I test drove the 6MT last August, it was probably an 07'.
I got my 5AT in February 08' without even looking at the 6MT again.

 

Does the 5at chirp going into second?

 

It can but it won't. Chirp = slower.

 

May be slower, but imo, still more fun and involving!

 

+1, I might've purchased the 6spd if I didn't live in Atlanta. I didn't really have a problem with the friction point....well I did stall out the verrrrry first time, but that's it

 

+1 for everything. i went to the dealer to check out the differences in the 5at and 6mt. I have always driven manuals and always planned to.....until.....


5at selected that day(nov.4.06).

 

yes....when downshifting from 3rd lol

 

I love how this has turned into Tranny>Tranny, LOL.

First, I have a wicked double-clutch downshift which is probably as good as the automatic (my g/f's brother has an 07 G35S with auto so I have experience with both). There is something WAY more engaging in doing a true double-clutch downshift then letting a computer do it (sorry, words can't explain the difference, maybe like going on a roller coaster versus watching a video of someone on one). I could careless if the auto is faster or smoother, there's just something more involving and raw about a car with a clutch.

My favorite car is the Ferrari F355 (timeless design, amazing V8, to-die-for sound, love the interior, etc.). If I were to own one, I'd get the lousy, metal-gated 6spd over the F1 ANYDAY. The F1 is notably faster and better, but it's less nostalgic in my opinion. Despite the Nissan GT-R's awesome gearbox, I'd still opt for a 6MT if it were made (and I was buying one).

Plus, I buy my cars not for how fast they are, but what the "total experience" is. I could spend the same and get a Charger SRT-8 (which is auto) and blow the doors off my G35 but my goal is not speed, it's an experience. I could also buy a Jeep Cherokee SRT-8... I felt that the only two (affordable) four doors that would meet my "driving excitement" needs were the 335i and the G35S; I went with the G35 because of my brand loyalty, lower price, and there was an available 6MT when I purchased (I could not find a manual 335i in the state). I absolutely hadn't considered the auto, despite it being a great auto (which it is).

You may all prefer riding your bicycle with training wheels as well but I don't. Poor analogy, but just because something is better doesn't necessarily make it better for everyone. Seriously, when I have 4 people in the car, I make it an exercise to drive as smoothly as possible (because it's so difficult in this car). It's all part of the "experience". I feel I've reached a mastery level with this car and I take pride in that. I do wish the clutch was better, but the gearbox itself feels fine. I'd prefer the lousy clutch to a lousy gearbox so at least they got that right (which for the longest time was an issue with Nissan's).

That's just my opinion, yours may differ. My girlfriend could care less about whether it's auto or stick (she drives both just fine), she sees a car as a means to get from A->B; everyone is wired differently.

 

I just went from a 07 Jeep SRT8 to the G., 5AT. And I, like yourself, was more interested in the overall experience.

I miss that 6.1 power, the seats, the sound of it, the remote start, the AWD, and the practicality.

Having said that, I don't miss:

It was not fun on the freeway, very heavy, build quality was less than stellar (even with my custom suede interior), worst paint I have seen on any car ever (except on both of my 07 Wrangerls), had issue after issue (thanks Chrysler), dealer experience sucked (no loaners), and most of all, I got 7mpg on average around town, and 12 on the highway. Even with a light foot.

The G is not perfect in either Tranny, but it's combination of everything makes it the best overall car daily I have owned. And with 44 cars under my belt, incuding BMWs, that says a lot.

And it was a steal.

So be happy!!!

 

Have to agree heartily with BrianV who puts it very well indeed. It's the entire 6MT experience that's at issue here, not pure speed. I, too, make a special effort to shift and drive as smoothly as possible with guests in the car. With my 14 year old son and his buds in the car, on the other hand. Well, you know, then it's all double clutch downshifts.

My son is a car kid who is just aching to drive a shift stick. So I put him behind the wheel of the G yesterday in our parking lot and had him shift into first, to get the feel of he clutch/throttle interplay. Of course the car lurched and stalled the first few times but no gear grinding. And after that he got the feel and gently moved the car forward riding the clutch just a tad.

He was thrilled and delighted. I recounted to him my first time learning a stick on my dad's Mercedes. I believe the car became airborne on my first try. So I see my son as an improvement over me.

I know, you all think I'm nuts to expect a kid to learn a stick on the G. But if he can do it in the G he can do it anywhere.

 

Just wanted to chime in on the clutch issue.
18k on the car.

I too feel like this is one of the worst clutches I have ever driven
I have owned a honda crx, honda accord, nissan sentra all of which had better feeling/responding clutches.
I have driven my brothers mazadaspeed3 (very nice car) and it feels sooo much better on shifts
Other brother has a GTI and that clutch is really stiff but still feels better overall.
Also driven RSX and TL w/ clutch and they also feel better than the G

I really like manuals but this clutch really stinks.

 

When you mention taking a 6spd in the GTR if they would've made it...you have to think about the difference in performance of a G and a GTR. I mean, your average Joe is not going to be able to drive a 6spd GTR....maybe even some experienced manual drivers will have trouble harnessing that kind of power in a manual gearbox. That goes for any high-powered supercar.

The two cars I was considering was the G and the M3...I would've taken the M3 in only a 6spd because the clutch is so long and you're able to modulate throttle and clutch easily. When I test drove the G, it just didn't feel right...even though I loved how short the throws were. But you're right about the 6MT experience factor, there is no doubt I woulda went with a 6spd for a sports car...but for a performance sedan, I'll go A/T every time

 

I have an 2008 and clutch feel is fine with mine, the reason why Edmund's clutch is going is because multiple ppl have been driving the car and they beat on it nor know how to drive it. Aside from the very first time I drove the car and it lurched forward b/c I was unsure of where the engagement point was it is a gem to drive.

The pedal action is light, I can drive it in traffic for hours without my leg getting stiff, shifts are direct and short, there is nothing more fun than hitting a freeway on ramp with no traffic in front of you and taking the first 4 gears to redline. I had a 98 CL before the G and if you have ever driven any Honda's the clutches on Honda cars tend to engage too high IMO.

The only problem I have had with the clutch is the clutch groan/creak begun to occur around 800 miles, I had it greased when i brought it in for an oil change but it soon returned after 4 days of driving.

 

Why would anyone double clutch downshift a 6MT G?

The G is synchronised; I've yet to drive any car where I needed to double clutch except a few completely beat MT cars where the synchros are completely gone.

All you need to downshift is a simple heel-toe.

To me, driving a MT is not really an 'experience' per se. I've driven enough that it's like chewing gum and breathing as you're walking around enjoying the scenery. The breathing is like shifting; I just don't pay attention to it. It happens naturally without thinking about it. Enjoying the scenery is the actual driving (gassing, braking, turning).

Like you said, everyone is wired differently. To me, speed and performance is the priority, and the 7AT has a gearing advantage. It remains to be seen if the 7AT is faster than the 6MT, and that will make my final decision.

I am keeping in mind that that the AT weighs more, and allows me to be driven around by more people (I'm not married... yet...) in the case that I'm unable to drive Believe me, if the 7AT were not an option, I'd already have a 6MT.


Everyone wins, regardless of transmission choice.

 

Nothing wrong with learning a stick on the G. I learned at the same age as your son. That was in the early 70's on my dad's 240Z. Kudos for starting him off right!