I've got to say, when I drove the automatic FR-S I wasn't constantly reminded that I was driving an automatic like I am with some cars. It was quite pleasant, it didn't try second guessing what I wanted, and it was quick to respond to my inputs - it was easily the best automatic I've ever driven. That said, the manual is so amazing that I simply can't pass it up, but you really can't go wrong with either choice.

Drove both. Purchased the manual. Easy decision for me.

I learned to drive a stick when I was 16 for about an hour or two. Got it to 2nd gear and could start it on a hill and then my lesson with my pop ended. At almost 30 years old, I'm not going to re-learn how to drive a stick on a new car, regardless of it's sporty nature... I also just didn't want a manual. My car, my money, my decision. LOL - to eat their own happiness.

Since I've only ever owned automatic cars, I bought an automatic and love it. Shifts quick enough for me to get across the 4 lanes of traffic I have to squeeze through to get into the carpool lane in the mornings. No funky hesitation or nothing, and I don't use the paddle shifters--it's just a very responsive car. Perhaps that's just because I don't drive as aggressively or skillfully as some of the folks on here... but my FR-S is my daily driver (and my first new car), so I'm not taking any unnecessary risks in it.

I'm sure a manual will be more fun for most folks, especially since this really is a driver's car. But you should test drive them both if you're able--maybe at an upcoming meet or something... it's not exactly a cheap car, so you should be sure before you buy. :)

Is it uncommon to do offroading in a manual? I think a good chunk of the group my dad drove with did. His was an MT with an additional low gear box he had put in, and his own at-home spring lift since there wasn't any aftermarket stuff for his 1998 Isuzu Amigo (pictured below--sorry if it's too big, dunno how to resize). He also did a bunch of his own welding stuff to add to it--or he tack welded and have professionally finished at a shop.

http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/...12353634_n.jpg

It's not uncommon but it is definitely easier with an auto. Some guys install throttle controls that they can use with their thumb if necessary so that can work off holding the brake down hard while easing it into gear on a precarious slope/angle.

During your test drive how did the AT take over? Or did you only drive it in D mode? When it is in M mode the only things it does is downshift automatically, it won't upshift to second (for example) if you're only going 1 mile per hour, and it won't let you go from 5th to 1st at 60MPH (or any occasion where a downshift would red line the engine--all of which seem sensible to me.) Is that what you are referring to?

How can the Most Interesting Man in the World be wrong? ;)

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/22398641.jpg

Can't call it that. It's a traditional torque-converted automatic, nothing manual about it.

I would say it depends on the level. The group I mostly wheel with are using their daily drivers, I think that level is predominantly to be auto.. But the more hardcore people who trailer their rigs and have a low gear crawler box like you mentioned are mostly manuals I think. Or at least more likely to have manuals.

Manual. No way in hell I was going back to an auto.

Also. Manual has shorter gears aka that 150 lbs feels torquier. Bought it because race car. Not grocery car.

It was his daily driver, but he was retired, lol, so not quite the same. He towed it behind our RV and just disconnected the hub during tow so as not to grow his mileage when the car wasn't actually running.

Can you not add low gear boxes to automatics? (I don't really know how this stuff works)

...have you always driven manual on the cars you've owned?

After years of driving AT, it feels like watching a movie with your eyes closed.

Or for others it's like having a dishwasher and not having to do dishes by hand. ;)