and the shifter feel had less feed back about what was going on. The are both fun cars and you would probably get great shifting out of either. I will most likely get a 2003 Max in the next year or so to be a brother to the Z, it will have the 6MT as well.