Heavy City Drivers, please opine... - Page 7 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

EAGLE5 · 12-31-2016, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guybo

Mazda is supposed to have an even better clutch and shifter than an 86 (so I read, but I haven't driven one). Can anyone confirm that? One thing I can confirm 100%- this M/T is a LOT better than what my Genesis Coupe had! I am not a fan of dual mass flywheels.

I've only driven the NA and NB Miatas as well as an old RX-7 and an RX-8. All four of those Mazdas have better shifters and clutches than the 86. Honda also has better shifters and clutches. The 86 is notchy and the clutch is vague, at least with the stock slave cylinder. It's maybe slightly above average. If you want a piss poor clutch, try a VW diesel. I've never stalled so many times in my life. Amazing to think VW's the same company that makes the GTI, which is not as good as the Hondas and Mazdas but is quite good, better than the 86.

Braces · 12-31-2016, 06:01 AM

Okay ... some opinions from a long time manual and auto driver in his mid 50's.

I drove manuals for a majority of my commuting life. No issues until I turned 50 and started to have left knee issues (probably mostly from golf, but the constant clutch work wasn't helping).

I think it is common knowledge that the 86 was designed more to be a small fun sports car than a city commuter. I'm sure that may ruffle some feathers, but hey ... that's life.

If you are buying the car for it's main purpose (small, agile, curve conqueror, etc.) .... then buy a manual. More driver involvement. If you are young, healthy knees, etc etc .looking for a car for fun and commuting ..... I still say "Get the manual".

So ..yes ... the 86 is a FUN commuter with manual. As long as you are not a mid 50's guy with a balky left knee.

kpamir · 12-31-2016, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overdrive

Only downside is that you've chosen one of the best manuals to learn on. Anything else that isn't a high level sports car is going to feel pretty terrible as far as shifter feel and that nice exact movement from one gear to the next. Odd clutch pedal feeling aside, you're pretty much spoiled now when it comes to manuals.

Oh man I am painfully aware of this, after this the only reasonable/attainable upgrade for me is a Cayman at least in the immediate future. And that is quite a bit more expensive.

humfrz · 01-01-2017, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guybo

Mazda is supposed to have an even better clutch and shifter than an 86 (so I read, but I haven't driven one). Can anyone confirm that? ............

My experience is with a NC Mazda Miata and I would say that the clutch and shifter is "different" than with my FR-S. The miata clutch engagement/disengagement point is closer to the floorboard. The shifter lever is shorter and the throw felt shorter. Generally the transmission (the 5 speed) shifted smoother, especially when cold.

humfrz

humfrz · 01-01-2017, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braces

Okay ... some opinions from a long time manual and auto driver in his mid 50's.

I drove manuals for a majority of my commuting life. No issues until I turned 50 and started to have left knee issues (probably mostly from golf, but the constant clutch work wasn't helping)...............

.

For cryen out loud, @Braces .......

You're given us old guys a poor image. You could have said your bad knee was due to an old war wound, or from you skiing in the Alps, or slipping while hiking to the top of a mountain, or jumping out of a two story bedroom window when her husband came home unexpectedly ......

humfrz

Ultramaroon · 01-01-2017, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

For cryen out loud, @Braces .......

You're given us old guys a poor image. You could have said your bad knee was due to an old war wound, or from you skiing in the Alps, or slipping while hiking to the top of a mountain, or jumping out of a two story bedroom window when her husband came home unexpectedly ......

But those are your stories. o.0

humfrz · 01-01-2017, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

But those are your stories. o.0

Hell, I didn't know that the house was built on a hill and the back bedroom window was 15 feet off the ground .........

HAPPY NEW YEAR, there Ultramaroon ....... we made it for another year .....

humfrz

Ultramaroon · 01-01-2017, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hell, I didn't know that the house was built on a hill and the back bedroom window was 15 feet off the ground .........

HAPPY NEW YEAR, there Ultramaroon ....... we made it for another year .....

humfrz

Almost! 8 more minutes.

Ultramaroon · 01-01-2017, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

Hell, I didn't know that the house was built on a hill and the back bedroom window was 15 feet off the ground .........

HAPPY NEW YEAR, there Ultramaroon ....... we made it for another year .....

Happy New Year!

*smooch*

guybo · 01-01-2017, 07:19 AM

My knee was sprained installing a battery 10 years ago. It's only gotten better 100% in the last 3 years. With my Scion tC shifting bothered me a lot more because of the knee. Sometimes the FRS bothers that knee but I've driven 10+ hours and I've been OK.

The seats are the stars of this car IMHO. Great lumbar support, wrap around me and very comfortable. A lot of other cars bother my lower back (pulled it out 6 years ago changing a tire) but not the FRS.

Braces · 01-01-2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

For cryen out loud, @Braces .......

You're given us old guys a poor image. You could have said your bad knee was due to an old war wound, or from you skiing in the Alps, or slipping while hiking to the top of a mountain, or jumping out of a two story bedroom window when her husband came home unexpectedly ......

humfrz

I know .....

