NJ02maximaGLE

All along I have thought that manual transmissions were better. My neighbor is selling his 2002 auto gle with 23k miles on it. I am stoked about buying the car becuase it is great and very cheap, $16,000, but I am a little bummed about it being an auto. I plan on modifying it a lot, and was thinking about doing a tranny swap for a 5 spd with a short throw shifter. When i asked my boss at my shop for his advice, he said I was crazy for even thinking about a tranny swap becuase automatic trannys are so much faster, especially with the right mods. Just today however I talked to a very knowledgable teacher about it, and he said the complete opposite.

Please help.

PS. I want to race 1/4's so which tranny would be better for me?

Thanks Mike

aliti19

iTrader: (2)

If you know what you're doing, the manual should definately work out better for you. I could never imagine myself driving an auto Maxima after the '02 i've got now and my previous '94 SE 5-speed.

ajahearn

iTrader: (3)

Which is better depends on what you value. There is some financial advantage to an MT in that they are cheaper to maintain but this is usually offset by the premium you have to pay to get one (AT's are the predominant transmission in the US). As for performance, it really depends on the driver. You have more control with an MT but if you don't know how or when to shift you can end up being slower. I prefer an MT for control. However, when I sit in traffic I can tell you I sometimes wish I had an AT again.

Luquire

i love my 5speed but you could get an auto tranny from HRE i think that would desemate all at the track. It would run about 3500 dollars but you would be good for SCing or turboing with that auto. I say if the auto is good and you are going to mod it enough to where the tranny will need beefing up you could always get one from HRE. So in conclusion, If you are willing to drop in a standard transmission then you should think about getting the auto beefed up. i really think it would be about the same and this way you would not have to worry about all the problems that go along with changing from an automatic to a standard(i.e. new computer, new center console, clutch pedal placement, and many other things).

MacAlert

iTrader: (1)

Well, since you're buying a 2002, there are no 5spd trannies available for it. The only manual tranny for a 5.5 Gen is the 6spd tranny. No one on the org has done a manual tranny swap for the 5.5 gen. Regardless of what tranny is available, the maxima is still the best bang for the buck.

2k1seae

iTrader: (1)

I've had my auto for 3 1/2 years now. I had a 3rd gen with 5 speed before that, that I absolutely loved. Transmission is a personal choice. Most of the time I like my auto, but I do miss the control of the 5 speed. If you are looking at 1/4 mile racing, I would recommend a 5 or 6 speed (MT = faster than auto). As far as swap, some here have done that. Kinda spendy tho'.

elmaximo

If you do a lot of street driving (versus highway) I would reccomend the auto. I bought the manual based on previuos
driving experience with other cars I've owned, and the general opinion here at the org. that manual maximas were better than automatics, but I personally think that the auto is better if you do a lot of city driving like I do. I also own a 97 auto and to be honest with you, I prefer driving it over my 02. The 02 clutch engament points are weird and I don't
think the torque on this engine is a good match for the front wheel drive. Just my opinion. I do not do the 1/4 so I have no input to give on that.

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

I learned how to drive when I was 12 on my dad's manual Peugeot. Ever since then, I drive nothing but manual. I'm just used to driving manual all the time. Personal preference I guess.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

errm. I think someone is getting RWD muscle car auto trannies confused with FWD family car trannies.

I don't know but having one or two less forward gears doesn't seem like an advantage to me.

bostonmax84

I recently bought a 01 max se auto. Sometimes I wish I got the 5 speed, but im happy with the auto when im sitting in stop and go traffic, cause i live near boston. It all depends on you. I realize that my 01 auto is not a rocket, put it has enough pick up for me, and is probably faster than most cheap cars on the road(talkin civics and hondas, not corvettes).

kgb006

get a 6 speed you wont regret it

a stock 6 speed is as fast a nicely moded auto

bostonsbest

Like the others are saying its up to ur stile. But the MT. can get better full economy if u know what ur doing. You can control ur speed better, slowing down and speeding up. Tork hi'er and lower.

You can also mod ur AT. to shift at the RPMs u want it to shift at.
You would have to change ur timing, ECU and ur ECM, sencers and a few other things but it would cheeper and just as good and fast.

fflint_18

I spent 6 months looking for a MT. Most of what everyone says above is true.

An additional benefit that I feel is one of the greatest benefits is that I don't have to let anyone borrow my car since most of today's drivers can't drive a MT.

When someone says "Hey nice car, can I take it for a ride?"

I either say, Can you drive a stick? or "Oh, the clutch isn't great so I don't want you to have a problem".

Works every time.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

So, did you buy the car? I've been holding my breath in anticipation since 04-27-2004 when this thread was started.

str8max

iTrader: (3)

LOL.......

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

jkpgt96

6 speed for sure. The auto would be nice in traffic, but I have driven mtx cars my whole life and don't mind it at all.

mannetti21

iTrader: (3)

still waiting to see if he bought the car....

in the meantime, would you consider it a sin to get an auto (7spd) 370z?

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

thats some funny $hit right there!

jkpgt96

lol..oops, I am so bad about looking at the dates. Damn whoever dug this up! lol

PlanoSER

He probably didn't get anything and disappeared."Last Activity: 11-03-2005 10:17 PM"

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

This thread needs to disappear too.