[hiroanz]

I came from a manual '05 Impreza, and a '98 SE-R, the clutch and shifter combination in the BRZ is light years better than what I had been used to. The Impreza had an even longer clutch travel, heavier clutch feel, long throws on the shifter that are vague and notchy in almost every gear. But once I got used to it, I don't even think about it.

I personally think the clutch and shifter combo in the BRZ is among best of anything I've driven, and I've driven Integra Type-R, TSX, Lotus Esprite, etc. Lotus Esprite from the '90, which had the heaviest clutch and most terrible shifter of anything I've driven. Clutch and shifter is just one of those things to get used to, and it's not hard for me to get used to the ones in the BRZ.

As for Autos, I would not pay more money to have less fun. But my wife would pay more money to do less work. So it all depends on your perspective.