Autotragic G35 paddle shifting?

[SpatiallyAware]

After yet another 2 hour commute to work I've decided to get an Auto instead of 6mt in the G35 I'm about to buy.

I hate it, I've only owned 1 auto vehicle in my life. However, I can't deny that 95% of my driving is commuting/traffic. It just isn't worth it for that 5%. In a year or so I may pick up a project miata or something


How is the paddle shifting in these cars? I'm looking at 05+, and I'm hearing that the manual mode is almost as fast and just as fun as a full manual..

 

[vshah]

i never understood why people dislike driving a manual in traffic. sure its a little more work, but I think its worth it for many of us who can't afford to keep 2 cars. As long as I have only one car, it will be a MT...

To each their own I suppose. My cousin has an automatic G37 which shifts nicely with the paddles. upshifts are quick and downshifts aren't too jerky at all.

 

[RichieZ]

two cars in the answer, here is my solution:
99 Camry LE
08 Boxster

 

[SpatiallyAware]

two cars in the answer, here is my solution:
99 Camry LE
08 Boxster

I also ride supersport motorcycles, so I'm really not wanting a "sports" car (at least in the boxster sense).. I want a daily driver that's sporty, not a weekend sports car.

I want something that is sporty, luxury, and easy/fun to drive back and forth to work (30+ mile all traffic commute)



The reality of a 5/6 speed in traffic is 80% of the time it's not a big deal. But that 20% of the time where you don't want to drive a manual REALLY sucks. I'm not sure it's worth it to me anymore..

 

[SpatiallyAware]

i never understood why people dislike driving a manual in traffic. sure its a little more work, but I think its worth it for many of us who can't afford to keep 2 cars. As long as I have only one car, it will be a MT...

To each their own I suppose. My cousin has an automatic G37 which shifts nicely with the paddles. upshifts are quick and downshifts aren't too jerky at all.

After a 2 hour commute in the morning and a 12+ hour day at work I do not want to drive a manual on the way home

 

[evident]

After a 2 hour commute in the morning and a 12+ hour day at work I do not want to drive a manual on the way home

+1 driving a RWD and manual is becoming the new e-peen nowadays

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

i daily drive a manual in nyc metro traffic.
sucks in complete stop and go, but i wouldn't have it any other way.

flat roads, creep slowly in 1st.
coast in neutral on downhill slopes.
going uphill sucks the big one.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

i daily drive a manual in nyc metro traffic.
sucks in complete stop and go, but i wouldn't have it any other way.

flat roads, creep slowly in 1st.
coast in neutral on downhill slopes.
going uphill sucks the big one.

Also I feel like the 'type' of traffic matters... I'm not talking 20mph constant with a few stops, but more like from 45mph to stop. 45 mph to stop. 45 mph to slam on brakes. 30 mph to stop. It just royally blows with a 6 speed rowing through the gears all of the time.

This isn't really about capability or whatever, it's just flat out annoying as hell.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Also I feel like the 'type' of traffic matters... I'm not talking 20mph constant with a few stops, but more like from 45mph to stop. 45 mph to stop. 45 mph to slam on brakes. 30 mph to stop. It just royally blows with a 6 speed rowing through the gears all of the time.

This isn't really about capability or whatever, it's just flat out annoying as hell.

i'd rather have 0 - 45 - 0 - 45mph, etc. rather than 0-5mph where i can't even fully engage the clutch.

that way, i can keep it in 1 gear, probably 3rd or 4th and coast at 30mph the whole way.
screw the folks behind me that get pissed. i'm saving them gas and brakes.

 

[zoiks]

After a 2 hour commute in the morning and a 12+ hour day at work I do not want to drive a manual on the way home

Agree. I have driven manuals all my life. But it really tires you out if you drive a lot.

 

[exdeath]

i never understood why people dislike driving a manual in traffic. sure its a little more work, but I think its worth it for many of us who can't afford to keep 2 cars.

You've never driven a car with a real clutch.

 

[dirtboy]

Former manual transmission driver... I rarely use the paddles on my 335. From time to time I do use the sport mode to down shift into a turn but the excitement quickly wears off. It's not the same, but it's amusing.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

After driving a DSG transmission, all of the paddle shifted conventional automatics seem like they take a day or two to change gears, G37 included

 

[StageLeft]

That's fine to have the auto and you've my ever-important blessing.

But please.

Don't ever paddle-shift this thing, it's embarrassing to paddle-shift a car that is in every single way an auto tragic.

"going uphill sucks the big one."

Yep, it really does in a manual in a long highway uphill, bumper to bumper.

"Also I feel like the 'type' of traffic matters... I'm not talking 20mph constant with a few stops, but more like from 45mph to stop. 45 mph to stop. 45 mph to slam on brakes. 30 mph to stop. It just royally blows with a 6 speed rowing through the gears all of the time. "

I partially moved states because of this. I know exactly how much it sucks.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Paddles are a novelty - it will wear off after a week of ownership and you will never use them again - well perhaps if you take the car on a track day.