I'm a p*ssy (rhymes with WUSSY) compared to you and Tcoat.

Happy New Year to everyone on the forum.

Twinz · 01-01-2017, 10:38 AM

I have a 2015 AT and a 2016 MT. My wife and I autocross the MT and she uses the AT as her DD. (AT is also our preferred road trip car unless the road trip is for some sort of performance driving) We both prefer the AT on the street....and the MT on the track.

The MT is "not bad" on the street (clutch effort is light) and the AT is "not bad" on the track. (Nannies off + sport trans mode works well)

humfrz · 01-01-2017, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braces

I know .....

I'm a p*ssy (rhymes with WUSSY) compared to you and Tcoat.

Happy New Year to everyone on the forum.

Happy New Year back to you ..........

humfrz

spirit · 01-01-2017, 06:37 PM

I live right by NYC and drive through Manhattan at least 5 days every month in my '07 STi, not as much in my FR-S due to it being strictly a weekend car and the current season. Last night was the second time bringing the FR-S into the city and I did not mind the weight of the clutch in NYE congested traffic in NYC. FR-S clutch catches lower w/ a lighter and linear resisting force while the STi clutch caught at a higher point w/ a heavier and inconsistent resisting force. Although my personal preference is 6MT, 6AT makes sense if you reside in a city with congested traffic on the daily. 6AT in these ZN6/ZC6 aren't bad either! Either transmission you choose, you can't lose!\

By the way, happy new year!!!

12-31-2016, 06:01 AM	#86
Braces Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 17 Alfa Romeo 4C Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 987 Thanks: 570 Thanked 711 Times in 365 Posts Mentioned: 14 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Okay ... some opinions from a long time manual and auto driver in his mid 50's. I drove manuals for a majority of my commuting life. No issues until I turned 50 and started to have left knee issues (probably mostly from golf, but the constant clutch work wasn't helping). I think it is common knowledge that the 86 was designed more to be a small fun sports car than a city commuter. I'm sure that may ruffle some feathers, but hey ... that's life. If you are buying the car for it's main purpose (small, agile, curve conqueror, etc.) .... then buy a manual. More driver involvement. If you are young, healthy knees, etc etc .looking for a car for fun and commuting ..... I still say "Get the manual". So ..yes ... the 86 is a FUN commuter with manual. As long as you are not a mid 50's guy with a balky left knee. __________________ My 2013 Firestorm Red 13 FRS is gone. Bought the next best thing: 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Panama City BRZ's and FRS's	civicguy102	Southeast	9	04-13-2016 11:39 AM
BRZ/FRS vs City Bus	Brzetto	FR-S / BRZ vs....	15	08-19-2013 12:58 AM
No 86s in the city?	harajukukei	New England	24	08-11-2012 06:47 AM
ft 86 in the city	dalli	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	71	10-06-2010 05:23 PM

01-01-2017, 07:19 AM	#94
guybo Huge E85 fan! Join Date: May 2016 Drives: 2016 Scion FRS Location: Tampa, FL, USA Posts: 1,850 Thanks: 539 Thanked 1,010 Times in 605 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My knee was sprained installing a battery 10 years ago. It's only gotten better 100% in the last 3 years. With my Scion tC shifting bothered me a lot more because of the knee. Sometimes the FRS bothers that knee but I've driven 10+ hours and I've been OK. The seats are the stars of this car IMHO. Great lumbar support, wrap around me and very comfortable. A lot of other cars bother my lower back (pulled it out 6 years ago changing a tire) but not the FRS.

01-01-2017, 10:38 AM	#96
Twinz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Drives: 2016 FR-S MT, 2015 Scion FR-S AT, Location: SW Fl Posts: 487 Thanks: 271 Thanked 307 Times in 180 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have a 2015 AT and a 2016 MT. My wife and I autocross the MT and she uses the AT as her DD. (AT is also our preferred road trip car unless the road trip is for some sort of performance driving) We both prefer the AT on the street....and the MT on the track. The MT is "not bad" on the street (clutch effort is light) and the AT is "not bad" on the track. (Nannies off + sport trans mode works well)

01-01-2017, 06:37 PM	#98
spirit Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: '16 FR-S RS 2.0 Location: North Jersey Posts: 70 Thanks: 24 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I live right by NYC and drive through Manhattan at least 5 days every month in my '07 STi, not as much in my FR-S due to it being strictly a weekend car and the current season. Last night was the second time bringing the FR-S into the city and I did not mind the weight of the clutch in NYE congested traffic in NYC. FR-S clutch catches lower w/ a lighter and linear resisting force while the STi clutch caught at a higher point w/ a heavier and inconsistent resisting force. Although my personal preference is 6MT, 6AT makes sense if you reside in a city with congested traffic on the daily. 6AT in these ZN6/ZC6 aren't bad either! Either transmission you choose, you can't lose!\ By the way, happy new year!!!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password