Automatic FRS

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Then why not with manual crank (no need for a starter) or manual windows....

In my opinion, the days of being able to sell a manual only car have passed for a couple of reasons. First, there is consumer demand. It is a very small percentage of people that prefer MT. It's no different than any other technology. (abacus vs. slide rule vs. calculator for example).

Second, is government regulations. As the number of gears in the transmission rise to help meet increasing MPG requirements, people aren't going to want to churn through 6/7/8 gears in their car.

I would not be surprised to eventually see the MT become the "extra cost" option since it is the low volume choice that will have to be special ordered.

Don't get me wrong, I love manual transmissions, and agree with those above that say "heavy traffic" is not a big deal or a reason to get an AT. If anything, it gives you something to do! I don't want to see them die, but at the end of the day it is about choice in the marketplace.

With the FRS I held off on my decision until I drove both, and still vacillated about it several times in Long Beach before sticking with the AT. The manual mode is close enough to satisfy any urge I have to roll my own.

...I have to say (and not saying this is @Shark_Bait88) I find it amusing that there are folks that want the car to be manual only, but complain that the FR-S doesn't have push-to-start and dual climate control, or would not have purchased it if it had manual windows and locks. If we want to get back to basics lets go all the way!

I'm all for the manual windows! Because race car. lol

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by Ammunition

I love my automatic as well and don't have any regrets about it - although I can understand why some people prefer a MT.

That being said - does anyone with an AT use the shift nob while it is in manual mode to shift? I know that it's not quite the same as a manual seeing as there is no clutch, and you simply move the knob either up or down to upshift or downshift respectively, but I still find it to be a lot more engaging than using the paddle shifters when I'm not driving it in auto.

I don't think that I regret getting an auto (mainly because this one doesn't suck), but, I would like to become proficient at manual someday (call it kind of a bucket list item).

I am not entirely consistent on my use of either, but, more often than not I use the shifter if I have to shift in a turn. I would say that while I am happy to have the paddles, I think that I use the shifter more. It may sound weird, but, I feel like I pick up on the NVH of the transmission and shift more consistently without entirely depending on the tach or the redline warning light.

I also think that launch control should have been included with the auto (or at least gearing closer to that of the manual (or both)).

[Skurge]

i'm a die hard manual driver, i've only ever owned one AT car(a 99 legacy winter beater) out of the 8 i've owned.

that being said, i test drove the AT, and it was probably the best AT car i've ever driven, i almost got one but ended up going with the manual

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by Skurge

i'm a die hard manual driver, i've only ever owned one AT car(a 99 legacy winter beater) out of the 8 i've owned.

that being said, i test drove the AT, and it was probably the best AT car i've ever driven, i almost got one but ended up going with the manual

That's exactly it, you bought what suited you unlike the morons that haven't tested the AT and think it's crap like other autos.

[EZx2]

The whole thing in being able handling the car!
The connection between motor and transmission (supposed to be as direct as possible! )
The only difference between them is 1st gear(where no "lock" applied)

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4

[DarkSunrise]

It always annoys me when manual drivers look down on automatic drivers. There's nothing heroic or especially difficult about driving manual. Some prefer manuals, other prefer automatics, nothing wrong with either choice. Let's face it, there is so little demand for manuals these days, we should just be glad manufacturers offer them.

To the OP: While I enjoy driving manual, especially on a low-torque car like the FR-S, if you're happy driving automatic, you should stick with it. Based on your video, it looks like you're looking for more straight-line speed on the street. There are ways to address that without switching to a manual. If I were you, I'd look into a phantom supercharger, which will give you the most low-end torque for the least amount of money (and modification).

[brzr]

Originally Posted by Timmy_Jones

What about people who are 7 feet tall and cannot fit in a twin?

what about girls
do we grow one?

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by gutbomb

Before I learned how to drive stick (when i bought my frs) I believed everyone that said a manual was a pain in stop and go bumper to bumper traffic. Luckily I tried it for myself and after being in a few traffic jams I realized that they were all full of crap. You don't even have to think about it. Traffic sucks in an automatic and in a manual, but it sucks equal amounts.

I agree with this with one notable exception. I was stuck in 2 hours of stop and go traffic recently, and the "go" speed when people were creeping along was slower than my car would go at idle in first gear (clutch fully out, feet entirely off the pedals). That sucked. A lot. In an auto, it wouldn't have been nearly as bad. The vast, vast majority of the time, however, that isn't the case. As long as traffic is either stopped or moving faster than the idle speed in first gear, I don't think there's much difference in how much an auto or manual sucks in traffic.

[gutbomb]

In that case I just stay in first, foot off the clutch and gas and lightly ride the brake just like I would in an auto. When it's time to stop, put the clutch in, brake fully, then when it's time to go again things are so slow I just let up off the brake and let up off the clutch slowly with no gas at all. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Timmy_Jones]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

It always annoys me when manual drivers look down on automatic drivers. There's nothing heroic or especially difficult about driving manual. Some prefer manuals, other prefer automatics, nothing wrong with either choice.

A manual transmission, in my opinion, is more suited to a sports car. An automatic takes away a certain element of driving and control.

I look down on auto drivers with sports cars...because I want sales to be zero, so they are only produced in manual.

What if all cars came with Traction Control and no way to turn it off? It would remove an element of driving.

They could produce every single SUV in the world as an auto and that is fine with me....Miatas, Twins, the ST's, S2000 all should ONLY come with a manual.

[Triumphrider]

I guess Ferrari, Porsche, corvettes, etc, etc, etc aren't much of a sports car then

[Triumphrider]

I have had stick shifts my entire life, bought the auto frs though. Simply because I have a wife and kids that need to be able to drive it when need be. The car is fun, when I want to tear it up the sportsbike comes out.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Timmy_Jones

A manual transmission, in my opinion, is more suited to a sports car. An automatic takes away a certain element of driving and control.

I look down on auto drivers with sports cars...because I want sales to be zero, so they are only produced in manual.

What if all cars came with Traction Control and no way to turn it off? It would remove an element of driving.

They could produce every single SUV in the world as an auto and that is fine with me....Miatas, Twins, the ST's, S2000 all should ONLY come with a manual.

I agree with you that manuals are better suited for sporty cars, so we agree there. But nobody is saying you (or I) can't have our manuals.

Letting others who prefer automatics buy them would be no skin off our backs. Why force others to drive manuals when they don't like them?

The Twins are offered with automatic or stick. Everyone can pick whatever makes them happy.

[J_kennington]

What key element exactly is "lost" in an auto? Shifting? It's tiptronic. I promise you I feel the road the exact same as you do. With a higher stall or launch control, the auto could do everything the manual can, and be faster at it. It honestly amazes me at how close minded people are... to say all "sporty cars" should only be manual, would be the death of the sport car. Bottom line.