All I can say is WOW!
 

The day before yesterday I got a call from Sierra Toyota that my firestorm, m.t. had come in. The dealership is about 100 miles from where I currently live but within two hours I was packed for an overnighter and I was at the dealership. Sierra Vista is a small town and my experience with the dealership was the best new car purchase I had ever made in my life. They worked at pure MSRP. They gave me what I wanted for trade on my '02 Miata. There was no pressure from a F & I guy to buy an extended warranty or any of that crap. Just a totally pleasant experience.

The real kick is the manual transmission. When I bought the Miata I let my wife's influence, along with my age steer me towards an automatic transmission. It wasn't long before I knew that was a mistake. I will never throw stones at any one with an automatic because they and manual transmissions both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, I guess I run a little against what is expected from people my age. I promised myself the next time I bought a car I would buy a manual so I would be able to enjoy the whole driving experience.

It's sure a thrill to be back in the saddle again!! :burnrubber:

this car ''sings" out for a good manual!
any other car,i would say yes! go ''slush" box,but not this one!

I bought a AT for some of my "Specific" reasons, now Im regretting not getting it in manual trans. from the reviews and comments that I hear daily from FR-S owners. Good decision!

I have a corny saying: If that's the biggest mistake you ever make you got it made.

With an automatic you're still able to enjoy one really sweet little coupe. Admittedly the part of becoming more involved is missing but at the same time you can enjoy a more relaxed, laid back ride. Where you live and traffic conditions also have a strong influence.

I have the mt but got to test drive and autox the auto. The auto still is bad ass and held its own. Rev matching is awesome and can still kick the back end out easily. I didn't use the paddles but stuck with the stick in manual mode. Both kick ass.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I hit traffic everyday and drive an AT FRS, i think people base to much of the driving experience off a manual trans too much. You can still have TONS of fun with a modern day auto. The only car i truly enjoyed shifting gears in was a 71 Plymouth Cuda' 383, when you floored it in 2nd gear...there was truly nothing like it. Changing gears in that thing was fun because you had the noise and you felt everything.

I find it interesting that the AT shifter looks like a MT shifter, like they're trying to imitate the latter. The shifter is even tilted to the right, just like a MT shifter would be if it was in 5th.

Congrats...

My first car was a '04 RX-8, and I opted for the auto in it... I regretted the decision very much, and have never went back to an auto ever since that time. I do admit that I had great fun with the paddle shifting in that car... It really kept my focus on the steering wheel with both hands.

Regardless, I'd have to agree with you that each transmission choice has its own advantages which go perfectly with the driver's preference.

Congrats now that you have it post pics from your trip to get her :)

I'd love to but I'm computer illiterate. When I sit at the computer and punch in Google I'm way over my head. :)

That's too bad. I'm sure we'd love to see pics. If you do manage to get them uploaded to the web -- google dropbox for example, then to post them just wrap them in

"[img]" "http://the-url-for-the-pictures" "[/img]"

(without the quotes)

god arm will be dissapointed

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...tage4_ep22.jpg

? :bellyroll: ?

i can say that driving stick for over 40 years,if i decided to purchase this car with a ''slush" box,i would have to learn to masturbate with my right hand ,as opposed to my left!.i am a natural ''southpaw" and my right hand would literally have nothing to do while driving!.he! he! he!

driving a stick for so long,traffic congestion is not a problem as you become used to it and take it in stride.

yes! the old muscle cars were truly thrilling to drive! tons of ''grunt" down low,and the stick made 'em come alive!

Glad to hear you're lovin' it! And a Firestorm MT is the best combo, IMO. Take care of it.

Congratulations! You will not be disappointed with your purchase! Although I wish I had the extra money to spend on the auto, the manual transmission in this car is great.

Congrats! Firestorm is definitely the way to go!:thumbsup:

Awesome! MT and Firestorm! Same combo I plan on getting~

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJZhtOkjz1Y"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJZhtOkjz1Y[/ame]

9:30-12:10

Don't regret it. i drove an AT and it was really nice. Just use the shifter or paddles and have a blast. I did.

Same here, if you want complete control over the gear shifting the paddles will do it for you. After you've had the car for a few weeks this will consist of about 1% of your driving time. Maybe people would prefer a manual choke as well? And who needs power brakes and steering anyways? The A/T on the car shifts crisply and at the right intervals. I could do it myself, but I could also roll down the window and signal turns with my arm.

Whaap - yikes! You made a terrible mistake! I'm so sorry to hear... :(

They sold you an imitation Subaru. :(

Didn't you know you were supposed to get a white BRZ like all the other M-netters? :p


CONGRATS!!! Now go start a new thread on the "other" site. Hehehe

LOL. I can hardly wait to get all the love.:burnrubber:

Another Tucson FR-S Congrats!:happy0180:

Power brakes? I drove cars before they had hydraulic brakes! Manual choke? I drove cars when you retarded the spark and turned a hand crank. Same with power windows and steering. Manual transmissions? If you drove a car you drove a manual. There might have been some automatics around but if there were, they were reserved for the wealthy.

I don't think you need to get your panties in a bunch. I don't think any one slammed automatics. Hell, I just finished driving an automatic Miata for six years. I think I can be exhilarated about finally having another manual without any one taking offense.

Congrats on the new ride! MT or AT you really can't go wrong with the FR-S. I went with the AT because my left knee isn't what it used to be. Love driving the MTs back in the day, loving driving my AT FR-S just as much.

Enjoy your new ride!

Yo Whaap gratz man! Back in 94 I was stationed in Ft. Huachuca. As you probably know that's right next to Sierra Vista! Man I love it out there! I used to make that run to Tucson every now and then to the Davis Monthan Air base. also used to convoy to Yuma all the way west to 29 palms in California. Nice. Still waiting on my 86. Enjoy your car man. :burnrubber:

Welcome to the firestorm manual club. It is the only way to go on this car!