Altima Coupe - manual vs cvt

[squidly_c]

Looking at the Altima coupe and I swore to myself I would never buy a sporty car with an automatic transmission, but....... having driven the altima w/cvt and the manual mode I am having second thoughts. Anyone driven both and have any thoughts on my dillema?

[mcheddadi]

the manual is faster and with the CVT you lose the "I change my gears myself" control over your car. Thats really all there is to know, and I couldn't have it any other way than 6speed manual

For me the CVT would get boring real fast without any cluth action. the trill of going from 1 to 6 is just too much fun to sacrifice for to "pleasure" of boring my self with only a brake and accelerator pedal. (personal opinion)

2008 Nissan Altima 3.5SE CoupeTRANSMISSION: 6 Speed manual transmission

Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 secZero to 100 mph: 13.9 secStanding ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 101.2 mph

http://www.roadandtrack.com/as...t.pdf

2008 Nissan Altima 3.5SE CoupeTRANSMISSION: continuously variable transmission

Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 secZero to 100 mph: 15.7 secStanding ¼-mile: 14.6 sec @ 97 mph

http://www.caranddriver.com/sh....html

6MT FTW
Modified by mcheddadi at 9:33 PM 10/15/2007

[bembol]

Unless you Track your Coupe, I wouldn't put too much focus on Numbers.

What I love about these SportShift/CVT is that when you want to relax/cruise, you can. This is why I went with it again.

If you want Full Control of your Coupe, go with Standard/Manual.

[prlwhitecoupe]

I like the CVT, especially when I'm bumper to bumper in the morning rush hour to Toronto......not to mention in the city as well...

[leif927]

I drove stick on my Civic and it was ok. Didn't mind it that much until I was in traffic. Then I loathed it. With the CVT, I just relax now. If I need extra power or slow down on hills, I use the manual mode. I would go back to manual but on a different car (G35 or 350z).

[squidly_c]

I dont really have to deal with traffic where I live. When I bought my 2000 Honda Accord, I went with the 5 speed 4 banger because the 6 cylinder only came in auto and it was much more fun to drive because it felt like it took forever for the auto to downshift and go.

[doi]

gotta go with the manual transmission hands down

[shift_mikey]

+1 for CVT! the "downshift" time is quick and responsive. having one looong gear is super decieving, 60 sneaks up before you know it. Didn't particularly care for the feel of the manual's clutch pedal/engagement point.One thing i did really like about the manual was the lift lockout for reverse

[generic808]

It's all personal preference. I've only driven MT until this car and I tell you what...I'm pretty satisfied with the CVT. I was skeptical at first test drive, but after playing with it in manual mode, I decided it was a good compromise between the two. I love the convenience of NOT having to shift/clutch/downshift in bumper to bumper (which we have way too much of in Hawaii, believe it or not) and still have the ability to somewhat control the transmission.

As I get older, I realize that comfort becomes more of a priority than manually shifting my car. But, there are those days where I REALLY, REALLY miss a MT and kind of have second thoughts on my decision. Then I pull up to some craaaggiee traffic on the H-1 freeway and realize that I made the right decision

[mcheddadi]

It's all personal preference. I've only driven MT until this car and I tell you what...I'm pretty satisfied with the CVT. I was skeptical at first test drive, but after playing with it in manual mode, I decided it was a good compromise between the two. I love the convenience of NOT having to shift/clutch/downshift in bumper to bumper (which we have way too much of in Hawaii, believe it or not) and still have the ability to somewhat control the transmission.

As I get older, I realize that comfort becomes more of a priority than manually shifting my car. But, there are those days where I REALLY, REALLY miss a MT and kind of have second thoughts on my decision. Then I pull up to some craaaggiee traffic on the H-1 freeway and realize that I made the right decision

that's a weird way of justifying the CVT lol, "when I miss manual i pull into some traffic to realize I made the right decision", that is really messed up in a rational kinda way

Its like saying that you choose automatic since you can't enjoy a car to its fullest so its better to just choose the one thats more confortable :p

So why didn't you just choose a 2.5S if you wouldn't be able to drive the way you wanted in the first place? it would have made more sense since its bumper to bumper in hawaii and you would have saved up a couple of thousand dollars.

[generic808]

I'm just used to having some power at the push of a pedal. The 2.5 for it's class, is powerful. I just needed that 3.5 kick for whenever I feel like blasting it in the open.

[Treachery]

I have a supercharged 93 Mustang GT with a Tremec TKO II tanny as my other car. After driving in that, the CVT is MUCH more relaxing. I like the 1-gear feel of the CVT and the constant increase of power without hesitation.

CVT should improve in the years to come. If CVT is available in a high-horsepower car, i would definitely consider it.

[Corbun]

6 gears! With all those gears in one car how could you go wrong.. I mean not 5, but 6. Nah, I prefer manuals any day of the week even in ****ty trafic.