Do You Wish The R35 Came In Manual?

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

If I remember correctly, the Holinger 6 speed GT-R box is a sequential.

So what's the difference between the Holinger and the R35's box, aside from the former having a third pedal and being slower?

At least people who prefer the feel of a Double H pattern have some irrelevant reason for liking outdated tech.

It's the fun of driving a "Manual" car, hence the title of the thread...

[scathing]

It's the fun of driving a "Manual" car, hence the title of the thread...

If you leave the R35 gearbox in manual mode, the shifter behaves exactly like a sequential's minus the clutch pedal. I'm still not seeing the difference that makes it "fun". What's so enjoyable about working the clutch? The shifter itself performs in the same way (if you choose not to use the wheel mounted ones), the new one just happens to work faster.

I find it interesting to note that the guys who probably haven't even sat inside an R35 pine for the manual, but those who've actually driven one are completely sold on the idea. And, from the looks of it, these guys have owned old school sports cars and driven them hard, so they're not just poseurs who bought the R35 to show off and only like the new transaxle because they won't spill their Starbucks.

It kind of reminds me of Honda fanboys wanting everything to come with VTEC, despite never having driven a sports car with torque. All they've ever experienced are el-cheapo econobox motors and lazy large displacement engines designed back when cravats were cool.

Edited June 15, 2009 by scathing

[Godcla]

" only like the new transaxle because they won't spill their Starbucks. "

[Birds]

If you leave the R35 gearbox in manual mode, the shifter behaves exactly like a sequential's minus the clutch pedal. I'm still not seeing the difference that makes it "fun". What's so enjoyable about working the clutch? The shifter itself performs in the same way (if you choose not to use the wheel mounted ones), the new one just happens to work faster.

I find it interesting to note that the guys who probably haven't even sat inside an R35 pine for the manual, but those who've actually driven one are completely sold on the idea. And, from the looks of it, these guys have owned old school sports cars and driven them hard, so they're not just poseurs who bought the R35 to show off and only like the new transaxle because they won't spill their Starbucks.

It kind of reminds me of Honda fanboys wanting everything to come with VTEC, despite never having driven a sports car with torque. All they've ever experienced are el-cheapo econobox motors and lazy large displacement engines designed back when cravats were cool.

Nothing wrong with favouring an older, "inferior" technology simply because of the feel. What's so favourable about working a clutch? I'll tell you. It makes the few times that I do manage perfect shifts in a drag race that much more special. Call it drawing a long bow, but while we're cancelling out driving inputs and controls, why don't you just pay someone to drive the car for you? You won't even have to turn the steering wheel then. Kind of takes the fun out of though hey? As a kid, did you enjoy those little cars outside the supermarkets that you put $1 in and they move for you? Or the man who would jump on your dodgem car and steer it for you to get out of a mess?

Of course R35 owners are sold on the idea. They wouldn't have bought the car if they were having second thoughts about enjoying the transmission. I'm sure a test drive had more than something to do with it, or the fact the car is so damn fast for it's price and most prospective owners would turn a blind eye to the transmission even if they weren't sure about it. Hell, I'd take the paddle shift for a sub 4 second 0-100 myself, but given the availability I do think this car would be more fun in manual. Though the two are usually positively correlated, faster doesn't always present more fun, which in itself is a subjective thing. Who are you to judge what people like and don't like in a car? And I don't agree with this don't-knock-it-until-you've-tried-it logic. What about dog shit? Until you have a taste you aren't really going to know are you? So go on...

P.S. Godcla, apologies on assuming the ZR1 was pushrod. Still, 2WD and a floorshifter...there's no denying that car is impressive when contrasted with the technological juggernaut that is the R35.

Edited June 15, 2009 by Birds

[LSX-438]

why don't you just pay someone to drive the car for you? You won't even have to turn the steering wheel then? Kind of takes the fun out of though hey? And I don't agree with this don't-knock-it-until-you've-tried-it logic. What about dog shit?

Wholly emotive long bow batman!

[Gibbo_R35]

Of course R35 owners are sold on the idea. They wouldn't have bought the car if they were having second thoughts about enjoying the transmission. I'm sure a test drive had more than something to do with it, or the fact the car is so damn fast for it's price and most prospective owners would turn a blind eye to the transmission even if they weren't sure about it.

I think that you will find most of us that currently own the R35 did not get a test drive before buying. I put an order down over 2 years ago without even so much as seeing one in the flesh, call it a gamble...but hell it was worth it. As such the transmission could not be evealuated on a test drive.

Who are you to judge what people like and don't like in a car?

