What do you drive - MT or AT?

[Jlturner]

FRS-MT I have always had a MT and 3 years ago I purchased a Jeep Wrangler and went with the auto and have missed 1) having a car ever since 2) having a manual. Having a MT car makes the driving experience more fun & connects the driver to the car more.

[Dragon86]

Originally Posted by Shizuma

BRZ AT, and personally I love it.

Honestly I feel like an MT is outdated technology, like getting up to change the station on your tv instead of using a remote, and in the case in the BRZ/FR-S the AT has significantly better fuel economy, the MT's fuel economy is poor given the size/weight of the car an engine, 30MPG highway on a 200hp 2750 pound very aero dynamic car is pretty poor when you consider a 3450 pound mustang that's less aerodynamic with a 305hp v6 gets 29mpg on the highway.

Fuel economy was a big part in deciding on what car I was going to get, however it still had to be sporty, 30MPG just does cut it, 34MPG honestly was the lowest I would consider, that's why I ruled out the Genesis, Mustang, Camaro and Challenger from my list of cars I was looking at.

Aside from fuel economy an AT is just more practical, with stop and go traffic, the ability to use a remote starter, and as someone else mentioned holding a girlfriend's hand when driving. I have my BRZ in manual mode probably 90% of the time, but I get to keep all the advantages of the AT whenever I want them.

Fuel economy is a bonus in a sports car. If you cared so much about that get a prius there sporty

[GinDo]

Originally Posted by excited86

Another advantage of AT is I can hold my girl's hand when I drive.

You sir must not drive a Manual car. It's called Shifting together. You should try it sometime, it's quite romantic.

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by Raven86

AT, its my daily driver and i have to sit in a lot of traffic on my way home from work.

Bad Excuse.

[KRAZYK]

There we go.. now its heating up! lol

No offence to all the AT guys but I think in a small fun car like these.. its MT or GTFO.

[denverizzles]

Originally Posted by excited86

Another advantage of AT is I can hold my girl's hand when I drive.

woah bro...I can eat a burger, talk on my cell phone, and hold my wife's hand while driving stick lol.

once you get good enough, anythign you can do in AT you can do in MT.

[empower-auto]

Originally Posted by excited86

Another advantage of AT is I can hold my girl's hand when I drive.

oh to be young..

[trifenix]

So the at drifts as good as the mt? I keep hearing good things about the at but have not test drove yet. I am also curious about at strength.

[nix]

AT = land barge

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by Dragon86

Fuel economy is a bonus in a sports car. If you cared so much about that get a prius there sporty

In addition to that, according to fuelly.com, MT gets better real life MPG than AT. Same for CR-Z. According to EPA, both FR-S and CR-Z get better MPG with AT, but not in real life driving. EPA MPG is misleading sometimes.

[Grateful Dave]

I have driven MT's for over 30 years. I also have driven AT's. I still own my MT 2000 Tacoma 4x4 that I have been driving on Jeep trails and mountain forest dirt roads for 12 years and I wouldn't have it any other way but for everyday driving I like my AT in my FRS. Before my 2000 Tacoma 4x4, I had a 1988 Toyota 2x4 MT truck that I drove all around from CA. to AZ, CO, Wyoming, Utah, New York and Vermont. Then it became a work truck, I was working in Motion Picture Special Effects in Burbank, Ca. For eight years, I was hauling wood, steel, cement, lights, cables, and camera packages in traffic all over LA. I also had a 1981 Toyota 2x4 MT truck. I put over 200,000 miles on each driving city/freeway and dirt roads. I've also driven other MT cars & trucks in the past. I know about manual/clutch driving.

I know you MT snobs are AT haters and you look down at the AT's. I test drove a MT FRS and it is nice! If my FRS was going to be a track car or weekend only, of course I would buy a MT. Since my FRS is replacing my DD and I have had a previous broken left leg that affects my shifting when tired after long days on my feet at work, I chose the AT. Earlier in my life, I thought I would never drive an AT sports car and I debated buying the AT vs MT for my FRS. I thought long and hard about it. The DD that I'm replacing was my mom's 89 Corolla AT that I inherited. I have been driving it for the last 8 years. That's when I realized I'm OVER driving a MT in traffic. I want to keep my FRS for a long time, and I didn't want to come to point where I have to sell my FRS because I'm completely Burnt Out on manual/clutch shifting, physically and mentally. So I chose the AT.

With my FRS AT, I drive in either in D or D sport in the city or freeway or when I'm tired. When I'm driving twisty mountain roads trying to have some fun, I'm in manual mode either shifting by paddles or stick for that rev control. Yes, there is still a compromise in manual mode vs a true MT with a clutch but you adapt and you are having just as much fun with the AT in manual mode. Even the AT in Sport mode can be fun on mountain roads. It shifts on it's own nicely, match rev down shifting when braking automatically.

Don't be hating until you try it. It is not as bad as you think. I'm just utilizing the technology for my needs.


The AT is Awesome for an AT! The AT FRS gives you the best of ALL WORLDS, a real sports car that can be a DD with good mpg

[Style]

AT-know how to drive MT but haven't in like 4 years. I live in so cal and have to take a pretty packed freeway every day. This is my DD and so that the wife can drive it as well.

[rick]

Will be getting the AT cuz this will be my DD and shifting in traffic is irritating.

[Echo]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

In addition to that, according to fuelly.com, MT gets better real life MPG than AT. Same for CR-Z. According to EPA, both FR-S and CR-Z get better MPG with AT, but not in real life driving. EPA MPG is misleading sometimes.

I'm actually getting an average of 32.1 mpg in my Auto during my daily drives.

In the windy roads of Shenandoah, that's different...