What do you drive - MT or AT?

[mit_peid]

After making my case for the FR-S AT here on this thread, I decided to go with the FR-S MT! haha... I test drove both the AT and the MT and they were both a blast to drive (people were right about that). But all the MT guys were right, something just feels more right about shifting with your left foot playing a role. Again, both were really fun so I can't blame anyone for deciding on the AT. I just wanted to save $1100 and 66 lbs off the car. My FR-S should be arriving in 2-3 weeks! Can't wait!

[HotLava]

Originally Posted by mit_peid

After making my case for the FR-S AT here on this thread, I decided to go with the FR-S MT! haha... I test drove both the AT and the MT and they were both a blast to drive (people were right about that). But all the MT guys were right, something just feels more right about shifting with your left foot playing a role. Again, both were really fun so I can't blame anyone for deciding on the AT. I just wanted to save $1100 and 66 lbs off the car. My FR-S should be arriving in 2-3 weeks! Can't wait!

Enjoy the car! But no complaining when you're stuck in a sig alert on the 405 or 10 Friday night!

[bdbx18]

Originally Posted by HotLava

Enjoy the car! But no complaining when you're stuck in a sig alert on the 405 or 10 Friday night!

LOL, I did the rainy Friday night grind on the 405 today. You could not pay me enough to get a stick shift ever again. The last manual I've had (not counting the M3's SMG which technically is a auto-clutch manual), was a MR2T, also on the 405 and it was 1st, 2nd, neutral, 1st, 2nd all the way. When I got out, I was limping. My BRZ 6AT, paddle/manual shifts when I want to play and D mode when I want it easy, is PERFECT.

[mit_peid]

Let me put my MT hat on.... First gear feels so much better with a stick-shift. I can rev it up to 5k and pop the clutch, something I can't do with the Auto. The Auto just feels sluggish in 1st. If there's anything a REAL sports car can do, a real sports car SHOULD be able to rev without needing to place the PRNDL into P or N first. I have driven an Auto (a 4Runner) for the last six years and had forgotten how much fun it was just to run through the gears, especially on a car designed to bring driving back en vogue. The money and weight saved going with a Stick-shift will go back into the car in some nice wheels and tires. I just came to the realization that I'd regret not getting the Manual more than I'd ever regret not getting the paddle-shifting Auto. When I was at the dealer this last week, they had 4 FR-S Autos but the zero Manuals; the MTs stayed on the lot for an average of one day. Seems like the Autos will have a tougher time in the resell market as well (despite being $1100 more expensive).

[Braces]

In racing ... the new twin clutch transmissions (not Twin's AT) on a track are quicker than the 3 pedals given the same driver. My car is a DD. I didn't buy the car for racing, better mpg, ease of driving in traffic, holding hands, etc. etc. I bought the car with 3 pedals to be more involved with the driving experience. I'm pretty sure that is the theme of this car.

[NamSin]

This is my first AT, aways had MT on all my previous cars. (As a rule MT is much more popular in South Africa than AT.) Since it will be my daily (read only) ride I wanted something easy for heavy traffic. Must say I'm pleasantly surprised with the Auto box. I'm sure the MT will be better on the track or if you are Michael Schumacher.... but I'm not on the track..... or Michael Schumacher.....

[bdbx18]

Originally Posted by NamSin

This is my first AT, aways had MT on all my previous cars. (As a rule MT is much more popular in South Africa than AT.) Since it will be my daily (read only) ride I wanted something easy for heavy traffic. Must say I'm pleasantly surprised with the Auto box. I'm sure the MT will be better on the track or if you are Michael Schumacher.... but I'm not on the track..... or Michael Schumacher.....

