Can someone provide review of AT FR-S?

[Havsie]

I've driven both and while the AT is quite nice for a automatic, it really feels like it drains some of the life out of the car. As others have stated, it sucks a bit of power out of the car and in a car that has just adequate power, it really makes it feel a bit less fun overall. I think in a car that's lightweight and low on power such as this, a manual transmission helps significantly due to the driver engagement that it offers.

On another note...when I was shopping for my FR-S there was only one automatic on the lot. They had 11 other manual transmission cars with various options/colors, but only one automatic. I really wonder if that's just my dealership catering to average enthusiast who would typically buy a FR-S or if significantly less automatics are made compared to manuals.

[thill]

Originally Posted by Havsie

I've driven both and while the AT is quite nice for a automatic, it really feels like it drains some of the life out of the car. As others have stated, it sucks a bit of power out of the car and in a car that has just adequate power, it really makes it feel a bit less fun overall. I think in a car that's lightweight and low on power such as this, a manual transmission helps significantly due to the driver engagement that it offers.

On another note...when I was shopping for my FR-S there was only one automatic on the lot. They had 11 other manual transmission cars with various options/colors, but only one automatic. I really wonder if that's just my dealership catering to average enthusiast who would typically buy a FR-S or if significantly less automatics are made compared to manuals.

Definitely not just your dealer. My dealer told me that 70-80% of the allocation so far has been manual transmissions, and that they tend to sell faster than the autos. Between two Subaru dealerships that me dealer owns within 10 miles there were only 2 autos available (1 premium, 1 limited) out of about 12+ cars they had available to buy. Two other dealers near me only had manual Limited's available as well. I thought the auto (bought a manual) drove pretty well. It was a little down on power vs the manual, but not significantly. If you watch the Everyday Driver comparison video between the FR-S (manual) and BRZ (auto) one of the two drivers was faster around the track with the auto BRZ vs the manual FR-S (the other guy was faster with the manual FR-S). I think has more to do with the suspension setup than the transmission (the guy that was faster with the BRZ felt the FR-S moved around more than he would like in the backend and I am guessing he drove it more conservatively to compensate vs the other guy who preferred the suspension setup of the FR-S).

I have to say that this is a one of the smoothest manuals I have ever driven. If anyone is on the fence about getting a manual because they are worried about the learning curve, don't be. With a little practice and experience you will be a pro in no time. The transmission practically shifts itself

[jlu]

<-- my face when driving my AT

[Gixxersixxerman]

If your looking for which car is faster then the auto

[ame]http://youtu.be/IMwk8l60xkE[/ame]
[ame]http://youtu.be/Qde3TcynFAI[/ame]

I've drove both as I have the AT, and am the one that loses both the races in these vids.. I've spent awhile with the MT.. In the end I don't regret my decision. I'm 3secs down on randy pobst at streets of willow in my at equipped FRS.. So it's fast enough and still a ton of fun to drive.. It takes a bit more effort to drift and unless its wet its not doing a burn out.. The MT was just as fun, and easier to act like a hooligan.. But the people that say its night and day difference I just don't get.. It's the same car.. Your just using your left leg.. Both are fun to drive.. Tons of fun.. And you won't go wrong with either..

Like others have said.. Test drive both and see which you like more.. And for the record I don't use the paddles unless at the track.. Every other time I use the shifter and always leave it in M mode..

[dem00n]

Its simple as this, its one of the best Autos under 50K, only other near price competition is the DSG you get in the GTI which is really good as well.

Mustang Auto? Pretty bad.
Genesis Auto? Pretty bad as well.
Miata Auto? The fuck is this?

[KkSc]

Originally Posted by Splat

The auto sucks up some energy. It is a joy to drive. I love my automatic despite being slower than the mt. When I drive it hard I always use it in manual mode where I control the gears. The auto does not drive very well in "D" mode in mountains, probably because low torque. That is my opinion.

I found the same issue too

[Splat]

Just out of curiosity, were you in "D" mode , Sport "D" , or shifting manual?
Thanks

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

If your looking for which car is faster then the auto

I've drove both as I have the AT, and am the one that loses both the races in these vids.. I've spent awhile with the MT.. In the end I don't regret my decision. I'm 3secs down on randy pobst at streets of willow in my at equipped FRS.. So it's fast enough and still a ton of fun to drive.. It takes a bit more effort to drift and unless its wet its not doing a burn out.. The MT was just as fun, and easier to act like a hooligan.. But the people that say its night and day difference I just don't get.. It's the same car.. Your just using your left leg.. Both are fun to drive.. Tons of fun.. And you won't go wrong with either..

Like others have said.. Test drive both and see which you like more.. And for the record I don't use the paddles unless at the track.. Every other time I use the shifter and always leave it in M mode..

[Fett4Real]

My wife WONT drive a manual...she has before and just cant get it right...she refused to let me get a manual...so thats kinda what lead me to the 86...I researched a bit...and the auto seemed OK. Went and test drove it in Manual Sport mode and was sold. Had to comprimise a little...I didnt get my STI wagon but got a sick 86 instead...Im happy shes happy. WIN.

[Demandred7]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZzU2MxGa7A"]2013 Scion FR-S - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes - YouTube[/ame]

Found this today. I think it is pretty close to what you were looking for. Hopefully this works (first time posting a YouTube video).

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by Splat

Just out of curiosity, were you in "D" mode , Sport "D" , or shifting manual?
Thanks

Shifting manually.. To be honest.. I don't notice a difference in shifting myself, in regular D or sport D.. It all seems to shift about the same speed

[autobrz]

my last 2 sports cars were manual with no nannies what so ever. I got an auto because I got enough of driving manual and started to feel it is overrated. Sure it is faster than this auto but only if you're shifting like you're racing, otherwise the auto shifts plenty fast and smoothly.

Downshifts with rev match are pretty good too. I never got the heel toe thing right with my old car, plus I'm used to doing double-clutch downshifts to minimize the wear on the synchros, it makes downshifting while braking for a corner quite slow. I prefer this auto for my limited manual racing skillz.

[OICU812]

Mr. Moto Ps' post that was linked to is IMO the BEST most realistic thread on this topic there is period.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by Jinzen

Bought the AT. It's awesome. I can hold hands in the car. Drive in bumper to bumper traffic without going crazy. Shift (faster) in manual mode when I want to.

After learning to drive a manual with the intent of buying a manual FRS/BRZ, I realized how over-rated a clutch and manually shifting all the time is.

what? im sorry... what?

[m.wood0213]

Originally Posted by Jinzen

Bought the AT. It's awesome. I can hold hands in the car. Drive in bumper to bumper traffic without going crazy. Shift (faster) in manual mode when I want to.

After learning to drive a manual with the intent of buying a manual FRS/BRZ, I realized how over-rated a clutch and manually shifting all the time is.

same reasons why i wasnt upset when all i could get was AT. makes the fiance happier too. i really like my AT, but theyre both good.