Considering an AT

[Mule]

Originally Posted by Cole

All I hear when people say "this car needs to be bought in manual" is really "I need to prove how manly I am, because other areas of my life aren't great"

Lol you got us chief!

Totally overcompensating by purchasing a 200hp, no frills, Japanese coupe with a manual transmission.

I can't believe we weren't 'outed' sooner! 🙄


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[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Not official until you have the tat on your forehead!

I have it as a tramp stamp. Which is even better you know

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by Mule

Lol you got us chief!

Totally overcompensating by purchasing a 200hp, no frills, Japanese coupe with a manual transmission.

I can't believe we weren't 'outed' sooner! 🙄


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Hang on, let me go get my AT Pontiac firebird with flames on the side to show how manly I am. FLAMES

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

I have it as a tramp stamp. Which is even better you know

Pictures NOT required thankyouverymuch.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by Mule

I suggested the GTI precisely because it's a similar price point and because it's universally regarded as a better daily driver - and that seems to be why everyone here with an AT chose that transmission; because they want a better daily driver.

For some people, buying a car is as much an emotional purchase as it is a practical one. For me (as well as many others), I wanted a car that appealed to me aesthetically that also met my criteria. I wanted a sports car similar to that old Datsun Z that it replaced, but with a back seat for my kid.

The GTI might be a 'better' daily driver (I'd argue against that), but have you looked at a GTI? It's UGLY (IMHO). Hot hatchbacks might be 'cool' cars, but to me, they don't possess the sport car lines that I wanted.

Based on my criteria when I was looking for a new car, the BRZ/FR-S was the ONLY one that met it at the time (the only other might have been the Hyundai Genesis but it didn't appeal to me). Plus, the early reviews about the BRZ auto transmission were very positive. After daily driving a manual since 1985, the AT with paddle shifters ended up being a better daily driver choice for me and my wife.

So, here was my criteria/considerations when looking for a new car to replace the Z in 2012/2013:
1. Sport car (no 4 door, no hatchbacks). I wanted a car that I could enjoy driving, and also admire every time I walked away from it. The hot hatches and souped up sedans like the WRX or EVO don't have the same aesthetic appeal to me. Cool cars, maybe. But just didn't do it for me in the looks dept.
2. Rear seats
3. Budget $30k
4. Buy new - no used.
5. AT (so the wife could drive it in case of emergency)
6. Availability and variety of aftermarket accessories

Another important factor was that we were already Subaru owners (we also have a 2013 Outback as our family vehicle), so Subaru was a known quantity/brand for us that we were comfortable with. So in other words, there was no other choice for me that came closer than the BRZ.

[churchx]

But from VW camp imho their modern Scirocco are very good looking ones, and not that far practicality-wise from three door golf. Not a fan for all the other current lineup looks-wise.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

I will point out that millennials, baristas at Starbucks, and the Obamacare pajama boy all drive cars with automatic transmissions.

Just saying...

...as do most professional race car drivers nowadays.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by churchx

But from VW camp imho their modern Scirocco are very good looking ones, and not that far practicality-wise from three door golf. Not a fan for all the other current lineup looks-wise.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Personally, still does not do it for me:







Although compared to this level of butt ugly I see your point!





I found the perfect choice for guys that want ATs!:

[churchx]

Most i like looks of front of it. Also shooting brake proportions (i also happen to like looks of volvo C30, continuing taste weirdness theme). And in real life imho scirocco looks even better.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by churchx

Most i like looks of front of it. Also shooting brake proportions (i also happen to like looks of volvo C30, continuing taste weirdness theme). And in real life imho scirocco looks even better.

Sort of a moot point for North Americans since the last Siroccos we saw here were in 1988.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by Mule

Lol you got us chief!

Totally overcompensating by purchasing a 200hp, no frills, Japanese coupe with a manual transmission.

I can't believe we weren't 'outed' sooner! 🙄


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Enough to want to force your preference onto others. Sounds like justification and compensation to me

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by Cole

Enough to want to force your preference onto others. Sounds like justification and compensation to me

The OP created this thread specifically asking for opinions on transmission preference. How is providing relevant input considered forcing?

[Shinigami301]

I drove a Scirocco in Germany a couple of years ago. They are actually very good cars, and certainly look good in person.

[Submarinesonce]

Love all the auto guys talking about how quick and consistent the shifts are...which is great, except the car is slower by every measure.