I was considering getting the Automatic when getting the G35 Coupe. But then 5 seconds later, I came to my senses and decided to go with the 6M. Although the clutch can be a bit stiff at times, it is much much hotter to drive, and it is a little quicker. Also, with the 6-speed manual version, you get Brembo brakes and tighter suspension. The Automatic transmission does not get this and it is not available for Auto drivers at all. Auto drivers can only opt for the 18" wheels and rear limited-slip differential. 6 speed manual transmission + Brembo brakes + tighter suspension...how can you say no to the 6MT version?

 

I never heard the 6mt had a tighter suspension than an auto with the tire/wheel lsd package. Do the two actually have different spring rates?

 

This is much more a driver question than a car question. With the exception of a coupe GM products, manuals are always faster. This is due to better gearing and more gears to work with. Early C4 Corvettes were actually faster with autos because of the poor shift quality and poor gear of the 4+3 trannies. When the ZF box came out, the manual ruled again. F-bodies tend to be equal in the 1/4 whether they are sticks or autos. This is because of fairly aggressive torque converters and quick shift patterns in the valve bodies. Other cars likes NSXs, RX-7s, RX-8s and 300ZX-TTs have auto models that are not only slower from the transmissions, the autos are so much weaker they had to down tune the engines for less power. Nevertheless, from a roll though the stick always wins given the same weight and HP.

This is all really subjective though to the type of driver. I like in one of the 5 most congested areas in the country. Despite a 35-mile commute everyday, all my cars are sticks. This even includes my Maxima. The drive is the adventure, not a chore. If the G wasn't available in a stick, I wouldn't buy it. I always joke on this subject, by my opinion is the that there are only 2 reasons why people drive autos: they don't like to drive or they don't know how to drive. Sorry this 'I have to drive in traffic' excuse doesn't cut it with me, because I do it everyday.

04' G35 Coupe(on order)
6-sp Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium

 

Okay, let me say what I was saying in a more direct manner.
If you are a true driver, then you get this car in the 6-speed manual. This car pushes "drivers" to get the 6MT version by giving you Brembo brakes and a tighter suspension (I am POSITIVE about the tighter suspension, so please don't argue with me, kthxbye). No doubt the auto transmission is great and the brakes are still great and the handling is still great. But it seems to me like a lot of guys out there only get the G35C in Auto just to show off their car and to get attention and stuff. Not just that, I feel that if you really like to drive this car, then you get the 6MT...Auto is for people who like to sit back and do nothing...what a waste of a G35C...the ride is very tight and jarring and you get 18" wheels for a reason. I hit bad traffic several times a week, and yeah the stiff clutch is a b*tch in traffc, but you know what? I suck it up and take it. 6MT is the way to go...for all those other times you're not in traffic, manual transmission is too hot. And this G35C 6MT has one of the nicest gearboxes I have ever driven...it's slick and precise, and shifts are very very close/tight. The clutch has the perfect amount of stiffness to it for the perfect sporty feel without being excessively stiff.
So basically, all you Auto drivers please stop trying to defend yourselves and justify your purchase of an Automatic transmission, and just admit that you can't drive.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by MrElussive on 08/20/03 09:05 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

I'm not going to argue with you on any of the other stuff you said but I'd like to know where you got your information from on 6mt's having different suspension than a tire/wheel packaged AT coupe.

 

uheenada, if you think SMG is an automatic transmission, you are an idiot. SMG is a full manual transmission with a full clutch. The only difference is that instead of a clutch pedal (with your left leg controlling the clutch), the computer does it for you. And of course, you just tap the shifter or paddler shifters to change gears, and the computer does that for you also (rather than manually shifting the gears with your right hand). SMG is not really that great, anyways...a lot of people are having trouble with driving the SMG smoothly, and it does many things on its own (it downshifts two gears at a time for you if you don't act quick enough). Thanks, but I'll stick to having full manual control over my clutch and when to shift. And I am a true believer of technology as I firmly believe in my car's DVD navigation system, its traction control system, it's airbags, its xenon headlights...don't tell me about not believing or accepting new technology. I just llike to shift my own gears and have control over the clutch (which enables me to control my launches and basically more control over balancing the car).