Ready to order... convince me to get the manual
 

Just joined the forum... seems like a great community here. Hoping to get your thoughts on a couple of things.

So, I've driven both, the manual and the auto. Both felt pretty good and I was actually surprised at how decent the auto was in the sport mode (keeping the revs high, downshifting aggressively and blipping throttle on downshifts).

I'm looking to get this car because it seems to be a very fun car to drive. This car would be my daily driver and I'd be spending a fair bit of time in traffic. Question is how much fun does this auto (which is pretty good) sap from the driving experience of this car? This would be my first paddle-shift car... seems like it improves the auto experience?

I'll also note that I already have a weekend manual car that I track quite frequently, so now looking for something that would be a lot of fun mainly on the street and autocross, but also occasionally on the track. That being said, I've never commuted in a manual car on regular basis, so I'm afraid it may get pretty old in traffic rather quickly...

So, I guess I'd like to hear from people that were in my shoes and have gone one way or the other. Per name of the thread, I'm leaning towards the auto due to practicality in traffic but wonder if I'm going to giving up a lot during more spirited driving?

:happy0180:

Just buy the manual. I commute in a 7MT dump truck with air brakes pulling a trailer. I laugh at people who complain about traffic in a manual passenger car.

While my new FR-S is a manual I get irritated at a specific group of drivers who think the size of their man hood is determined by their ability to drive a manual transmission. I've driven both. My last car (Miata) was an automatic. My car before that (911) was a manual. It's definitely a difficult call. Whether you're actively driving a manual or laid back smelling the roses with an automatic, you're still traveling in a neat little coupe. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Test them both and get the one you want. Do not let yourself be influenced to get something you truly don't want.

dude buy a MT. It will be the best decision you make

Get the manual. All my daily drivers for the last 10 years have been manual, I live in a small city with plenty of lights, and the only times I have really been tired of the manual is when there is a problem on an interstate highway so traffic is constantly changing from 0 to 10 mph and back. The annoyance of that 0.1% of the time isn't so great that you want to miss out on all the fun of the manual.

I drove the automatic one recently and I'd ONLY get the manual after that experience lol.

Manual. I use mine to commute to work in traffic and the clutch pedal is so light that it really easy for stop and go

You'll be happier with the MT. Especially on that day when you just so happen to be driving down a twisty road in the mountains. You will long for it then.

I have had MT for a long time as daily drivers and the traffic doesnt bother me. I mean sure I get aggrivated with the way people drive but I would still be mad in an automatic

the manual is cheaper. thats reason enough if you are on the fence. if you think either way might be a mistake, make the mistake that puts a thousand dollars in your pocket

The manual should also retain its value better over time.

There is no option but to get the manual. You will have a million times more fun with it and it is lighter and just better all around. You will have more car control, it comes with a more aggressive limited slip diff, and the feeling of holding it in third to redline is awesome. Don't mess this up, get the manual, you will be so thankful after a week of ownership when you are not bored while driving it. ever.

Cheaper, faster, more reliable, cheaper to repair, potentially better mileage and more fun (subjective).

You'll have to weigh a lot of factors to make the best decision for your driving environment and your preferences. I keep my cars for a LONG time and do my own repairs (once the warranty runs out) and my own mods.

My experiences (and those of my family and friends) indicate that most automatic transmissions will require a rebuild or replacement between 100K and 150K miles. Be sure to factor in those costs IF you keep your cars long term.

At 108K, my Impala SS (K&N Cold Air was the only mod) shattered it's planetary gearset despite servicing the transmission every 20K vs the book at 100K. I shopped around and the most economical alternative was to buy a new transmission from the Chevy dealer and install it myself. I paid ~$1750 for the parts and did the work myself.

I'd have gotten more enjoyment from spending that money on Eibach springs, Konis, and Hotchkiss swaybars. YMMV. As for me, that's my last automatic as long as God grants me the health to change my own gears.

I'm coming from the point of view of someone who chose the automatic. I learned to drive stick specifically for this car knowing that the overwhelming opinion would be that an auto wouldn't be as much fun to drive. Also, the inevitable "Automatic sports car LOL," reaction I knew I'd get from other enthusiasts. However after driving both the auto and the manual, I realized that I in fact enjoyed them both, they each had their positives and negatives.

I ended up going automatic because with the paddles I had almost the same control that I'd have with the manual and because if I ever needed someone to drive the car for whatever reason I wouldn't need to worry grinding gears. I spend a large amount of time in stop and go traffic (~30 minutes a day) and that factored into my decision as well.

The other day when walking back to my car I saw two people looking in and making a comment about how whoever owned the car was stupid to get it in a automatic. When they realized I owned the car they asked me how I liked it etc and why I got the auto. I shrugged and said its the choice I made and I'm glad I made it. I asked what they drove and one sheepishly said a 98 corolla. Needless to say they walked away with their tail between their legs.

At the end of the day its YOUR car, the peanut gallery doesn't have to drive away in your car, you do.

if you have to ask, then get the automatic.

it is as simple as that.

traffic sucks no matter wut u drive. this is my 1st manual and i prefer it in traffic (i can basically move thru heavy traffic with just clutch control, much better then having to keep switching my foot). plus i've driven plenty of cars with paddle shifters (from IS250 to 458 Italias) it is so not the same as a manual, very boring IMHO

I have to agree that flappy paddles do not bring the control of a manual. There's shifting slowly or quickly, precision rev matching fun, a million tricks to do with the clutch, etc.

