|
Quote:
|
Quote:
One thing to consider is the hills of the bay area. Honestly, nothing against these replies but if you've never driven a manual trans before learning in the bay area isn't exactly the best. I lived there for a few months and I've never seen "hills" like that, including the Smokey Mountains and the Rocky's.... so.... IMHO I'd get an auto trans or get a manual and be prepared to use the e-brake a lot to keep you from rolling back on hill stars. :srsly: The 6 spd auto isn't the best but it's far from the worst. I'm kinda jelly of the laziness that can come with it as well. |
Quote:
I made that "suggested" point for the OP to make to his mom. That's the reason I stated "most" ...... and he is talking with his mom, so, if she is over 45, she most likely has in her head (from the old days) that MTs get better gas mileage than ATs. The "most" part is for being honest with his mom.... :) Am I off the hook ..... sorta .... ?? ..... :popcorn: humfrz |
I DD my FR-S and I have 0 regrets. It feels like you're in a cockpit - low, tight, and in tune with the vehicle. The MT is great, and this is my first MT. Driving auto now makes me feel weirdly disconnected. Get the FR-S. Get the manual transmission. Drive it EVERY DAY
|
Quite similar situation to me! Asian, 20, studying. I have a MT, but I parents also wanted me to get an AT so they could drive it. But I managed to convinced them a MT would be cheaper and more fun (for me :) )
Cons: - the leg space for the rear seats - insurance price for our age - paranoia that someone will vandalise/damage your car when you're parked somewhere Pros: - surprising boot space and gas mileage - actually quite a safe car imo. All those safety features, superb handling and the fact that you won't go very fast, hopefully haha - it's very sexy ;) That's my 2 cents. The rest you have probably heard from everyone else :) |
My FR-S is my DD as well, I went manual and it was actually my first manual car. After a week of struggling with first gear I've never looked back.
For me, MT in this car is less about forsaking the practicality of AT and more about acknowledging that this is a driver's car. You'll feel more connected to your drive and operating this vehicle, especially in MT. It is a feeling unlike what you'll get in a 98 corolla (93 corolla wagon was my first car :D). Go MT! |
I went from a BMW 328xi AT to a FR-S with MT. I DD this car about 40 miles a day to work.
This is an awesome DD and all around blast to drive. With the fold down rear seat the trunk and hauling space is actually more practical that you would think. You won't be disappointed if you get a manual. I can't promise the same would be true if you get an automatic. This car is stable and comfortable on the highway. Don't worry about the road/engine noise. Firstly, it's not that loud and secondly it's part of the connection to driving that this car provides. If the ride was dead quiet such as with Audi, it would not fit the overall concept of this car. Plus, the MT will save you $1,100 of your hard earned dollars. |
Quote:
|
Do you think your mom will do research on the car? If not, tell her that the AT is very problematic and not good at all, and that it will be in the shop more often then on the road. Plus the MT is cheaper and much more reliable :).
I daily drive my car and even did a road trip and it's just superb doing both. Always smiling, just get an exhaust and you won't need the stereo anymore. I barely listen to music anymore, just the cars noise :). |
Quote:
|
Buy the car yourself and get it the way you want it. Problem solved.
|
Quote:
|
I commute sixty miles a day on my FR-S. Each and every one of them is a joy.
|
Quote:
|
I drive my Auto as my DD. I have put 7k on it since the first of the year. I have had no problems with the car thus far. It is a blast to drive, lots of smiles per mile. I have to pass often in my daily commute and the automatic is quick to downshift and shifts right @ 7400 when the red LED light fires off. I am averaging 32 mpg around town and on my last trip to Atlanta and back averaged 38mpg. Drove 10 hours straight on that trip and although I am well over 6' and weight 283 I find the interior comfortable and the seats supportive. The handling and brakes are as good as I have ever owned and that means 421 previous vehicles. It does anything that I ask it too. It may not be a muscle car but that is fine, it makes you have to really drive the car as a sports car should be driven and use it's light weight, size, and handling to extract the performance that you need out of the car.
|
Im Vietnamese so I'll tell you my tale. Joined the military against my parents wishes: no regrets. Went lab tech instead of infantry based off of my parents advice: regret it everyday. Married my Mexican high school sweet heart against EVERYONES wishes:eh...(no really, best decision I've ever made) Listen to the little guy in your chest and you'll always be happy. I drive a manual in DC traffic and that 2 to 3 minutes of full throttle once you get past that gridlocked traffic is absolutely worth every dollar you're paying. You can't put a price or let someone dictate your happiness.
