Hi All,

 

 

I've been looking for a good-condition 300ZX twin turbo for a some months now. I'm planning to go for the 2+2 rather than the SWB because, although it's fair to say I'm not buying this car for practical reasons, I do occassionally need to carry more than one other person on fairly short journeys, plus I often need to carry guitars and associated kit around.

 

With all this faffing around I've been getting slightly impatient, however it's been good in the sense that I'm a lot wiser about the issues and pitfalls I need to consider. There is still one question I don't have a definitive answer on though: which is better, the auto or the manual?

 

My own perspective on this is that I'm not a terribly big fan of automatics generally, however if they're hugely more reliable than the manuals or whatever (I've heard some dealers claim this, whilst others claim the reverse) then maybe I'd be wise to get one. In an ideal world I'd drive a manual because.... well, just because really. You just kind of feel a bit more like you're properly driving.

 

So, if anybody has any strong opinions on this, or better yet hard facts I'd be really grateful to receive them. I'm quite anxious to know because I've got my eye on a very nice example at the moment, but it's an auto. Now if that's the best thing to get then I'll get it (it's looks absolutely fantastic), but still if the manuals are as good then I'll be happy to wait a while longer.

 

 

Thanks everyone.

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/search.php? its your friend ;)

Manual/Auto

Here we go again!!

auto i would say is no way more reliable than manual. And I drive an auto. Blown the box and lots of people have too. You will hear lots of people convert their Auto to a Manual but never the other way round.

 

Make up your own mind.

 

I still love my Auto to bits though, great box. (When it works)

General concensus is that condition/mileage etc is far more important than transmission type. Find a good zed then see whether its a manual or auto if you see what I mean :D

 

Performance wise, they are very close. Manuals said to be quicker to 60, autos quicker to 100 and 1/4 mile. I'd imagine Mr Average driver could drive a manual around a track/twisty roads quicker. Really depends on how you want to drive it, and where you drive it.

 

Reliabilitywise, if an autobox breaks it tends to be a rebuild job, if a manual box breaks it tend to be the clutch which isnt as expensive as an autobox rebuild. Having said that both units are strong and will handle a fair amount of power on top of stock.

 

If you buy a Jap Import auto - make sure it has an upgraded oil cooler as the standard set-up isn't good enough and they overheat in the UK.

 

Oh and theres hundreds if not thousands of threads/arguments on this topic so do a search ;)

 

Hope that helps

 

Pete

Guess I'll be waiting on a manual then.... or buying an auto and paying a pile of cash to convert it (sounds fun, not). Ho hum. Thanks chaps.

Thanks, this is really helpful. I had kind of noticed the trend conversion actually. Vaguely reminds me of how everyone asks if they can upgrade their NA to TT performance but nobody asks the reverse. I should have checked the forums more assiduously rather than just reading the FAQs. Cheers.

assiduously

 

Surely thats a made up word! :p

Time for a search.

 

But to save you the hassle, its gotta be manual. And if you want ultimate performance, best make sure its red! :dance: :D

Dont start the Red thing again!!

I bought an auto and therefore believe autos are better ;-)

 

In all honesty, for sporty driving, I'd say a manual is probably better having driven both. But the auto is better for cruising / pimping.

 

It's annecdotal but I hear of more reliability problems with auto boxes than manuals too I think. But I still think my autos great and wouldn't change it for a manual.

Surely thats a made up word! :p

No, it's definitely for real:

 

assiduously

adj.

 

1. Constant in application or attention; diligent: an assiduous worker who strove for perfection.

2. Unceasing; persistent: assiduous research.

 

;)

Probably an auto would be better in Cambridge traffic too. Honestly, it's rubbish! :(

This is what I'm thinking of buying (I'm cursing myself because I missed out on a manual that looked EXACTLY like this, except for 5 spoke alloys instead of 6, a few weeks ago). It's now a grand less than the marked price in the photo (problems? or maybe they just can't shift the thing):

 

 

So I dunno. Think maybe I should wait.

Dont start the Red thing again!!

 

 

red red red red red red red red red red red red red red red red red red red :rofl:

They probably can't shift it. Seven grand is still steep for a Zed these days, unless its a minter with a decent warranty.

Yeah if its mint and got full service with it then would be worth the money.

 

Ask if there are any kind members who know a bit about the cars to go take a look at it with you. Sure a :duffer: would see you good on this.

Thanks all,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you: been away. Wedding followed by training course. I've basically decided NOT to go for that car, even though it IS a mint 95 TT. This is partly because it's an auto and partly because you guys said it's probably a bit expensive (and it's 150 miles away), so thanks very much for the info. That said, when I do find a car I would be extremely grateful if somebody from the group were willing to come along with me to take a look, and would be more than willing to show my appreciation in beer. :) I also need to hand over cash and properly join this club.

Thanks again,

Bart

Good choice mate, I was looking at buying that Zed a few months ago. The guy even offered me 6k, obviously needs to get rid of it! I've got an auto, very easy to drive except when it decides to down shift while going round a big round about, get exciting to say the least!! :eek:

Next Zed will be a manwell though, more fun and at least I'll change the gears when I want too!

Hi,

I was in the same situation as you about one month ago when i bougt my beauty at a bargain price of £2,500.00. Mine is an Auto UK I have drove both, and to be honest with you apart from the intial pulling off the line and of course that fact of drifting!!!(which is a right job without a clutch), I can honestly say there was no difference.

 

There again everyone's opinions differ. Find yourself a performance garage and test drive both.

 

:hyper:

...........Seven grand is still steep for a Zed these days, unless its a minter with a decent warranty.

Or it's a silver cabrio!!!!

id choose manual its simply the connaisseurs choice :D

TBH mate whatever anyone else says, the white UK auto was the best Z ever made, infact its been proven many times by scientific studies./......

Since I like and regularly partake in drifting/doughnuts/sprints I went for a manual. I drove both types whilst looking for my Zed, and like someone else said, the bloody thing changing up or down mid-corner is crap, and you cannot properly control drift with an Auto. I love being in total control, and the feeling of getting a good start in a manual is like nothing else. Put it this way, how many Race cars have auto boxes? How many drift exhibition teams run Autos? The ONLY reason I can think of where an Auto is better is if you do a lot of town driving, stop/start all the time, and you don't really drive it that hard. No disrespect to Auto owners, it's still a Zed after all! And no matter what, everyone loves their pride and joy, whether it's auto or manual or SWB or NA/TT, leather/cloth interior, the list goes on. A Zed is a Zed at the end of the day and that's all that matters :)

Oh yeah and Red ones go faster. :D ;)

changing up or down mid-corner is crap

 

they do have a hold gear switch on autos to stop this kind of thing......;)