Does anyone actually want an automatic?

[JimboZ]

I bought a 2023 Performance automatic because: 1) I couldn't find a manual. 2) My wife had a hip replacement. 3) We are both 70 and I have knee and hip issues. 4) I had a terrible case of Z fever as I've had a 1976 280, 1991 300 ZX and a 2004 350Z. That's how we justified going ahead with the automatic. We loved driving the automatic but after a year, my wife and I felt that there was something missing. We traded the 2023 automatic for a 2024 Performance manual. The manual to us is so much more fun to drive. Our three other Z's were manual so maybe it makes us feel young again. No knock on the automatic, but we much prefer the joy of driving the manual. The clutch is not heavy so we're able to drive it with no aches or pains as yet. I paid a premium for the 2023 because of the lack of cars but got the 2024 at sticker. The trade was costly but well worth it because of the fun we're having with the manual. It feels so much for like a sports car. We did have a great year of driving the automatic but don't miss it at all.

 

[Thefunk]

I bought AT simply because I've never driven manual, and while I wanted to learn with this car, I remembered that I drive around town, in LI traffic, and I want to be able to cruise and drink coffee or vape lol. Need a free hand. Also for track the AT is fine.

 

[ZillaZ]

I like manual more but I also have an issue with my left foot that flares up every once in a while so I went for an automatic.

 

[MacCool]

Of the nine Z cars I've owned since 1970, the only other Z that had an automatic was my 1982 280ZX Turbo. When I was looking to buy my current Z Performance, I was surprisingly (to me) pretty neutral on the AT vs MT question. If the car they had coming in had been an MT, I'd have been fine with that, but it was an automatic. Now, after about 2000 miles driving it, I'm still kind of neutral. Some definite advantages and a few drawback, exactly as I felt about my manual-transmission Z cars over the years.

6000 miles and six months later, I have re-thought this position. Initially, I was indifferent to automatic transmission versus manual transmission, but at this point I am really glad that I got the automatic.

 

[Ckynus]

This post aged in a funny way. I still personally only want a weekend rear drive 2 seater in manual. But with the nismo edition Nissan is claiming enthusiasts disagree with me.

 

[ZillaZ]

This post aged in a funny way. I still personally only want a weekend rear drive 2 seater in manual. But with the nismo edition Nissan is claiming enthusiasts disagree with me.

Nissan didn't want a manual Nismo to be slower than an auto-performance. As they sit, that's how it would pan out if they had a manual Nismo.

 

[speedjuno]

I LOVED my 370 6 spd! But at our age, I want the wife to use it more than she drove the 6 spd. If I can swing it, I'll be getting an Auto.

 

[Jrt]

I didn't even drive the auto, my wife did but she came back and wanted to try a manual. It took a couple of weeks but we git up to another dealership that had manuals and it was what she loved.

 

[Ckynus]

Nissan didn't want a manual Nismo to be slower than an auto-performance. As they sit, that's how it would pan out if they had a manual Nismo.

It's a different outlook as I do not care about track times. I classified the Z as a fun to drive affordable car. The sport and performance trims thrive in this category. The Nismo has a higher MSRP and the automatic transmission that put it into a different category, for a different customer. It's not wrong, but it's not for me.

 

[bpeckham]

This thread basically boils down to:

• Some people want autos
• Other people want manuals.

 

[D2M]

For me it depends on the car and the gear ratios available in the trans.
I prefer autos ( quick shifting ones ) in turbo cars as the turbo lag between shifts is annoying in a MT car. I also love to left foot brake. Now with all the extra gears 6th gear is 1:1 so you have 5 under driven gears, more shifts more fun. In NA cars I prefer MT because of the better engine response, but preferably ones with 5th gear being 1:1 instead of 4th. It gives you more ratios that are under driven giving the engine a mechanical advantage. Once in a overdrive gear the engine is at a disadvantage. Also some MT cars have a lot of play / slack in the driveline making them clunky and noisy at lower speeds. AT always has some kind of load on the drivetrain keeping thins tight and quiet. Everything is a compromise.

 

[MacCool]

I LOVED my 370 6 spd! But at our age, I want the wife to use it more than she drove the 6 spd. If I can swing it, I'll be getting an Auto.

I seriously doubt that you'll regret.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Auto for me. I have had lots of manuals (including a 240Z) so sorta been there, done that. Manuals are lots of fun but I've moved on. Autos are quicker and get better gas mileage. Last highway trip that I took the mileage was 7.8 litres per 100 kilometers (36mpg CDN).

 

[Go2ZZZ]

Auto FTW.

 

[EarlsFat]

Auto... I'm using mine as a daily and don't need or want to row gears constantly.

I have my 70 Camaro and 53 F100 (hopefully finished end of this coming spring) for the loud, shifty fun.