Originally Posted by shiumai
I have an AT BRZ, and I have fun driving it. However, my dad taught me to drive in a manual when I was 14/15 years old; my first car was a manual, and I've driven a manual for over 30 years (and ridden motorcycles for 20 years).
I think that learning to drive a manual and getting relatively good at it is mandatory if you're a car enthusiast. It's just one of those skills that's always good to have. When I first started to learn how to drive, besides learning all the rules of the road and trying not to crash into other drivers, much of my attention was focused on not stalling the engine when starting from a stop, or hill. How to make a smooth shift, at what RPM, etc. Basically, the mechanics of driving a car (how to make it go vs, how to drive it in traffic).
Do you remember when you first started learning how to drive you had to concentrate on keeping the car centered in the lane? Do you still struggle to keep between the lines? I don't even think about it now. It's second nature. That's how shifting gears became. Yes, in the beginning, driving a manual was fun because I was learning how to shift smoothly and at the correct RPM. Each successful shift and downshift was a little victory. But, eventually, I just didn't think about it anymore. I shifted when the feel and sound of the engine told me; almost automatically. I had become the automatic transmission.
When I no longer thought much about how to shift, my focus turned to the other 'fun' aspects of driving, like what line to take in a curve, braking points, apexing, limits of traction etc. When you look at good drivers/riders in racing or GP (motorcycle); they're not congratulating themselves every time they make a good shift; it's not 'fun'. They've already mastered the mechanics of the gear shift. They're focused on strategy and tactics. Like being aware of their environment; the track surface, their competitors etc. Something you can still do in an AT.
Learning how to drive a stick (to me) is like learning how to balance on a bicycle. Once you've learned how to do that, you just 'do it', and you can now focus on endurance, control in turns, cadence, what gear to use etc.
I think that having driven a manual transmission for as long as I have, has allowed me to appreciate the auto transmission. I'm not sure I would appreciate it as much if I were just starting out and it was my first car, or I had not learned how to drive a manual. I'd probably feel like I was missing out on an important aspect of learning how to drive. I don't miss not having a clutch. I don't do any sort of driving like drag racing or drifting where a manual is necessary. I drive in traffic and canyons. I use my paddle shifters to change gears when I want to. I have fun every time I drive. I don't miss having a manual one bit.
I'll also mention that if the car did not have paddle shifters as a way of changing gears, I would not buy it. Not having the ability to change gears when I want would definitely detract from the fun of driving, but not having to use a clutch to shift gears doesn't detract from it at all (for me).
So, if it were my first car, or first sports car, I'd probably go with a manual. You are missing out by starting out on an AT; you're missing out on the fun of learning how to drive a manual.
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