Yep, the 6MT "should" be quicker because it does hold about a 10whp/wtq advantage over the 5AT plus it has fractionally better gearing from 70-110mph. But "should" does equate to "is" because we all know that's not true. 1/4 mile wise, the autos tend to post quicker overall times, mod for mod. This is because only a select few on this site understand how to drive their 6MT. When Nissan decides to put a quality manual tranny into this car, I'll buy it. Until then, I'm sticking with the auto. The Assin/Warner 6MT used in these cars is a POS. I've driven a handful of them and they drive like crap, IMO. The box is way too notchy and the gates are too resistant. Hopefully the 6MT is better in the 07 cars. If it is, I'll buy it.

As for the mags, I know that both MT and C&D have stated that they powerbraked the auto cars and tried both manual shifting and leaving it in auto. Oddly, they found that leaving it in auto was quicker. I've found the exact opposite with my car. They ran 14.6-14.7@96-97mph corrected for conditions and I run 14.3-14.4@97-98mph stock, non-corrected. In auto mode, the my car runs 14.7s.

 

I agree 100%. With the MT if you mess up your shift there is no turning back, where an auto will always get it right. The issue form me is this, let's say you want to shift @ 6000 RPM, with a MT I would take the RPM's up to 6000 then shift, but with the manumatic if I hit the next gear @ 6000 it will really be about 6500 by the time the shift actually takes place. Also, if you read some of the car mags the high end manufactures like Porsche, Ferrari...etc are putting only a manumatic trans in the car, and I bet they shift a lot faster than our G's.

 

Real interesting thread. After driving manuals for many years, I decided to switch to the 5AT. That was a great decision when I'm stuck in traffic and the dumbest thing I ever did when I'm not.
I have tried reprogramming the shift points and am not convinced that there is any advantage. I do use the manumatic on occaision and I must admit there is a small benefit but MAN, I sometimes miss shifting myself.
I have found that manual tranmissions help you to accelerate, stop, corner, drive in foul weather MUCH better than an auto. The manumatic upshifts on the AT are pathetic in comparison to the MT. Also downshifts can be scary. I mean, sometimes I think I'll blow the darned thing up. With MT you tach up, downshift and become one with the car.
I don't want to sound like some Zen whackjob (probably too late) but manual is better for all but heavy traffic driving. I guess I just did it for so long, that I don't even know when I'm shifting. I don't read the tach, or think about it. You drivers know what I mean.

 

amen. Haha I know just what your saying. As much as I agree with DaveB about Nissan having lousy transmissions, its just not the same car with an auto. The notchiness of the tranny actually lets me feel it better and in a way is communicating. I think some cars a auto is good, but some just need to be bought in MT... as far as traffic, I am so use to my 6mt, when I am stuck in traffic with an auto, I miss my 6mt. Just hate not having full control

 

I could deal with the 6MT in the Z because the car is a lot louder and more raw. But in the G, the 6MT just feels totally out of place because it's so noisy, notchy, vibrates, etc. I can't understand why Nissan can't get this right. My 96 Maxima 5MT was the same way. It got annoying after about 3 years (owned the car for over 6). The 6MT in the F-Body and 03+ Cobras feels far better. I just don't get why Nissan can't source out a good manual.

 

Dave, but what if your G was really loud and modded, wouldn't the 6mt fit right in?

 

I agree with Ronso.... you really dont need be watching the rev meter when driving manual.... I dont have manual right now and im not afraid to say that I miss it.... going back to the subject of the thread.... i only use manumatic when going up the hill (there are quite a few where i live) and need a better control on the gears. My G is in 5 @45-50mph so I usually shift down to the 4th.

 

I don't think I have ever driven my 5AT in "D" for a whole mile since I got the car. I always use MM and I love it. It took a while to get used to it, but now that I am, I can shift right where I want all the time. You just have to think ahead. I still think I would have a hard time deciding whether to go MT or AT on my next G.

 

When i get a loaner or drive a car with manual mode, i never touch the "manumatic mode". For me, i just drive the car to get somewhere when im driving auto. I just can't imagine having fun in a automatic car.

6MT G35 does have a notchy tranny and it does take time to get used to it.
For me personally it took me about a year to drive it smooth and about year and half to figure out 1-2 fast shifting, without messing up the differential.

This is one of the reason they make 2 versions of this car 5AT and 6MT. Everyone buys whatever they are confortable with. I have been in stop and go traffics a lot of times ranging anywhere from 30 mins to 2.5 hours. Never got tired of it and probably never will till i become over 40 years old.

If this car didn't have a manual option like the IS350, i would never be on this forum.

 

and i drive a AT...everytime i hop in a car thats MT at work...i get excited

 

Duuuude, you are missing the whole point to the G35. Its like a 350z with a family sedan shell on top. Its great, when I first drove it I fell in love and bought it (eventually). It was rough, tough and just felt like a real sports car.

 

I disagree. The G is a entry level sport/luxury car and it should drive like one. BMW and Benz can get the manual tranny feel and noise to where it needs to be in this segment, but Nissan is clueless.

 

I have driven couple of E46 M3s and 330s (all stick) and hated the way it felt.
To me they feel smooshy and very long travel. But they are much easier to drive smoothly for a first timer than the G.

Not trying to sound like a fanboi, i guess im just used to mine.

s2k is the best manual car i have ever driven.

 

I know alot of people who feel the same way.

 

'03 and I use Manumatic almost always. I like the control it gives me. When I leave it in "D" I feel like I coast too much. Also, if you need to pass, the car is more responsive when I downshift myself rather than let the tranny do it. Drop it into 3rd, punch it and I'm gone...