I've owned a manual trans equipped car my entire life - 18yrs of driving - I'm ready for an automatic. Its a very rare day you find time to escape to an uncongested back road and are able to rip through 1st to 3rd gear.

The pleasure I get from shifting myself does not overwhelm the clutch in clutch out 100 + times in commute traffic.

 

[RKS]

Get the manual and get a job that doesn't require a 2 hour commute or 12+ hour work day.

 

[theeedude]

Auto paddles are useless. It's like those shift positions that automatics had for ages. Yeah, you can manually put it into third, or turn overdrive off, but no-one is going to use that unless maybe you want engine braking coming down a long hill or keep it in gear on steep uphill. Also what fun is it anyways? It's not you doing the shifting, you are just pushing a button.
If you want an automatic, accept that it's an automatic, don't be fooled by the manual mode hype.
Also, what's the problem driving a manual in traffic? Gives you some entertainment. If you can afford a G35, you can afford clutches. Being stuck in traffic sucks with manual or auto, I'd rather get some exercise in the meantime

 

[zmatt]

To answer your questions, the G35 is based on the 350z. And by all accounts the auto on the Zs are very good. They shift fast and are a match for the manuals they come with.

 

[theblackbox]

Auto paddles are useless. It's like those shift positions that automatics had for ages. Yeah, you can manually put it into third, or turn overdrive off, but no-one is going to use that unless maybe you want engine braking coming down a long hill or keep it in gear on steep uphill. Also what fun is it anyways? It's not you doing the shifting, you are just pushing a button.
If you want an automatic, accept that it's an automatic, don't be fooled by the manual mode hype.

it can be a lot of fun. i like to shift using speedshift once in a while, and wind up the car, and letting the power run it's course, even though it is not as tight as a manual, it's just as much fun to drive, and takes the waste out of driving.
most times, i leave the transmission in comfort, once in a while sport, and once in a while i switch to manual to enjoy the engine and the car.

in speedshift, you get more of a feel of the power.

i can't answer for other cars, but the clk 55 amg is a lot of fun and the so called novelty never wears off. not when you love the car.

 

[DarkThinker]

ARRGH I am in the same boat right now...

Within a month I want to get a sedan to replace my daily driver. I just don't know what to pick, it's either a Manual / Automatic 03-06 G35 sedan OR a Manual / Automatic 05-07 CTS.

They are both nice cars and have their cons and pros but I just can't decide. I am also confused on which one will cost less on the long run.....add to that, the fact that Manual trans ones are harder to find and my frustration with the fact that 05 G35's have about 45 HP+ more than the 03-04 ones which adds to the confusion. I will never decide I like both cars in both configurations... - -> sad face....

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

it can be a lot of fun. i like to shift using speedshift once in a while, and wind up the car, and letting the power run it's course, even though it is not as tight as a manual, it's just as much fun to drive, and takes the waste out of driving.
most times, i leave the transmission in comfort, once in a while sport, and once in a while i switch to manual to enjoy the engine and the car.

in speedshift, you get more of a feel of the power.

i can't answer for other cars, but the clk 55 amg is a lot of fun and the so called novelty never wears off. not when you love the car.

manually shifting an auto is like having sex with a condom on... no actually it's worse, a lot worse.

just leave it in auto and stop posing.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

manually shifting an auto is like having sex with a condom on... no actually it's worse, a lot worse.

just leave it in auto and stop posing.

I really don't get this.. I mean a G35 manual is posing to me. I see a 4 door and am like... poor guy.. probably wishes he could afford a mid 90's 911 or even miata.


Honestly.. I feel like the days of the shitty autos are almost over. It's getting to where the 4 doors with 6 speeds are just showing off.


95% of my commute is traffic. That's just reality. If I feel the need to 'wind it out' I'll take the motorcycle or buy a cheap miata.

 

[KentState]

Ever once in awhile I mess with the "manual" mode on my car, but it's really not necessary. The best part of it is that I can use the full RPM band or throw it into a lower gear before I want to pass. That way I don't have to floor it and wait for the auto to catch up.

I hear you on the driving in traffic. Atlanta has the worst traffic I've ever experienced. Back in Ohio, a manual was fun to drive and barely did I hit traffic.

 

[Greenman]

That's just reality. If I feel the need to 'wind it out' I'll take the motorcycle

That's the answer. Most of my driving is in an F150 loaded with gear and material, and even when it's empty I drive like an old man. The bike is a whole different story. So much fun to let it stretch as you climb on the freeway. It's a pity I can't redline it through all five gears.

 

[jhu]

Also I feel like the 'type' of traffic matters... I'm not talking 20mph constant with a few stops, but more like from 45mph to stop. 45 mph to stop. 45 mph to slam on brakes. 30 mph to stop. It just royally blows with a 6 speed rowing through the gears all of the time.

This isn't really about capability or whatever, it's just flat out annoying as hell.

If I'm stuck in traffic, that's the type of traffic I'd rather have. In these situations, drive at the average speed of traffic instead of speeding up so that you can stop ahead. You'll end up staying in one gear while saving gas, decreasing brake wear, and decreasing clutch wear. Take a look at this.