am I crazy to like the auto more than manual?
 

So was out test driving this weekend (think i'm near ready to buy... soon... ). Was surprised that I dug the automatic (in sports mode) more than the manual. While the manual has probably one of the best shifters i've messed with, I just couldn't 'get' the clutch at all (Everything after 1st gear... no matter how fast/slow i engage the clutch, I just can't get it smoothly :bonk:). Maybe I'm skewed because the 4speed automatic in my prizm is kinda horrid, but auto brz... good stuff.

+ new constructions and what not makes my daily commute oh so more painful makes me gravitate more to the auto :S

Are there any large cons for the automatic besides the usual boohahaha between manual vs auto? Auto will still be a blast to wiggle around mountain roads right?

It is slower 0-60 and 1/4 mile. It also gets better gas mileage. Both of these are due to the difference in the final drive gearing. If you put it in 4.55 FD then it would probably be just as fast (or faster) than the manual and get the same (or worse) mileage.

Sounds like you would love the BRZ in auto… There is nothing wrong with that at all.

Cheers,

-Nate

The auto has significantly taller ratios, so it will be slower and a bit harder to keep in the peak of the powerband. Also, I think the auto is a bit heavier (not much though). Aside from that, there shouldn't be any further performance penalty. That's interesting that you feel that way about the clutch though - every time I've driven a brz, I found the clutch very easy to use (admittedly, I haven't driven an auto with any regularity in about 7 years though - every car I've owned or driven frequently in that period has been stick, so I'm pretty comfortable with a manual).

Not really any major cons in my opinion. Im sure there will be lots of back and forth like every other auto vs man thread. But really, only cons in my book is that it is much slower from a stand still, but from a roll, they are pretty close. And I want the most fun I can when driving a car, so I will always prefer the manual. But you will get better MPG's, and it is a pretty nice auto for the price range. Do what makes you happy.

If you drive the automatic transmission BRZ aggressively, the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) will record the "spirited" driving and at your next dealer service interval your entire warranty will be void.



Or at least that's what the dragon told me.

The clutch in this car takes a little while to master, partly because (1) it engages so high and also because (2) the throttle pedal is dead in the first 0.5-1 cm of pressing it. Adjusting the clutch to engage earlier fixes (1). Getting used to the car fixes (2).

Personally, I found this car much more fun to drive with the manual, but everyone's different. If you like the auto better, go for that.

I've heard a ton of good things about the automatic transmission. I kind of wish I had test drove one before buying my MT.

The clutch you'll get the hang of eventually. The gas mileage is better than EPA-estimated. The auto is slower, more expensive and less desirable. I drove an auto FR-S at an auto-x before buying my BRZ. It was good enough to show me what the chassis was capable of, but I felt hindered by the transmission (traction and stability were on, so this wasn't helping either, of course).

The auto is great, with the exception of taking off from a dead stop its just a hair slower then the MT. The shifts are crisp, and quick, probably quicker then most people could shift the MT certainly quicker then I could.

The AT is no slouch and the paddles work great.

I've driven manuals most of my life and even though my FR-S is a manual and I totally enjoy it I still second guess myself for not getting the more efficient automatic. Oh well, if that's my biggest problem I guess I've got it made.

you can't go wrong either way. I went with the manual for cost reasons and for a change of pace from driving automatic.

Drove around San Francisco yesterday with my manual, zero regrets.

To each their own, enjoy whatever you end up with, only you have any idea what you'll feel like in a year or five's time.

Edit: due to the direction this thread is taking, I posted mainly to assuage your fears, I stalled twice on my test drive, it gets easier.