As a daily, would you go for a manual trans or the Nismo auto?

[Peteyboii]

Basically the title.
I don't find myself in traffic all that often, but I think it will increase as my work hours and location requirements are predicted to also go up

I love / want MT cause I've never had mt and when I test drove it I found it much more fun and engaging but feel the stock car handles like absolute Garbo

Went and drove a modded suspension one which felt great and more like what I'm used to with my lowered Accord Euro

Then I realised the Nismo likely does what I need in the suspension department but doesn't void any warranties

However if anything tells me about my last / curent car in life it's that I like modifying things... So it's not a question of what but when for me
With that in mind it's semi frustrating buying a new car which needs almost immediate work done to it in my opinion in 2026 lol (tyres suspension swaybars?)

I can get a used one Im pretty sure it was beat on, no warranty, less then 8k km's and used for practicing tuning with a whole bunch of parts I think I'd use myself to the car anyway but of course that has zero warranty and Id say carries inherint risk within itself (the owner does tune on cars tho in general) has a bov also

Or just get an auto nismo forget the manual dream bcoz it's a daily driver and try to retain all warranty by just adding an exhuast and maybe a jb4 / box to the Nismo for a lil bump if I think it needs it?

Thoughts and opinions are appreciated, I feel this car needs a manual but doesn't mean auto can't be fun? (Tho I think I see myself getting bored faster after getting used to the power)

Fwiw In my country I can get a M trans perf model for 80ish K new or, 63k used unmodded, nismos sit at 95k or higher, and finaly the used perf models with mods sit around 75k but fluctuates but yeah between the range of the two..

Thanks

 

[FatRatZ]

I have 2 Z manuals. The first one I got in Boulder Gray was going to be my weekend car. My wife decided she wanted it, which was surprising giving she commutes about 40 miles a day on a crowded traffic clogged highway. I was surprised she wanted to use a stick for that slog.
She’s got about 16,000 miles on it now and has been enjoying it every day. I do have other cars here that are autotragics - but she still always wants to take the Z.
I got the second Z for myself. Also a six speed, but I don’t daily it. It’s such a soft and mellow clutch and transmission that I don’t find it to be any bit of a chore to drive it. Even in traffic, the clutch is light. In my opinion, it is absolutely worth getting it in a stick if you enjoy that. For me the engagement and fun that offers is well worth it. It even has hill hold so those inclines aren’t a challenge. And while I like to rev match myself, my wife loves the cars rev synchronization system that makes downshifting a breeze.
Pedals over Paddles!!

 

[Drago86]

Go MT, or wait for the MT Nismo. If you know how to drive stick and enjoy it there is no reason to get an auto. I daily my MT, and I've never understood people saying MT's are hard to daily because it becomes automatic in your brain after a while, you don't have to think about shifting.

 

[Totka]

Go MT, or wait for the MT Nismo. If you know how to drive stick and enjoy it there is no reason to get an auto. I daily my MT, and I've never understood people saying MT's are hard to daily because it becomes automatic in your brain after a while, you don't have to think about shifting.

 

[Totka]

Get the manual. I have a 370 nismo manual and '24 nismo auto. It's easier for me to shift the manual than to drive the auto using the paddles. I can drive the manual without having to really think about shifting. It's more like a reflex now. I'll eventually be trading the auto for the manual nismo when it's available.

 

[Gadgetech]

My scenario may be a little bit different than yours. I work from home, but I do get out on a daily basis. If I were going to drive a vehicle with an automatic, it wouldn’t be this car. One of the huge benefits to me, is that this car is offered in a manual.

When my wife and I go anywhere and take her Jeep, I actually have to think about how to operate her vehicle, not having to manually change gears. My hands are like…what am I doing again?

Driving a manual is 2nd nature to me and it’s only the 2nd manual car I’ve owned. Maybe it’s because I’m used to changing my own gears on my motorcycle.

 

[karandras]

I agree with everyone’s post on the manual transmission be the way to go. I use mine as a daily driver into the Austin area for work and am happy to be engaged with the vehicle even in horrible, terrible traffic jams.

For me and my body, in addition to the manual transmission, an equal reason I chose the Performance over the Nismo is without question the seats. The Nismo racing seats are hard and not adjustable (or heated). I am a bit older and found the seats completely uncomfortable on anything beyond the shortest trips to the corner. My commute is about an hour in the afternoon and my low back could not stand the hard Nismo seats.

 

[alienpoker]

Get the manual. I have a 370 nismo manual and '24 nismo auto. It's easier for me to shift the manual than to drive the auto using the paddles. I can drive the manual without having to really think about shifting. It's more like a reflex now. I'll eventually be trading the auto for the manual nismo when it's available.

