manual or automatic
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From: NC
Originally Posted by Farch
(Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can get that in the auto)
Again it all about preference. The problem with these subjects however is that oftentimes there is misinformation given as regards reasons not to buy one or the other- especially the 5AT. People will rag on you about buying an auto sports car and they will make claims about performance loss things that you can't do, options that are not available etc. But the bottom line in the G is that is is all about preference ansd the way that you prefer the car to get it's power to the wheels. The TC is set up so that it will get you the power that you need under various loads so that there isn't any lag in power delivery. This is the best auto I've driven. It is fun to drive in MM mode. The 6MT is fun to drive but you can't opt not to manually shift. This is not necessarily a bad thing but if you want to have an option to shift or not without compromising performance, then get the 5AT. Like the other person said, if you are committed to learning how to master a manual transmission and you want the fun of using a clutch then get teh 6MT.
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Originally Posted by GX9901
When I bought my G I did not really know how to drive a manual, so I opted for a 5AT. I have since learned to drive a manual car reasonably well on my brother's "summer beater" Miata (as well as getting proficient in manual shifting on my crotch rocket). I think had I bought the G today, I would strongly consider the 6MT. However, I really never felt any regret over getting the 5AT G. I actually like driving a manual car but perhaps because I'm pretty lazy I don't miss manual shifting when I'm in my 5AT. Another point to consider is that if you drive mostly on highways, having a manual really doesn't add much to the experience, at least for me. When I drive my bro's Miata, I actually enjoy driving in the cities more because I get a chance to actually shift.
In my opinion, for someone who doesn't know how to drive manual yet, getting a manual or auto G35 really is up to how committed you are in becoming a 6MT driver. Take me and my crotch rocket for example. When I bought my crotch rocket I not only haven't taken any MSF safety courses yet, I have never rode a motorcycle period. But I was committed to learning how to ride so I surfed the net to read about how to shift gears on a bike, asked my friends and my dad about riding skills, took the MSF course, and got my license. I wanted to learn how to ride and I set out to learn it. If you are willing to commit yourself to become proficient at manual shifting, then I say go for the 6MT. I guess for me having a bike to shift gears around was enough so I'm perfectly happy with my 5AT.
Eigher way, have fun in your new G!
In my opinion, for someone who doesn't know how to drive manual yet, getting a manual or auto G35 really is up to how committed you are in becoming a 6MT driver. Take me and my crotch rocket for example. When I bought my crotch rocket I not only haven't taken any MSF safety courses yet, I have never rode a motorcycle period. But I was committed to learning how to ride so I surfed the net to read about how to shift gears on a bike, asked my friends and my dad about riding skills, took the MSF course, and got my license. I wanted to learn how to ride and I set out to learn it. If you are willing to commit yourself to become proficient at manual shifting, then I say go for the 6MT. I guess for me having a bike to shift gears around was enough so I'm perfectly happy with my 5AT.
Eigher way, have fun in your new G!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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i got a 04 automatic fully loaded nav 18 wheels,ITs cool!!! When i feel like it i put it into tiptronic,when im lazy i drive in auto! Its the best of both worlds!!! No matter what that car is very fast!! Only thing thats good about stick is it has brembos and 7more horses whichmeans nothing really!
Originally Posted by SaltiDawg
You had said, "(your) first manual car was my RX-7 with twin-plate clutch. I stalled like hell for the first few days... but after that, I don't have any problem driving any manual car... "
Everybody here's grandmother and grandfather learned to drive a stick - typically in a couple of hours session with their parents. Don't try to make this sound like Rocket Science. Sheesh.
Everybody here's grandmother and grandfather learned to drive a stick - typically in a couple of hours session with their parents. Don't try to make this sound like Rocket Science. Sheesh.
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From: Hoboken,NJ
Originally Posted by aerisolphaln
If you've never driven a mannual in your life, I would highly recommend learning on a car that is not as powerful or expensive as the G. Talking to friends who purchased mannuals without prior stick knowledge, they said the first couple of months were the worst of their lives. They hated having to get in their car every day and be afraid of grinding the gears, again, or stalling in the middle of an intersection, again. If I were in your shoes, I'd either buy the automatic (which still is a blast to drive), or find a less powerful, broken-in mannual to learn on while you wait the 3 months for your ordered 05-6MT to get to the States from Japan.
'05 6MT, Laser Red, Premium, NO spoiler - Should be here in April
'05 6MT, Laser Red, Premium, NO spoiler - Should be here in April
I am now on day 7 driving the G (I hardly used it during the week as I work in NYC) and already I can shift perfectly fine. My 1 ---> 2 shift is a little rough sometimes but I am getting there. You just have to be nice and easy! Although I admit the first 2 days I stalled quite a few times and it made me want to cry. haha
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Don't buy the manual just because your friends urge you to. Automatics is extremely popular and most of the people are using it in almost any countries except probably Europe. It will make your life so much easier during traffic, and easier to sell when you want to. Manual is good only when you think it is fun to shift by yourself and the actual performance difference is very minimal. If you think driving a manual is a way to show off your driving skill in front of people, i say it is not worth the troubles it cause.
