Hi guys,

 

I'd be grateful for an honest opinion...

 

I have the opportunity to buy a Z32 which in all respects in perfect...except it's an auto.

 

Always been a manual die-hard, so is an auto Z32 Twin Turbo worth getting? Is it quick enough and is the experience worthwhile?

 

How much better is the manual twin turbo?

 

It would be great to hear from those who have driven both.

 

Thanks.

depends on the rest of the car fella ive had a manual and my current swb tt is an auto, and i was suprised at the power delivery but im changing mine for a manual box as they are just so much more fun as a manual.

manual all the way mate IMO, much better to drive, faster and more economical as you can choose your gears, and the auto boxes are prone to failure, which if happens, you'll probably end up converting anyways! that's just my opinion tho, have converted mine, best thing i've done, but some people do prefer the auto...

As with anything remotely sporty or fast (in our case) it has to be manual in my opinion, but I haven't driven an auto version.

 

I have however driven both manual and auto Supras and again it HAS to be manual.

Driven both. The auto is good if you want to race people off the lights, but that's not really what I like. I like to be able to enjoy downshifting at will, holding gears for as long as I want, they also sound a LOT better than the auto. You don't get the glorious run down or any popping and burbling. Not to mention when changing gear it actually sounds like a proper sports car.

 

I have driven an auto Z32 and they are nice, but I just couldn't NOT have a manual gearbox on this type of car. I like auto cars a lot for pure ease of driving (I've owned a few in my time and driven plenty), but I want to have fun in the Z. Best way is with a manual gearbox. :)

 

The real only plus point for me about Auto Z32s is that you can't really get dump valves to work on them. :rofl:

 

Saying that, the auto (when working) is good in the Z32. But I just have a preference for a manual.

Edited May 17, 201015 yr by FunkySi

I have an auto and, I wish it was manual...

I have been driving my auto zx for two years now and its great but, if it ever went wrong I would be looking for a manual box.Never driven a manual zed (never driven any other zed) and look forward to the day I do as I know it will be more fun so if I was you hold out for a manual:biggrin:

Thanks for your responses and especially the detail from FS.

 

Two questions spring to mind having trawled through the forum:

 

1. What's the difference in economy between the two? My NA does 28 on the motorway and I am told a manual TT is the same. What's the auto like?

 

2. Is the auto unreliable? What are the signs, expected life in terms of mileage and is it really a big problem?

 

Thanks.

Manual any day. :thumbup1:

IMHO - they should never have offered the Z32 with an Auto. I cant think of anything good to say about it.

 

Thanks for your responses and especially the detail from FS.

 

Two questions spring to mind having trawled through the forum:

 

1. What's the difference in economy between the two? My NA does 28 on the motorway and I am told a manual TT is the same. What's the auto like?

 

2. Is the auto unreliable? What are the signs, expected life in terms of mileage and is it really a big problem?

 

Thanks.

 

1. I could'nt say for sure, never measured the mpg on an Auto, but they are typically (ie. in most other cars) a couple of mpg worse than a Manual.

 

2. Autobox is very unreliable, its the achilies heel of the 300zx. Rebuilds costs 1200-1500. 2nd hand boxes usually go for 200-300, but its the same again in labour to swap. Most Z's seem to be on there 2nd or 3rd box by now.

Edited May 17, 201015 yr by Yowser

Always been a manual die-hard

 

You have said it yourself :) Now go out and get a manual Zed

Thanks for your responses and especially the detail from FS.

 

Two questions spring to mind having trawled through the forum:

 

1. What's the difference in economy between the two? My NA does 28 on the motorway and I am told a manual TT is the same. What's the auto like?

 

2. Is the auto unreliable? What are the signs, expected life in terms of mileage and is it really a big problem?

 

Thanks.

 

id say auto reliability would depend how its been treated in the past, with things like maintenance / being hammered.

 

my box is on 99.7k miles (uk spec tt auto) 1990 as well, full SH up to 95k miles, when i took it for a pre MOT rip the other weekend, it was smooth as hell, changed when it was supposed to, and the car flew even thought its blown a turbo oil seal.

mine was originally an auto - i enjoyed straight line runs - just planting your foot and hanging onto the steering wheel, but since Ive had it converted I'd never ever go back.

 

...the only good thing about auto Zs is that they are cheaper to buy than manuals!

clutchs go on the manuals alot when power is upped. My zed is bpu and my auto box is fine. The auto is not weak, just old or racked up the miles. Mine is a genuine 50 odd thousand mile car and on the original box with no issue. Its all down to service. But tbh if the box went i would go manual.

Auto's are for people with one leg.

 

If you are able bodied - buy a manual.

 

If you an amputee or cant be arsed to drive properly - buy an auto.

 

An auto cant heel and toe..

 

It will change gear just when you dont want it too.

 

It always pushes you when you're braking.

 

Its worse on fuel.

 

You will never achieve 'driving nirvana' with an auto

 

If you have to ask what that last bit meant, buy an auto....

a good zed can be very hard to find... you have obviously set yourself a criteria of 'must haves' but you should be prepared to sacrifice one in order to buy a decent base to work from. the gearbox is prolly the best of the major criteria to compromise with as it can be relatively easily changed. if it was a must have to be a swb and you bought a lwb then the chances are you won't modify it to become a swb :1eye: similarly, n/a or tt preferences would also mean a lot more work and money to put right (not to mention the fact you already have an na!).

