I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to find a manual TT with leather for upto seven grand

Oh boy oh boy, have I tried.. AutoTrader, Findit, Ex&M, Loot and even those small little adverts in pay phones

Why then hell are there soooooo many Autos and no manuals. Its gotta be a fifteen to one ratio in favour of the slushboxes (oiiii put that can back on dem worms) no offence to the Auto dudes ;-)

Someone sell me a Manual TT that doesn't have 15 grands worth of extras on it ;-)

Sorry for the rant. The rant is now officially over. Mind you they just gave me another 3 grand Visa so I could just stretch to Chris's Motor.. Hmm bankrupcy vs. Zed - tough decision.

 

 

Hang in there mate ! It's not all over yet... you'll get one, and when you do, it'll be well worth the wait. Don't do anything silly just cause you want it asap.

 

Jay

Hang on in there mate, I looked at loads, private / trade. Then I found one in a neighbours garage (offerd to take it off his hands, to make room for his SLK).

Look at profile - and im more than pleased with it, running quibbles 'an all.

These things are turning into an investment,

in a few years time for a good honest Z they will be very sort after. I've been offerd 2k more than I payed for it last August by the local curry house owner already! But I won't sell it.

My best bet would be to try and buy of a forum member, or take a technical minded member on your SECOND visit to view the car before you give some bloke your sov's.

 

Hi,

Have you tried the Z Club Of Great Britain web site http://www.lightman.co.uk/zclub/ they usually have a few TT's for sale.

Or why not contact luke Borg at the Z Centre or Mike Feeney at MJP(Eastern)Auto, they usually know of any good cars available.

JEZ

 

[This message has been edited by JEZ300Z (edited 29-06-2001).]

Glen,

 

I feel a wager coming together...

 

You are Zless, I too am Zless! My Z has been MIA for nearly...hang on, just check my cell wall...ah that's right, for nearly 7 months now!

 

I bet ya £50 that you get a pukka manual TT with leather before I get mine back...in working order!

 

Up for it?

 

Serious now!

 

 

Timmy "McKririck" non Turbo

;-(

 

Hi,

Stick with it, and don't succumb to an Auto box!

The official performance figures for the less powerful, stock auto were a lot slower! e.g. 0-60 in 7.5secs....About on a par with a Mondeo or Vectra V6!!

JEZ

Yeah I know guyz, Im cooled out again, just took a stroll on da beach. Just chillin and takin' all those wise words above for what they are, good sound advice.. have also been thru the zclub adz and spoken to MJP.. Luke Borg is I think, the only person suggested I've yet to call upon. Daft thing iz I lived just outside Nottingham 3 weeks ago, but I'll give him a call...

Tim, you and me are on a psychic (or psychotic ) link geeZer!! as I was scribbling the original post I thought about what is worse, Zedless and waiting for the right car to buy or Zedless and waiting for Pete to put the right car back together .. man I even considered buying a four grander and driving it straight round to SE and saying to em "There you go chaps, pull it apart, sort it, there's 3 grand and I'll see you in 7 months - if you want me I'll be sat in a pub drinking Gin with Tim and taking Temazepam"

The worst is when you see a Z cruising by, at least you got a meat eating German Liverwurst muncher Tim, I am making do with a poncy French vegetarian Soya Destroyer.. and it smells coz I spilled a bottle of Tcut in the boot.

You are on for that £50 wager sir Tim of the Clan McLadbrooke.

 

Have a great weekend everyone at top boost to y'll.

 

Glen.

;-)

Glen, mad for it geeZer, keep it real fella!

 

Jez,

 

Auto does 0-60 in 7.5 secs, I think not young man, if that was the case I wouldn't have chopped in my Supra (single) turbo for it.

 

Put it this way, me and my Mrs. cained my Supra many a time and had coathanger grins every time.

 

When we both test drove my Z it was double, even triple coathanger grins.

 

Don't ever...ever...ever...accuse the auto. TT of being equivalent to a fucking Mondeo!!!

 

Get your arse down to the nearest church and confess your sins, I have to respect you as a fellow Z man but you are way off line.

 

Glen, bet is on...Jez, challenge you to a serious Auto vs. Manual kick arse session geeZer...LMFAO!

 

 

Timmy "unimpressed" non Turbo!!!

;-)

 

 

[This message has been edited by Timmy_Turbo (edited 30-06-2001).]