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I would just like to state that the decision between manual and automatic should not be about acceleration. With locking torque-converters standard on pretty much every new auto car nowadays and auto gear ratios that come close or match the car's manual version, you no longer beneft in the acceleration department by going with a manual over the automatic. If anything, the automatic will be more consistant with delivering optimal acceleration and makes smoother shifts.
The advantage of a manual transmission is the driving experience. The G35C feels much more raw and connected with the manual transmission. When you punch it in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, whatever, you are not sitting there just watching the tach and speedometer, waiting for the car to go faster. The manual transmission really brings out the engine in the G (and any car) and it really gives the G a lot of "soul" if you will. When you redline the gears of the G, it is quite a rush and quite an experience.
The advantage of a manual transmission is the driving experience. The G35C feels much more raw and connected with the manual transmission. When you punch it in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, whatever, you are not sitting there just watching the tach and speedometer, waiting for the car to go faster. The manual transmission really brings out the engine in the G (and any car) and it really gives the G a lot of "soul" if you will. When you redline the gears of the G, it is quite a rush and quite an experience.
Last edited by MrElussive; Mar 26, 2005 at 04:06 PM.
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I do not have a G35 but I have a 2003 Acura CL-S. I learned on this car and did not have many problems. Even with learning on the car I am extremely happy that I did not end up getting an automatic. The G does have more power than my car but not by that much. When I test drove the G the clutch felt much smoother than on my car so I think it might have been alittle easier to learn on. Before my CL I did drive an auto and after switching to the manual transmission I will not be going back to auto for a while. A manual is just so much more fun to drive in my opinion.
If I were to do it all over again...thre is no questiton thtat I would get the stick.. no question. That's because I am a modder, it's just a lot easier to make and measure power with a stick ...just my $.02
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: San Diego / Bay Area
i got my 6MT on monday (3/21/05). I had never had a stick before, and had only driven a few of my friends' cars that were stick so i was relatively new to it all. conceptually, i knew what to do, but in actual practice, it was a different story. i drove around in a parking lot practicing the first two nights because i was too scared to take the damn car on the road, but since wednesday i've been able to comfortably drive just about anywhere. even hills are pretty easy with appropriate use of the hand brake. I still start off slow or jerky occasionally (searching for that catchpoint and trying not the stall at the same time), but it hasn't even been a week since i've gotten the car and i can confidently drive in just about any traffic condition.
having driven automatic since i was 16, let me tell you that having a manual just adds so much more to the driving experience. i'm not the racer boy type, so acceleration differences (if any at all) had little bearing in my decision to choose the 6MT. rather, i just wanted to get involved in the driving experience and feel like i was controlling the car as much as possible. the 6MT definitely provides that feeling.
but to sum it up... if you care about feeling "one with the car," then definitely go for the 6MT. if you are considering stick solely because you want to impress other people and you don't already know how to drive it, you probably should just get an automatic.
having driven automatic since i was 16, let me tell you that having a manual just adds so much more to the driving experience. i'm not the racer boy type, so acceleration differences (if any at all) had little bearing in my decision to choose the 6MT. rather, i just wanted to get involved in the driving experience and feel like i was controlling the car as much as possible. the 6MT definitely provides that feeling.
but to sum it up... if you care about feeling "one with the car," then definitely go for the 6MT. if you are considering stick solely because you want to impress other people and you don't already know how to drive it, you probably should just get an automatic.
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From: Houston, TX
like you i'm very new to manual. my car is only 3 weeks old and i've been driving here and there. of course stalling on occasion when i'm not paying attention. the thing about the G is that the clutch is very heavy so you need to get used to it. another hint is that the clutch catches very high up. that's something good to remember.
on a hill, i wouldn't recommend using the hand brake. it seems like it's a lot of work. i mean, the stick is enough to use. what i do is, leave the car in first gear, hold down the foot brake and hold the clutch right before the catch point. when you're ready to go, let the clutch out slowly until you see your tach drop a little, give it some gas and then fully release the clutch and go. that's how i was taught.
have fun with your new toy!!
on a hill, i wouldn't recommend using the hand brake. it seems like it's a lot of work. i mean, the stick is enough to use. what i do is, leave the car in first gear, hold down the foot brake and hold the clutch right before the catch point. when you're ready to go, let the clutch out slowly until you see your tach drop a little, give it some gas and then fully release the clutch and go. that's how i was taught.
have fun with your new toy!!
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Originally Posted by areddy14
i went from an 03 at coupe to a 04 6mt coupe. it was one of the best choices i made in my life, no regrets.
I feel that this is a luxury car. I really don't think of it as a sports car. It is a very spirited luxury car and with some mods and the manual it is close to a racing luxury car, but at the end of the day, it is still a luxury car. That being said, I would go with the manumatic, with luxury you should have a manumatic. This is why AMG, my favorite luxury sports company, ONLY MAKES MANUMATICS. They don't even offer a stick. If you want a race car, buy the 350Z Track with the 6spd, mod it to the hilt, twin turbos and all then go to town, do not buy a G35. We love our 5AT and when I want to turn it up a little, I switch it over to manual mode, which is a pretty good manumatic if I do say so my self. My wife had an eclipse before this and the shift response on the tiptronic was slow, this one is great. I would say go with the 5AT. Just my .02.