I haven't driven an auto BRZ yet and am curious what that's like. The DSG in a Golf TDI is pretty good now but I won't confuse manual gear selection with all the control of a human managed clutch & shifter.

I ordered a mt gts but due to a 12-24 month wait, I ended up grabbing an at because I get it next week.
I have always driven manual and this car was designed for it.
My argument to myself (as I don't really care what other people think of my decision) was:
- better fuel economy in the auto
- in sports mode you can still bounce off the redline...it will not change
- better for traffic
- auto rev matching...I love this and to me, doesn't affect the fun
- very fast shifts (well for a cheapish car - 42000 on road here)...I think it is 0.2sec
- and an incidental, insurance was actually cheaper because they put most risk on a mt

I'm sure I'll have times wishing I was back in the mt but the rest I'm just going to enjoy the s#!t out of this.
That said, if I was getting it for track use...manual 100% of the time.

If you truly love the manual, you'll get manual unless you had no choice in the matter. If you are undecided, then get the automatic and you won't even notice the difference.

Don't get the womanual...get the manual.

Don't be a sissy. Get a manual!

Manual for sure. The lag in the paddle shifters is frustrating, particularly if you track or autocross at all. And just as a matter of personal preference I hate the fact that the paddles are on the wheel itself rather than being statically mounted behind it.

i agree! driving this car in "stick" is "ALMOST" as much fun as having sex!

You're not comparing it to "alone sex" are you?

of course not! ehe! he! he! someone else
"masturbates" me! (lol!)

Hmm, odd. I figured you'd vote for the automatic then.

never! sticks are for "***gotts" (lol!)

I'll put it this way...

When I bought my GTI, I compromised and got the DSG because "hey it's got flappy paddles" and "hey it shifts faster than the manual can" and "the wife can drive it if she ever needs to."

She never once sat in the driver's seat for the couple years I owned it, and I always found myself missing that third pedal, even on long boring highway commutes.

No more compromises. I will not buy another automatic unless it's the only available transmission or if the car is for her.

If you have to ask us to convince you....
Really though, if you think you'll have any regret then there should be no further consideration.
It was a tough choice for me as well.

MT

If you were to get an automatic, get a different car.

Can't beat this honest advice.

Also, I see enthusiasts who fall for either transmission choice... Every individual and their choices / preferences vary, and you simply have to go with what you feel more comfortable with opting for.

My first car had an auto with the paddle shifters, and I only chose that option because my Dad kept reminding me that it would be a huge inconvenience in settling with a manual... And that decision was something that I greatly regretted. I'm not saying that you'll also be the same way. You could actually end up being the opposite and really end up appreciating the auto w/ paddle shifters. And truthfully, many higher-performance vehicles have shined with an auto (although more advanced types of automatic / DCT's): GT-R, PDK Porsche, Ferrari / Lambo, etc... So no harm in whatever you're comfortable in choosing! :thumbsup:

This is what I was talking about, drown this out and make the decision based upon what you want.

Either way http://i.imgur.com/kvLQk.gif

"it comes with a more aggressive limited slip diff" is this true? Interesting, I've never picked this up in the write-ups.

Don't be discouraged by the haters and let them judge you by what you drive.

Just get what YOU desire. Don't worry about the value of the car over time; just enjoy it while you have it,
don't worry about what others say about autos; if they like to play around with their stick and lift and hold the clutch in stop-and-go traffic, let them.

The twins are EQUALLY awesome with the two optional transmissions they come in. Auto lets you hold the RPMS longer and much higher in SPORT mode. (VERY responsive/sporty feel)

Heck, I've driven manual ever since I was able to drive; my last two RWD vehicles were all manual. Anyways, I bought an auto for the convenience of daily driving
(groceries, hockey, to and from work).

Ultimately; in the end, the choice is yours!

Thanks for all the replies! As expected, an overwhelming majority prefer the manual.

My situation is somewhat unique, in that for those truly great mountain runs and weekend drives on open roads (where manual really shines), I'll be taking my Z. However, I still want a fun experience for running into town, mundane highway drives, shopping and daily commute; which is the whole reason I'm getting an FRS to begin with.

Question is would manual be more fun/exciting for those more mundane tasks? Put another way, if all you manual guys had no way to drive it in a more spirited fashion on twisty roads, etc. would you still get a manual?

Honestly dude if you are considering getting a manual, get it. You won't want to get the auto and wind up regretting it a few hundred miles down the road.

If you can't figure it out, this is the wrong choice for a daily. Don't sell your self short.

I've had my FR-S for close to 3 months and have racked up close to 5k miles... I use it to go to work, shop for groceries, run multiple errands, go to the fitness center, pick up my 4 year old daughter from school (1 year old in car seat likes to also come), wife gladly tags along everywhere, etc.

Manual is worth it for me in this case too... I love driving this car daily and to me, it never gets boring. A lot of it is up to the driver... For instance, heel-and-toe downshifting always makes a manual car so much more exciting to drive every single day... It really is up to the driver to make the most out of driving a manual in a daily situation.

Dude man up! Its a sports car. Get the full driving experience that the manual has to offer :)