Car Dilemma

[eriktherod]

I had driven automatics until I got my Si back in '08, and bought it without knowing how to drive manual (my friend drove it off the lot for me). I was pretty bad too, I tried learning on his Miata beforehand, and I just stalled it non-stop. The Si was better but I admit I was a bit of a slow learner the first weeks, I stalled a bit and then had the overzealous launches panicking.

Though all in all, I'm glad I did it. I didn't tear up the car, I learned how to drive manual and now that's what I drive on my FR-S. Again, like others have said, I would never knock the AT on this car, it's damn good. You said you were curious about MT, and there's only one way to know if you'll like it, and I honestly can't think of a better car to learn in. I feel like this car is very forgiving with the clutch and it's fairly light, easy to launch with minimal effort.

As for color, I had seen Hot Lava in person first (nice color). I wanted Ultramarine but had yet to see it, well.. I found a Firestorm Red in MT and that was it, love at first sight. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the colors, even Argento is pretty nice (it shows the curves more than you'd think as a grey). The color of the car only matters for the first week you have it really, after that you'll just love the car.

The transmission is a more important choice but again, both are good. I will say that the AT must have taller gears because I feel like the ratios between the gears in the MT are quite similar. The difference in RPM between third, fourth, and fifth gear is nothing like what you would expect and I'd imagine the overdrive (6th gear) is a lot different in the AT (better mileage).

[DSoundman]

Thanks guys....I'm not sure I'll sleep tonight...lol I'm leaning towards the Red AT right now...we'll see what happens tomorrow. I do drive to Boston quite a bit, and traffic there is bad in the morning....so I guess that's something to consider. I guess I'll sleep on it and test drive the auto in the morning. Then it comes down to decisions.....bleh. So excited to be getting one soon though!!

[Thunderchicken]

I wouldn't worry about stalling the car. Hell I still stall my car from time to time especially when I drive the wife's MazdaSpeed3 all weekend and go back my STi. And I have been driving MT for over 15 yrs.

Boston can't be all that bad, my 1st lesson with AAA in a MT at the age of 15 was up and down hills in downtown Denver in the middle of rush-hour traffic on a Friday while the instructor made sure I hit every stop light for 3 hours. That was fun with every driver behind me honking, and cursing. The car bucking and stalling out in the middle of the intersections.

Just know every car feels different.

[jarviz]

I've driven manual a total of no more than 3 hours before purchasing the FRS. If I can learn to drive stick in NYC with this car, so can anybody. I mean I know I'm awesome, haha jk but I think half of stalling is mental were you get nervous because you don't want to stall and also when there's people around you. You'll get the hang of it soon enough. I love having this car in stick and even in traffic it's still fun to drive.

Ultramarine is badass.... and it's rare. I was close to getting it, but I only got the raven because the raven just has a certain shimmer that all the other colors don't... only when it's clean though lol.

[chulooz]

You will have no regrets if you try out the MT. Reselling this car is hardly an issue. But I doubt you will; the direct connection of that transmission compliments the directness of its whole premise of the cars design.

MT becomes part of your relationship/experiences with the car, tame it!

[Bonburner]

Manual, just looove it.
Started driving AT for 5 years and I just HAD to learn manual - and my god do I loooooove it.
Makes driving so much more fun.
Every time I see auto I get really bored - its just a mode of transportation - no control of a vehicle.

My experience with Manuals?
FR-S was my first actual attempt - stalled it countless times - haven't stalled since yesterday :X
If that means anything .. rofl

Honestly the clutch is so light it doesn't strain or make it an effort for traffic, its not bad at all.

[Mazdaspeed]

If you try to do the "automatic creep" with a manual transmission you're gonna have a bad time. When stuck in traffic, if you let the creepers creep for a while and only move once there's a relatively large gap, you'll never feel like owning a manual transmission is a burden. The auto on this car is very impressive, but the manual just feels right.

I can't speak to color though, when I was looking at an FR-S I just kept changing my mind between all of them.

