City driver - should I get auto or manual?

[Mishiimoosh]

Hello everyone! This is my first topic since I joined the site. Right now I have a '15 Impreza and I have actually been having a few mechanical issues with it (Which is pretty shocking to me), so I am going to trade it in at the end of my lease or at the halfway mark. I was hoping to get a used BRZ in white or WRB, but I have noticed that there are so many fewer automatics out there than the FRS!

Right now I do not know how to drive manual - I am going to be learning soon but I can't decide if I want to get an auto or manual BRZ. I live in a really busy city in Los Angeles county and do quite a bit of driving in traffic. Is there anyone here who has a similar issue who is willing to give me some insight?

I know that the auto feels a bit slower and I didn't like the paddle shifters as much as I like them on my impreza right now. But is that enough to make up for the difficulty of driving in hours of traffic?

[Pat.Thornton]

I am very bias, but i would recommend you get the manual. I also learned how to drive manual on this platform and it was a very easy task for me. This car had an extremely light clutch and a very direct shifter. You almost cant put it in the wrong gear if your being precise .

You also have some of the most amazing roads in the country very close to you to make rowing through the gears very fun

As for traffic, i dont have an issue with bumper to bumper traffic. The clutch is so light in this car that it doesn't tire out your left leg.

HOWEVER... If auto is your thing, this car has an amazing auto tranny with lightning fast gear changes. So either way its gonna be a great time.

Good luck!


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[ShadowyBRZ]

I live in Northern VA. Very close to DC so I'm around cars and traffic all the time. I drive a manual. It's not too bad really. You just end up getting used to it. Plus, it's more fun

[Jfheisenberg]

Manual, dont be lazy.

[Jfheisenberg]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

This post was so helpful...

Heavy traffic daily, I vote AT, but for the young guns MT.

Thats just IMO, nyc/northjersey traffic gets crazy sometimes and i dont have a problem driving manual through it.

[krayzie]

Get the manual and learn a new skill it's well worth it and might come in handy someday. Once the skill is mastered even in heavy traffic shifting becomes second nature, and you won't even notice that it's a chore.

[N1rve]

If it's going to be your sole and only car, I'd suggest getting an auto.

Unless you can afford to destroy the clutch while learning it and not worry about other means of transporting yourself to work, then I would get the manual.

I only say this because you said you don't know how to drive manual.

Remember, this car is still a sports car, people drive these cars hard...this isn't your typical corolla.

I work/live in LA County too so I know the traffic can literally come to a stand still or a 5 MPH Crawl. It's really preference, obviously it will be more engaging in a manual but I like my comfort in the morning when I'm half awake.

[Packofcrows]

auto. Less issues with stopping every 3sec if need be and you'll be less stressed in the long run if theres issues.

[cjd]

Totally depends on you.

I don't really think about shifting, but it does get annoying in stop and go traffic - and Chicago certainly has that. I no longer drive to work though I drove a manual when I did.

If you're interested in the handling and the fun to drive aspect, auto can certainly deliver (and paddle shifters can add to that) - it's only slightly slower. You might lose credibility among people that set rules about what it takes to be a 'real' sports car, but I'm not convinced those are folks whose opinion is worth the time it takes to try caring what they think.

If you've never driven stick, do that before deciding if you can. You might love the experience and be willing to deal with the annoyance, and you might not see what the fuss is about and decide auto is the best.

C

[ToySub1946]

Auto for very heavy stop and go traffic.

Manual for resale value.

[strat61caster]

DD in SF traffic, very happy with Manual.

It's personal. Learn it, drive both, decide. You could sign up for a defensive driving course in an MT, learn from a friend, watch some youtube videos and if you have a good salesman they'll be patient and teach you on the car.

I tried to come up with a lewd personal choice, but it all came back to me insinuating I like butt stuff, so here's an Abarth video.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KthjI2mMkFc"]Learn How To Drive Stick In Five Minutes - YouTube[/ame]

[s0sl0w]

I'd recommend manual.

But I'm not a ***** who has to ask people what transmission I should buy. YMMV

[Mr.ac]

It's really up to you. I'm assuming your going to lease right? Given you have a lease at the moment. If so, go for it. If you hate it then by the end of the lease, trade it for an auto. That's if you want to keep the car or what nots.

Personally I have zero issues driving a manual in stop and go traffic for hours. It gives you something to do instead of getting looking at the car in front of you making you hate life.

[PandaSPUR]

I drive a manual in NYC traffic. Going bumper to bumper definitely sucks but I've never noticed my leg getting tired or fatigued. Being in traffic is just annoying in general. I just sound like a douche in up-hill traffic since im usually over-revving so i dont stall.

But, I've had my car since January 2015 and I've only driven 5500 miles. I dont need a car on the weekdays, so this is just my fun weekend car. If I had to commute to work every day, I would probably go with an automatic.