Anyone Else Considering an Automatic FR-S?

[Buggy51]

Personally your quotes can be considered a bit of cherry picking. Regardless, the auto will still be fun to drive according to most reviews.

[mhj555]

A lot of newer automatics can shift faster than most people, and this one probably will as well.

And I agree, manuals in heavy traffic are seriously annoying especially if you have an upgraded clutch (or a 96 mitsubishi eclipse gsx where holding the clutch in while you wait will increase your risk of crankwalk and destroy your 4g63)

That being said, I'll be getting the manual...but there will be times I'm stuck in Boston traffic that I'll wish I had the automatic.

[tranzformer]

I commuted for several years in Chicago traffic in a manual without problems. You know what, I actually prefer it. Didn't have to constantly keep my foot on the brakes like I would in an auto. Could just accel up to 5-10mph as traffic was slowly moving, then throw it into neutral and let the car coast down until I had to hit the brakes.

Sure an auto will shift faster. But guess what, this car isn't about balls out speed or excel spreadsheet number racing. This car is all about having fun, being connected to the car, and having a smile on your fast as you shift the 6spd at redline from 1-2-3-4-5-6. There is nothing like that. This car is mean to be fun, cheap, make the driver feel connected with the car, and offer the full experience not offered in many sports cars of this price. This car is meant for a manual. You will do yourself a disservice getting an auto. I know you will complain about traffic in LA, NYC, Miami, Dallas...etc. But trust me, you WILL regret getting this car in an auto if you only knew how much more fun you would have with a manual. Trust me and the others. Get this in a manual. You will also save yourself ~$1000, what I expect the cost will be to upgrade to the auto. Put that towards the down payment, your first few months of payments, a new exhaust, or several days at the track. You will not only have more fun with the 6spd but you will save a few bucks right off the bat. Get the manual.

[G-daddy]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

I commuted for several years in Chicago traffic in a manual without problems. You know what, I actually prefer it. Didn't have to constantly keep my foot on the brakes like I would in an auto. Could just accel up to 5-10mph as traffic was slowly moving, then throw it into neutral and let the car coast down until I had to hit the brakes.

That is EXACTLY how you drive manual in heavy traffic. And also why auto isn't easier in hard traffic. Thank you.

And didn't anyone see the Autoblog review? The automatic BRZ sounded less awesome in the cabin. They engine note is notably subdued in the cabin for the auto during the high rpms.

[Buggy51]

Originally Posted by G-daddy

That is EXACTLY how you drive manual in heavy traffic. And also why auto isn't easier in hard traffic. Thank you.

And didn't anyone see the Autoblog review? The automatic BRZ sounded less awesome in the cabin. They engine note is notably subdued in the cabin for the auto during the high rpms.

At times... quiet doesn't seem to be a con. At any rate this feels a bit like picking at straws ~_~;

For those that want a manual, you'll be getting it. For those that want an auto, you will probably be also getting it. And for those in between, go test drive it?

[nate89]

For those that want a manual, you'll be getting it. For those that want an auto, you will probably be also getting it.

Genius!

[daphaze1]

Well I used to love the Yamaha R1. First gear to 90mph =D. I'd still stick to automatic due to injury but wouldn't it be wonderful of Yamaha brought that over to the cars? =D

[splitview]

This car? Manual. It's going to be my fun car.

[pr0j]

I want to try the auto, just for shits and giggles, and have a go at the paddle shifters. I can't see myself buying one though, unless it's so amazing that i never want to get out of the car, and make the dealer do the paperwork on the dash

Ikaros if you need to learn how to drive manual, i would recommend to buy a cheap nasty 'shitbox' and learn in that, then trade up when you are confident and comfortable. I can imagine it might ruin the feeling of a brand new sports car bunnyhopping all over town

[SUB-FT86]

Its funny how people say a manual is easier in traffic. I think I have heard enough BS for one day. In a auto there is no shifting and clutching in traffic so WTF are you guys talking about. Pressing brakes is less work than clutching and shifting.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Its funny how people say a manual is easier in traffic. I think I have heard enough BS for one day. In a auto there is no shifting and clutching in traffic so WTF are you guys talking about. Pressing brakes is less work than clutching and shifting.

Have you driven a manual in traffic? I completely disagree as I stated earlier. It is super easy driving a manual in traffic. I hate being in an auto as I constantly have to keep my foot on the brake and can't put it into neutral and let it coast to a stop. Manual works best for me. YMMV.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Have you driven a manual in traffic? I completely disagree as I stated earlier. It is super easy driving a manual in traffic. I hate being in an auto as I constantly have to keep my foot on the brake and can't put it into neutral and let it coast to a stop. Manual works best for me. YMMV.

If that's the case then why other manual drivers complain about shifting in traffic? You can't keep the tranny in neutral all the time you must eventually shift up and down when traffic gets a slight burst and then return to a quick stop. Stop and Go traffic.

[CSSM]

Auto for me, paddles are good enough. Plus I dont know how to drive stick..

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

If that's the case then why other manual drivers complain about shifting in traffic? You can't keep the tranny in neutral all the time you must eventually shift up and down when traffic gets a slight burst and then return to a quick stop. Stop and Go traffic.

I was seriously curious if you had driven a manual in traffic. I wasn't trolling.

Not sure why other manual drivers complain, I guess we will have to hear from them. But I have never experienced that myself. I was just stating my opinion that I actually prefer to drive the manual vs. auto in traffic. But that is just my preference. Even in stop and go traffic at most you are making one shift 1-2. If it is like any major city traffic (LA/Atlanta/Dallas/Chicago/NYC/DC..etc.) during bad rush hour/traffic accident/road construction, you could probably just stay in 1st gear as you won't be doing more than 15-20 mph. So as traffic moves you get up to speed 15-20mph and then you can put it in neutral as you coast and as the cars in front of you begin to hit their brakes. Then you can wait until you get to do it all over again. Personally I hate having to keep my foot on the brake the whole time in a auto.