Schumacher probably drives a AT after work.http://www.ft86club.com/forums/images/smilies/lol.gif

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by bdbx18

LOL, I did the rainy Friday night grind on the 405 today. You could not pay me enough to get a stick shift ever again. The last manual I've had (not counting the M3's SMG which technically is a auto-clutch manual), was a MR2T, also on the 405 and it was 1st, 2nd, neutral, 1st, 2nd all the way. When I got out, I was limping. My BRZ 6AT, paddle/manual shifts when I want to play and D mode when I want it easy, is PERFECT.

if anyone has been a stick driver for a long time,this
issue is really nothing! ya don't even think twice about it!
most guys wouldn't know what to do with the right hand (jerk off perhaps?),if they were NOT shifting all the time anyway.traffic ,or not!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by bdbx18

LOL, I did the rainy Friday night grind on the 405 today. You could not pay me enough to get a stick shift ever again. The last manual I've had (not counting the M3's SMG which technically is a auto-clutch manual), was a MR2T, also on the 405 and it was 1st, 2nd, neutral, 1st, 2nd all the way. When I got out, I was limping. My BRZ 6AT, paddle/manual shifts when I want to play and D mode when I want it easy, is PERFECT.

Originally Posted by mit_peid

Let me put my MT hat on.... First gear feels so much better with a stick-shift. I can rev it up to 5k and pop the clutch, something I can't do with the Auto. The Auto just feels sluggish in 1st. If there's anything a REAL sports car can do, a real sports car SHOULD be able to rev without needing to place the PRNDL into P or N first. I have driven an Auto (a 4Runner) for the last six years and had forgotten how much fun it was just to run through the gears, especially on a car designed to bring driving back en vogue. The money and weight saved going with a Stick-shift will go back into the car in some nice wheels and tires. I just came to the realization that I'd regret not getting the Manual more than I'd ever regret not getting the paddle-shifting Auto. When I was at the dealer this last week, they had 4 FR-S Autos but the zero Manuals; the MTs stayed on the lot for an average of one day. Seems like the Autos will have a tougher time in the resell market as well (despite being $1100 more expensive).

been wondering about this too! it is possible that THIS car with a "slush"
box MAY experience reduced re-sale value over the long term! if ever a car needed a smooth manual tranny,it's this one!..just sayin'

[Acid18]

Originally Posted by hav0c

AT and leave it in M mode most of the time. When I hit heavy traffic during my ridiculously long commute I throw it into D and enjoy my coffee. Lower revs at highway speed are a nice plus. My last DD would stay over 3k and drone pretty badly - very irritating when I drive 75 miles each way.

I like being able to pick & hold a gear but don't particularly miss having a clutch. I get most of my connection to the car from handling, throttle control, choosing my point in the powerband.

The nice thing about this poll so far is that it seems most people who have picked a transmission are happy with it.

I have the Same feeling.. Satisfied with the AT with tiptronic gears to go Viral!!

[SC David]

I get bored in AT cars. The manual keeps the driving experience much more interesting, especially in a city with hills!

[ScionRacer]

I have the 6spd MT in mine.I have been diving standard shift for over 20 years.I like the control and the race car feel it provides.

At a young age,my father once told me that a sports car is not a "sports car" if its an automatic.When I questioned his wisdom with why they bothered building automatic versions,His reply was so women would buy them too.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by ScionRacer

I have the 6spd MT in mine.I have been diving standard shift for over 20 years.I like the control and the race car feel it provides.

At a young age,my father once told me that a sports car is not a "sports car" if its an automatic.When I questioned his wisdom with why they bothered building automatic versions,His reply was so women would buy them too.

That IS how automatics were marketed when they first became available. Funny story; I'd never owned a standard before this car, but drove a couple and knew enough about the dynamics of a standard gearbox that I felt comfortable getting one. It was a girl that practiced with me for a few hours to make me more comfortable. Granted she used to race and build Hondas, but a girl nonetheless.

[Ocala FR-S]

Originally Posted by ScionRacer

I have the 6spd MT in mine.I have been diving standard shift for over 20 years.I like the control and the race car feel it provides.

At a young age,my father once told me that a sports car is not a "sports car" if its an automatic.When I questioned his wisdom with why they bothered building automatic versions,His reply was so women would buy them too.

Good thing you stopped questioning his wisdom at the sexist comment, who knows where that conversation would have went to next. Nobody is going to grow any hair on their chest driving a car you can shift with your left big toe and right index finger.

Ask an actual race car driver at a top level of racing any time lately, the control and feel provided by a race car is paddles and electronic rev matching.