I didn't like the AT and I'm trying to understand why

[Shizuma]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

AT felt like a CVT because it shifted so fast and smoothly .. It's impressive but bored me :/

Sounds like you just threw it in drive and went, when it's just in drive it does feel like that, just a smooth shifting AT, put it in sport mode and it holds gears a lot long, is quick to down shift and the shifts are very firm, also putting it in manual mode which is how I drive it probably 95% of the time also results in the same firm shifts, it's actually the only AT I've ever driven where I actually enjoyed the manual mode and used it.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by Shizuma

Sounds like you just threw it in drive and went, when it's just in drive it does feel like that, just a smooth shifting AT, put it in sport mode and it holds gears a lot long, is quick to down shift and the shifts are very firm, also putting it in manual mode which is how I drive it probably 95% of the time also results in the same firm shifts, it's actually the only AT I've ever driven where I actually enjoyed the manual mode and used it.

i set to manual mode and paddle shifted up and down heh

[Shizuma]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

i set to manual mode and paddle shifted up and down heh

Really? that's weird then because mine feels nothing at all like a CVT in manual mode, especially shifting under full throttle, the shifts are very firm and feels more like you're in a car with a manual or dual clutch AT, definitely nothing like a CVT.

[Jedi1]

The difference in 0-60 times between auto and manual in this car is primarily the internal gearset in the transmissions. It does have a bit to do with drive train loss, but if they had developed the auto with overall performance in mind and put in a higher final drive we would not see the disparity in acceleration times.

In short. Grab that 4:30 final drive. Install and go haul the mail!

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by Shizuma

Really? that's weird then because mine feels nothing at all like a CVT in manual mode, especially shifting under full throttle, the shifts are very firm and feels more like you're in a car with a manual or dual clutch AT, definitely nothing like a CVT.

yeah, was kept under 4k rpm for the sake of the car and friend

[schtebie]

Originally Posted by Jedi1

I have been toying with the idea of a DSG equipped VW/Audi or PDK'd Porsche for the last several years for several reasons.

PDK is fantastic. Up until I got to drive a car equipped with it, I was an MT snob all the way.

That said, for a traditional automatic, the FR-S/BRZ is quite good if you want the fun of changing gears.

[RYU]

There are some really great comments on here. A couple questions please.

1. I didn't realize there was a final drive available already! Is this for the AT/MT or just for the MT? I haven't researched but I believe both cars use the same diff housing but the Final Drive ratios are indeed different. Also, will the computer freak out when a different final drive is used (i.e. wheel sensors reading different speeds etc..). I've seen some cars freak out with traction control systems, ABS, and even rev matching when the gearsets (or even wheel sizing) are monkey'ed around with.

2. The easy question... Does the 6AT still maintain all the shift lights in the dash as does the 6MT?

[MVJ1975]

Originally Posted by RYU

There are some really great comments on here. A couple questions please.

1. I didn't realize there was a final drive available already! Is this for the AT/MT or just for the MT? I haven't researched but I believe both cars use the same diff housing but the Final Drive ratios are indeed different. Also, will the computer freak out when a different final drive is used (i.e. wheel sensors reading different speeds etc..). I've seen some cars freak out with traction control systems, ABS, and even rev matching when the gearsets (or even wheel sizing) are monkey'ed around with.

2. The easy question... Does the 6AT still maintain all the shift lights in the dash as does the 6MT?

To answer the easy question, yes, it does. It has the programmable shift light, and in manual mode displays your gear by default. Along with the gear, two arrows (up/down) appear when the TCU will allow you to upshift or downshift, based on engine RPM.

[ngabdala]

IMO auto will always take away from the driver experience which is what this car was designed to do. I would also include a dual-clutch tranny with a lessened driver experience.

Originally Posted by fiveoneoh

I Finally got to test drive a car and it was AT. Much of what I've read about the AT is that it is still fun and engaging to drive (in fact, I was looking forward to experiencing this in an AT).

Unfortunately when I drove it, I did not feel any fun or engagement. I'm not trying to be a MT-snob here, I just honestly wonder what went wrong? Did I drive it wrong, somehow? I dunno, also the paddle shifters were cumbersome and difficult to learn in such a short time.

Does anyone have any advice for driving AT and it still being fun? I am planning on a few more test drives before making my decision, but I would love to hear from others who have driven both MT and AT or those who own the AT and enjoy driving it.

I've seen similar threads about "should I get AT or MT". THat is not what I'm asking or debating here. I'm simply wanting feedback on why the AT is considered so great (for an automatic), what I'm missing out on and how can I get it!

thanks!

[jeebus]

the reason you didn't like the AT is because automatic transmissions are fun-sapping lazy-people devices. Yeah they keep getting better, faster, more gears, better mileage....but in the end they are still automatics. They take away the control a clutch gives to the driver. They take away the feel as you row through a manual gearbox.

I have driven a number of modern, fantastic automatics. I appreciate them for what they are, but they do not belong in a sports car. Period.

[Synack]

These responses are fantastic, I would've never ever ever considered getting an automatic unless I read this thread. Alas, I am still pretty satisfied with my 6MT. I'd say if you are leaning towards the 6AT, let me just push you into the Auto pond, metaphorically.

[Jedi1]

The diff in our cars is shared with the Lexus ISF. There are gear sets available through Lexus.

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by Jedi1

The diff in our cars is shared with the Lexus ISF. There are gear sets available through Lexus.

the ISF? really? I find it hard to believe that we have a diff from a 400+hp car.

[Jedi1]

Can't remember right off the top of my head what my source is for the diff info. When I get home I'll track it down.