[KRAZYK]

Originally Posted by Laurie

I went for the Automatic Toyota 86 simply because out here in the Middle East - that means a spec level more in line with the Subaru BRZ - it has HID headlights, Push Button entry / start, Dual Zone AC, etc etc. Had I gone with the manual, it's more like the Scion FRS except it's lacking cruise control as well. For a daily driver those extras were important... things I would use every day... having a manual so I can do better drifts with it on the other hand - is something I can only do in very quiet areas where it's safe to do so. Weighing up the pros and cons, the Auto was winning.... But I was still a bit apprehensive, because I've always been a manual purist... 3 of the cars in my signature are stick shifts.

But then I got invited to Yas Marina for our launch event and was able to drive an Automatic one in person. Was actually surprised at how responsive the auto box is in manual / sport mode. Down shifts are very aggressive, it won't up-shift on you even if you red-line it, and it also won't kick down a gear when it feels like it. The 3 biggest things I hate about the automatics are not an issue with this car.

So that sealed the deal for me - and I went with the Auto box.

I gotta say - I don't regret it at all. I still have the 3 manual cars that are in my signature - the MX5 included - so I can still take the manuals out when I feel like it. For a daily driver, having the 86 in sport mode is a lot of fun - and traffic is much less stressful.

Interestingly - on the race track is actually where I was quite glad to have the auto box... Anyone who's taken delivery of theirs already will know that they really make their power in quite a narrow area of the RPM range, which means if you really want to push the car hard, you'll be working that gearbox a LOT. I think having the paddles means I still get to decide what gear I'm in, but at the same time it's effortless and both hands are on the wheel.

In contrast, the MX5 feels like it's got a wider torque range and isn't such a problem if you're not in the right gear.

The stripped out car with the manual box that we get here is a great purist drivers car... but the auto box with more bells and whistles is much better suited as a daily driver and grand-tourer.

I wonder why they would have equiped the MT so poorly compared to the AT in your region? Is that for ALL Toyota 86s?
Looking at the options that came on the AT - I might have done the same thing - but here the MT and AT are equiped the same.