[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by regal

Yes when you use the clutch properly it will last nearly forever.

The slave cylinder will probably go first if driven right, I need to check but it should be accesible for replacement without dropping the tranny.

As far as the throw-out bearing, yes it will go. But that should last well over 100k.

The important thing about this is as long as the synchros last a clutch, throw-out bearing, slave cylinder can be replaced by any joe smoe mechanic (especially on this RWD car), its really easy. So in a decade, or if you screw up the clutch (everyone makes mistakes) it won't break the bank. It is much easier (less labor) to replace a clutch, throw-out bearing, surface the flywheel on this FRS than any Honda or other FWD or MR car.

Working on an auto tranny is something very few people can do right, with a 6 speed auto practically no one.

So when the auto tranny starts to lose 6th gear, sell

hopefully toyota built the "slush" as a sturdy dependable unit like most of the stuff they build.however,it is just far more "complicated" to repair than ANY manual would be,and it's for that reason (among many others) that will make me choose stick over auto every time,that, and over 40 years of driving nothin' BUT stick! i say you are a little light on the "throw out" bearing,because my experience with them has been around 200.000 miles before they have let go on me,but again,this has been MY experience!

Originally Posted by @Art_Mighty

It doesn't look that bad!

perhaps,but this tranny is going to get the shit beat out of it,and ya better hope it breaks while in the warranty,because it will be cost prohibitive to fix!
that said,still,i believe it is a well built unit because the japanese really do it right! i have complete confidence the car taken as a whole,WILL still draw a "much better than average" repair record!

Originally Posted by dori.

You know, at first I thought you were joking...

The clutch has an engagement point, just as the gas and brake do. None of the 3 pedals are digital inputs. They all have a range of motion in which they work in. You telling me that you (basically) wish for the clutch to operate like a light switch means that you don't understand how a manual transmission works and have not spent enough time using one.
If it WERE like that, the car would be much harder to control. Could you imagine having to be fully in gear every time you back the car up?

Now in this car, it is true that the full engagement point in this car is fairly high in the pedal's travel. If you're used to cars with a more linear feel then yeah it takes getting used to.

Clutches don't 'go bad', they are a wear item like anything else on the car. Anyone that replaces his/her clutch after 700 miles or 5 times in 200k either just had the bad luck of having defective clutches or just plainly doesn't know how to drive. Those are rare occurrences. How are you going to let a single incident like that deter you from driving manual? How about the hundreds of forum members that drive the 6MT and have no problem?
Shit, I even know an FR-S owner whose car is his first manual and he's had no problems.

this is correct! GENERALLY clutches do not go bad,but ,yes,you can get defective parts just like any other part in a car.with that said,it is UNCOMMON to see these parts fail
and failure is generally attributed to "poor" driving habits,and much more than defective parts.in the final analysis,IF you know how to drive stick properly,failing parts should
NOT be a concern to you!

Originally Posted by regal

Very good post, glad someone said it. If there is a valid compailt about the clutch its that it isn't stiff enough, but I am sure there will be an aftermarket "fix" to that.

Sub, if its really an issue for you there is / was the MRS (MR2-Spyder) from Toyota that had something similiar to what you want, I think few liked the SMT so you may be able to find a cherry MRS with SMT, It was Toyota's last sports car. A whole lot different than the FR-S but still a very nice car.

Originally Posted by dori.

if it was 50% then it wouldn't be a 'point' it'd be an wide area...
and you are further reinforcing my point that you don't understand how a manual works.

1) Finding when the clutch engages is the first thing you should do when you drive a stick shift car that is new to you (well aside from adjusting your seat and mirrors and all that). All it takes is you letting the clutch out without any gas. Once the car starts moving a bit, you found it. Simple.

2) Every car is DIFFERENT. My Civic takes up the pedal more gradually than my BRZ. My old FC probably had the most gradual pedal take of any car I've ever driven. Shit I even drove 2 different S2K's and they had different engagement points (probably difference between AP1 and AP2 and also mileage). Each car has its own unique engagement point that you have to find.

3) you probably don't (more like definitely...) know that even if you step on the pedal a little bit you are slightly disengaging the clutch (wow sounds just like the gas and brake!), which is why people say not to rest your foot on the clutch pedal, since you'll be causing extra wear.
It NEEDS to have a range of travel, because otherwise you'd go flying everywhere. At some point you have to have the extra control to slip the clutch into gear, for example, when parking.

4) My challenge to you, is that you drive both the manual and automatic versions of the car. Want to know how I can speak as an informed person about manuals and the difference between it and the auto? I've been driving stick for almost 9 years, and I drove the automatic FR-S (which is good imo, but I wouldn't choose it over the stick).

this is "dead nuts" accurate! keeping your foot OFF the clutch cannot be over stated!..generally THIS is the main reason for burning 'em up! as the op has stated,and i agree,finding the "engagement point" is necessary on any car with a manual transmission,because they ARE all different.the frs has what i call a "soft" pedal,but is very smooth,and linear,as it should be in a car like this!..great job! toyosubaru!