A&Q about 350Z
Q:
When I bought my Z I chose the Touring with automatic, is the standard much faster than the automatic that I have?
A friend here at work has a 300z with an automatic and he told me the automatics are just as fast in that year?
The manual mode is fun but it does not seem to shift as fast.
Any thoughts?
A:
nope....not as fast. But you can drink a cup of coffee much easier.
A:
i would have liked to test drive a z with automatic before chosing my manual but the dealer only had one in stock, and it was my manual one. i hear they can be as fast according to some here.
2003 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast Coupe (Fast)
2003 Mercury Marauder (Faster)
1996 Ford Ranger (Don't ask!)
A:
the 300zxTT auto was just as fast because it had a different turbo system that allowed it to maintain boost while the manual had to regain booost. but other than that anomaly, most auto cars are slower than manual cars, unless you get into drag racing, f1 trannies, upgraded trannies, etc.
A:
I've always found manuals funner to drive and faster. I've only gone with slushboxes on my 4x4s due to off-roading. When it comes to street vehicles, I personally will always go manual. Like Zedx stated, I don't have a couple of grand to drop on a F1 race tranny. Even if I had to fight through SoCal traffic, I'd still go manual. That's just me though.
'04 Silverstone Enthu
A:
Yeah....manual all the way
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04.5 DB Performance
Typhoon Intake
Injen SES Straight Tip Exhaust
Blue Z-Xtreme Grounding Kit
Kenwood MP3 Player
EBC V4 Greenstuff Pads
Clear Lens
Carbon Fiber Piller Covers
20% Tint
5 Coats of Zaino
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'01 Yamaha R6
A:
0-30 manual is just as good as auto, but after that it depends on driver. So, manual is faster.
Other things, that most of the time a manual driver could do: at 65 or any speed, he /she could stay at 3rd or 4th gear or sometimes 6th. (depends on the mood). With auto you don't have choice.
A:
actually with the auto on the z you can stay in third gear going sixty, remember that it has a manual mode. I have had the great luck of owning two 350z's. the first one was a auto, the second a manual. i would say that yes, in a drag race situation if you know what you are doing, the manual is faster, but most of the general populous is not that talented. the manual tranny gives you a funner ride in you can chirp the tires through each gear and the launch is a lot more fun, but overall the speed it pretty much the same. more often or not when i pulled up to other manual z's, when i had the auto i usually beat them using the manual mode on the auto. but in the end get what you want, and yes i got ribbing for the fact that my first z was an auto, but i didn't care nor did it influence my second choice, my auto was just as satisfying as my manual. i got the z for the same reason many other people do, it is just dead freakin sexy......so who cares about anything else.
A:
If given equal drivers, equal cars and one being standard and one automatic. The standard will normally win out. I've had the experience with two vehicles now. My '72 Chevelle auto (w/ shift kit) vs. same w/ 4 speed. He beat me in the 1/4 by about a car length or two. That was out of about 10 runs over a year's time. My '03 Z (tour) vs. same w/ auto. I beat him by about 3 car lengths in the 1/4.
Also take into consideration that a lot of pro-street cars are going to auto transmissions. The technology is getting better every year.
Just ask yourself if you want a laid back driving experience or the thrill of downshifting before that turn. Manual mode on the auto allows you to move up and down in gears manually but your just moving a stick forward or backward, not "shifting".