[frsblue]

Originally Posted by driftartist

sorry that sounded douchy my last post. i dont mean any offense to those who prefer an AT

none taken

[FRSGT86]

I was looking for an AT Ultramarine when I bought my AT Raven. I really wanted blue but when I saw the Raven with black interior and red trim that sealed the deal, besides I wasn't sure how the black and red interior would look with blue. That being said I really don't think you can go wrong in any way with the FRS, any color and either transmission will be a joy to own and drive!

[Dadhawk]

OK, so I'll admit up-front bias since I own a 6AT Firestorm but...

Color, you can't go wrong with any of them, it really is personal choice. I love the red, but then I've always preferred red sports cars.

Transmission. I've said it before, but its worth repeating. I've driven just about every imaginable class of vehicle with a manual transmission. In certain vehicles, in the past, an MT is the only real choice that made the car work right. That is NOT the case here. The AT gives you options without any noticeable compromise in performance in daily life (perhaps on the track, but I really think even there it would be marginal). In the end, its your choice, but I do not believe you will regret getting the AT.

I also have to say, I feel no less "connected" to the FR-S because I got an AT. I now drive with both hands on the wheel, and manually shift way more than I thought I would because it has become second nature to use the paddles. It was an absolute blast to drive in manual mode in the mountains. But, when in traffic, I can sit back and enjoy the ride, and I'm enjoying an avg 31MPG over 3,000 miles with no hypermileing included.

[stuffthatsgood]

I'm surprised at the amount of AT love in here!

My first car was an AT Eagle Talon, and I never really felt right about that. A sports car with an automatic tranny.

For my next car, I had to have manual. I bought a 2007 Impreza new, and ordered it with the manual. The first night I was thinking "What have I done?!" but after that, there was no turning back. I love it, and wouldn't have it any other way ever again.

I liked how the Jalopnik BRZ review put it:
"it goes without saying that not choosing the manual is like going to Naples for a Dominos Pizza."

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by stuffthatsgood

I'm surprised at the amount of AT love in here!

My first car was an AT Eagle Talon, and I never really felt right about that. A sports car with an automatic tranny.

For my next car, I had to have manual. I bought a 2007 Impreza new, and ordered it with the manual. The first night I was thinking "What have I done?!" but after that, there was no turning back. I love it, and wouldn't have it any other way ever again.

I liked how the Jalopnik BRZ review put it:
"it goes without saying that not choosing the manual is like going to Naples for a Dominos Pizza."

I assume you realize that there is a HUGE difference in the AT in an Eagle Talon and the one in the FR-S.

(And by the way, I've had pizza in Italy, I'd rather go to Dominos, and I don't even like Dominos!)

Again, I have no false believe I'm going to convince someone that is a die-hard MT fan that they should "convert". That's OK. I'm the same way about some things. For example, sorry but no matter what kind of bike Harley builds, I have always and will always own a Honda.

In this case though, I think if you are open to the AT (which the OP obviously is), you will not regret it. It is all the fun of the manual, with all the convenience of an automatic. Heck, you can even use your left foot against the floor if you want (I know Moto-P and I have both been guilty of that on at least one occasion).

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I assume you realize that there is a HUGE difference in the AT in an Eagle Talon and the one in the FR-S.

(And by the way, I've had pizza in Italy, I'd rather go to Dominos, and I don't even like Dominos!)

Again, I have no false believe I'm going to convince someone that is a die-hard MT fan that they should "convert". That's OK. I'm the same way about some things. For example, sorry but no matter what kind of bike Harley builds, I have always and will always own a Honda.

In this case though, I think if you are open to the AT (which the OP obviously is), you will not regret it. It is all the fun of the manual, with all the convenience of an automatic. Heck, you can even use your left foot against the floor if you want (I know Moto-P and I have both been guilty of that on at least one occasion).

When I first drove AT FR-S, I did that LOL

[adwhitle]

I recently bought an AT FR-S and I regret it most of the time. Wish I had bought a manual but was too scared since I have never driven one. Good luck with your choice.