So first time MT drivers (or been a while). hows your daily commute experience?

[chickdigger802]

So I'm preeetty much setup to get one of these babies as soon as 2014 ones hit (thanks for all the insight and what not in the other topic!). Still a bit iffy if I should go MT or AT. My daily commute to work consists of stop and go traffic down 1 local highway and literally 2 lanes shift before I reach my destination.

I know people that always drive MT say that traffic is overrated, curious about what y'all people that this is your first MT or first in a while think.

my experience with manuals is limited to like a few months of my dad's old mazda before he sold it. I did take a refresher drivers course recently though, and from the short test drive with a mt fr-s, the clutch and stick does feel like another tier beyond the crappy mazda and the chevy something during the drivers ed course lol, so is it safe to assume that this is probably about as good as it gets for a MT you can buy with mortal money?

[Mandy]

I hadn't driven one in years (been riding the bike, so the concept was still fresh). Took the test-drive (hesitantly) stalled it backing up because I was getting used to the clutch. Wound up having to do an uphill start from a stop with a car tailgating me.

Figured if I could still do that, I could daily drive it. In traffic it's not an inconvenience. Maybe if you drive while texting, eating a big mac, and reading the newspaper it would be an inconvenience; however, if that's the case you shouldn't be on the road anyway.

[naikaidriver]

I would recommend the Manual in your case. Don't worry about traffic as its not bad and by commuting in stop and go, you will learn smooth clutching much faster than others.

I had a 6spd 1996 Camaro SS that I used to commute between Everett and Redmond everyday. Anyone here from Washington State will tell you that during peak commuting hours, I-405 is a parking lot. The first few months I had that car, my left calf was killing me, but I got used to it. You will too.

Scott

[ktulu7]

Where I live, it's very hilly and I get to deal with lots of traffic at rush hour. My only real MT experience was a couple hours one day in a Mazda, months ago, then a couple test drives. Sure, I have stalled my FR-S on occasion, but it's not too bad. I'm still glad I got it as a manual. I'm slightly more likely to chirp the tires a little, than I am to kill it, especially because the street my office is on is very hilly and has brick surfaces around the intersections, so traction sucks.

I've had my FR-S for like, 6 days, and just from that, getting into my wife's car that is an automatic, I started feeling weird and wanting to clutch. Hopefully that helps! Give the manual a shot!

[Imrac]

Originally Posted by naikaidriver

I would recommend the Manual in your case. Don't worry about traffic as its not bad and by commuting in stop and go, you will learn smooth clutching much faster than others.

I had a 6spd 1996 Camaro SS that I used to commute between Everett and Redmond everyday. Anyone here from Washington State will tell you that during peak commuting hours, I-405 is a parking lot. The first few months I had that car, my left calf was killing me, but I got used to it. You will too.

Scott

The Clutch in the twins is very very light. I don't think you will have a problem with a butch left calf compared to the right.

And you are right about 405... Drive that crap every day Everett to Bellevue.

[asmallchild]

Originally Posted by ktulu7

Where I live, it's very hilly and I get to deal with lots of traffic at rush hour. My only real MT experience was a couple hours one day in a Mazda, months ago, then a couple test drives. Sure, I have stalled my FR-S on occasion, but it's not too bad. I'm still glad I got it as a manual. I'm slightly more likely to chirp the tires a little, than I am to kill it, especially because the street my office is on is very hilly and has brick surfaces around the intersections, so traction sucks.

I've had my FR-S for like, 6 days, and just from that, getting into my wife's car that is an automatic, I started feeling weird and wanting to clutch. Hopefully that helps! Give the manual a shot!

It helps that you're patient. I think I'd walk out of the car and leave it in frustration if this were to happen to me on a regular basis

[campy]

The clutch in the FRS definitely isn't bad, especially in traffic. That said, there is nothing wrong with the auto transmission. People who have driven both say that the car doesn't lose much if any of it's sporty feel, and it doesn't become an econo-slushbox unlike some other AT sportscars *cough*fordmustang*cough*

Plus, I believe it's the same paddle shifter setup as in the Lexus IS-F, which is pretty neat-o.

[Enraged21]

I love it. My only wish was that the engagement point in the clutch wasn't as high as it is.

[chickdigger802]

cool. Also forgot that MT is like a grand+ cheaper, so I think I might just get that. Might spend the first night or so relearning the feel of MT on empty roads.

btw: getting big whatchacallit 'lunge forward' movements when I was shifting up during my test drive. Was that because I got off the clutch too quickly, or stepping on the gas too early while clutch was still not engaged, or something else?

