I own an AT, but im quite happy with it. Can the car drift with this tranny, it def can! I have done it. I Love manual transmissions, and I feel I am missing out, a little. I do not regret the gas mileage gain though! 34+ on the highway has given me something to hoot about! While at the same time I am able to still have lots of fun in my car! I will say this, in case any of you owners have discovered this after you bought the car, whether it is AT or MT, the 5th to 6th gear are weak! They are meant to save you fuel in the end. I traded my 2010 mazda 3 2.5 hatch for my FR-S, I loved the manual transmission in that car, torque in every gear and it was such a crisp shifter, I loved it! I was sold on the tranny alone! I am also 35 yrs old, and in the Army, and my ankles are prone to some stiffness and irritability. Not using that as an excuse but rather a means to measure what is best for me at my age. I would love to have the manual but I was better off with the AT in the end. I love the paddle shifters, it gives the impression that I am in a proffesional race car. So that is a plus to me. Down side, downshifting has some lag.. but once in gear, its game on! The car does fly, thats for sure! No complaints from me!
