My question is this: Would this be your first manual? I ask this because, in all honesty, this really isn't the best car to learn on. The clutch is "odd" and the car is very spiky, especially during take off. Not to mention that you will probably wear down the clutch fairly quickly, which can be costly for someone still in school to replace.

With that said, I remember being your age and I doubt you will listen to anything we say anyway. :P (Hell, the fact that you even asked shows that you are more rational than the average kid. ;) )

Get exactly what you want or not at all. Regretting a decision on something this big would suck.

Just my advice though, do whatever.

I daily drive my AT BRZ. About 30 kms a day.
My only complaint so far is the wind noise from highway driving.

One word of advice, if you plan on driving more than 50km. Make sure you take your wallet out of your back pocket.

I'm learning on this car. It's not too bad compared to maybe an STi or S2K (comparable price range when buying used). After finding the DIY on here for adjusting the engagement point, I'd argue if the high clutch engagement is too weird, there's an easy solution to it!

just wanted to correct this, as i suspect a salesperson gave you that info..

the bespoke unit is an upgraded head unit for the 86, but there is zero allotment for a center channel in these cars, and no oem-installed sub (there is a dealer-installed sub option, but i'm not aware of it being automatically included with any model). also, because the source material is always 2 channel audio split to the front and rear speakers, that makes it a 2.0 channel stereo system.

if you had a sub installed, then it would be a 2.1 channel sound system.



back on topic, i dd my manual brz and love it. it's no substitute for the pickup truck i'd rather take some days if i had one, but it does alright hauling my tools and misc materials when needed. i take the long way to work not because any aspect of the route is faster, but it is more enjoyable.. it's hard to appreciate this car until you understand that it's not the speed that's important..

everyone asks me how fast it is, and i really don't know how to answer them even after so many have asked me-- if i wanted speed, i would have grabbed up a used v8 mustang/camaro which would have been cheaper... imo those are 'destination'cars(when can we get there we need to get there how fast can we get there), where this is more of a 'journey' car(if i turn left here, it'll take 30 minutes longer, but there's 5 miles of curvy roads)..

it's one of those things you either get or don't get, and i'm not really sure it's explainable to those that don't get it when so many are all about horsepower numbers and 1/4 mile times..

for me, there's only one way to sum up what this car is all about:
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps46629caa.jpg

I have the automatic. It's fun for an automatic. When in manual mode, I usually shift with the paddles unless I am really working the steering wheel. Then I use the "slap shift."

You lose about a second 0-60. But you gain MPGs. It's a trade off I gladly made; since a back injury, a MT is no longer an option.

Driven carefully, you will easily exceed the stated gas mileage figures.

The handling is magic. And I've owned some nice handling cars.

And I get daily compliments on the looks of the car. It is just the right balance between beauty and aggressiveness. It is as good looking as a glass bowl of tits. Too small to get laid in, but you get laid the minute you get out.

I suggest the silver. It shows off the curves of the sheetmetal nicely in the sun.

Enjoy.

Not a single thing.

That is good info, thanks. I was disappointed a "5.1" system could sound so terrible since my 2008 4Runner has the JBL sound system package and it sounds worlds better. Guess I will look into replacing the stock speakers sometime. :threadjacked:

Comfort is absolutely relative and as you mentioned, the car your coming from makes a huge impact on your feeling toward it. I also believe that your own personal shape has a lot to do with it too. I have metabolism issues so I'm basically a skeleton, so the road may be more harsh on me than it is on others. My old man was with me on the mentioned Nola trip and he felt fine afterwards, and he has more body mass than I do. My last car was boring comfort sedan so that's what I have to compare the FR-S to. That car also had a lot of sound deadening so that makes my comparison for cabin noise as well. Still, I wouldn't trade my new daily driver for pretty much anything.

The stock sound system is fine, especially with it off and the windows down.

I completely agree with this. I also bought the manual because it was said to be so much better and now that I know how to drive it, I don't see why automatic gets all the hate. I test drove the auto before I bought the car and I don't feel like it was that much less fun than I'm having now. It might even have been better when traffic gets congested. That being said, I am glad that I got the manual and I have no regrets, but I don't think I would have regretted getting the auto either. Really this car is a blast no matter which badge, trim, color, or transmission you get.

Well, NateNasty, first off, it sounds like the FR-S would be a good car to suit your transportation needs and desires.

Have you driven (or know how to drive) a car with a manual transmission .. ??

Will your Mom ever drive your FR-S .. ??

Does she know how to drive a manual .. ??

If you are comfortable with a MT and your Mom knows how to drive a manual if she will ever drive it, I would suggest you attempt to convince your Mom that a manual transmission would be a better choice.

Why .. ??

* It's less expensive (calculate out the difference ($1,000) over the life of your loan).

* Transmission repairs (if ever needed) are less expensive with a MT.

* Most MTs will get better gas mileage than ATs.

* Insurance is less (because initial automobile cost is less).

* Higher resale value with a MT.

* It's safer (you will be less tempted to text/hold a phone while driving, because you have to keep at least one hand on the wheel, the other one will be busy shifting.

* and ...... it's what YOU want ... !!

There ya go .... :)


humfrz

Not THIS car tho. It's the gearing.

Is 30 ish mpg bad? I went from a car that averaged 19 and could not be happier.

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.