Still can't decide on AT or MT for your first FRS/BRZ? This may help...

[Syche]

This was really helpful for me as a guide I ended up going with AT knees are my handicap (I have a lot of metal in them) it does allow me to drive standard how ever I am tech and I need to reserve that daily ability for work purposes. Anyways auto is awesome makes me super happy and having driven enough of both at work I feel like I made the right decision but this guide helped break the tie.


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[Silver Supra]

Well, I read through the entire thread - yes, every post - and thank the OP for starting this discussion.
I read quite a few great posts that describe why, or why not, an individual preferred an AT or MT. I also read some very uninformed posts regarding the AT.
I have driven MT for longer than most here have been alive and they have been in all sorts of vehicles from light cars to heavy trucks. I have double-clutched and heel-toed all my life. MTs can be very appropriate in many situations, and I understand why some people just prefer them, regardless. The same can be said for AT vehicles (I have driven a lot and they are appropriate in many situations).
There is no mystery or mystique in driving a MT and people that drive ATs are not lazier or dumber than MT drivers. Not all enthusiasts prefer MT now, especially with the vast improvements in ATs and controllers these days. Check out the cars that are setting speed/time records in places like Nurburgring.
I have not gotten a FR-S yet, but I have test-driven a MT and it was a blast. I will find an AT somewhere close enough and test-drive it as well. I am looking to switch from tracking my auto Supra (for 14 years) to something less expensive and more replaceable and the FR-S looks like an interesting choice.
I will buy an AT because it offers a lot of advantages on a road course that the MT does not. You want control of your car? Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Want to trail-brake? 2 feet = 2 pedals!
One advantage of the AT I have not seen listed here is the fact that a turboed car (like my Supra and very likely any FR-S I get) can maintain boost during a shift, while a manually shifted car cannot. Small advantage, but real. I cannot tell you how many times drivers at a road course looked for my car after a session to see what passed them and got 2 shocks. One - that my car is an AT and two - that I am an old guy.
Anyway, thanks to those that contributed from both sides and buy what you want. I don't think you can make a mistake with this car!

[Ernest72]

Simple explanation:

MT- for pure driving experience and any track,autox
AT- for more utility, DD, occasional weekend run on your favorite road.

Main reason I got an AT is other people may need to drive the car. I have a 2004 WRX in AT as well and my mom and mother in-law have both driven the car in certain circumstances. That would never happen with MT (maybe a good thing), but I need the option.

Plus the BRZ AT is way better than my 4EAT.

[VoltsFRS2013]

I went with the FRS AT because it's my first car and because it's also my Daily, I don't regret one bit of it.

[Syche]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

Simple explanation:

MT- for pure driving experience and any track,autox
AT- for more utility, DD, occasional weekend run on your favorite road.

Main reason I got an AT is other people may need to drive the car. I have a 2004 WRX in AT as well and my mom and mother in-law have both driven the car in certain circumstances. That would never happen with MT (maybe a good thing), but I need the option.

Plus the BRZ AT is way better than my 4EAT.

LOL not beat a dead horse, but that 4eat is pretty much solid gold LOL those things are stupid tough. mine took stupid abuse and didn't get much more than late fluid replacements.

[Tcoat]

LOL August is AT vs MT month on the ole' ft86club forum.
Glad this got resurrected though since the OP very clearly puts the myth that these ATs are no good for track and street to rest.
Anybody that does not know who the OP is or what his credentials are needs to do some homework before going any further.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by Syche

LOL not beat a dead horse, but that 4eat is pretty much solid gold LOL those things are stupid tough. mine took stupid abuse and didn't get much more than late fluid replacements.

Sure its a beast and takes a ton of abuse, but it does not shift as fast as the BRZ AT. Also no manual shift option. When it finally goes, I will put in a built 4EAT in for more fun.

[Dan37BRZ]

Drove an automatic FR-S a couple weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised on how nice and quick it shifted. Reminds me a bit like the shift programming from a ZF 8spd or an Aisin AA80E, still a bit laggy when you're not going full throttle but then again it's no dual clutch.

Definitely not a bad choice if you need an auto. Maybe I'm a little different but I enjoy driving manual in traffic especially if it's a good shifting one, driving an auto in traffic makes me a bit sleepy. Complaining about having to shift a good gearbox in traffic is like complaining that the car has too much road feel for long trips.

[Submarinesonce]

All I hear are AT owners trying to convince the rest of the world that ATs are fun..."one of us". Whatever makes you smile I suppose.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Submarinesonce

All I hear are AT owners trying to convince the rest of the world that ATs are fun..."one of us". Whatever makes you smile I suppose.

Why can't they just be saying they enjoy them and not be trying to convince anybody of anything?

[Submarinesonce]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Why can't they just be saying they enjoy them and not be trying to convince anybody of anything?

Never see a thread full of people defending the MT, because it doesn't need it. The AT is a compromise, not an awful one, but a compromise none the less. YMMV

[Yousend]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Why can't they just be saying they enjoy them and not be trying to convince anybody of anything?

Because it goes both ways, they do the same when they have paddles and "new performance cars don't offer manual cars anymore". Not that it matters to me, I enjoy MT and would not want to drive an AT because it bores me. But I'm only talking about my own enjoyment, some people want to die when they're stuck in traffic on an MT, I just go "Thank god I'm not in an AT." People try to tell me it's because I've never been stuck bumper to bumper, stop and go, etc... I've done it for a year for over an hour of stop and go every day. Once they hear that they say I'm trying to justify my purchase.

Different strokes for different folks, but people don't understand that and would rather create an "us vs them" mentality. Who cares as long as you're having fun.

Originally Posted by Submarinesonce

Never see a thread full of people defending the MT, because it doesn't need it. The AT is a compromise, not an awful one, but a compromise none the less. YMMV

MT doesn't need defending because you're on an enthusiast forum and enthusiasts tend to know that "MT is fun and adds to the experience". Talk to some average Joe in North America and they're be quick to say you're just pretending that you like it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Submarinesonce

Never see a thread full of people defending the MT, because it doesn't need it. The AT is a compromise, not an awful one, but a compromise none the less. YMMV

Depends on your point of view. From mine, every thread on here about the Great MT vs AT Debate is just that, MT Zealots defending their opinion that the one true transmission is the MT. Most of us who chose the AT for whatever reason are just saying it is as much a "valid" choice as the MT.

There is nothing about the AT that's any more of compromise than the MT, it was just a choice.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Submarinesonce

Never see a thread full of people defending the MT, because it doesn't need it. The AT is a compromise, not an awful one, but a compromise none the less. YMMV

The MT guys don't need to get defensive since nobody attacks them and tells them what they should like. Even then I can show you thousands of posts such as "MT is better because I feel more connected to the car", "I can launch better", "it is more fun" and almost as many other justification for MT.


Did you read the first couple of posts in this thread? There is no "compromise" there.