Beer Magazine

On a bike you can still use the front brake to hold.

Hill Assist is a great technology and would make mediocre MT drivers better. It's the one "aid" I think is missing from this car.

visualguy

Steep hill starts aren't the big issue - it's just an example of where manual transmission sucks.

The bigger picture is that I can't shift manually nearly as well and as rapidly as the 7AT. I am very impressed by the 7AT on my 2012 G37. The only thing that disturbs me a little bit is that when I press the accelerator more than a certain amount quickly, the transmission may decide to downshift, and then I get a serious speed boost that may be more than I was looking for. It's easier to control this with the manual transmission.

Beer Magazine

MT doesn't suck at all...but to each his own. We all can't be right.

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

My music must not have been loud today.

Driving some relatively technical roads with the stereo off, mainly in 3rd/4th gear, I hear this annoying whine from about 2K - 3K rpm. Increases in pitch when accelerating, decreases when slowing down, and steady if at a steady rpm. In higher gears, the road noise drowns this out and it's not as obvious.

The car is a 2012 6mt sedan which just turned 4K miles (not bad for 7 months). 100% stock in terms of engine ecu/intake/exhaust and no mods to the trans other than the pedal spring. Normally I drive at lower rpms if in the city, or higher speeds when on the highway. Either way, this is really the first time I noticed this whine. It's not super loud, but with the radio off can be heard quite well. Seems to go away above 3K rpm, but is really pretty much present in every gear.

Is this noise typical and characteristic of this engine/trans, or do I need to waste time at the dealer?

spinna001

I am having the same exact issue that you are describing. I took it to the dealer and they said that isn't normal, dealer ordered me a new transmission.

CMBurns

FWIW
My 08 MT has notably improved after adding a new clutch spring, new OEM MC and ZSpeed HD CSC. The only issue I have now is that 4th is balky sometimes.

Still not a great trans/clutch combo, but no worse than my one BMW. My hondas have all been waaay better.

skeener

At the very least one should change both the transmission and clutch fluids, as they are wear items.

WannabeSport

iTrader: (3)

I have had a 6MT and a 7AT and while they were both below par for my standards, I think the 6mt was more livable.

skeener

I don't doubt that. Infiniti should benchmark a 6MT Miata clutch/shifter/gearbox - very rewarding.

stockae92

I have the '08 G35S 6MT, one thing about the clutch is that it fell significantly better after the clutch fluid was changed.

The shift itself doesn't like to be rushed. But the engagement is positive. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. As long as my knee is ok with pressing the clutch pedal, I will take that over 5/7AT.

All manufacturers should benchmark Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata to see how to do a MT clutch / transmission right. The application is slightly different though because of the hp / tq difference. I assume higher hp and tq needs more heavy duty clutch / transmission for reliability.

Side note, the last gen BMW M3, though the travel of the clutch pedal and shift are long, but they are very easy to use, given the high power application.

spinna001

ok got my car back after transmission was replaced and it is not whining from 1st gear through 3rd anymore. Also, while in neutral with the clutch pedal up (relasesd) the marble gargle sounds is gone.

ABg

Talking on an old thread but felt like I should just go ahead and comment. I used to drive a 2011 sedan 7at. Now I have a 09 G37S 6mt. The auto can still give you a great time. Shifts are pretty quick, but not too incredibly responsive to imput when driving in M mode. I recently got my coupe 6mt about 2 months ago and I love it. Yes, it is not forgiving. You really have to be perfect with your footwork. I actually drove it over 1110 miles home from Evans Georgia all the way to Kansas. A 17 hour drive with only stops were for food and gas. I did it just fine driving through some crazy traffic in ATL, Nashville, St. Louis, ans KC. I am also 17 by the way. Its my 1st manual car as well. Ive learned manual from driving friend's cars. Point is, it's not impossible, and wasn't too difficult all. I love manual. This G is way more fun than my auto one. That is my opinion though. I feel like auto guys will like and prefer auto, and the manual guys will always like ans prefer manual. Great car either way. It suits many different needs ans interests.