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The "ZX" cars in particular carry this distinction. As such, you'll find that there are actually more Automatics floating around than 5-speeds. It's been a while since I looked up the stats, but you'd be surprised how many autos there are. If this still baffles you, take a look at the options on the car for 1990. It's loaded with as many luxuries as could be for back then. How many true sports cars came with heated mirrors 15 years ago? The fact remains that as far as Nissan was concerned, they wanted to offer this car to as many people as possible given its high cost and the market demanded automatic transmissions. As for WHY someone would want an automatic Twin Turbo, I'm sure there are many reasons (drag racing comes to mind as turbo automatics are much more consistent) but I can only speak for myself. In my case, I found a TT that was in excellent shape and my mechanic said to me "If you don't buy this car, I will". The only thing that didn't fit my criteria was that it was an Automatic and not a 5-speed. Given that I drove my prior non-turbo Z everyday in Los Angeles traffic, I wanted that one to be an automatic. However, this one was supposed to be the weekend only car. I always said I'd convert it to a 5-speed but as time went on, I didn't care as much. Sure, driving a 5-speed puts you closer to being "one with the car". You just don't get that feeling with the slushbox and I know it. However, I've come to accept and love the fact that my TwinTurbo is automatic. While I surely miss the ability to use the gears to negotiate a turn, I have a friggen blast in my car. Some people want different things when driving a car. Some people want acceleration at all cost, some want top end and some want as much control as possible. I surely give up some control when it comes to the automatic, but as of right now I live and die by the acceleration. Did you know that all Grand Nationals were turbo automatics and those people love their cars to death. I'm able to mash the throttle and run through the gears as quick as possible and nothing else I've driven comes even close, 5-speed or automatic. Of course, I have a built automatic that actually chirps second gear when it shifts...but you get the idea. Given how much I drive my car, I'd never have a 5-speed in it because I'd spend more time lamenting it than enjoying it. I still have the desire to build a track car because nothing...NOTHING compares to driving on a track. That being said, I'll be purchasing a car better suited to it than the 300ZX and *that* car will be a manual for sure. Until then, I don't mind one damn bit having my TT be an automatic. Only those that have driven a truly quick automatic know that it is still damn fun. And screw everyone that tells me to get a 5-speed. If I cared what you people thought, I'd have left this place a long time ago ;)
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17:09:11 09/20/04
