Anyone Else Considering an Automatic FR-S?

[andygee]

Originally Posted by Random_Art

I think it has a lot to do with the american perception that we need to be able to do everything except drive on the way to work. We need to be able to eat, talk on the phone, read (seriously, i've seen people with books on their steering wheel while going down the road,) etc. Having to focus on shifting the car yourself takes away from all that valuable non-driving that americans do on the road. It has bred a culture of people who never learned to drive stick so they have an odd fascination with the people that do know how to drive stick.

Now going the other direction, people that focus on driving stick develop their attitude of superiority partly because they seem to have this "mysterious gift" to shift your own gears. Though I find this is really only the case within the "performance driving" niche of drivers. The drivers who drive stick for so long that they know what to do to get the car to do what they want when they want the car to do it. The average driver that drives stick simply because it came with the car doesn't generally care that he's driving stick rather than automatic.

Now, maybe automatic transmission performance has changed over the past 6 years since I've not really driven an AT vehicle newer than 2004. But, for me at least, I despise having to mash the pedal to the floor and wait for the computer to decide that I want to accelerate faster and then downshift a couple seconds later than I would have liked. I suppose someone could take the time to learn to compensate for computer stupidity or go through the hassle of reprogramming the computer. I don't hate on the drivers of AT's as a whole, I hate on individuals who do stupid things because their car gives them less to pay attention to behind the wheel.

+1

[Laika]

Originally Posted by madfast

no, i just speak the truth.

I have to agree with you about certain people that act snobbish for knowing how to drive a standard. I'm sure at one point or another I've done it too.

Not a perfect analogy but think about the people who listen to vinyls today. They may act snobbish when they see us with our CD's and mp3's and talk about how much better vinyl is and how no real music aficionado would listen to cd's and mp3's.

[Dimman]

It's not so much that I am snobbish of my ability to drive a manual. It's that I have contempt for those people that cannot because they have not bothered to learn.

There is a difference between opting to drive an auto, but being able to drive a manual if need/desire happens and being limited to only auto cars due to laziness.

Plus torque converters don't belong in sports cars.

[NESW20]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Plus torque converters don't belong in sports cars.

this.

[MtnDrvr86]

Its probably already been said, possibly even by me, but I think the auto should be a newer version of the auto-manual from the mr2 spyder. Quicker shifting and an auto mode.

[iff2mastamatt]

Originally Posted by MtnDrvr86

Its probably already been said, possibly even by me, but I think the auto should be a newer version of the auto-manual from the mr2 spyder. Quicker shifting and an auto mode.

That would be sick but I doubt it will debut in the Scion.

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by Random_Art

Having to focus on shifting the car yourself takes away from all that valuable non-driving that americans do on the road. It has bred a culture of people who never learned to drive stick...

Interesting observation. I'd like to attribute that to our capitalistic culture. We need to multi-task every chance we get or else we will fall behind other countries who like to take their time soaking up life (e.g. using all 4 limbs to immerse themselves in driving) instead of chasing paper.

Or, since we're the fattest country, maybe we'd rather laze around watching TV then spend hours/days learning to balance a clutch. lol

[serialk11r]

I think it's the second one

[IRobot]

Like most in the UK, every car I've ever owned has had a manual gearbox. In fact, I've only ever driven an automatic once when I borrowed a pool car at work.

But I'd still like to see a double clutch auto option in the FT86 as that's the one I'd probably go for.

(I embarrassed myself when I drove that auto as I put one foot on each peddle like I do with my video games. It was jerk, jerk, jerk like a first time driver until my work colleague turned round and told me to just use my right foot .)

[serialk11r]

lol I use my left foot for the brake on auto, it's not that hard to coordinate. Although I play piano so I have pretty fine feet control.

[dalli]

I only use 2 feet for an auto when there is snow outside

[iff2mastamatt]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Interesting observation. I'd like to attribute that to our capitalistic culture. We need to multi-task every chance we get or else we will fall behind other countries who like to take their time soaking up life (e.g. using all 4 limbs to immerse themselves in driving) instead of chasing paper.

Or, since we're the fattest country, maybe we'd rather laze around watching TV then spend hours/days learning to balance a clutch. lol

Capitalism? Really?

[serialk11r]

My dad got a Chevy Cruze for a rental, and I drove it in manual mode the other day. The 1 second delay for shifts was pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as the completely retarded programming which HIT THE BRAKES when you downshifted. When you slow down it automatically downshifts and gives you a nasty lurch backwards. Who the hell programs these things?

[madfast]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

My dad got a Chevy Cruze for a rental, and I drove it in manual mode the other day. The 1 second delay for shifts was pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as the completely retarded programming which HIT THE BRAKES when you downshifted. When you slow down it automatically downshifts and gives you a nasty lurch backwards. Who the hell programs these things?

sounds like engine braking? or did you literally observe the brake lights go on?