What do you drive - MT or AT?

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by torqdork

I'm still waiting for my 6M/T to arrive, but have to say the 6A/T I test drove was incredible for a torque converter A/T with Sport Mode up/down shifts complete with throttle blip as quick or quicker than most any M/T pilot could muster.

But (you knew this was coming), the poll is overwhelmingly in favor 2-1 of the 6M/T. I don't think you'd see similar numbers anywhere other than here or exotic car forums.

Me? I still haven't driven an M/T. I ordered based on a lifelong preference for the satisfaction of a properly timed and executed heel-toe rev matched downshift that I figure will be often given the torque curve of the FA-20. And my plan to autocross and track the car where it's all about control and eliminating variables like unexpected gearshifts selected by a computer.

Tough call since the A/T is so impressive, but hopefully the M/T will return as many grins as the test drive car.

Waiting impatiently...

Would it make a difference if I pointed out the fact that 95% of exotics don't have manuals anymore?

[CamryDS]

I drive an MT -- For this car, I wouldn't choose anything else otherwise. Everyone I know chose an MT, even people who only drove AT's bought this in an MT because they wanted to drive it as it should be driven. The experience in the car has no real words to express how fun it is honestly. Its a great stress relief to drive this thing from and to work.


Not to knock anyone who drives an AT, more power to you and don't let people tell you otherwise.

The history on this car and it's predecessor is just too strong to get it in an AT for me IMHO.

I'm not following a bandwagon, I just never got the chance to get an MT on my own. I was taught how to drive on an AT, bought like 4 AT cars, the celica and the 86 are the only cars I've ever owned as an MT. Love every minute of it.

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by Scaldy

FRS- MT

For me, it's the difference between driving and being driven.

Not sure.. I have more fun in my AT F-RS than my MT 350Z. It seems that most, like me, drive it in manual mode - I hit close to redline on on ramps, and drive in 4th on the freeway for short drives. When I just want to get somewhere, or gf wants to drive.. put it in autopilot

I know there are gearing differences, and torque converters are not 100% efficient.. but that doesn't stop me from having fun.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by Connoisseur

Would it make a difference if I pointed out the fact that 95% of exotics don't have manuals anymore?

Apples and oranges. I wouldn't compare a dual clutch SM/T with a torque converter A/T. The sequential manuals on the exotics still have electronically controlled clutches and fully automatic action, but no torque converters like the twins.

Quite a few Porsche pilots aren't happy with their decision to install PDK only in the upcoming GT3 even though it's probably faster than the M/T.

http://www.porsche.com/microsite/tec...t=PMT911GT3All

I just have a more connected feel with the car working a clutch and would rather put the extra cost of an SM/T into other performance parts.

[Jesse]

always m/t

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by torqdork

Apples and oranges. I wouldn't compare a dual clutch SM/T with a torque converter A/T. The sequential manuals on the exotics still have electronically controlled clutches and fully automatic action, but no torque converters like the twins.

Quite a few Porsche pilots aren't happy with their decision to install PDK only in the upcoming GT3 even though it's probably faster than the M/T.

http://www.porsche.com/microsite/tec...t=PMT911GT3All

I just have a more connected feel with the car working a clutch and would rather put the extra cost of an SM/T into other performance parts.

Porsche needs to cut the crap, the PDK's shift speed vs manual is infinitesimal. It's something like .02 seconds.

[JFK0424]

MT. Why get an auto when that takes away from the driving fun of this vehicle. Nonsense.

[cfusionpm]

I will drive manual until my knees fall apart. There's no reason not to unless I'm physically unable.

[Nitro]

I've only owned one auto in my life and it was only for 1 year. I've been driving for 16 years and have owned 7 cars.