So too who are you to say what is fun and what is not. If you like lighting up the tyres at a set of light, or feathering the clutch to get a car sideways at a round about or on a corner...then hell buy the manual if that is what is fun for you. I love the manuals because of the heel toe down changes and the fun of skid pan days, however my real FUN happens on the race track. I have never had more fun than with the R35, as I said before I have always owned manuals and was hesitant on the R35 because it only came in the paddle shift, after 2 days of driving it I was a convert. This does not go for all paddle shifts, only this one so far.

So for my "Fun" being track days and driving fast, I am glad I have the paddle shift and not the manual.

But as you have said everyone's idea of fun is different. So there is no right or wrong answer here.

[Snowman]

But yes its not as much fun to drive, and lets face it guys you drive the damn R35 around in Auto mode almost all the time.

You know I never drive mine in Auto. I drive it in M + VDC in R Mode pretty much always.

And like that it is FUN to drive around town IMO. You can give it a quick squirt from time to time and with the mid-pipe you can have fun listening to the down-shifts at every opportunity. I never get tired of it

[Gibbo_R35]

But yes its not as much fun to drive, and lets face it guys you drive the damn R35 around in Auto mode almost all the time.

I am like Snowy here... R C R settings for me. Manual mode. I like keeping the hands busy and "driving" the car. I use the R mode for the transmission all the time because I find it is a smoother change even when in auto mode. One thing I have been caught with a couple of time is the "delay" when the car down shifts from 2nd to 1st in automode. I have put my foot down a couple of times right at this moment when going through a round about or coming out of a side street and guess what...nothing happens for about a second. Then the car suddenly grabs the gear and off you go, I have had some heart stopping moments here.

Hence why I drive in the Manual mode, I have the control of the down shift more. So for me, 80% manual mode, 20% auto.

Cheers

[kralster]

I wish the GTR didn't come 400kg over weight.

[Godcla]

" P.S. Godcla, apologies on assuming the ZR1 was pushrod. Still, 2WD and a floorshifter...there's no denying that car is impressive when contrasted with the technological juggernaut that is the R35. "

No apologies required....just had to check myself.......ZR1 are very impressive but read the Article below and just remember that we have to pay

twice as much here for the ZR1 or Turbo Porka......and this and many other Articles leans towards the GTR.......and for me....I'm not paying 400k (even if I had it) for older technology that's slower.......or 200k for a S/H Z06.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=6594

PS: I know it's only the Z06 not ZR1 in the Article but hey the ZR1 is 400k here.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Gibbo_R35]

I wish the GTR didn't come 400kg over weight.

I am not sure what I woud shed from the car, yes it is heavy, however I like the sound proofing, I like the power windows, the electric seats, etc etc. I agree with offering a V-Spec for those that want a complete track beast, but if you want 400kg lighter, then simly do the following:

Buy a stock GTR,

Pull out the back seat

Pull out the Bose Speakers in the rear of the car

Pull out the floor carpet and mats.

Pull off the door trims and replace with thin board and vinyl covering.

Pull out the sound proofing

Replace the seats with race seats. ( Bride seat for the passenger...who cares about them)

(all up cost $10,000)

There is your light weight model....easy.....if you then sell the bits you have pulled out then you will probably come out ahead.

[Godcla]

I wish the GTR didn't come 400kg over weight.

[kralster]

I'm just being a dumb arse. I love the GTR just the way you are.

[noone]

Lets be real here, the R35 is not exciting to drive around town. Its just not. The paddle shift doesn't help that either. Thats why you buy a 370Z if you want a manual fun car to drive at slower speeds. I wouldn't want the R35 to be in manual it would take away a huge amount from the performance and would take away the special supercar luxury feel (as most cars do not have such a sporty DSG gearbox).

But yes its not as much fun to drive, and lets face it guys you drive the damn R35 around in Auto mode almost all the time. It quickly shifts to 6th gear at 60km's an hour and if you drove this thing around town in manual mode all the time you'd burn through a tank of gas every 2 days. I drove mine back from Melborone to Gold Coast. It was funny I would hit a nice open road and put the foot to the floor. I could seriously watch the petrol guage going down while I hit the throttle hard, It seriously sucks that much gas when floored. Thats why its rather boring to drive around town in auto. (boring compared to a 350-370Z quick changing gears, semi drifting around round abouts at 50-60km's that is lol). Still not boring when you put your foot down, that is where the fun is. This is just a different type of car, one that can't go slow and feel exciting.

