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Same as above.
My wife has never driven manual.
ALL of my previous cars were small sporty manuals and they were a joy to drive, but that joy was just MISSING when I test-drove the manual FR-S. The clutch and throttle on modern manuals give me no feedback and shifting ends up feeling like a tedious chore. I had the same feeling driving a 2012 WRX and a 2012 Genesis coupe 2.0T.
After driving both several times I decided to go for the automatic. The power-to-weight ratio is pretty decent and I like the smooth, aggressive shifting in "Sport" mode. Paddles are just a bonus as I rarely use them. Starbucks lattes are easier to enjoy on my morning commute. I'm thirty and I want to enjoy this car for the next twenty. I'm not racing anyone.
Of all my previous cars the one that stands out as being the most fun to drive was a restored 1970 Fiat 124 Sport Spider. Magnesium CD-3 wheels, new performance suspension all-around, 1800cc DOHC motor with header and Ansa exhaust. The thing was conspicuous in all the best ways. Rediculous. People will excuse you driving like an @ss if you're driving a beautiful noisy Italian roadster. For that almost spiritual connection to the car, my next manual will need to be a Fiat/Lancia/Alfa. :-)
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