Hi everyone. I just picked up a used 2003 touring this past Saturday and I must say I LOVE this car. But anyways back to the post topic . I first learned to drive stick on my friend's '99 M3. It was pretty tough but pretty much got the handle of it after about a day, but that was a year ago. Since then I've been driving automatic until i got my touring. It was pretty easy however you'll have to practice getting out of first gear. When I was learning, I just put the M3 in first gear and left my foot on the brake. Then I played with the clutch until I memorized where the catch point was. So this past Saturday I took a few minutes and played with the clutch before I drove the Z off the lot. Don't worry, learning stick's a breeze.

 

LOL....you must have an auto....no offense, but I agree with the newbie. I actually traded in a G35 coupe for my Z because I didnt like the auto tranny, it shifted too soft. If youre going to have a unreliable sports car with tire roar, window grease, squeaks and rattles and only enough room for two anyway.....go ***** out and get the real tranny

 

350z's are tough to learn how to drive a manual transmission on... Cars that are good to learn on, are Hondas. There trannys are real smooth. Seems front wheel drive cars have easier trannys then rear wheel drive.

My first car that had a manual transmission was a 1990 Honda Accord. I had ZERO experience driving manuals and I had no problems driving it home, although I did stall it a few times.. but quickly learned to keep the rev's up on take off.

 

My understanding of all this tranny stiffness is that cars like the s2K have 'cable' linkage, thus making shifting MUCH easier.

On the Z, we have a 'direct mechanical' linkage. This apparently makes it rougher and not nearly as smooth, but much more communicative.

 

I shift from one gear to the next with using the clutch just once - cant figure out why anyone has to put the clutch in twice! I get very smooth shifting. Most of the time I shift from 1st to 3rd, then directly to 5th gear ( i do depress the clutch with each shift!)
Why is this so difficult??????

 

Don't get me wrong, my Z shifts great. My post was because so many compare to hondas and don''t realize that they have a cable connection, which truly is easier to shift but not as communicative.

Having said that, I prefer the shifting on my Z-gives a much sturdier feel.

 

Derek,

I live up in the northeast section of Sacto. Bought my Brick from a dealer in Visalia..............about 300 miles south.........in 12/02.

At the time the dealer had the only Brick in Cali without a spoiler so had my broker call & make the deal.

 

Brickyard Rat,

Wow, you were determined to get your Brick! =)

Derek

 

I keep cars 'till the wheels fall off, so I research carefully & get precisely what floats my boat. In this case I not only went 300 miles away but "upgraded" to the Performance model. Glad I did; I luv the 18 inchers & the TPS is invaluable given the cost of our tires.

At the time, many dealers were charging a premium; I was thankful the dealer took MSRP....or I would not have bought it. I was also very lucky; many of the 03s have had a bunch of issues while mine has had only minor tire feathering.