An hour with a Scion FRS automatic
 

thanks.
i really want to drive the auto so i can decide on if i can live with it just so my wife can drive the car....
the manual was great for me but i dont feel like trying to teach her anymore, she has no desire to learn :(

My wife can drive manual, its just that she doesn't regularly! So I'm still looking for something to tip the balance one way or the other. It may be that the manual will just be more popular than the AT?

Manual = better performance due to lower gearing.
Auto = better fuel economy due to gearing.

And of course, manual = cheaper.

While I'm not a fan of Auto's. I don't think this post should be considered correct.

The Auto has been known to shift faster then a regular manual. So in terms of shifting performance, one can argue that the Auto is better in some scenarios.

So I don't think this post should be considered entirely accurate.

bneale

Quite true, it may shift faster, but that's only one part of performance equation. Gearing is another.

What we really need is a review where they test the auto and the manual back-to-back under the same conditions.

The closest I've seen (please correct me if you know of other reviews) are the tests in Evo magazine. The first test with an auto-equiped BRZ was kind of lack luster, and the follow up test with a manual FR-S reported better results. But that wasn't a proper back-to-back test with same driver, same conditions, etc.

Anyway, either transmission is housed in a great car, and that's what counts! :D

While I have not seen an offical back to back test of the 2 drivetrains, I have seen several people (including a lot of those on here) review the FR-S with both transmission choices. There was an invite only event in Socal where a pile of people got to drive both the auto and the manual in different conditions.

Not only did they get to drive the cars on the street, they also got to autocross in the auto and drift with Gushi in the manual. I believe they even saw a little bit of track time.

Now while nobody really posted any hard numbers (nobody was keeping track), a lot of people enjoyed both transmissions. Even die hard manual fans liked the Auto and how fast it was at shifting.

So for what its worth, there is very little difference between them. The main differences are obviously price versus driving style.

I personally picked a manual for my FR-S because I've never had a manual car and always wanted one. Plus, it is a little cheaper. I honestly can't wait to get my hands on it and start really learning manual.

bneale

Best Motoring boys found the manual was a full second slower on the 0-400m drag test (that's bit shorter distance than a 1/4 mile), and a second slower on lap times. See the pics/videos forum to view.

I saw someone else say """"they would have to pry the manual stick out of their dead hand!!!"""

I've been driving a manual for at least 40 years!
How long do you have to row the gears before you can have a rest!

I realize that isn't anything like a good reason to pick an automatic, but it still feels like 6 of one half a dozen of the other!!!
:23:

As a female who drives an old 93 Del Sol and loves it, I find that having a manual in any kind of city stop and go traffic is a pain (worse as I get older). Just my 2 cents worth.