[Sonolin]

If you want the manual, but are worried about traffic - get the manual. There really is nothing wrong with the auto, but I just got bored with 1) not being able to launch it (no I don't street race, I'm just a hooligan :P), and 2) lost feeling/engagement with around town (slow) driving.

I love the manual much better. I've had it for just about a month now, and I've done 2 weekend trips to hollywood, with lots of "escorting" friends around (lots of sunset blvd. trips, and trips around north hollywood). We even used the back seats (twice I think, LOL). I also did another trip, with 4 people in the car (almost 5 - one was pregnant) and fit everyone in the car relatively comfortably. And, business trips outside of that (all >1hour, with a good amount of traffic). I live in california, so deal with traffic fairly regularly.

From what I've experienced, the manual is a pleasure to drive in traffic . I like it better than my auto in traffic. I find that I don't even really need to brake (much), and the clutch feels so smooth it doesn't cramp my leg at all and it just makes me a better driver around town. My first 30 min. traffic jam was pretty bad, but after that I learned how to deal with it "smoothly" and the car rarely, if ever, jerks from a stop now.

Now, if I had to drive in rush hour on a daily basis, I'd definitely pick the auto!!! But with only 30 mins or even an hour traffic, it wouldn't be that bad at all. And even if I had to drive in rush hour, now that I own the car I don't think it'd be that bad, but I certainly wouldn't want to if I had the choice.

Then again - who would? Nobody "likes" traffic.

[Sonolin]

Originally Posted by chickdigger802

cool. Also forgot that MT is like a grand+ cheaper, so I think I might just get that. Might spend the first night or so relearning the feel of MT on empty roads.

btw: getting big whatchacallit 'lunge forward' movements when I was shifting up during my test drive. Was that because I got off the clutch too quickly, or stepping on the gas too early while clutch was still not engaged, or something else?

Let off the clutch too quickly. That used to happen to me, but you get used to being smoother with the clutch. The catch point is pretty high, but you'll find it fast.

I remember the first time I drove in traffic (this is my first manual). It was hell, LOL. But I learned how to drive smoothly pretty damn fast , and now driving in traffic is fine (almost pleasurable feathering that clutch, in and out, I'd say haha).

[Bu-Tang]

Originally Posted by Enraged21

I love it. My only wish was that the engagement point in the clutch wasn't as high as it is.

tadaaaaaaa

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040

[chickdigger802]

Originally Posted by Sonolin

If you want the manual, but are worried about traffic - get the manual. There really is nothing wrong with the auto, but I just got bored with 1) not being able to launch it (no I don't street race, I'm just a hooligan :P), and 2) lost feeling/engagement with around town (slow) driving.

I love the manual much better. I've had it for just about a month now, and I've done 2 weekend trips to hollywood, with lots of "escorting" friends around (lots of sunset blvd. trips, and trips around north hollywood). We even used the back seats (twice I think, LOL). I also did another trip, with 4 people in the car (almost 5 - one was pregnant) and fit everyone in the car relatively comfortably. And, business trips outside of that (all >1hour, with a good amount of traffic). I live in california, so deal with traffic fairly regularly.

From what I've experienced, the manual is a pleasure to drive in traffic . I like it better than my auto in traffic. I find that I don't even really need to brake (much), and the clutch feels so smooth it doesn't cramp my leg at all and it just makes me a better driver around town. My first 30 min. traffic jam was pretty bad, but after that I learned how to deal with it "smoothly" and the car rarely, if ever, jerks from a stop now.

Now, if I had to drive in rush hour on a daily basis, I'd definitely pick the auto!!! But with only 30 mins or even an hour traffic, it wouldn't be that bad at all. And even if I had to drive in rush hour, now that I own the car I don't think it'd be that bad, but I certainly wouldn't want to if I had the choice.

Then again - who would? Nobody "likes" traffic.

oh god, was just at LA like a month ago for a wedding. Traffic in the city is INSANE. It's like a traffic jam all day long!

My current commute is about 50min in the morning, and 40 min back. Back is better...

But maybe getting a fun car would encourage me to go to work earlier and leave later

I'd be happier, boss would be happier.

Am I the only one that stalled the first instant I got in the car? Been driving auto soo much that I forgot to get my right foot off the brake when I engaged clutch point

[Lverasky]

Only do manual on this car. you will happy with it for sure.