I've had enough "spirited" drives with manual Z's from this forum to know that there isn't much difference in speed between the Autos and Manuals. In fact, come the higher speeds, an auto will crap on a manual.

 

There was an interesting web page about the differences in performance but I can't seem to find the bookmark (must be on my work pc). If I find it, I'll post it here.

 

I was after a manual to start with. After 1.5 years, I'm very happy with my auto (although I wouldn't say no to a semi-auto box). The main thing is to make sure that whatever Z you buy, it's in top condition otherwise you'll regret it far more than not having 3 pedals.....

 

Andy

Ha ha haaaaa! Who's laughing now, Jez, check this out man!

 

Eat those filthy Ford words, if anything the later Z's were slower than the early models.

 

How does 5.9 secs sound? Manual does it in 5.7(Nissan 300ZX Enthusiasts Companion) but this is in black and white in weberneeze...

http://zhome.com/History/zcarperf.html

 

Slamdunk to Turbo Timius!!!

 

 

Timmy "5.9 secs" non Turbo

;-)

 

 

[This message has been edited by Timmy_Turbo (edited 30-06-2001).]

ooopps those worms I spilled fumbling with that can in message one are all over the place man....

LOL

I have no disrespect against the AT at all me hearties.. Just where I live (de aiiiiL of wight) the roads are windy and slippery and I got me little kiddies to think of and I just cannot risk an auto putting down 280BHP at the wrong time, whooosh, wassat? its Glen pointing in the direction he came from

But no Diss to AT'z, as someone once said (dunno who, confusious probably) Nissan did a LOT of engineering to keep MT and AT side by side speed-wise. I believe AT turbos spool up quicker etc...

I just need the control of an MT for mine and me sproglets peace of mind.

 

Glen Flintstone

The auto Z came out after the manual and Nissan made a big point of making sure the performance is almost the same - different turbos, cams and ECU I believe.

The auto is also quicker to 100mph.

Sure there is a slight delay when dropping down a gear but once you are used to it and predict it, it's no prob + you can be lazy in traffic.

Another advantage is being able to eat your lunch, use your mobile and pull out of a junction all at the same time! LOL

After a year with my auto, the only reason I would like a manual is it's easier to smoke the tyres from a standing start.

If you're worried about the surge of power at the wrong moment get traction control fitted with your few grand change! It's made a massive difference to my Z and I bet I could out corner a standard manual now with ease...

Hi,

I was talking UK spec. Auto's with the less powerful engine (263bhp), not US spec. or Jap spec.

I am only quoting Nissan's Official figures at the time the car's were new!

 

i.e. 263bhp/269lbft 0-60mph 7.5secs auto

278bhp/272lbft 0-60mph 5.9secs man

Plus the Uk road test manual car was suspected of having a higher bhp output than the cars available to the Public, at that time!

The Road & Track figures in the US always seem much better...even their non-turbo car seemed to fly!

I seriously doubt that any stock Auto TT will do 0-60mph in 5.9 secs! Although at higher speeds things may even out more.

JEZ

 

[This message has been edited by JEZ300Z (edited 01-07-2001).]

Senna,

if you can't find a manual, get an auto (its fine) and then take as much time as you like to find a manual gearbox and convert it. SE will do it for you. SE converted mine after having been an auto for nearly 3 years. I have to say, IMHO, the manual is streets ahead of the auto in performance (it feels so much faster), driver enjoyment, engine sound (especially on the overun). handling (you choose the gear not the auto). Manual shifting on an auto is Ok, but the manual shift is just more smiles per mile. The manual also has lower gearing than the auto and 5 gears not 4. So the car will accelaerate more quickly and you are more likely to be in the right gear more often. anyone thinking about it, do it.

Nah, auto. is the way to go, especially when you get stuck in Birmingham every Friday afternoon on the M6. There's only so much pushing of clutch that the left leg can take before you get really f**ked off with it!

 

My Toyota was auto, my Merc. is auto and me Z monster is auto. Oh yeah, and the womans Range Rover is...you guessed it...AUTO!

 

As recently stated, you can smoke a fag, eat a sarnie even sneakily use the mobile without endangering wild elk on country roads...LOL!

 

Manuals are arse and too much hassle IMHO! And autos will always serve you better as in a manual you are not selecting gears when the car wants you to or efficiently for safe performance. Nothing like the surge of a slight pause and then launching like an Exocet missile with kick down...awesome!

