chrisgunton Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Ello all, My Mazda has just gone through it's MOT so it's time to sell up and look for a Z (anyone interested in a turbo MX5 as a track toy?) I can't decide if I want a manual or automatic (manualmatic?). I don't like the styling of the auto shifter, but I do like the prospect of fitting paddle shift. I've never owned an auto before - I've preferred the involvement of slipping up through the gears. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 don't think the zed is the best car as an auto. just personal opinion, think it suits being a manual far better. others may disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 forgot to add, try them them both and see what you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I never could see the point in buying a sports car in an auto myself - it's like buying a car to drive for fun but not actually driving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 don't think the zed is the best car as an auto. just personal opinion, think it suits being a manual far better. others may disagree. Disagree not just because I have a trip. The zed is lovely auto as if your using it as the daily it's perfect. The low down grunt means it's effortless and when you want to make progress sport mode is great. Boot the accelerator and away you go. I say the large torque zed is ideal for a sports auto then say an s2k. The s2k would make an awful auto as it comes alive much higher up(honestly not a dig rich) just the nature of the beast. That's why the s2k is very involving I suppose. The triptronic is also great when your on the b roads or on track. Flick it to go up or down and it's sequential once you get used to it, it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 don't think the zed is the best car as an auto. just personal opinion, think it suits being a manual far better. others may disagree. Disagree not just because I have a trip. The zed is lovely auto as if your using it as the daily it's perfect. The low down grunt means it's effortless and when you want to make progress sport mode is great. Boot the accelerator and away you go. I say the large torque zed is ideal for a sports auto then say an s2k. The s2k would make an awful auto as it comes alive much higher up(honestly not a dig rich) just the nature of the beast. That's why the s2k is very involving I suppose. The triptronic is also great when your on the b roads or on track. Flick it to go up or down and it's sequential once you get used to it, it's great. I recon Honda know that their power band is higher up... so I am pretty sure if you hit the loud pedal, it won't change up till 9-12ish k Yeah, drive both. Decide yourself... IMHO.. If you want a more relaxing motor to drive (why are you buying a Zed anyway?) then get an auto, with the ability to boot it as well. But to get the most out of the car... you either need manual... or at LEAST Tiptronic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 don't forget auto's are a jap import only so may be without other toys unlike the UK version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 don't forget auto's are a jap import only so may be without other toys unlike the UK version. Which in turn may also bump up your insurance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 no offense taken d block, different cars, engines and gear boxes make for different drives, i don't have a lot of experience with auto's. i do agree that the extra torque makes driving it as an auto very usable on long drives extra; turning it in to a comfortable cruiser. but i know from others that some auto boxes can ruin a car and make it feel numb to drive. i stil stand by what i said; try both and see what you like, for the zed i thought the manual was the better option and more envolved; but that was just my opinion. and everyone is different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Try both and see which you like. I agree with Rich, on the 350z, the auto isnt quick enough for me, and no paddles either unless you buy a kit which I think they do make now, but its very expensive. So my choice would be the 6MT. On the 370z though, auto FTW - just because its what I chose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Try both and see which you like. I agree with Rich, on the 350z, the auto isnt quick enough for me, and no paddles either unless you buy a kit which I think they do make now, but its very expensive. So my choice would be the 6MT. On the 370z though, auto FTW - just because its what I chose the auto on the 370 is a different kettle of chips and that would be my first choice to try before i buy. as it has the auto blip on down changes and the paddle gear change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 no offense taken d block, different cars, engines and gear boxes make for different drives, i don't have a lot of experience with auto's. i do agree that the extra torque makes driving it as an auto very usable on long drives extra; turning it in to a comfortable cruiser. but i know from others that some auto boxes can ruin a car and make it feel numb to drive. i stil stand by what i said; try both and see what you like, for the zed i thought the manual was the better option and more envolved; but that was just my opinion. and everyone is different. Exactly mate IMO if you want an out in out sports car then a manual or maybe not a 350, but if your stuck in traffic and its your daily driver that 0.5 second slower on the upshift wont bother you. I love the auto as its just a joy to drive daily. I would probably get annoyed with a manual when im coming home tired. Its also abit point and squirt which is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 no offense taken d block, different cars, engines and gear boxes make for different drives, i don't have a lot of experience with auto's. i do agree that the extra torque makes driving it as an auto very usable on long drives extra; turning it in to a comfortable cruiser. but i know from others that some auto boxes can ruin a car and make it feel numb to drive. i stil stand by what i said; try both and see what you like, for the zed i thought the manual was the better option and more envolved; but that was just my opinion. and everyone is different. Exactly mate IMO if you want an out in out sports car then a manual or maybe not a 350, but if your stuck in traffic and its your daily driver that 0.5 second slower on the upshift wont bother you. I love the auto as its just a joy to drive daily. I would probably get annoyed with a manual when im coming home tired. Its also abit point and squirt which is nice. i think my next car will be a semi auto, been looking at smg II and DSG boxes as they are apparently very good and quicker than a manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9O OEY Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I tried both the auto and the manual and went for the auto . The reasoning behind this was the manual has a very stiff clutch that I personally didn't fancy fighting with everytime I went out. It's the third auto iv had fto and alfa selespeed and definitely the best. But my only worry is that auto boxes are very expensive to repair - god forbid. Also if u do go for the auto it will be a import that might mean that u only pay 200ish road tax instead of 400 ish like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I tried both the auto and the manual and went for the auto . The reasoning behind this was the manual has a very stiff clutch that I personally didn't fancy fighting with everytime I went out. It's the third auto iv had fto and alfa selespeed and definitely the best. But my only worry is that auto boxes are very expensive to repair - god forbid. Also if u do go for the auto it will be a import that might mean that u only pay 200ish road tax instead of 400 ish like me never heard of a auto on a zed have problems. only ever heard the manuals go pop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9O OEY Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Thanks that's good news well for auto drivers at least , best advice IMO is to test drive both and weigh up advantages and disadvantages of both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 i didnt realise on teh 370 there was a choice, i thought it was semi all the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookbot Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Heavy clutch MAN ual all the way for me. So much more satisfying when you just nail everything right. Bit of a blip before the down change and having that full control mid bend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 The manual 370 has syncro rev match so no need to go for auto... I personally prefer a manual but I'm not driving in traffic much with the Zed. As has been said, try both. Neither are particularly troublesome and each will have their own merits and drawbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 the auto on the 370 is a different kettle of chips and that would be my first choice to try before i buy. as it has the auto blip on down changes and the paddle gear change. I knew the manual had auto-blip, didn't even consider if the auto would as well, makes sense I suppose. Still, manual for me always (maybe paddles)... I'm not that lazy yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 The manual 370 has syncro rev match so no need to go for auto... . If you cant even be bothered to heel/toe, you may as well get the auto I found the new pedal hinge (floor hinge), made heel toe a bit awkward in the 370z which spurred me more to try the auto this time. Not regretting going for the 7AT yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zazur Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Auto easier to drive and you have manual selection if you want to play stick shift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray350gt4 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 got to be manual in a sports model and auto in prestige. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo-ninja Posted December 18, 2010 Share Posted December 18, 2010 So there are 2 models of the 370z? I thought they only did Semi, which gives you the option for full auto, or manual with no clutch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisgunton Posted December 22, 2010 Author Share Posted December 22, 2010 Update: I'm putting a deposit down on a MANUAL 350Z GT Spec tomorrow night. Millions of pics will be posted soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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