What makes me laugh is I feel the same kinda feeling with my R32, around town it really isnt that great heavyish clutch, gearbox noises heavyish to steer etc,

and if just in traffic other that the look an the wing quite unassuming

off boost just putting around its not that "special"

however on the track or a nice windy bit of road at speed it comes alive it just all gels and is such a rewarding drive

I have not driven a 35 but it sounds like its much the same story

maybe that means the flappy paddle thing really hasnt blunted the GTRness of the car that much?

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

If you leave the R35 gearbox in manual mode, the shifter behaves exactly like a sequential's minus the clutch pedal. I'm still not seeing the difference that makes it "fun". What's so enjoyable about working the clutch? The shifter itself performs in the same way (if you choose not to use the wheel mounted ones), the new one just happens to work faster.

I find it interesting to note that the guys who probably haven't even sat inside an R35 pine for the manual, but those who've actually driven one are completely sold on the idea. And, from the looks of it, these guys have owned old school sports cars and driven them hard, so they're not just poseurs who bought the R35 to show off and only like the new transaxle because they won't spill their Starbucks.

It kind of reminds me of Honda fanboys wanting everything to come with VTEC, despite never having driven a sports car with torque. All they've ever experienced are el-cheapo econobox motors and lazy large displacement engines designed back when cravats were cool.

Why are you firing of at me for?

I did not say anything negative about the gearbox in the R35 GTR... It is a very superior gearbox compared to a lot of other gearboxes.

Yes I can see the advantages of not having the clutch pedal and just the quick shift...

Just because you like it does not mean I have to like it...

"In My Opinon" I enjoy the feel of shifting gears with the clutch pedal, I was bought up driving manual with the clutch pedal, I am very use to it and I feel very in-control of the car.

And the quicker I can shift with the clutch pedal the better for me.

I am simply answering the tread / topics question.

So I am a "Honda fanboy" now, am I?

[Munro]

Titanium exhaust is the go. $6600 to lose 10kg. Weight watchers might be cheaper.......

Will proabably get one anyway 'cause they look like sex (if you happen to be lying on the ground behind your car!)

True about the manual mode, have been caught out a few times in auto too.

[handbrake]

R manual is the go for sure.

Changing down to 1st in Auto is a good reason to get off your lazy ass and use the paddles when not in traffic.

Snowy, I have to get that midpipe. Are you happy with it? I dont want to piss off the neighbourhood if you know what I mean.

Edited June 16, 2009 by handbrake

[Birds]

I think that you will find most of us that currently own the R35 did not get a test drive before buying. I put an order down over 2 years ago without even so much as seeing one in the flesh, call it a gamble...but hell it was worth it. As such the transmission could not be evealuated on a test drive.

So too who are you to say what is fun and what is not. If you like lighting up the tyres at a set of light, or feathering the clutch to get a car sideways at a round about or on a corner...then hell buy the manual if that is what is fun for you. I love the manuals because of the heel toe down changes and the fun of skid pan days, however my real FUN happens on the race track. I have never had more fun than with the R35, as I said before I have always owned manuals and was hesitant on the R35 because it only came in the paddle shift, after 2 days of driving it I was a convert. This does not go for all paddle shifts, only this one so far.

So for my "Fun" being track days and driving fast, I am glad I have the paddle shift and not the manual.

But as you have said everyone's idea of fun is different. So there is no right or wrong answer here.

I don't profess to know what other people's idea of fun is; I think you took my words the wrong way. I was having a go at "scathing" who was telling someone they couldn't prefer to drive a car with a clutch pedal over one without a clutch. For the pre-order R35 owners such as yourself, who didn't get a test drive, I put in the part about "having performance to the point where you wouldn't care what kind of transmission the car came with". Also added that I too would have done the same.

[Gibbo_R35]

I don't profess to know what other people's idea of fun is; I think you took my words the wrong way. I was having a go at "scathing" who was telling someone they couldn't prefer to drive a car with a clutch pedal over one without a clutch. For the pre-order R35 owners such as yourself, who didn't get a test drive, I put in the part about "having performance to the point where you wouldn't care what kind of transmission the car came with". Also added that I too would have done the same.

Sorry I must have read it wrong.

Cheers

[Martin Donnon]

This is one of those - "If you havent driven it then you wouldnt know" threads. Birds might think he has a point, and in his mind he probably does...in the real world though its different. Welcome to the future.

As one of the US guys said, I am going to send our R35 GTR back in time to kill the first car to have a gearstick, and Sarah Connor, all at the same time. Thread Terminated.....but not before I say "Handbrake I have your midpipe waiting for you, and it sounds the biz"

Edited June 16, 2009 by Martin Donnon