[CrashArtist]

AUTOMATIC. Because I feel as connected as any other -MT till I die-guy with my frs. Auto guys please don't feel obligated to give an excuse of why you got an auto. Its all a matter of personal preference. I got AT because I felt more comfortable with the car that way. Auto is as much fun as manual in this car-why? because I can switch it to semi manual drive it like i stole it, trying to drift every corner, every u turn and even fast lunches. Then when I have my wife (who hates how I drive my AUTO FRS) change it back to D and off we go(still enjoying my ride) nice and slow. But then again that is my personal preference. Trust me I enjoy it as much as YOU (MT-till-I-die-guy).

[CamryDS]

Originally Posted by CrashArtist

AUTOMATIC. Because I feel as connected as any other -MT till I die-guy with my frs. Auto guys please don't feel obligated to give an excuse of why you got an auto. Its all a matter of personal preference. I got AT because I felt more comfortable with the car that way. Auto is as much fun as manual in this car-why? because I can switch it to semi manual drive it like i stole it, trying to drift every corner, every u turn and even fast lunches. Then when I have my wife (who hates how I drive my AUTO FRS) change it back to D and off we go(still enjoying my ride) nice and slow. But then again that is my personal preference. Trust me I enjoy it as much as YOU (MT-till-I-die-guy).

Question... Have you ever driven in a manual before? Not manual mode, but just manual in general? I like what you said but I am just curious.

Sent from my PG86100

[CrashArtist]

I did. About a year on a 92 civic hatchback, another on a ford probe, them 2 years on a '91 240sx and almost 1 years on a '96 and I almost forget a gsxr 1000 for about 4 months until I realized I was better off in 4 wheels. Then the other two cars i drove prior to the frs were also automatic because I was done with my street racing, getting tickets left and right and i was able to afford a new car.

My auto frs that have made me drive the way i used to. Not as hard because I haven't got any tickets on it -yet. Yes I get bored of my cars very fast and that's is why I've had quite a few. But I have to say it will be hard for me to get bored of my FRS.

The reason I din't mentioned it before is because it was irrelevant to my comment but thanks for asking. BTW I'm 26 in case i sound too old.

[Gixxersixxerman]

I had the opportunity to drive a friends M/T FRS for a day.. I don't get all the comments about its a comments about its a different car.. The only difference I noticed, I had to use my left foot.. That's it.. Oh I could get the rear to step out power shifting 2nd.. Man that comes in handy in every day driving lol..

For real though.. I don't feel it's more engaging, or anything else.. I constantly wanted to shift into 7th 8th gear because how the rpm's are a lot higher.. But again, it didn't find it more exciting.. I've driven M/T cars most my life besides the family cars, and to be 100000% honest, I would've got this in a standard if it was available.. But it wasn't and I got the auto, I was expecting a huge difference in driving the car.. And was let down.. The few times I drove the MT around the streets.. I chalked it up to just a limited time in the standard.. So when the opportunity came to drive it for a day, while he learned to ride a bike. I jumped at it.. And still came out the same.. I mean I'd love for the auto to step out the rear like that did when I wanna drive stupid on the streets.. But other then that, and being able to spin the tires taking off.. It's the same car and feels the same

It almost sounds like purist have to come up with reasoning in their minds over the new autos that perform better then standards.. The FRS auto does not, but it's close.. It shifts extremely fast as we all know, it blips and revs match almost perfect..

Again I'm not hating on the standard.. I would've bought one.. It's just all these.. It's the only way to own the car and its a whole different car with the standard and stuff like that's use isn't true..

Maybe if I took one to the track I might change my mind.. But riding with mike, Dave, and robispec, then with moto, and the RSR auto, I know which one was smoother through the turns that needed a up shift or down shift.. Those days the times were all close, but no one was doing fast laps, they all was out there giving rides and having fun... Well I say that and me and robispec did go spinning out of the bowl lol

[the_colombian]

I got mine in manual because automatics make me bored after a while. All my cars have had a manual transmission but some of my wife's have been automatics. Now, if it would have been offered in twin clutch like the vw DSG I would have got that. My wife had a jetta GLI with the DSG transmission and that vehicle was awesome. I do however think it felt so good because it was turbo. I think even a twin clutch transmission in this car might not be that great. That is for me of course. Just my opinion and preference.