Based on what I've read on these forums, I wouldn't bring fuel economy into the decision. I see a lot of people on here beating the manual mileage estimates (not by a lot, but still) and I personally have only ever been able to observe slightly worse than the mileage estimates for the auto. So I don't think the real world fuel economy difference is significant.

I have the auto and sometimes I'm glad and other times I wish I had the manual. I was dealing with buying a leftover 2013 very late in the year so my options were limited. If I could have gotten the limited in WRB with a manual I would have. That said, I find the auto very responsive and drive almost exclusively in manual mode.

1. Manual, because it is just plain more fun to drive. I don't sit in traffic, I take this car out for fun. It' s better and less expensive and it's fun to learn and it's not about going fast, saving gas or any of that. My girlfriend would ask me if I wanted to keep my penis in her purse if I suggested automatic because even my beautiful GF is not such a girl that she would drive automatic.

2. Next car will be Manual because it's more fun. Unless I was making a beater rally car because.. beater. And rally car.

Ya I agree really but still had to throw it into the mix as a "paper spec" since they are actually quite different. I have beat the manual combined mileage "on paper" rate by 4 or 5 mpg since I got the car (mostly highway on cruise)

Though with that said I have never driven a manual car that copes with heavy stop in go traffic so well.

Oh the car copes just fine it is the drivers that don't fare so well!


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nah I don't know about that I can get 36 to 38 mpg in a manual driving at 70 to 75 on the highway. I average 32 mpg combined

Longer sixth gear and a higher final drive ratio.

Automatic transmissions became available on consumer cars about 1940.

I'm still having trouble getting used to the idea...something I just don't need, same goes for autonomous cars.

There is basically no maintenance required for a manual transmission.

Ya but they did not become truly common until the 60s (not saying there weren't lots). I still call them "standards" to this day and it really confuses the hell out of the youngsters. Them - "Why standard and not manual"?
Me - "Because that was how most cars came and the auto was an option"

Yep! (didn't read all the posts above did ya. Shame on you)

I was talking about other automatics I've driven, not the BRZ's automatic (which I have not driven.)

And if I read the OP correctly, it was just for a survey. Cool your jets man, we're all friends here. Mostly.

Haha yes I'm guilty I normally do tho

Everybody is so helpful in telling OP to drive both and see what he likes!
He either already has a preference or has thrown a very thin veil over finding what everybody else thinks before deciding.

Caught you!
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