Yes, the automatic transmission is that good
 

I've been using manual transmissions for over 20 years now and I've HATED automatic cars with a passion. But the AT in the FR-S has totally won me over.

A lot of people say that the manual transmission makes you feel more connected with the car. Well, that may be true, however I think the AT in this car makes me feel more connected with the road.

Other people say that manual transmissions are for the pure driving enthusiast. Well, this might have been true 20 years ago, but now, not so much. I still love shifting and I love hearing the sound of a good fast shift. But I also love using technology to enable me to shift easily with the paddle shifters so I can concentrate entirely on eating the road.

From now on, I want all of my cars to have an automatic transmission like the FR-S (with paddle shifters). Yes, it's THAT good.

Agreed. I'm not disappointed at all by my AT BRZ. I still understand the desire for an MT but this AT is shockingly good.

Yep, agreed. I learned on a manual 40 years ago (3 on the tree Ford pickup) and have driven plenty of vehicles with them since and I can honestly say I don't miss it one bit with the FR-S (the first "sporty" car I've owned as my primary car with an AT)

My "perfect driving experience" yesterday would have been no better with a 6MT. The paddle shifters were absolutely perfect on a curvy road.

and these days AT can handle a lot more power than the past. but some people still with MT and they say its better.

these days AT is much faster in changing gears and faster 0-60 and faster on track.

I completely agree. Now, here's my disclaimer: I have only ever owned automatics. I have driven manuals and enjoyed the control they give you over the power delivery vs. an auto, but I never really got comfortable with them. I'm sure if I owned one eventually I'd get used to it and prefer it, but for now, I don't. That said, this is hands down the best auto I've ever had. I had a 2001 Prelude auto with the selectable auto, but it was slow and clunky for the most part (not to mention I had to get it rebuilt twice:paddle:).

I love how the FR-S has the Sport mode, which "almost" feels like a manual with the way the gears lock and the rev-matched downshifts. The paddles are a ton of fun when using the manual mode as well. But going back to the OP's point: the thing I love the most is that I don't have to take my hands off the wheel and I can just concentrate on the road ahead. Makes me much more confident when blasting around tight corners. Also, it's nice to be able to just leave it in granny mode when I'm just running errands and want a little more fuel efficiency.