Any way to spruce up the slushbox?

[bcj]

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

A lot of us old guys drive the MT and younger guys drive the AT as well and yes many of the responses to the AT guys most certainly do in involve comments like it's "faster" or "manlier"!

I'm not sure how wanting to hold a stick in your hands and slide it in and out of gear would be manlier anyways.

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by brianhj

EDIT: I also hate paddle shifters since they turn with the steering wheel. Gets awkward when your hands aren't in the right place for them. I didn't like the automatic, fuck me right??

1: Everything Tcoat just said.
2: The paddle shifters move with the steering wheel because if you hold on to it with both hands and don't let go, like you're supposed to when driving actively, they'll always be where you need them to be.
3: I don't think anyone here resents you for not liking the AT. Don't be paranoid.

BONUS:
OP has left the building. He has not responded, and 1 post total.
So any advice directed at him is most likely wasted.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

I'm not sure how wanting to hold a stick in your hands and slide it in and out of gear would be manlier anyways.

Said it before when the whole "I feel more connected to the road and part of the car" statements come up:
Manual crank start
No power steering (or even rack and pinion for that matter)
Brakes activated by sheer brute force through cables
Manual wipers (ya manual as in a little handle you flick back and forth if any at all)
Leaf springs with no shocks
Manual choke
Manual spark advance

By the whole "connected to the road and part of the car 'cuz I shift gears" concept this is the best car ever made:





And ya Gram I saw what you did there!

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by 2much

do yourself a favor any stop respecting any opinion found in the general forum. I'm just here for tcoat's dad jokes

Except this particular opinion, it actually deserves some respect.

[Bergen23]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Said it before when the whole "I feel more connected to the road and part of the car" statements come up:
Manual crank start
No power steering (or even rack and pinion for that matter)
Brakes activated by sheer brute force through cables
Manual wipers (ya manual as in a little handle you flick back and forth if any at all)
Leaf springs with no shocks
Manual choke
Manual spark advance

By the whole "connected to the road and part of the car 'cuz I shift gears" concept this is the best car ever made:

OMG THANK YOU! After driving manual and auto, I get the same feeling. 90% of the driving I do, I couldn't care less about having an extra pedal and having to row my own gears. For those times that fall in the 10%, I have paddles or the stick to make me feel connected and they let me tell the transmission what I want it to do.

I'd say I'm decent at driving stick. I can't remember the last time I stalled a car (well, actually I can, it was when I was test driving the FRS and was trying to get a feel for the clutch) but in a car I'm driving every day, I can't remember the last time I stalled. And I felt no more connected to the FRS while taking it down the back roads with an MT than with an AT.

If you truly want to talk about "feeling connected" drive without any assists, no power steering, no ABS and as minimal help on pushing the brakes as possible.

EDIT: And so many of the responses from guys driving MT have more to do with this connected feeling rather than simply what they prefer.

[Timmy_Jones]

Originally Posted by daltron

Hi all, first post here. My wife and I are looking into getting her a new car and the FR-S/BRZ is on her short list. She doesn't know anything about cars, she just picked it based on looks. I was doing some research and everyone seems to love them, a true "drivers" car. The HP numbers scared me a little, but hey it's not like it will be my DD and HP isn't everything.

However... then I read a review specifically of the automatic... I think MT or C&D renamed it to the autotragic. I mean ouch, the auto is really, really bad.

My question is, what would I be able to do to fix it? Yeah it will be her car, but what is the point of owning one if I can't have fun with it too lol. I assume this is a tall gearing issue? What about sharpening her up in general with a tune?

If you like the car and don't want the auto....buy the 6 speed. It's brilliant.

[Defuser]

Originally Posted by Tromatic

I suspect most of the AT drivers in this thread are over 40.

Count me among that group.

My ego is scarcely affected these days by what people think of my personal preferences.

I shall fear for the world when I reach my 60's!

[fatalelement]

Originally Posted by Timmy_Jones

If you like the car and don't want the auto....buy the 6 speed. It's brilliant.

To be an annoying nitpicker, they're both 6 speeds

[Ashphalt_Angel]

Originally Posted by Tromatic

It's OK, us older guys understand your ego and self worth depends entirely on your transmission. But then again, you have an FR-S or want one, and are not looking for a transportation appliance anyway.

Nice personal attack...

I was merely stating that I was surprised to find as many examples of this particular car in automatic given the type of car it is and who its aimed at.
Typically this buyer would want a manual especially on an enthusiast forum.

I'll show myself out of this thread and forum now.

[nyfries]

Originally Posted by Bergen23

OMG THANK YOU! After driving manual and auto, I get the same feeling. 90% of the driving I do, I couldn't care less about having an extra pedal and having to row my own gears. For those times that fall in the 10%, I have paddles or the stick to make me feel connected and they let me tell the transmission what I want it to do.

I'd say I'm decent at driving stick. I can't remember the last time I stalled a car (well, actually I can, it was when I was test driving the FRS and was trying to get a feel for the clutch) but in a car I'm driving every day, I can't remember the last time I stalled. And I felt no more connected to the FRS while taking it down the back roads with an MT than with an AT.

If you truly want to talk about "feeling connected" drive without any assists, no power steering, no ABS and as minimal help on pushing the brakes as possible.

EDIT: And so many of the responses from guys driving MT have more to do with this connected feeling rather than simply what they prefer.

The connected feeling is something that most modern day cars lack I have to say. I own a car with most of the above characteristic.
-no traction control of any kind
-manual steering (granted it has rack and pinoins)
-no braking assist
-throttle cable gas pedal
Driving that old car make you feel more connected than 99% of the modern car today (yes even my frs)

But guess what I'm slow as fuck in it. Without any computer assist if I mess up on something there is nothing to fall back on. It's is definitely an experience.

I agree driving mt is about feel not speed. If speed were a concern at is obviously the best choice. Having said that if someone doesn't care for the connected feel what is wrong with choosing a tranmission that proven to be faster?

[Timmy_Jones]

Originally Posted by fatalelement

To be an annoying nitpicker, they're both 6 speeds

Fair enough.....the 6 speed manual which comes with a nifty clutch pedal.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ashphalt_Angel

.

I'll show myself out of this thread and forum now.

Ohhhh don't get pissy!
You have just had what we like to call a "Tromatic" experience! Trom is actually pretty cool after you get used to him.

[fatalelement]

Back to the question, I don't agree with the OP's choice of wood given in the topic. I'd really recommend using a nice oak for the automatic transmission. Spruce is just a poor choice for so many reasons.