I've owned an '02 Civic Si (a 5 spd), an '02 S2000, and an '03 G35 6MT. "Missed" the manuals for about one month (about the length of time it took me to halfway get comfortable w/the manumatic), but no regrets now. I love my 5AT!!! In fact, ate a BMW M roadster for breakfast on the way to work!

If the Z is going to be a "daily driver," if you ever go near a city, or if you indeed have the cell/eat/elec. shave, etc., needs, as I do, the 5AT is a tiny sacrifice in the fun area in exchange for a BIG payoff in flexibility and convenience.

 

My feelings excactly.. I commute 2 hrs per day to the city and could not do it w/ a manual.

 

The 5spd auto tranny I had in the 04 Touring Coupe and have in my 04.5 Touring Roadster have been just fine. Very smooth and responsive. Commute traffic is just no fun with a manual. Plus, the 350Z manual 6spd has had a few too many problems for my liking. The 6spd that I test drove before I purchased the 04 Touring Coupe was very hard to shift. I've driven many manual trannys in the past and I'm just not thrilled with constant shifting anymore. I guess I'm getting old.

 

I don't own a Z so I don't know if I'm qualified to speak.
I do drive a manual in heavy traffic daily, and there's no other way I would have it.
I don't think I would feel complete driving a true sports car with an auto tranny.

I can't believe so many Z drivers are condoning an automatic

 

define a true sports car...because I think by now...time has changed the status of a "true sports car."

no regrets here..just look at my sig

 

Call me old school. MT is the way to go. 18,000 miles, no problem with my manual tranny. I am 6' 01" and the clutch pedal is just fine.

 

OK, you asked for it. YOU'RE OLD SCHOOL! nah, nah nah, nah, nah.......

 

It's a matter of preference and/or necesity as stated throughtout this thread. I have always had manual performance/sports cars but decided to go auto with the Z. I do too much city rush hour driving and manual was getting old.

I do miss it sometimes and agree the Z would have been more fun with the MT, but when I spend an hour or two in rush hour, I quickly get over it. Plus the Z's auto is a pretty nice unit. The 05's rev-match will probably make even more so.

Hopefully the feature is in firmware/programming and we can somehow get a re-flash to the 04. I know, I know, I'm dreaming............

 

I have a 6-speed, i commute everyday and catch morning and afternoon rush hours because i'm always going with traffic, so i would say i spend about 2 hours of traffic.
Do i mind? not at all, because that's only two hours a day. Weekends, man, it's just pure driving pleasure..."makes up for the week" would be an understatement.

 

I have a 4.2 mile a commute, 90% curves every morning, and every evening. I have access toa highlander limtied for the witner.

6 speed manual all the way.

Omer.

 

It's about time somebody else states it like it should be. I believe people who drive any "sports car" with an auto tranny either have never driven a stick, or are'nt real driving enthusiasts.......also, would you believe an automatic is an option?....This post should raise some blood preasure, right?.....also, psteng, you don't know what you are missing.......

 

Hi King, I sure love them curves. I live in Florida, so the Highlander is not required,(a real flat state), but thank the D.O.T. for some great winding roads.............

 

No problems with your choice, but what's the real reason? I'm 6'2", and have absolutely no issue with space to shift. I came from a 2000 Vette 'vert. and that had less leg room. P.S. The vette was an automatic... V-8 more suited for a auto trans.

 

So are you speaking for all of us A/T owners ? I beg to differ in my case. I have been driving for 29.5 years. For most of those years I've owned M/T Z Cars, some of them boosted up turbos. So because this time I chose to go with the 350Z 5AT that makes me a NON driving enthusiasts ? So it doesn't matter that I tested the 5AT first before I purchased it to make sure that this tranny was different then most autos that shift like slugs? No Sir, just because I chose to buy an auto this time so in case of an emergency any and all family members could drive it does not put me in your pre-concived catagory of "NON driving enthusiasts." Hey, I'm not flaming you or anybody else. Just don't label me till you know me, OK.

 

That's where I am coming from . . . technology and engineering evolves. I hate to think we'll still be using clutches 30-50 years from now. Seems rather antiquated quite honestly.

 

I drive in southern california traffic every day, and there is still no way in hell I would consider an auto. It just comes down to individual preferences, I guess. I like to be in total control of my car.

I can understand wanting an auto in a big luxo coupe, but no way for a car like this.

 

Sorry Steve,(and all others possibly offended), I should have put the old "IMO" in there. But, I still think to really be driven the way it should, M/T is the only answer.......

 

Hey, no problem. When I trade my Z in (2006 or 2007) I'll be getting a M/T. I do think that shifting gears is fun and for the most part I do agree with you. Just not the non- enthusiast part, thats all. I've paid my M/T dues through the years, and I'll be back. But just not till all the kids are out of the house and my wife is driving a brand new car (Man I can't wait ) But for now the 5AT is still a Z (SPORTS CAR) and works fine for me and how I need to use it.

 

Hey come on guys I'm dissapointed in you all I would think u guys would be all for MANUAL. I you guys wanted convinience in traffic you should of bought a CIVIC or some crap not a sports car! Sports car are ment to be manual why do u think that in sports cars manual transmission is more expensive then Auto. Plus it's more fun to drive. MANUAL ALL THE WAY!!!

 

Exaaaaaactly.

I too am amazed at the amount of people here who chose auto over maunal. To me, a manual transmission is a big part of what makes a car fun. In my mind, to buy a Z with an auto is a sin.

I also hang out on a C6 forum, and nothing hurts more than to read about someone buying a new Vette with an auto trans. What a waste of a great car!