View Full Version : Ordered 350z Chrome-Silver Touring Package
Omega_Rains
10-21-2002, 06:56 PM
Well im new to the forum and new to Nissan I have always owned American cars. But with the Z's exotic lines and aggressive stance who could resist. I am kind torn though, I live in Michigan and due to snow I really don't want to get stuck and burn out a clutch. Im told there upwards of 4,000 to replace in this car. So im wondering if the times are that much diffrent from the manual to an Automatic. Im sure they are about a second longer in the auto. The only reason I ordered the manual was for the 18 inch rims the just looked right on it. Those of you who have the Auto-Sicks whats the performance like? I would appreciate a response I have till November 1st to make changes to my order the car should be here by Mid Febuary when my current lease is due for return.
Get the manual... you'll understand when you drive it... it's by far the best gear-shifting feel out there; yes, better than cars twice its price... clutches aren't cheap, but $4K is pretty far fetched. I honestly can't imaging it being more than $1000, but I haven't removed a tranny from a Z before.
Welcome to the board!
Omega_Rains
10-21-2002, 10:06 PM
Well thanks for the responce, the manual should not be difficult to get use to. My buddy had talked to the Nissan dealer and they told him a clutch would be about 3-4k and as far as im concerned under a lease it would be covered. I have no intentions of beating on the car or racing it, well you know how that goes. I said the same thing when I had my Impala ss. :rolleyes:
Car_LUVR
10-22-2002, 04:15 PM
I have no idea how much a clutch for a Z should or would cost.... I will tell you this... My wife had a 996 Cab (In SF) I had to put two clutches in the car..... They ran me 3500 each with labor from the dealer... So 4K for a Z seems high... But what do I know...
Omega_Rains
10-23-2002, 06:32 AM
Well appricate the input, I have never owned a car with a manual. And am hesitant to purchase one, I think I will go with the auto-stick im buying for the looks no the performance.
AuburnZ
10-23-2002, 10:34 AM
The manual on the 350 is the easiest stick I have ever driven. The transmission is very forgiving which reduces the chugs that other cars do. The speeds can be used at various speeds without being as strict as other sticks normally are. We got the stick even with Atlanta traffic....it just seemed hard to buy an automatic for a sports car...
Omega_Rains
10-23-2002, 02:53 PM
I hear ya there, but in Michigan we get quite a bit of snow and im not about to attempt to learn how to drive a manual in it. I recieve the car in Febuary and thats one of the roughest months as far as snow fall.
Omega_Rains
11-02-2002, 04:10 AM
At 2pm friday afternoon 11/1 My dealer put in my order. The car should be arriving in february.............
Z_Perf
11-04-2002, 11:20 AM
Originally posted by Omega_Rains
At 2pm friday afternoon 11/1 My dealer put in my order. The car should be arriving in february.............
Reading your posts suggest that you'll be driving the Z in winter?
:eek:
I live in Chicago NW suburbs where winter is just as bad. That's why I'm putting off my purchase till Spring 03.
Omega_Rains
11-04-2002, 04:06 PM
Yep winter dose suck as far as the z is concerned. IM getting mine at the tail end of Feb so im hopping the worst weather will be past by then.
BILL T
11-11-2002, 04:53 PM
I won't be driving the Z in the snow - the front end is a little low and 'don't want to make a snow plow out of it. When it snows it's "Tahoe time"
AudioPat
11-13-2002, 02:11 AM
In defense of the 5spd AT...I drove the 6 spd MT and while I agree it's one of the easiest sticks I've ever driven, and fun too, I bought the AT and have not been sorry for a second about my choice...I find the manual mode a real kick...just too much fun...I bought it because of LA traffic...when I play in the twisties I shift to manual mode...the best of both worlds IMHO...you have to go with what's right for you:cool:
2003z
11-13-2002, 09:31 PM
Originally posted by Omega_Rains
and as far as im concerned under a lease it would be covered.
Unfortunately, A clutch is considered a wear item, like brakes, and wouldn't be covered by the warranty.
