Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - What do you drive

Grateful Dave · 07-24-2012, 05:22 PM

I have driven MT's for over 30 years. I also have driven AT's. I still own my MT 2000 Tacoma 4x4 that I have been driving on Jeep trails and mountain forest dirt roads for 12 years and I wouldn't have it any other way but for everyday driving I like my AT in my FRS. Before my 2000 Tacoma 4x4, I had a 1988 Toyota 2x4 MT truck that I drove all around from CA. to AZ, CO, Wyoming, Utah, New York and Vermont. Then it became a work truck, I was working in Motion Picture Special Effects in Burbank, Ca. For eight years, I was hauling wood, steel, cement, lights, cables, and camera packages in traffic all over LA. I also had a 1981 Toyota 2x4 MT truck. I put over 200,000 miles on each driving city/freeway and dirt roads. I've also driven other MT cars & trucks in the past. I know about manual/clutch driving.

I know you MT snobs are AT haters and you look down at the AT's. I test drove a MT FRS and it is nice! If my FRS was going to be a track car or weekend only, of course I would buy a MT. Since my FRS is replacing my DD and I have had a previous broken left leg that affects my shifting when tired after long days on my feet at work, I chose the AT. Earlier in my life, I thought I would never drive an AT sports car and I debated buying the AT vs MT for my FRS. I thought long and hard about it. The DD that I'm replacing was my mom's 89 Corolla AT that I inherited. I have been driving it for the last 8 years. That's when I realized I'm OVER driving a MT in traffic. I want to keep my FRS for a long time, and I didn't want to come to point where I have to sell my FRS because I'm completely Burnt Out on manual/clutch shifting, physically and mentally. So I chose the AT.

With my FRS AT, I drive in either in D or D sport in the city or freeway or when I'm tired. When I'm driving twisty mountain roads trying to have some fun, I'm in manual mode either shifting by paddles or stick for that rev control. Yes, there is still a compromise in manual mode vs a true MT with a clutch but you adapt and you are having just as much fun with the AT in manual mode. Even the AT in Sport mode can be fun on mountain roads. It shifts on it's own nicely, match rev down shifting when braking automatically.

Don't be hating until you try it. It is not as bad as you think. I'm just utilizing the technology for my needs.

The AT is Awesome for an AT! The AT FRS gives you the best of ALL WORLDS, a real sports car that can be a DD with good mpg

07-24-2012, 05:22 PM	#25
Grateful Dave 2nd 86 member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 Asphalt AT FR-S Location: OC California Posts: 363 Thanks: 513 Thanked 99 Times in 60 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have driven MT's for over 30 years. I also have driven AT's. I still own my MT 2000 Tacoma 4x4 that I have been driving on Jeep trails and mountain forest dirt roads for 12 years and I wouldn't have it any other way but for everyday driving I like my AT in my FRS. Before my 2000 Tacoma 4x4, I had a 1988 Toyota 2x4 MT truck that I drove all around from CA. to AZ, CO, Wyoming, Utah, New York and Vermont. Then it became a work truck, I was working in Motion Picture Special Effects in Burbank, Ca. For eight years, I was hauling wood, steel, cement, lights, cables, and camera packages in traffic all over LA. I also had a 1981 Toyota 2x4 MT truck. I put over 200,000 miles on each driving city/freeway and dirt roads. I've also driven other MT cars & trucks in the past. I know about manual/clutch driving. I know you MT snobs are AT haters and you look down at the AT's. I test drove a MT FRS and it is nice! If my FRS was going to be a track car or weekend only, of course I would buy a MT. Since my FRS is replacing my DD and I have had a previous broken left leg that affects my shifting when tired after long days on my feet at work, I chose the AT. Earlier in my life, I thought I would never drive an AT sports car and I debated buying the AT vs MT for my FRS. I thought long and hard about it. The DD that I'm replacing was my mom's 89 Corolla AT that I inherited. I have been driving it for the last 8 years. That's when I realized I'm OVER driving a MT in traffic. I want to keep my FRS for a long time, and I didn't want to come to point where I have to sell my FRS because I'm completely Burnt Out on manual/clutch shifting, physically and mentally. So I chose the AT. With my FRS AT, I drive in either in D or D sport in the city or freeway or when I'm tired. When I'm driving twisty mountain roads trying to have some fun, I'm in manual mode either shifting by paddles or stick for that rev control. Yes, there is still a compromise in manual mode vs a true MT with a clutch but you adapt and you are having just as much fun with the AT in manual mode. Even the AT in Sport mode can be fun on mountain roads. It shifts on it's own nicely, match rev down shifting when braking automatically. Don't be hating until you try it. It is not as bad as you think. I'm just utilizing the technology for my needs. The AT is Awesome for an AT! The AT FRS gives you the best of ALL WORLDS, a real sports car that can be a DD with good mpg Last edited by Grateful Dave; 07-24-2012 at 05:43 PM.