Automatic owners

[BRZfan]

You are not "lazy" just because you selected an automatic.

Originally Posted by chenshuo

My reasons:

1. i'm lazy.
2. paddle shifters look very sexy
3. daily commuting car in heavy traffic
4. this auto shift is not bad

[shiumai]

1. needed our 2nd car to be an auto so the wife could drive it in case of emergency.
2. i've driven a stick shift sports car for the past 29 years - i don't miss stick at all.
3. Auto is better for stop and go traffic in my daily commute.
4. i like having the choice of bump shifter and paddles to change gears.
5. no regrets at all - i'm glad i got AT over MT.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Suberman

.. Had the automatic used the same ratios or a shorter final drive to make them effectively the same as the manual then the automatic would accelerate as quickly. As it is the manual (which I have) is geared improperly for a road car in order to give it quicker acceleration. It also needs a seventh gear which it will never get. The automatic gearing is actually better to drive, I expect, just a little slower 0-60.

The only reason the AT is slower than the MT to 60 is a lack of launch control, IMHO. The AT can hit 62MPH in 2nd gear, my understanding is the MT requires a shift to 3rd to hit 60MPH.

[Dadhawk]

I drove both in Long Beach at the 1st86 Event and decided AT because, in no particular order:

• Fuel economy (although the payback is long)
• Paddle Shifters (I just enjoy using them)
• car is primarily a commuter vehicle for me.
• No particular love for manual transmissions (been there done that for about 30 years, it doesn't add anything for me that the paddles/manual mode don't cover.)

Besides even our driver emoticon uses the AT in manual mode.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

The only reason the AT is slower than the MT to 60 is a lack of launch control, IMHO. The AT can hit 62MPH in 2nd gear, my understanding is the MT requires a shift to 3rd to hit 60MPH.

The automatic internal gear ratios are taller which makes it slower. There is an advantage to the torque converter slip which adds a continuously variable low gear from launch but the taller ratios will slow the acceleration.

I think you may overestimate the effect of wheelspin on acceleration times. The torque converter slip duplicates wheelspin to some degree. Also, wheelspin effects aren't relevant to actual daily driving.

Anybody seen the acceleration curves/data points compared between manual and auto?

[congee]

Noob question: Would it be faster to use paddle shifters or just push down the pedal while in drive?

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by congee

Noob question: Would it be faster to use paddle shifters or just push down the pedal while in drive?

My experience is its faster to use the paddle shifters while flooring the accelerator. In most cases you'll want to double-tap it and drop two gears.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Suberman

The automatic internal gear ratios are taller which makes it slower. There is an advantage to the torque converter slip which adds a continuously variable low gear from launch but the taller ratios will slow the acceleration.

I think you may overestimate the effect of wheelspin on acceleration times. The torque converter slip duplicates wheelspin to some degree. Also, wheelspin effects aren't relevant to actual daily driving.

All very possible I admit.

[m.wood0213]

I wanted MT but only AT was available and the transmission is very good, better mpg, and I cant burn up the clutch. No regrets. I might buy MT if I had to do it all over again though.

[jwSubMOA]

I have one arm and one leg. While I can drive a manual equipped vehicle still, it is a bit awkward. I am able to up shift with the paddles and downshift with the shifter very very fast. I can throw this car around safely without doing a pedal dance to shift. I love this car! I have done everything but add forced induction,but its coming..... By the way I have a 13 ZL1 and I like my BRZ better.

[Tman08]

Main reason for me buying one was due to the location I live in (city). If I lived out in a more rural area, I'd see myself with a manual. But because its a daily driver and am constantly in traffic to and from work, Its extremely convenient, with the added benefit of the Manual mode on the weekends.

The other stuff like better MPG is just a bonus to be honest. Coming from 2 generations of TC's, the "slower power to the MT" isn't noticeable to me.

This car is one of those things where its good in: any color, and any transmission.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

My experience is its faster to use the paddle shifters while flooring the accelerator. In most cases you'll want to double-tap it and drop two gears.

Not all paddle shift automatics can do this. The Aisin auto fitted to these cars apparently can. That is the very latest technology in automatics, ZF incorporated this ability into their 8 spd released only a few years ago.

Automatics are now clearly superior to manual shifters. Even paddle shifting rarely improves actual performance.

Technically there s no reason to buy a manual shift, although I did mainly for the historical interest in maintaining that driving skill. As I replace cars in my little fleet they will all be automatics now, they are just better gearboxes.

[Kakawate]

Originally Posted by Suberman

Not all paddle shift automatics can do this. The Aisin auto fitted to these cars apparently can. That is the very latest technology in automatics, ZF incorporated this ability into their 8 spd released only a few years ago.

Automatics are now clearly superior to manual shifters. Even paddle shifting rarely improves actual performance.

Technically there s no reason to buy a manual shift, although I did mainly for the historical interest in maintaining that driving skill. As I replace cars in my little fleet they will all be automatics now, they are just better gearboxes.

I had a 2012 subaru outback3.6r that you can double tap downshift and floor it was fast like that. Great car for a soccer mom but still hauled but! my scion frs is the same with downshifts.

[Turkish]

Why I bought an AT:
1) It is what I am used to driving, I do know how to drive a stick, but never had the uber macho need to have a stick shift.
2) It was on the lot with ALL of the things I wanted and only one thing I could do without, but ultimately didnt care about (the chrome fender thingie).
3) The better fuel economy.

That all being said, my '13 brz will be replaced soon with a '14 (lemon law) and as I like the amenities inside the premium over the limited, I will most likely be ordering an MT premium over an AT limited. The AT was a blast to drive and no regrets, but I think for a street car such as the 86, it would be even more rewarding to be more connected to the machine. Also, when you drive it like you stole it, you have worse mpg than the manual. I was getting ~20-22 mpg in a mostly stock AT.