Had my heart set on a Manual UK TT, but have been driving a nice Honda Accord 2.2 Auto (stop laughing :nono: ) recently, and found auto's were not as bad as I though (i.e. - total and utter rubbish). Basically wondering a few things about the auto:

- cos the gears change themselves, does that mean it protects the gearbox quite a bit, or can it still get a fair bit of abuse?

- With Z Auto's, is there still a delay from when you put your footdown to the car zooming off in the background (apart from traffic lights, lots of fun :) )?

- Will the Auto's work in a way that will save me fuel? i.e. does it select the most fuel economic gear, or the most pwerful one? Will an Auto save me money on fuel in the long run (yes, I know the Z is not a car for the savers) - but I tend to spend about 36 odd miles at least 70+ a day, and the other 10 miles or so are still between 30-60ish. Are AUto's better for driving in the city than manuals?

- I know the Auto will be faster from 0-60, but from 60-100 and 100-150 who is faster? Manual or Auto's? Think I might have started another fight.

 

What was the thing that someone mentioned - if you buy a manual then you need a new XXXX, but if you buy an auto you need a new XXXX.

 

Also roughly how much for a service? And I know I don't deserve a Z yet, but is it RWD\FWD\4X4 I have a bad memory?

- cos the gears change themselves, does that mean it protects the gearbox quite a bit, or can it still get a fair bit of abuse?

 

I guess so, you dont get engine braking in an auto at normal speeds (unless overdrive off) so thats gotta keep the engine a little less stressed. Though putting your foot down will redline in every gear

 

 

- With Z Auto's, is there still a delay from when you put your footdown to the car zooming off in the background (apart from traffic lights, lots of fun :) )?

 

There is a slight delay, due to the torque converter I believe - although its no longer than the time it takes to physically change the gear in a manual, you only notice it because you're not doing anything lol :rofl: Apart from holding on tight :D

 

- Will the Auto's work in a way that will save me fuel? i.e. does it select the most fuel economic gear, or the most pwerful one? Will an Auto save me money on fuel in the long run (yes, I know the Z is not a car for the savers) - but I tend to spend about 36 odd miles at least 70+ a day, and the other 10 miles or so are still between 30-60ish. Are AUto's better for driving in the city than manuals?

 

Driving an auto casually around - it will usually sit in 4th gear, slipping quietly into 3rd if you flex your foot, go uphill etc. So yeah it guess this is great for fuel economy. You wouldn't drive at 30mph in a manual in top gear would you?

 

- I know the Auto will be faster from 0-60, but from 60-100 and 100-150 who is faster? Manual or Auto's? Think I might have started another fight.

 

IIRC Its the manual which is quicker 0-60, then the auto 0-100, I'm sure the difference is tiny though. Dunno 100-150 - would imagine the slighly larger turbos on the manwell would give it the edge :confused:

 

What was the thing that someone mentioned - if you buy a manual then you need a new XXXX, but if you buy an auto you need a new XXXX.

 

Clutch. Gearbox. I think

 

Also roughly how much for a service? And I know I don't deserve a Z yet, but is it RWD\FWD\4X4 I have a bad memory?

 

Rear wheel drive, front engine, mahoosive power! :D:D Service is no different from any other car of its type. Couple of hundred for a minor, up to a few hundred for cambelt service depending on where you go :)

 

Cheers

 

Pete

I'm happy with my auto as well :dance:

 

I drove both before buying and TBH there was very little difference in overall performance, both versions leave ordinary cars in their wake...... :hyper:

 

I only chose my auto because it was the best ZX available from those I looked at, I liked both versions so didn't mind which one I bought. ;)

 

The auto box in the zx is well matched to the type of car it is, autos also have smaller turbos which spool up quicker to reduce lag. There is virtully no delay between pressing your foot to the carpet and the car shooting forwards - very good for overtaking slower cars on a/b roads when gaps in oncoming traffic are few and far between (warning, passengers may soil themselves on your upholstery :nono: )

 

A word of warning on imports, though. The auto box oil cooler is not up to the job for fast driving on UK roads so gearboxes have been known to die - the UK car has a better oil cooling set-up. You need to uprate the 'cooler on imports.

 

HTH

 

Richard :cool:

I was really disappointed by the auto 300zx TT I drove, for example, my Saxo VTS was quicker qhen you nailed it at 60mph, but in hindsight, it's likely that that particular auto wasn't healthy.

 

When I drove the manual that I eventually bought, it was like night and day in comparison.

Mine's an auto and it was the first auto that I had driven.

Again, I bought mine as it was the best Z available at the price at the time.

 

Like Pete said, whichever one you get the power will never get boring :D

 

Plus the looks, the effortless cruising, the appreciative looks of passer bys, the looks of envy from boy racers and the fact that to me, the Z is a GT with soul.

 

Do you ya get the impression that I like my car? :D

Crappy Manual, OR lovely Auto, (I mean condition here)? No choice, buy the best car you can find.

Let me explain my last, I mean if you are offered a crappy condition manual or a nice auto, go for the best car, regardless of its gearbox

I agree. Go for a good car.

Its more important to get a sound car than to worry about the box. By the sounds of it you will be happy with either. This should make things easier for you as you have a larger choice of cars.

And if you want a NICE, 1993 series 2 Jap Auto TT, 54k miles, 17" split rims look at mine. Not far from you. And I have the hots for a Skyline.

Auto's ROCK !!

Arthur

I have had both. Had a uk manual about 8 years ago and now have Jap import auto. I think general consensus is that the Jap auto is better than Uk- has a few extras in power button and hold. I was after a manual again having been one of the 'Auto's are for old gits and birds' brigade but I went for it with the auto as it was in such great condition. I think the auto is fine and with 300hp no auto is going to be slow is it ? My other car is a lexus 300 sport which is an auto and it was a bit odd at first but that was after an Esprit and a TVR !

Cheers everyone, was thinking of going for test drives in a few months - and now I be considering both manuals and auto's (although probally all UK). By the way, is it possible to get dump valves for auto's, or is it a big no no?

 

Does £5K saved up for the car, 1.5K for Insurance, and 1.5K for emergency repairs sound good enough? I was thinking of not buying until I would have another 1.5K to service it there and then, i.e. some belts, oil and air filters, tyres etc - just to make sure nothing goes wrong.

 

Wanted a GTR32, but way to expensive, and the 200sx is quite nice too, still may be tempted to sway that way in year or so's time - i'll see though.

 

Oh, and what do overdrive button's actaully do? ( :slap: )

O'D button basically changes it to a 3spd ox, as opposed to a 4spd.

Good for ''urban'' driving.

I've got an auto tt z, was considering a g'box conversion, till i had

a go in a manwell, little or no difference in power. So i'll keep the

cash spend it on optimax instead! :D

As before.....find a good z and buy it, whether it's an auto or not!

Hi Sideshowbob

 

Nice Zed you got there, mate....

 

Was that one from Kent Terry AKA "Jap City?"

 

Richard

Yes it is mate, would recommend him to anybody wanting to

buy a zed, or any jap car for that matter! :bow:

Got mine from there also. Very pleased with quality of the car and had all the very minor bits pointed out rather than hidden i.e. slight scratch on door and bumper, bit of wear / repair on leather seat. Would have no problem buying another from there.

Yeah, he seems to be one of the ''good guys''!

E-mailed him last week to see if i could get hold of the original jap No plates,

sadly, they are removed at de-registration in japan. Got everything else

with the car....auction pics, jap history, original key etc...original plates

would've completed it!

He said he's in Sweden at the moment, importing/exporting out there!

His bruv is running it in the uk.