A lot of manual owners probably have nice traffic to deal with. But it's hard to tell because they never say. Shifting 75 times to go eight blocks to Office Depot=not fun. I come from a 05 Mustang GT MT that I had in LA traffic for five years. There's nothing like an open freeway or road to make a MT sing. But when you race onto the freeway and come to a complete stop and then take one hour to go seven miles, well that kind of just takes the fun out of a manual. So I went with the auto.

That's why things come in different flavors, and why arguing transmissions is like arguing Religion, you aren't going to convince zealots on either side to change.

That said, in defense of the 6AT in the 86, in manual mode it will NOT change gears on you except in an extreme under-rev (stall the engine) situation. On the top end, the only thing it won't let you switch it into an over-rev the engine, but you can hold it in gear bouncing off the limiter all day.

I see nothing embarrassing about it. It's just a fact, and the opportunity hasn't presented itself, no big deal.

If you want to learn, its not hard to do. I could probably teach you how to drive comfortably in less than 30 minutes (I taught my wife in less time than that), someone who is a qualified instructor could probably do it faster. You won't be <name your favorite racer here> but you wouldn't embarrass yourself too much either.

I'm in a similar situation. I'm hardly ever one the highway but on a lot of backraods. I'm trying to keep up with my bf (lady here) who love manuals and swears by them and hes coming from a RX-7 (and I totally expect him to try and hog the FRS). I don't mind the stop and go traffic or even the traffic lights. I want to interact with my car more rather then just sit back. I find more fun in that. Which is more of a reason I'm going for the manual. I have a lot to learn of course, but I look forward to taking that journey with my FRS once I get a hold of one :)

As long as you're patient and have a good teacher, it doesn't take long to learn, and once you've got it, you've learned it for life.

I agree with all of you on the stop and go traffic. It is a pain especially if the car will be your DD + stage 2 clutch lightened fly wheel. Has anyone converted to auto and loved it without regret? I don't think i can ever love an auto car as I would a manual car.

Yes!! Without regret. Seriously, try leaving work in Los Angeles at 4pm and getting home at 7PM (after driving some relatives around, etc.). Yea, nothing like three hours of stop-start traffic to start your weekend off.

Seriously, most automatics stink. But THIS automatic does not. It adds a lot of versatility to the car. Shifts are lightning quick. If you put it in Sport mode and leave it in D the auto really shifts like you're racing, instant throttle response, etc. And of course you can always put it in manual mode and use the paddle shifters.

Overall, whether or not you get the auto should be based on the traffic you're in and how you intend to use the car. There's no right or wrong answer. It's just that the auto let's you go nuts when you want to. And when you want to be mellow you can put it in Camry mode and just zone out.

This is exactly why i traded in my evo for an audi. I used to work in santa monica, but lived in long beach. So driving my stage 2 evo down the 405 at 5 was not pleasant.

but i never loved my audi, that's why im getting rid of it for the FR-S.

I'm planning to get 86 next year and it must be MANual.

It's all personal preference. I'm a manual guy, I test drove an auto FR-S and yes it is a good auto but to me it just doesn't feel right.

I find it funny people complain about stop and go traffic with a manual. Try offroading with a manual (my current DD, soon to be 2nd vehicle):
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...0324-00518.jpg

Chevrolet contest promoting Manuals
 

In related news...

Interesting article about Chevy's contest that will teach a novice how to drive a stick. It's in promotion of the Sonic which has a 20% hit rate on manual transmissions.

Nice. I'v got a 6 speed in my Jeep and it definitely helps to make offroading more fun by increasing the challenge/technical aspect of it. I haven't been able to enjoy myself like that in a couple years though :(.

I'll probably pick up an older tacoma/cherokee for snow driving and wheeling.

If you look at an '04 or older tacoma make sure to check the frame for rust. ;)

I test drove the AT. Even with the paddle set up I found the transmission taking over more than I would like. I understand everyone's beef with a MT in traffic, but I just do what the truckers do. First gear and coast along. It becomes a game of keeping a sensible gap so your space isn't abused vs. not throwing the clutch in. :)

I ordered a MT. For me it's the difference between driving and being driven. I think when I get older I will eventually love an AT for ease of use and now gas mileage.