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I have to admit, everyone is behaving admirably this time around. Usually these AT vs. MT threads turn into a flame war within a few pages.
Thank you all!
If I may offer one parting thought about the AT...
I have owned nothing but sports cars for the last 24 years. Every single one of them was a manual whether it was a 4 speed, 5 speed or 6 speed. Some were muscle cars and one was Nissan's Godzilla. I can't stand automatics.
The auto in my wife's tC makes me want to commit a violent crime every time I drive it. I test drove an automatic RX8 once that made me want to crash it into a pole or throw buckets of manure on it. I travel for a living and rental cars are NEVER manuals! Drive a new Sonata and it can't make up its mind what gear it wants to be in.
I still bought an auto FRS.
I test drove the MT and AT and I went with the AT. I LOVE the AT in this car! Its brilliant as far as ATs go and the locking torque converter works like a charm to ensure the engine and transmission stay connected. It never once feels like a slush box and I think its a disservice to call it one. Add the rev matching and extremely fast shifting, it reminds me of the E46 M3 transmission.
While the FRS may still use a torque converter similar to your average soccer-mom's minivan. Don't be so short-sighted to lump it into the same category. Its not.
Don't believe me? Drive one.
Scott
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