flyboy Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Never thought I would ask this question but there is an Auto just come onto the market close to me. Never had an auto before and never crossed my mind before to buy one but 7 speed, flappy paddle gearshift, and the option of a 5 stage uprev retune seems tempting Wondering if its worth the trip over to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R35LEE Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The auto is good but I prefer the manuals. Go and try one out and see what you think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) The auto is still the older style system, you know the thing you might find on camper vans and old mercs. Admittedly a very good version of it, but it's still a torque converter. It's ok, but not a patch on the modern auto dual clutch gearboxes. I test drove both on buying and went with the manual because it was much more engaging. Edited February 23, 2014 by AJRFulton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Very much a personal preference ( I have a manual) but I have yet to hear of any issues with the auto box, unlike the manual boxes. In a straight line the auto is reckoned to be slighty quicker but for me I found the 7 ratios did not suit our more twisty roads, whereas across the pond (for example) I have no doubt it would be the box of choice. Also, if you regularly have to use the car in traffic the auto will probably be more suitable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Plus you get the wonderful synchro rev on the manual, which will make you just change gears for the sake of changing gears. Such a brilliant yet simple innovation the Z has, you wonder why it took until 2009 for it to be on a production car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Yeah, I did enjoy the syncho rev took it off and then put it straight back on again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Plus you get the wonderful synchro rev on the manual, which will make you just change gears for the sake of changing gears. Such a brilliant yet simple innovation the Z has, you wonder why it took until 2009 for it to be on a production car! Er...you also get the wonderful synchro rev on the auto, and you get 7 gears to play with! I deliberated long and hard over which box to go for, I don't regret getting the auto one bit. I also have use of the company Merc (new model) and the Nissan box is streets ahead in terms of drive-ability and smoothness. No comparison to be made with camper vans and older Mercs! And I fully agree with the comment from Ebized, I've yet to hear of any issues with the auto box. But at the end of day it's going to be your decision, drive both and you'll not be disappointed by either. Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 The auto is still the older style system, you know the thing you might find on camper vans and old mercs. Admittedly a very good version of it, but it's still a torque converter. It's ok, but not a patch on the modern auto dual clutch gearboxes. I test drove both on buying and went with the manual because it was much more engaging. Yes and no it's an electronic tiptronic box not a basic "slush" box , and I have a 7 speed dsg on my daily and the 370's auto is better in a number of ways . Many car makers are ditching dsg boxes and going back to conventional autos. Dsg boxes are complicated and can be troublesome It's a preference thing , some prefer autos and some manuals , personally I find the manual box, dmf/clutch arrangement on the zeds agricultural , not pleasant at all in traffic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Had an auto for two weeks and I really didn't get on with it, went for a manual and it was so much more engaging. However it is going to be a personal preference, everyone's opinions differ and there is no wrong or right answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 The auto is still the older style system, you know the thing you might find on camper vans and old mercs. Admittedly a very good version of it, but it's still a torque converter. It's ok, but not a patch on the modern auto dual clutch gearboxes. I test drove both on buying and went with the manual because it was much more engaging. It's a preference thing , some prefer autos and some manuals , personally I find the manual box, dmf/clutch arrangement on the zeds agricultural , not pleasant at all in traffic I will agree there, the Z is a pretty clumsy car to drive in congested areas as it is with its limited visibility, wide body, etc. The heavy clutch and gear box on the manual just make it all the clumsier. It is easily the manual Z's weakest point, it's actually a pretty crap car to drive in a stop/start/stop driving situation. Nearly all my driving is rural and motorways. If I was doing more urban driving during peak hours an auto would be far nicer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus01 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have to agree with others, the manual is not great when in city traffic. My 370 is a weekend car for long drives to various race circuits and it fits the bill perfectly for me. If I was using as a commute in city a lot the auto would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 The auto is also longer geared for cruising so is nicer on motorways, it's geared for 226mph in 7th at 7500rpm iirc ! Some of the USA chaps fit the final drive from the manual to help acceleration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne370Z Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have a manual and find the gearbox no problem at all around town. Other than can be a bit notchy from 1st to 2nd when cold I`d say it`s fine. Also, when I was looking to get mine the only mention of the Synchro Rev match facility in any of the Nissan sales stuff was on the manual gearbox models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have a manual and find the gearbox no problem at all around town. Other than can be a bit notchy from 1st to 2nd when cold I`d say it`s fine. Also, when I was looking to get mine the only mention of the Synchro Rev match facility in any of the Nissan sales stuff was on the manual gearbox models. The 7AT has DRM and the 6MT has SRM... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 You have the option to have the synchro rev on or off with the manual - but that does not apply with the auto, I'm sure . Have to admit though that the spec sheets do suggest the auto does not have it (although I suspect that is more to do with the absence of the override button) and I think I am right in saying the base manual model (with 18" wheels) does not have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 You have the option to have the "synchro rev on or off with the manual - but that does not apply with the auto, I'm sure . Have to admit though that the spec sheets do suggest the auto does not have it (although I suspect that is more to do with the absence of the overide button) and I think I am right in saying the base manual model (with 18" wheels) does not have it. Youtube clip above shows the 7AT in M mode with DRM in operation, it's 'on' when using the paddles... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) Cheers for the info and replies guys. Although I don't do much urban city driving, from your answers I think it would be rude not to go try out an auto to compare against the manual. Edited February 24, 2014 by flyboy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob63 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Cheers for the info and replies guys. Although I don't do much urban city driving, from your answers I think it would be rude not to go try out an auto to compare against the manual. Let me know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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