 

And although the auto. box is a limp wrist in the Z, most reviews for the manual will also state that "it shreds manual gearboxes, not designed to take the brute power!".

 

Well that's what I think, only car I would have that is man. is a GT-R!

 

 

Timmy Automan Turbo

;-)

 

 

 

I have heared from many places that the Auto is up with the manual but over 100mph (which none of us should get up to ) the manual will start to perform better.

 

I have a manual and I wanted a manual and I waited for it.

 

I think the appeal towards favouring the manual is, control. There is nothing better than crusing round the countryside seeing a sharp corner ease on the brakes and go down the gears. Each gear change the engine growls as the revs pop back up. Push it in to 3rd with the engine a 3,000 rpm, turbos are ready to spool up to full speed. You feather light foot on the throttle, keeping those huge back tyres in the right direction. The corner opens up and you press the throttle all the way to the floor, as you are pushed back in to your seat.

 

Thats why I like the manual. !!Control!!

 

Thank you from reading this little insight in to my mind Hehehe

 

Stuart

Senna, hello mate, read your e-mails.....

 

Chris

Hi,

The combination of Auto box and turbos isn't ideal, especially on the UK's, mainly wet roads.

At the lower speeds and denser traffic in Japan the auto is more at home....hence why there are so many Auto imports!

It all depends on whether you want your 300ZX for every day use (not ideal, as I can testify) or just for weekend blasts ,where the manual car would be the purer drive

JEZ

 

[This message has been edited by JEZ300Z (edited 01-07-2001).]

For pure enjoyment NOTHING can beat the control that you have on a manual except something like the Tiptronic on a 911. To set up the car correctly the manual allows you to control braking using the clutch and footbrake on entry, and balance using throttle on exit.

 

And those figures that Jez put up for the 0-60 are Nissans own figures from the UK brochure.

 

I have seen autos and Manuals on the strip at North Weald and there is really nothing in it as far as performance, the Auto may get a slightly better launch but the Manual will catch it given everything else is equal.

 

Grant

It's been a while since we've had some controversy so ...

 

If driving for performance (and certainly when racing), the engine (and therefore clutch) should not be used for braking. In truly high performance driving, the brake pedal should be used to set the car up for 'on the limit adhesion'. You should then use heel and toe'ing to lift the revs on the downchange to avoid the engine contributing to the braking.

 

The heel and toe method can be used on an auto when manually dropping down the gears although the timing is tricky to get right. I actually used left foot braking on my auto as I felt more comfortable with that (probably from karting days) but heel and toe also works.

 

In my opinion, if you get in tune with your auto 'box then the difference between auto and manual is so marginal that it's down to individual driver skill / car ability (apart from that initial acceleration from standstill - and even then, it's dependent on a good driver not spinning the wheels on a manual).

 

Come on then manual drivers GO FOR IT AND TELL I'M TALKING BOLLOX !!!

 

Dave

 

(and just to add to the fun - I drive a manual now and love it !)

So you've got a manual TVR then have you Hairsy??

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Seems that there are arguments for both man / auto but I am a dedicated Auto but only in Jap import guise (sorry Uk owners) the extra control afforded by the three popsition switch on the Jap spec cars is immense.Having had some well poerful manual motors I was originally left feeling out of control round bends until you realise the overdrive sitch and 2nd gear are manually selectable when you want.So now conicder that fast straight slight curve ahead turn in gets a bit sharper dont back off just take overdive off, instant engine braking now power up in this lower ratio and away click overdirve back in.Tell you what scares the shit out of passengers when it sound like your going faster around the bend.Have some serious doubts that an average driver in a manual would pull away fro lights and change gear 2 or 3 times faster the a guy in tune with his auto box.Incidently I am told the extra control on a Jpa car can be fitted the the UK box from the outside! also have tried a HKS line convertor to get quicker changes but works best on a UK model as the difference is more noticable. Need a rest now see ya AUTO IS KING

 

Jeff TT

 

 

REAlly muST cheCK my spillings befre I submitt Jeff TT

I've got a HKS Line Convertor and Traction Control fitted to my Jap Auto Z and I don't think there is much can stick with me round a bend now I'm used to the setup.

In principle I'm a dedicated manual driver, but with the upgraded Jap auto box and the traction control I have certainly adapted my driving style and it has become a quite satisfactory compromise.