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!