Manual in traffic stigma

[bdanisi]

Feel free to skip my little thoughts about this. So I had my manual frs in the shop for a week due to a run in with a curb avoiding an animal. I had 2 rentals and both were auto. I commute from orange county to La for work and everyone told me that if I didn't get the auto I would hate my life in traffic. In fact some dealerships that didn't have manual tried to sell me an auto on that argument. After sitting in traffic for 2 hours in my auto I thought I was going to lose it. Not only was I bored silly but I was constantly on my phone texting Facebook he'll even browsing these forums. Don't get me wrong with my manual I still text and drive sometimes but wow in the automatic I was glues to my phone. So bored I tried to drive with only my left foot. It was pretty funny haha. I have put on 8k miles and a lot of traffic. Hell all kind of traffic. The fully stopped kind the get to 30 mph then stop and on and on. The mt keeps me engaged. I am almost find it therapeutic haha. Am I alone in this? I'm 23 and healthy so is it an age thing? Is it something with older cars? The light clutch?



So what is the hatred for manual in traffic?

[Dezoris]

Some of it becomes age, and laziness.

But most of the time in my experience it's because there is a special significant other who can't drive stick so the only way to get said car is by getting a slush box.

[forzajuve]

Hey man I am 24 and I completely relate to your perspective. The fact that the FRS has short throws while shifting, for me, makes it a treat to drive. Even in traffic!

I think it may be an age thing, but with regard to hatred for manual I think it is more of an intimidation factor as well. Perhaps I am wrong, but the amount of MT drivers out there is low and dwindling. More focus seems to be put on AT and the potential for paddle shifting in some cars, which seems neat to buyers because many super car buyers prefer paddle shifting in this day and age. So I think when people see that the FRS/BRZ has paddle shifting they get the "super car" vibe out of it. Plus, the 6 speed AT derives from the 8 speed AT from the Lexus IS-F, so there is that to consider too. However, I have read over a dozen posts and many people regret buying their AT because, like you said, they get mad BORED.

[Tt3Sheppard]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

Feel free to skip my little thoughts about this. So I had my manual frs in the shop for a week due to a run in with a curb avoiding an animal. I had 2 rentals and both were auto. I commute from orange county to La for work and everyone told me that if I didn't get the auto I would hate my life in traffic. In fact some dealerships that didn't have manual tried to sell me an auto on that argument. After sitting in traffic for 2 hours in my auto I thought I was going to lose it. Not only was I bored silly but I was constantly on my phone texting Facebook he'll even browsing these forums. Don't get me wrong with my manual I still text and drive sometimes but wow in the automatic I was glues to my phone. So bored I tried to drive with only my left foot. It was pretty funny haha. I have put on 8k miles and a lot of traffic. Hell all kind of traffic. The fully stopped kind the get to 30 mph then stop and on and on. The mt keeps me engaged. I am almost find it therapeutic haha. Am I alone in this? I'm 23 and healthy so is it an age thing? Is it something with older cars? The light clutch?



So what is the hatred for manual in traffic?

Dude I know how you feel. I almost fell asleep driving a rental Corolla home from work one day. Manual you are always in tune with your RPM's and gears. Auto is just like point and shoot.

[kbye]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

Don't get me wrong with my manual I still text and drive sometimes but wow in the automatic I was glues to my phone.

da fuck
I hope you were just doing that while idle

[naikaidriver]

And the auto<manual conversation begins yet again...

Just let me go on record that I have ZERO hate for manuals in traffic, daily driving, or around a racetrack and after nearly 25 years of driving manual sports cars, I have ZERO regrets on the auto in my FRS.

Scott

[forzajuve]

Why you so lazy, old and every stereotype of an AT driver bro? Just kidding just kidding.

[naikaidriver]

Originally Posted by forzajuve

Why you so lazy, old and every stereotype of an AT driver bro? Just kidding just kidding.

LOL!

Its ok... I remember the days when I had an attention span that was measured in nanoseconds youngster! :happy0180:

Scott

[kthxbai]

The FRS is my first manual car and I will say my biggest fear was getting stuck in traffic. After driving this car for 5 months, I realize it was silly to have such a fear and think alot of people who were in my boat initially are just afraid of the unknown. Nothing like getting a quad work out while stuck in traffic! j/k

[naikaidriver]

Originally Posted by kthxbai

The FRS is my first manual car and I will say my biggest fear was getting stuck in traffic. After driving this car for 5 months, I realize it was silly to have such a fear and think alot of people who were in my boat initially are just afraid of the unknown. Nothing like getting a quad work out while stuck in traffic! j/k

The manual in the FRS is a cake-walk! I had a 1968 Camaro SS 327 with an M-22 Rock Crusher 4-spd. The 3-finger clutch in THAT was HELL in Seattle traffic!

Scott

[forzajuve]

Touché

[strat61caster]

Agree completely with the OP (shit I agree with bdanisi), the Manual makes my one hour 25 mile commute bearable. Life is about choices and I made one when I bought my cars.

Although after a particularly rough week I did have a bit of an ache in my left leg, would never trade it for an auto.

[TommyFive]

Originally Posted by bdanisi

Don't get me wrong with my manual I still text and drive sometimes

Maybe you should trade in your MT car for a bus pass.

[WolfsFang]

Dont mind traffic in the frs since the clutch is light. BUUUUT when i got my clutch on the evo changed to a ACT XTSS (with a SS clutch line) I cried in the sight of traffic. First time i came into traffic my left leg was shaking uncontrollably due to the pressure on the XTSS, i almost gave up on life.