Same exact situation- own both a 370Z Nismo 6MT & a ‘25 Z Nismo (9sp AT obv). The MT is more engaging for sure. But- I don’t miss rowing through gears. The Z Nismo is honestly pretty good in Sport mode… so I’m planning to sell the 370Z Nismo this year.

Given any possible issues in future… I wouldn’t discount having a factory warranty. I certainly wouldn’t buy a used Z that’s been thrashed. I don’t beat on my cars, but the Nismo RZ34 is an absolute beast paddle shifting and a fun car to drive. I have always preferred driving the RZ34 since getting it. The 370Z isn’t getting much love lately.

 

[ill-legal?]

I don't think you'd be disappointed with either option, but I would recommend the manual. Part of the reason I bought this car was to get back into a vehicle with a manual transmission. Some will gripe about the shifter or the clutch in the Z, but personally I find it to be very easy to live with as a daily (and superior to both MT STi's I owned by a LONG shot). I got the Performance knowing I'd tweak the suspension but not to the extent of the Nismo since it's still my primary driver. So far I'm happy with just my Stillen sway bar upgrade, it reduced body roll and still feels compliant without being jarring on rough roads. Personally, I have zero interest in paddle shifters, I've had them on other cars and don't care for them at all.

 

[METROdigital]

Get the manual unless you live in a very hilly city. I find the hill hold to be unpredictable. These clutches are butter smooth. Just watch the heavy acceleration in 1st and and 2nd or you’ll find yourself sideways fast.

 

[Peteyboii]

Thanks for the replies guys
How are we managing to make the manual feel like nismos handling without
a) pouring heaps of money into the car or
B) not wrecking the warranty?

Admittedly I also wanted the manual since the start but imagine the Nismo manual will be expensive to wait for (maybe same as buying an auto nismo now however) and the manual performance imo needs work to make worthwhile...

Also does pedal height of the clutch bother anyone here? Did you find yourself resting your leg on the side rest between shifts or
Is the bite point fully depressed pedal or can you shift half way

 

[Peteyboii]

Same exact situation- own both a 370Z Nismo 6MT & a ‘25 Z Nismo (9sp AT obv). The MT is more engaging for sure. But- I don’t miss rowing through gears. The Z Nismo is honestly pretty good in Sport mode… so I’m planning to sell the 370Z Nismo this year.

Given any possible issues in future… I wouldn’t discount having a factory warranty. I certainly wouldn’t buy a used Z that’s been thrashed. I don’t beat on my cars, but the Nismo RZ34 is an absolute beast paddle shifting and a fun car to drive. I have always preferred driving the RZ34 since getting it. The 370Z isn’t getting much love lately.

Just to clarify you have the auto and don't miss using a manual? I think other commentor is saying his manual is easier then his auto

You don't regret the auto basically?

 

[thesilverbullet]

my 2¢

If i was buying an auto, it would not be a nismo. For that price range I would buy a Lexus or BMW. I would buy a MT NISMO over either one of these all day long.

If you have never owned a manual, then you need to think about it. The MT is for drivers that love the focus / engagement that it requires. As far as pedal reach - the cutch pedal is adjustable and I recommend the perf trim over the sport because the power seat lets you quickly adjust the seat to go from laid back to focus driving.

MT SPORT vs PERF vs NISMO? If there are features on the MT NISMO that you would rather not have to mod, then wait for the MT NISMO.

 

[Peteyboii]

my 2¢

If i was buying an auto, it would not be a nismo. For that price range I would buy a Lexus or BMW. I would buy a MT NISMO over either one of these all day long.

If you have never owned a manual, then you need to think about it. The MT is for drivers that love the focus / engagement that it requires. As far as pedal reach - the cutch pedal is adjustable and I recommend the perf trim over the sport because the power seat lets you quickly adjust the seat to go from laid back to focus driving.

MT SPORT vs PERF vs NISMO? If there are features on the MT NISMO that you would rather not have to mod, then wait for the MT NISMO.

This is very similar to my thoughts process so far... Thankyou
Which Lexus or BMW would U consider?

I think a manual perf with just handling mods should be okay but as soon as I install CAI or anything I'm pretty sure tunes are required which voids warranty unless I use those box things haha

 

[thesilverbullet]

This is very similar to my thoughts process so far... Thankyou
Which Lexus or BMW would U consider?

I think a manual perf with just handling mods should be okay but as soon as I install CAI or anything I'm pretty sure tunes are required which voids warranty unless I use those box things haha

For lexus / toyo - i would wait for the is500 replacement and/or the supra replacement. For bmw - M3 or 4 built in germany. back when the Z was being marked up MSRP+$10,000, i was looking at the m2 w/ MT until i found out it was built in mexico - a deal breaker.