 

so, i would say that if you have found a genuinely good car that ticks all the boxes other than being an auto... buy it. that way you will experience the auto for yourself and can make your own decision. if/when the autobox fails you can look at converting it to manwell for around 700 notes (excl. labour), or if you really dislike the auto just convert to manual and sell the autobox. having owned an auto and a manual zed i deffo prefer the manual 90% of the time, the other 10% is mainly when crawling along in traffic when an auto box is such a bonus!

Had three autos and two manuals.

 

Loved both for different reasons.

 

AUTO

 

+ Great for cruising about in the sunshine and just enjoying being relaxed and nothing to worry about except go and stop.

 

+ Gear changes are predictable and can be controled quite well, it feels more like you decided to change gear not the car decided (when the car is set up properly)

 

+ Has different settings so you can choose what driving style you fancy at the time.

 

+ Makes the car very drivable and relaxed every day without feeling manic, becomes very lively when you want it to.

 

- Auto's do like to burn the clutch packs out = rebuild of gearbox and lots of £££'s

 

- Not total gear controle so cornering is never quite how you would want it when coming in at speed.

 

- Doesn't feel like a sports car all the time.

 

MANUAL

 

+ Makes you feel more like your in a sports car

 

+ High speed cornering is better as you chose your gear

 

+ Racing from the lights is more fun as your more involved

 

- Cruising is not as enjoyable

 

- Doesn't ever feel relaxed really

I bought mine as an auto and had it converted (thanks Zedworld) when the auto box failed

 

The manual box makes you realise just how much power there is there but, perversely also makes you realise just how good the atuo box is at smoothing out the delivery

Driven both. The auto is good if you want to race people off the lights, but that's not really what I like.

 

I have an auto TT Si, and i just assumed that a similarly powered manual would be quicker off the lights than mine?

 

Also in standard form, would the extra bit of horsepower that the manual has not come into play off he lights?

 

Give us a bit of an education please mate, or anyone else out there who knows. :smartass:

I have an auto TT Si, and i just assumed that a similarly powered manual would be quicker off the lights than mine?

 

Also in standard form, would the extra bit of horsepower that the manual has not come into play off he lights?

 

Give us a bit of an education please mate, or anyone else out there who knows. :smartass:

 

Statisically the manual is faster 0-60 and IMO a good driver will be able to make the manual faster off the line because of the shorter ratios it has.

BUT, in reality the auto can get off the line far more reliably and far far more consistantly.

Human error is the problem. Setting off from the lights 10 times, an average driver might be able to get the manual car to 60 in under 6 seconds maybe 3 to 4 of those 10 tens and will cock up the other 7 times!

Where as in the auto, the car does it for you. stomp n go and will probably get to 60 in about 6-6.5 seconds every time you try - dry road.

 

For the record, I had an auto, converted it to manual and it is much better for it.

Also the Auto has slightly smaller turbos so spools up quicker than a man helping it launch to 60 better ;)

Thanks guys, i thought that the only thing that would let the manual down would be the driver, but i didn't know bout the smaller turbos.

 

Is that why the auto is lower on power than the manual? cos of the smaller tubs?

Thanks guys, i thought that the only thing that would let the manual down would be the driver, but i didn't know bout the smaller turbos.

 

Is that why the auto is lower on power than the manual? cos of the smaller tubs?

 

mainly due to the losses in the transmission... the turbos are smaller so they spool quicker to counteract these losses. they also have very slightly different camshafts.

Lower peak power engine output due to Turbo and Cam differences.

 

Then you have additional losses compared to a Manual through the drivetrain as well.

 

Auto's are slower in all areas - 0-60, 0-100, mid range, corner/roundabout exit.....every scenario.

Edited May 18, 201015 yr by Yowser

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

 

I suppose in my heart of hearts I knew I wanted a manual TT and I suppose I was just looking for an excuse to let my heart rule my head!

 

It's quite clear that if given the choice (and I have a manual NA already so no need to rush), the correct choice is a manual.

 

I shall wait...

a good zed can be very hard to find... you have obviously set yourself a criteria of 'must haves' but you should be prepared to sacrifice one in order to buy a decent base to work from. the gearbox is prolly the best of the major criteria to compromise with as it can be relatively easily changed. if it was a must have to be a swb and you bought a lwb then the chances are you won't modify it to become a swb :1eye: similarly, n/a or tt preferences would also mean a lot more work and money to put right (not to mention the fact you already have an na!).

 

so, i would say that if you have found a genuinely good car that ticks all the boxes other than being an auto... buy it. that way you will experience the auto for yourself and can make your own decision. if/when the autobox fails you can look at converting it to manwell for around 700 notes (excl. labour), or if you really dislike the auto just convert to manual and sell the autobox. having owned an auto and a manual zed i deffo prefer the manual 90% of the time, the other 10% is mainly when crawling along in traffic when an auto box is such a bonus!

 

SOOOOOOOOOOO True!!! :thumbup1:

 

I have both auto and manual, and i`m a 50/50, love them both in different ways, Manual for fun! but how much fun can we have on our roads these days? auto is just fab for those lazy summer days and long drives, effortless driving:biggrin: