Spotted, a new viewpoint

[CA2]

My thoughts on the manual vs. auto discussion...

I drive a manual -- have for almost 2 decades -- and I enjoy the control it gives me and the sensation of shifting. But I realize that shifting a manual gearbox isn't 100% of the "driving experience" at which this car excels. Loading up the tires on a high speed sweeper, drifting around a corner, feeling the pull (ok, there's not a whole lot, but some ) up to redline -- these are all sensations that exist no matter what transmission you choose.

Anyone who isn't on a track pushing the car to its limits isn't fully, 100% experiencing this car. I haven't fully experienced it. So arguing that someone with an auto isn't fully experiencing it is kinda moot -- nobody does all the time. And some people put more weight in shifting, others handling, others acceleration -- all valid parts of "the driving experience."

So lay off our automatic brethren. Enjoy what you have and allow others to enjoy what they have.

[Wes]

Originally Posted by shawnperolis

I'm not backtracking on anything. I think this car is pointless with an automatic because it was designed purely for fun and driver feel and you aren't able to experience it fully with a slushbox. The point of the thread was if the car is going to be "too common" and then get boring. I'm actually excited to see a lot of people buy these things, but I am going to be disappointed when in a few years a lot of non-enthusiasts buy the car because it is cheap and looks sporty, but they get it with an automatic because they have no interest in driving. I stand by that, and I'm totes cool with all of the automatic owners flaming me.

I don't think people who drive automatic transmissions are fat, lazy, stupid Americans who shouldn't be allowed to drive though. That's a pretty damn ignorant thing to say... And I feel bad that I started that entire thing. Being associated with people like that isn't my goal.

I agree, sucks see.people have this but arent enthusiasts, I dont mind seeing fellow frs brz owners I think its pretty cool and.exciting, but when a lot of people get this car and arent enthusiasts it kond of feels boring when spotting.other people. So in other words it shouldve been manual only.

[luuser75]

if you want to be exclusive...get the GT-R. Only comes in auto.

[TommyFive]

Originally Posted by Wes

I agree, sucks see.people have this but arent enthusiasts, I dont mind seeing fellow frs brz owners I think its pretty cool and.exciting, but when a lot of people get this car and arent enthusiasts it kond of feels boring when spotting.other people. So in other words it shouldve been manual only.

People can be enthusiasts and still drive an automatic.

Lots of people here own automatics because either they live in cities (regular stop and go traffic with a manual gearbox is not something I wish upon anyone) or they are unable to drive a manual gearbox (whether a physical disability or simply not having access to lessons from a friend).

If you bought a car so you could feel special and elite, then maybe you should look for meaning elsewhere in your life. It's a cheap, accessible car regardless of the transmission - why piss on other people's party?

[Dadhawk]

I tell myself every time these threads start up I won't get involved, and every time I do...

Originally Posted by shawnperolis

..I think this car is pointless with an automatic because it was designed purely for fun and driver feel and you aren't able to experience it fully with a slushbox. ....

It may very well be that, for you, the 86 with an AT is pointless, and I'm good with that. However, I can tell you, from my point of view, you are wrong. Other than pushing a clutch pedal, there is nothing I'm missing by owning an AT.

That includes, by the way, shifting gears manually, sometimes using both hands (paddle shifters), rather than just one.

In fact, on occasion, I've been known to "push" the clutch pedal with my left foot when in manual mode.

I could claim that with a MT the driver is less engaged because your left hand isn't used for downshifting and you are constantly having to remove your right hand from the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by shawnperolis

I don't think people who drive automatic transmissions are fat, lazy, stupid Americans who shouldn't be allowed to drive though. That's a pretty damn ignorant thing to say... And I feel bad that I started that entire thing. Being associated with people like that isn't my goal.

...appreciated! :happy0180:

I drove both before deciding on the AT, and I have no regrets. I have run into nothing I couldn't do with the AT except maybe a full out launch, but I'm not drag racing so that doesn't matter to me. Oh, and a push start, can't do that.

(and yes, I'm safe from Zombies because I've driven MT vehicles since I was 8 years old.)

[NOHOME]

So what do you do when the Zombie has their own FRS and drives a stick!

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I tell myself every time these threads start up I won't get involved, and every time I do...



It may very well be that, for you, the 86 with an AT is pointless, and I'm good with that. However, I can tell you, from my point of view, you are wrong. Other than pushing a clutch pedal, there is nothing I'm missing by owning an AT.

That includes, by the way, shifting gears manually, sometimes using both hands (paddle shifters), rather than just one.

In fact, on occasion, I've been known to "push" the clutch pedal with my left foot when in manual mode.

I could claim that with a MT the driver is less engaged because your left hand isn't used for downshifting and you are constantly having to remove your right hand from the steering wheel.



...appreciated! :happy0180:

I drove both before deciding on the AT, and I have no regrets. I have run into nothing I couldn't do with the AT except maybe a full out launch, but I'm not drag racing so that doesn't matter to me. Oh, and a push start, can't do that.

(and yes, I'm safe from Zombies because I've driven MT vehicles since I was 8 years old.)

i was a slush box hater early on,until i drove one for "shits & giggles".i was really impressed with the ability to use the stick in manual mode.it came close enough to the real manual,that i was satisfied,and enjoyed the car.
i found that i did NOT miss clutching.also the bonus of better fuel mileage really hit home too!...just sayin'

[jmaryt]

ohhhhh! myyyy godddd! "run!"

[Wes]

Originally Posted by TommyFive

People can be enthusiasts and still drive an automatic.

Lots of people here own automatics because either they live in cities (regular stop and go traffic with a manual gearbox is not something I wish upon anyone) or they are unable to drive a manual gearbox (whether a physical disability or simply not having access to lessons from a friend).

If you bought a car so you could feel special and elite, then maybe you should look for meaning elsewhere in your life. It's a cheap, accessible car regardless of the transmission - why piss on other people's party?

Of course I understabd those circumstances that cant be helped. However, I do have a friend that bought a manual and didnt know how to drive it yet, but he learned. Where there is a will there is a way. Nah not pissing on anyone, they buy what they want. That just my opinion of course you can disagree. Not saying its elite class to have Mt, but just the fact that they are missing out a bit by having auto. Of course you can disagree as well.

[Splat]

[QUOTE=Dadhawk;776393]I tell myself every time these threads start up I won't get involved, and every time I do...



I found that kinda funny since it didnt start out a MT/AT in any shape manner or form.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Splat

I found that kinda funny since it didnt start out a MT/AT in any shape manner or form.

This happens in all forums it seems.

In aviation you aren't a real pilot unless you fly a taildragger, which of course makes fighter pilots not real pilots

And don't even broach the idea of an AT on a motorcycle forum!

[zenki_levin]

OP, you're going to see more and more cars around. All the supercar owners are starting to sell their cars for the cheaper twins.

[rhoyle]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

This happens in all forums it seems.

In aviation you aren't a real pilot unless you fly a taildragger, which of course makes fighter pilots not real pilots

And don't even broach the idea of an AT on a motorcycle forum!

Not sure where you get that about Aviation, you must hang out on Citabria forums? I've maybe heard that one time in all my years involved in aviation, and it was from a guy flying an experimental with a Vw motor that looked like Snoopy 1.

Pilots and airplane owners are generally a much more reasonable crowd than drivers of sub-30k import sports cars. Or was it sporty cars?

[FRSupra]

Originally Posted by shawnperolis

I don't mind it all that much, but I am kind of upset that Toyota/Subaru decided to give the twins an automatic option. I'm coming from a Civic Si, where Honda didn't put a slushbox in it because if you wanted that, the normal Civic was just fine for you. Because the FR-S is a pure driver's car, it ruins it (for me) to see that a bunch of them out there are automatics. It kind of kills the "cool" and "exclusive" factors, knowing someone who can't drive can roll up next to me in an autotragic FR-S.

Im going to stand behind this poster. This car was built for the enthusiast. The automatic really does ruin the fun.

Originally Posted by whaap

Also being the owner of a manual I have to ask, does Ferrari make any thing other than automatic? I would hardly consider them "autotragic". But, then again, what do I know?

Ferrari's are built for speed, regardless of how good they will perform on a track. Let's be honest, the main reason someone buys a car like that is for the speed. Going that fast, there is no way somone could manually shift a standard gearbox as fast as the computer controlled super shifts of the automatic. Whaap, what do you know?

Originally Posted by ThugNasty

You realize that some people daily drive their FR-S and live in areas with heavy traffic and like the convenience of having an automatic mode, right?
Personally, I fucked my foot up and never got the surgery I needed, making it painful to drive manual for extended periods of time or in heavy traffic. That's why I got the AT. Does that make me any worse of a driver than you?
I don't see why it's so impossible for some people to drive a manual without being pretentious about it.

Frankly, those people that "daily drive" and like the "convenience" of an automatic should have bought camry. There was no reason to get this car unless you thought it was "cool" and wanted to impress everyone. You didn't buy it for the experience.

With that said, I'm sure a lof of people are about to blow their tops, but the poster made a valid point, and judging by the way some of the automatic owners responded, they know he is right.