Getting a BRZ.. AT or MT?

[rs999]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

There is no right answer to the ever-popular AT vs. MT debate. That's because it comes down to personal preference.

I've got a DSG GTI in my garage, as well as a MT FR-S. When I want to relax, take phone calls, go on long trips, etc., I enjoy the DSG. Frees up a hand, lets you think about things other than shift points/driving, etc.

But when I want to have fun, feel more connected with the car, do track days/autox/back roads, etc., I love 6MT. Heel-toe downshifts under hard braking, working the shifter and clutch, etc. It's all part of the driving experience that you don't get with an automatic.

Personally I can say I would never buy a sports car with an automatic (and yes I've done autox in an automatic FR-S), but everyone's different and that's OK.

Bottom line, figure out what you enjoy and how you plan to use your car, and buy accordingly.



Other than at launch, you should be in 2nd gear for autocross. 2nd gear will take you up to ~58 mph. I've only seen a couple of layouts where 3rd is needed and even then, it's just for a few seconds, and then back into 2nd.

I did the 3rd gear run when I did SOLO two weeks ago. Start in 1st then bump shift to 3rd and drive fast through the rest of the track.

I'll try 2nd on Saturday's AUTOX at 86Fest.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by rs999

I did the 3rd gear run when I did SOLO two weeks ago. Start in 1st then bump shift to 3rd and drive fast through the rest of the track.

I'll try 2nd on Saturday's AUTOX at 86Fest.

You should be much faster in 2nd. With this car, I've found you (almost) always want to be in the lowest gear possible and stay above 5000 rpm. If you get caught even one gear too high, it'll feel like hitting a brick wall. This car doesn't have the midrange torque to makeup for that.

On a more juvenile note, it'll also prevent you from playing around with the balance of the car in the corner with the throttle, as you won't have enough power to induce oversteer.

[skylin3gtr013]

When I bought my car, I didn't know how to drive stick and thought that others would be driving my car, so I ended up with an AT. The situation's flipped on me, and I now very much regret that decision. I had the chance to drive an MT BRZ for a few days, and something about this car with a manual trans just made it feel complete. I'm now in a situation where I don't want to take the financial hit of trading in my car, but at the same time, I feel like I would drive it until it died if it were an MT.

I've got nothing against the AT though, its been a very good AT. Just realized too late it wasn't what I was looking for.

[rawrmatty]

It's funny to me to read this post cause I was at a time on your side of this discussion about if I wanted a manual or auto. The one thing that I was truly scared of was driving in stop and go traffic since I work in a area which basically guarantees me traffic every trip home " Pasadena "

I was always tossing both ideas in my head the whole time leading up to my purchase and could never really figured out what I wanted till I basically said to myself " I never owned a manual car so how would I know if I like it or not unless I buy one ? "

I must say it was the best decision I made!

Before driving this car I only driven manual once in a friends RX8. Once I got home I went to the nearest empty parking lot and learned the engagement points cause I knew I would be in traffic the following day. I've owned my car for about 3 weeks and been in bumper to bumper traffic about 4 days out of each week and never have once yet regretted my decision. If anything I am actually more aware and less board when driving home since you have to constantly interact with your car to keep it moving and such.

GO with the manual transmission you will not regret and just drive around and get a feel for the car after you buy it

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by kberkel

One of my favorite things to do is getting the tail out at non frightening speeds.

Is the AT that good at holding a gear? Just hate when a car shifts without your input.

In manual mode the AT will not change the gear unless 1) you tell it to or 2) you are going so slow it would stall the engine. We're talking south of 500rpm slow.

[Zero90]

Drove to Texas and back, didnt have issues with Manual. Texas roads suck but manual makes the car that much fun to drive.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

In manual mode the AT will not change the gear unless 1) you tell it to or 2) you are going so slow it would stall the engine. We're talking south of 500rpm slow.

So it's like training wheel manual.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

So it's like training wheel manual.

Sure, if that will help you get through the day....

I'm assuming it does this because there is not a better alternative if the engine stalls out, causing a rather dangerous situation with the auto still engaged. In a manual, you have alternatives to a smooth restart if you kill the engine, in an automatic (even in manual mode) not so much.

As I said, it only does this at the very edge of a stall, and would not "interrupt" or "assist" with anything resembling proper driving technique (yea, I know there is no such thing with an AT, I get it). I'd rather it do that then create an unsafe situation.

[Ursam]

I've driven 5-speed manuals for years, but this is my first six-speed. There's a lot more shifting in traffic with a BRZ compared to my old five-speeds (not a bad thing, just different).

Also, with this engine, there is no power to spare, so you need to be in the right gear when you need power. That means down-shifting perhaps a bit more often than you may be used to.

This car rewards good driving skills, and it punishes bad driving skills.

[swaq]

Buy an automatic to preserve the rarity of my manual BRZ.

Originally Posted by MGPAX

Snow mode is actually quite cool. Starts in second gear only and has buttery smooth shifts.
I like my AT. But to be honest, I got it because of the gas mileage bonus and because i'd rather drink my coffee in traffic than shift gears. And here in Nashville....You're always in traffic...unless you're really late! LOL

I'm not sure you bought the right car...

[ppbiggums]

If you dont get the MT how will you be able to "switch gears and switch laness" But really you can get the most enjoyment out of the car with the MT in my opinion

[kevman_101]

Get a manual. It's an easy car to drive even in stop an go.

[gdoyle05]

I LOVE my AT BRZ

I can drop into any gear anytime I want with the manual option. And the "Sport" mode is AWESOME!

And I like to drink coffee when I drive

[BlueFire]

haha thanks for all of the inputs guys.