AuburnZ
11-17-2002, 01:31 AM
We're lucky...even though we live in Atlanta, we live downtown and drive to the suburbs to work so we have less traffic. This made it easier to do the 6MT. My everyday driver is an automatic because we bought it when we had to sit in traffic every day.
JTRCRO
11-17-2002, 10:39 PM
I'm glad I got the AT and the manual mode is fun through the twisties. I haven't seen any performance numbers as far as AT vs. MT but the car is plenty fast enough for me and it shifts very smooth. It's all about what's right for you. No regrets here.
prozzi
11-18-2002, 02:03 PM
I am also trying to decide is to buy the manual or auto, I know you lose the VDC with automatic and get 17" tires, so I am leaning toward the manual. I wonder why they don't give you VDC with an Auto?
AudioPat
11-18-2002, 02:17 PM
I can tell you that this past weekend on the So Cal Canyons Run I used the manual mode on my AT through the twisties and had a ball:D
http://www.350zfrenzy.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173
Boomer
11-20-2002, 11:55 PM
I bought a 5AT after many years with MTs. I am really glad I did, its the best of both worlds. I spend almost all my time in manual mode, which will not upshift at redline, you have to shift. It will shift into 5th in manual mode! and it defaults to 1st when you stop. This the absolute best AT I've ever driven.
Boomer
Rocketscientist
11-21-2002, 12:24 AM
Originally posted by Boomer
This the absolute best AT I've ever driven.
Boomer
I say Amen to what Boomer and AudioPat have said. I also have an AT with my Z. It is a superb transmission and the manual mode is great in all respects. I expect the performance is almost as good as the MT and if you have traffic and mountain roads to contend with and/or a wife who wants the AT...you will not be at all disappointed with the AT.
Rocketscientist
rep15
11-21-2002, 12:51 PM
Pat, rocketscientist or others. In the automatic when slowing down on a severe corner can you flip down two gears at once on the manual mode or one at a time?
Rocketscientist
11-21-2002, 02:08 PM
Originally posted by rep15
Pat, rocketscientist or others. In the automatic when slowing down on a severe corner can you flip down two gears at once on the manual mode or one at a time?
Hello Rep15...
With the manual "Tiptronic" mode, you move it to the right into manual and then "touch/tip" it down to get one lower gear. Another quick touch down will drop it down two gears. Two quick touches will get you the 2 gears lower but it does take two touches. The same thing for going up in the gears.
Occasionally I find myself forgetting to take it out of manual or "tip it up" when accelerating on the way up and wind up the rpm. A quick flip over to auto will quickly drop the rpm or of course you can "tip up". I hope you understand what I mean. Like AudioPat, I love the "Tiptronic" feature on the mountain roads. It gives you a great downshift through corners and down hills.
Rocketscientist
Boomer
11-23-2002, 01:28 AM
Originally posted by rep15
Pat, rocketscientist or others. In the automatic when slowing down on a severe corner can you flip down two gears at once on the manual mode or one at a time?
If you are running fast along a country lane, using 3rd and 4th primarily and come upon a 90 degree turn, you can tip it down into 3rd at almost any speed, but you need to tip it down to 2nd at or under 20mph. The double tip has to be in conjunction with a hard braking sequence ie. 60-70mph, down to 20mph. When you are under hard braking, you can leave it in 4th gear until you hit about 20mph and double tip into 2nd for a full throttle exit from the turn if its a straight road ahead. You could also use 3rd for engine braking until you are down to 20mph, then shift into 2nd for the fast exit I just described above.
I'm still in the breakin period, but I have discovered a couple of things like downshifting into 2nd at 20 or below and do not try to downshift into 1st gear, let the trans default to 1st on its own. I tried once, and got a very loud clunk which I don't want to repeat and it wouldn't go into 1st either. I don't think the trans will allow a downshift into 1st gear while you are in motion. The default into 1st is it and as near as I can tell it happens at about 5mph.
It really dosn't matter, 2nd gear, foot to the floor, takes off like a locomotive. BIG Torque,and you will be over 6000rpm almost immediately. The 6MT is probably faster in the long run, but the 5AT isn't far behind shifted manually or left in full auto because the engine is so strong.
Boomer--1000 miles and starting to air it out. Ain't we got fun!
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