Is the FR-S right for me? AT or MT? Anyone want to help me decide?

[NinjaRxMan]

I have had manual transmission cars in the past. A 2001 lexus is300 and 2005 toyota tacoma. Last year my wife and I got the lexus CT200h. It's an amazing hybrid car BUT it only comes in automatic transmission. It's also fun to drive but I just felt like something was missing. I always have liked the amount of control you get with MT. Been reading so much about the FR-S on this forum that I finally pulled the trigger last week and bought an asphalt MT. This car is so much fun driving with a manual gear box. I get a smile on my face whenever I drive it. My CT200h was supposed to be my daily driver but I keep driving the FR-S daily. As for AT vs MT, My philosophy is you never know when you may have to drive a MT car in the future. ie become a designated driver or drive one in an emergency.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Ryuu0u

There you go! Watched this 15mins before going to the dealership and picking up my FRS. I also wonder if this guy has an account on here.

He is.

[tomato88]

Let me put it this way: People who bought theirs with AT frequently regret their purchase, but people with MT rarely do.

[jlu]

Originally Posted by tomato88

Let me put it this way: People who bought theirs with AT frequently regret their purchase, but people with MT rarely do.

Source?

I've only seen two or three people on these boards who regret getting an AT (although that's more than the one person I know who regrets getting a MT). The car is great no matter which transmission is in it.

[Lonewolf]

The auto just needs some 4.55 gears and some revised transmission programming to be fun...

[bcj]

They wouldn't have offered the AT if they intended to be snobbish and exclusive.
The 86 AT is a good, well tuned unit. Nobody should be afraid of being shunned for picking it.
If it fits your purpose and usage, more power to you for considering an 86.
The 86 isn't everyone's cuppa joe. That's a good thing too.

[Takuro]

I remember reading that the FRS/BRZ uses the same AT transmission as the Lexus ISF but with one less gear. I drive a MT FRS and honestly, I would've been happy with either MT or AT. There are some people that are elitist saying that if it ain't manual, it ain't a sports car, but it really doesn't matter. It's not like you're "carving canyons" everyday and I bet that a relatively decent driver in an AT FRS can outpace someone else in a MT FRS. I think AT is the choice you're looking for. You haven't driven manual in a long time or not often, so I don't think you'll have any regrets. Many FRS/BRZ owners' first manual car was this, so I guess that's why some might get hyped up about getting/owning a manual car.

[Clembo]

From what I've seen, unless it has rather high mileage, a used FR-S / BRZ will cost very little less than a new one. Financing is typically cheaper on a new car loan also. So whichever choice you make, be sure you do the math first.

[strat61caster]

If you compromise today, what will you compromise tomorrow?

Do what you want and suffer the consequences.

[a110]

Wow, this is a great forum...so many good responses in such a short amount of time. As for my decision, I think that I'm leaning toward an AT. Perhaps when I was in my early 20s I would have felt differently, but now, closer to 30, I think I am more concerned with the practicality of the car while still maintaining a fairly high fun factor. And since it seems that the AT drivers here still really enjoy their cars for the most part, I don't feel that the added experience that I may be missing with the MT would outweigh the practical benefits of the AT (MPG, easier commute, driveability for significant other, etc.). Plus, I feel that I would be more embarrassed stalling a MT FR-S all over the place in my hilly new town, than I would be driving an AT FR-S.

Either way, I am looking forward to going back to a car that I truly enjoy and also back to Toyota, to be honest. I've had three cars in my life thus far...my first was a 1996 Toyota Corolla, then a 1995 Toyota Celica GT, and now my current car is a 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5SE. While I do enjoy the bit of power in my Altima, I truly loved my little Celica. I think that I mostly miss the maneuverability and fun-to-drive factor of my Celica, not to mention the great MPG and reliability. I bought my Celica used at 60k mi and kept it until 170k. That entire time, I spent a whopping total of $300 on unexpected repairs. I sold the car believing that it would easily make it to 225-250k before I would have any major issues...unfortunately at that point the car was 15 years old and I didn't want to risk it, as at the time I was making a 1200 mile round trip about once a month (in addition to daily driving). I'm hoping (and expecting) that the FR-S is going to meet and exceed many of the factors that I loved about that old car.

Anyway, thanks for all of your replies. Sorry about my long love letter to my old Celica. When I do get the FR-S, I'll be sure to be an active member on this forum and try to help others as you have all helped me.

[autobrz]

I've been driving manual sports cars for the last 10 years. I got an auto because I like how easy it is to drive when I'm in traffic and just need to get home from work or if I just want to get some groceries.

The auto is very good, I didn't consider it until I went to test drive but the dealer only had one auto left. After driving it, I felt like it is not a bad idea at all. the rev-matching downshift is pretty cool, much better than I can do on my own. It also gets better gas mileage. The auto also doesn't take away much of the throttle response in sport or manual mode. I think it's the best of both worlds for the kind of driver that does occasional canyon runs.

[MVJ1975]

I love my AT here in DC-area traffic. It's pleasant and reasonably efficient in dumb mode when I'm stuck behind a Prius, and once I hit the side/back roads close to home, into manual mode it goes, and the VSC/TRAC goes into sport mode. This and the backseat/cargo area give me just enough practicality to allow the FR-S to be my only car.

As said, winter tires are a must. Think of it as an excuse to get some nice light summer wheels, and then use the stockers for your winter tires.