|
Quote:
Just love everything about her except the chipping noise. But I have access to Ethanol free gas so it won't really be an issue. Or you don't even care about this noise. Also I am getting the TRD intake. Some say it might ease the problem. Anyway, FR-S is definitely a fantastic car to drive, no matter it's a DD or for fun. Go for it man! |
I have the 10 series auto. My commute to work everyday is 45 miles to and from so I drive just about 90 miles 5 days a week. It is 99% highway driving in central California so i'd say it is about 95% flat so I have a smooth drive all the way. I love that after a long day of work, I can have a smooth drive home rain or shine with the automatic. The noise is not too bad, you will get used to it and I like the paddle shift option too. What I like about it is that in an emergency, I wont have to worry about my wife or any other family member not being able to drive it because they don't know how to drive manual. Because I drive 99% highway driving I set my cruise control to 65-70 and just coast so I get 36-38 mpgs. I do like driving manual sometimes but all my life I have driven pretty much auto cars so it doesn't bother me at all because I love my car in general so I don't regret not choosing the manual transmission. And I don't regret it because I am 99% sure I am not going to drift it, race it, or take it to the track, and only mods I would only probably do on mine is window tint, air filter, and maybe exhaust. But that's just me, and oh it's pretty comfortable and has enough power for my work commute too and I weighed 280 lbs :iono: when I bought the car.
|
If you're OK with the relative lack of power & refinement, the FRS makes a wonderful daily driver. I love driving mine every day :burnrubber:
That being said, you'll want the manual if you're young. I did. Got the auto, and within a few weeks was already regretting my decision. Now I happily own a M/T Asphalt. I don't think I'd pass up half of the car being paid off though :P The manual isn't that good that I'd rather pay 12.5k more for it. If you want it, definitely try to convince your mom! EDIT: Either way its a wonderful car. Don't let all the kids tell you the Auto sucks and you should go to hell for even thinking about it, etc. The auto is wonderful. Best automatic I've ever driven in a cheap car other than Volkswagen's DSG (which is dual clutch so obviously better!). I never felt like the auto shifted too slow, or I didn't have control over the gears. Great in stop & go and LA traffic. What I didn't like about it, was the LOOOOONG gearing (past 3rd at least) - 4th felt like 5th in my Manual, meaning the car felt a *lot* more slugglish on the Highway. In backroads driving, they both felt relatively similar in speed (manual obviously having more involvement, but the auto is *very* good like I said). If I didn't want to track & mod my car I probably would've stuck with the Auto :) |
Tell your mom you need the standard because its a great skill that everyone should know:)
|
Just on the fuel economy discussion, I did a bit of an experiment about 10months ago, when I was driving from home (Armidale, NSW) to work (Tamworth, NSW) with a calculated distance of 118.7km.
I drive a 2012 86 GTS 6AT which had approx 17,000km on the clock. Stock HP Primacy tyres, 38/40psi as supplied by Toyota. Stock 17" wheels. Everything was as from factory except for ceramic pro paint protection. I did exactly the same route every working day for about 2months, which averaged 1187km per week. I used my other car for town driving and shopping. The route was laid out: about 5km of not stop-start town, then the rest was highway until the last 10km which was still highway but speeds changed constantly. There was also about 7km of easy mountain about 2/3 down the road. I used D and cruise control and kept it at the speed limit at all times (averaging out the times where I was stuck behind slower people and when I sped up to pass them). I managed to average less than 5.7L/100km calculated by both my maths and an app on my phone, basing on how much I put in to full (where it was literally pooling in the filler from being overfull - just so I knew that it was always same) against my odometer. I was never getting less than 850km per tank and my car never started sputtering. I do not know how far I could have truly taken it before conking out but that is an experiment I refuse to I try. Since I have put on the new wheels (18x8.5/18x9.5 with falken FK453 tyres (245/35 and 255/35) pumped to 42/44psi) I only got about 700km max. That all said and done and dusted...I drive in manual mode, don't shift until it's screaming (unless I'm in town) and average 7.9L/100...but I don't care...what's an extra $5/100km for that big smile forever stuck on my face. |
Had mine for 22 months and
The only issue is I have to eventually get out of it. A true blast to drive daily. MT for me all the way.
|
Do not bring shame to your family. Drive auto like the rest of good Asian boys and make sure you get your medical degree.
|
Love the car as a DD I drive about 30miles per day with winter grade has and not caring about gas mileage I've been about 28mpg remember these cars take 93 premium fuel don't listen if someone says otherwise! Make sure your mom and anyone driving it knows..
Cons: Loud road noise Rattles of interior mine sounded like hell within 1200miles..turn up radio or go faster! Don't take off the safety's you will slide out in 2seconds I'd your not careful Crickets! Just look them up Pros: Excellent comfort! Drove from Nj to key west and back no issues Great mpg when you try I was loaded down and still got 34mpg! Fun fun fun Love it in manual although drove the auto and it was excellent 10800 miles and enjoy it everyday |
Quote:
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4 |
Car is fine as a DD. Its a pleasant car to drive and contrived to feel sporty at regular commute speeds.
Get the Auto, I think this car suits the manual better than the 6 speed. (I have the 6 speed) Unless you are going to track the car, (or street race) there is no measurable parameter that will be better served by the manual box. The manual appeals to the gear-head romantics who are looking for a reason to feel superior to the rest of the road lemmings. The radio does suck. |
got my AT fr-s on 10/1/2012 and daily driven ever since. only problem is I live in northeast and car definitely doesn't like snow. while I haven't gotten stuck, there have been a few tough situations. may put on snow tires next winter.
|
I don't ever mind having an automatic, but there are many times stuck in traffic that I've cussed a stick.
