I chickened out
Do some reading on how a clutch works to try to understand the fundamentals. Once you get a basic understanding how a clutch works it seems to be easier to operate.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
The Z was the first manual car Ive owned, but I had driven a few manuals in the past (although not extensively). Having owned it now for 9 months, I dont regret my decision one bit.
Other things to consider are: How long is your commute? Is there extensive traffic? Do you have a beater car? Whether you know how to drive a manual or not, it doesnt change the fact that it sucks if you have to drive it in heavy traffic on a regular basis.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch.htm
The Z was the first manual car Ive owned, but I had driven a few manuals in the past (although not extensively). Having owned it now for 9 months, I dont regret my decision one bit.
Other things to consider are: How long is your commute? Is there extensive traffic? Do you have a beater car? Whether you know how to drive a manual or not, it doesnt change the fact that it sucks if you have to drive it in heavy traffic on a regular basis.
I'll be content with the auto. No regrets.
You may need a Torque conerter in order to maximize any mods you might want to make. You won't be able to control you're launch the same which is just about everything in a street race.
I learned on my bro's Wrangler by just taking it out at 15 yrs old and driving it for hours. Really try and I bet you anything you will get it in one day or less.
Also why are you waiting 3 months for a Z anyway?
Special order?
There are a lot of Zs just sitting around on lots across the US. They need a home!
Originally posted by cehome
It's been 4 weeks taking lessons on driving a manual. I've given up. I can't get the hill thing to save my life; And I still stall on flat ground every now and then. I've decided to change my Z order and get an Auto instead. I simply don't have the patience to spend months trying to master hills and stop and go traffic. A manual simply is not to my liking (And I thought I'd love it). Will changing the order from manual or auto cause me to wait another 3 months for the car? The delivery date for the manual is mid August.
It's been 4 weeks taking lessons on driving a manual. I've given up. I can't get the hill thing to save my life; And I still stall on flat ground every now and then. I've decided to change my Z order and get an Auto instead. I simply don't have the patience to spend months trying to master hills and stop and go traffic. A manual simply is not to my liking (And I thought I'd love it). Will changing the order from manual or auto cause me to wait another 3 months for the car? The delivery date for the manual is mid August.
Originally posted by EnthuZiast
Also why are you waiting 3 months for a Z anyway?
Special order?
There are a lot of Zs just sitting around on lots across the US. They need a home!
[/B]
Also why are you waiting 3 months for a Z anyway?
Special order?
There are a lot of Zs just sitting around on lots across the US. They need a home!
[/B]
My decision is final. I'll get the auto.
so why are you even posting this on a forum full of sportscar enthusiasts?
hehe you should sell your Z and keep rolling the altima..
i cant believe you're actually giving up. it aint over until you blow your motor and toast your clutch man.
so why are you even posting this on a forum full of sportscar enthusiasts?
hehe you should sell your Z and keep rolling the altima..

i cant believe you're actually giving up. it aint over until you blow your motor and toast your clutch man.
Originally posted by old_s13
My decision is final. I'll get the auto.
so why are you even posting this on a forum full of sportscar enthusiasts?
hehe you should sell your Z and keep rolling the altima..
i cant believe you're actually giving up. it aint over until you blow your motor and toast your clutch man.
My decision is final. I'll get the auto.
so why are you even posting this on a forum full of sportscar enthusiasts?
hehe you should sell your Z and keep rolling the altima..

i cant believe you're actually giving up. it aint over until you blow your motor and toast your clutch man.
Originally posted by cehome
Ahh, because it's a 350Z forum, not a manual only forum. My money, my choice. Even if I get the manual down, I would not enjoy the constant shifting in traffic. It's all good!
Ahh, because it's a 350Z forum, not a manual only forum. My money, my choice. Even if I get the manual down, I would not enjoy the constant shifting in traffic. It's all good!
You've got a while before your car comes, so just stick it out. Once you get the hang of it, you'll thank yourself and everyone on this board! There's no way I'd go back to an auto unless it's an SUV or a lux sedan. Besides, you never know when you might have to drive a stick, for emergencies, etc.
Originally posted by cbduece
cehome, just be happy with your decision. There are going to be a few people here who don't agree with getting an auto sports car but in the end you are the one who is driving it, not them. I used to think the same thing they do until I got stuck in 405 traffic for an hour everyday on the way home from work. I got the auto and haven't looked back. When you get a chance though, try to learn stick. It is a ridiculous amount of fun if you have the right traffic conditions in your area and like elyliu said, after a while it becomes an extension of your body and you don't even think about shifting. Good luck with your new Z.
cehome, just be happy with your decision. There are going to be a few people here who don't agree with getting an auto sports car but in the end you are the one who is driving it, not them. I used to think the same thing they do until I got stuck in 405 traffic for an hour everyday on the way home from work. I got the auto and haven't looked back. When you get a chance though, try to learn stick. It is a ridiculous amount of fun if you have the right traffic conditions in your area and like elyliu said, after a while it becomes an extension of your body and you don't even think about shifting. Good luck with your new Z.
There have been a couple of times when I wished the Z was an auto too, but only a couple. Mostly I've avoided traffic jams with it, and stick is a real kick when you've got some road in front of you. You can shift the auto manually, but it is not the same.
Don't be so rough on cehome. There are some people out there that just will never get the hand/foot coordination needed to drive a standard.
Hell, there are people out there who can't ride a bike so it should be no surprise there are a few who can't use a std.
Hell, there are people out there who can't ride a bike so it should be no surprise there are a few who can't use a std.
Originally posted by DavesZ#3
Don't be so rough on cehome. There are some people out there that just will never get the hand/foot coordination needed to drive a standard.
Hell, there are people out there who can't ride a bike so it should be no surprise there are a few who can't use a std.
Don't be so rough on cehome. There are some people out there that just will never get the hand/foot coordination needed to drive a standard.
Hell, there are people out there who can't ride a bike so it should be no surprise there are a few who can't use a std.
Dude don't do it. I drive in NYC traffic all the time in my 6psd and would not trade it for anything in the world. I don't even mind all the shifting while in traffic anymore.
As a matter of fact I learned to drive stick in MY Z. My friend spend about two hours with me in an empty parking lot and after a couple of days of practicing, I got the hang of it. The only tough part was accelerating from a stop on a hill. I really wish I would have been on this forum back then and followed the advice of using the parking brake. It would've saved me from an embarassing moment with a cab (rolled back into his bumper).
Be patient and practice. It is definitely worth it. I will probably never drive automatic again.
As a matter of fact I learned to drive stick in MY Z. My friend spend about two hours with me in an empty parking lot and after a couple of days of practicing, I got the hang of it. The only tough part was accelerating from a stop on a hill. I really wish I would have been on this forum back then and followed the advice of using the parking brake. It would've saved me from an embarassing moment with a cab (rolled back into his bumper).
Be patient and practice. It is definitely worth it. I will probably never drive automatic again.