If/when I buy my BRZ I'll probably go for the manual simply because it's more fun FOR ME to drive. I'm sure I'll cuss it when I'm stuck in traffic or trying to eat a drive through meal on my way somewhere, but it's a small price to pay for the fun of driving a stick down a twisty road. |
I sit in hours of stop and go traffic every week. It's really not a big deal. I think this is a super easy manual to drive in thick traffic.
|
I wrote:
[quote= The manual appeals to the gear-head romantics who are looking for a reason to feel superior to the rest of the road lemmings. [/QUOTE] You wrote: Quote:
correct me if I am wrong, but are we not saying the same thing with the only difference being one of us is a romantic and the other is a balloon bursting cynic? If you want to convince me that a manual gearbox is some kind of an asset in a car that performs its main duty as a commuter vehicle, you need to bring numbers to the table. What exactly does a manual car do better on a commute? |
Just put in second gear and coast if you are in traffic. All you have to do is watch how a truck drives in traffic and do the same thing.
|
Quote:
|
I've never owned an automatic, so take this with a grain of salt I suppose.
I ordered the car with MT and while I was waiting for it, the dealership had an AT come in, so we took it for a test drive. The paddle shifters are pretty cool and responsive, but when my MT came in and I took it for a spin around the block, I knew I'd made the right choice. Like many have said, it gives you a connection to the car. If you want a manual, get a manual! You can always argue that: - it has a cheaper base price - it's easier and cheaper to maintain - you can use downshifting/engine braking to slow down in conditions where normal braking could be hazardous - a surprising number of people don't know how to drive manuals, so it could prevent your car getting stolen (...okay, so that's kind of joke, but it has been argued!) I only have about 5k on mine, but I've had no issues (and it was built in April 2013). Changing the oil and filter is a breeze too! Whatever you decide, welcome to our dysfunctional family! :D |
Quote:
As for driving this car with a manual...this car is remarkably easy. Its actually almost as easy and as forgiving as my sister's Civic. The only odd thing is the bite point but I've driven a BMW like that so that seems more like something to get used to. My Impreza...that was a tough car to start learning stick as it had nearly no tolerance for inaccuracy. Stalled it so many times that I'm glad it was built really tough. |
Different strokes for different folks; Whole-hearted respect for the 6MT crowd, but I personally really enjoy the flexibility of switching between manual mode and automatic. Shifts when I m not in the mood to, and allows me to shift when I'm feel like it (90% of the time). As such, I personally feel I am very connected to the car.
Because the OP is inquiring about an FRS being..daily driven.. I'll tell you that our torque converter is a marvel of engineering; not a dual clutch but for commuting around it might not have to be. |
Got a 2014 AT, main use is DD and fun windy road driving on the weekends. Couldn't be happier.
I live in LA where 5 miles can take you an hour in stop and go traffic depending on the time of day. Traffic is just one of those things that KILLS me, absolutely loath it and having to work a manual in LA was just not something I was too keen on. So I borrowed my buddy manual TC for 2 weeks and after driving to work and just all over the city I knew I would hate driving even more when there was traffic in a manual. The Auto is great, 90% of the time I'm in manual sport mode but when traffic hits I switch to Auto and its fantastic. Love the paddle shifters and up/down shifting when using your shifter itself. Pros -Paddle shifters for the mountain roads allows me to keep both hands on the wheel giving me more control while still being able to shift. -You can also push the shifter up and down to up-shift and down-shift when you pop it over to Manual mode. Which is phenomenal, it allows you to not rely solely on the paddles. Great for super tight turns when the wheel is spun and you cant tell which paddle is which (since there attached the the wheel) -Every time I push the shifter up I feel like I am pushing my car to faster and it gives me that same connected feeling I felt when shifting with a MT. -You can use downshifting/engine braking to slow down in conditions where normal braking could be hazardous if you are in manual mode just like a manual car -Traffic ha Remember, the twins AT doesn't mean you have to stay in full auto the entire time. You have that option but you also have manual mode where you have to shift the car yourself. Do what suits you best, and never let any one make you feel bad or in anyway like your a worse driver because you have an AT. Especially when its the six speed auto thats in the twins! Driving is more that just pushing a clutch peddle, which when it comes down to it, is the only difference. edit: I take my car up into the mountains above Santa Monica/Malibu every other weekend, handles just like a MT on the super windy mountain roads when in manual mode. Which is the only fun way to drive up there :) |
Quote:
|
Only poor people shift their own gears. TRUE BALLERS have the car shift FOR them.
/thread |
I've had my fair share of manuals and have driven automatics since 2001. I prefer an automatic in most vehicles, but part of the feel of of the BRZ/FR-S is that "old school" vibe you get. I've not driven an auto twin, but the manual is extremely easy to drive and I love the simplistic feel the cars offer.
|
I feel sorry for all the poor bastards out there who own automatics.
Any idiot can drive one. You can even train a monkey to do it.. It takes a true "driver" to appreciate the fine art of manual bliss. |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:13 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
User Alert System provided by
Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2026 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.