Ready to order... convince me to get the manual

[Craig]

I'm coming from the point of view of someone who chose the automatic. I learned to drive stick specifically for this car knowing that the overwhelming opinion would be that an auto wouldn't be as much fun to drive. Also, the inevitable "Automatic sports car LOL," reaction I knew I'd get from other enthusiasts. However after driving both the auto and the manual, I realized that I in fact enjoyed them both, they each had their positives and negatives.

I ended up going automatic because with the paddles I had almost the same control that I'd have with the manual and because if I ever needed someone to drive the car for whatever reason I wouldn't need to worry grinding gears. I spend a large amount of time in stop and go traffic (~30 minutes a day) and that factored into my decision as well.

The other day when walking back to my car I saw two people looking in and making a comment about how whoever owned the car was stupid to get it in a automatic. When they realized I owned the car they asked me how I liked it etc and why I got the auto. I shrugged and said its the choice I made and I'm glad I made it. I asked what they drove and one sheepishly said a 98 corolla. Needless to say they walked away with their tail between their legs.

At the end of the day its YOUR car, the peanut gallery doesn't have to drive away in your car, you do.

[bebopblues]

if you have to ask, then get the automatic.

it is as simple as that.

[lbroskee]

traffic sucks no matter wut u drive. this is my 1st manual and i prefer it in traffic (i can basically move thru heavy traffic with just clutch control, much better then having to keep switching my foot). plus i've driven plenty of cars with paddle shifters (from IS250 to 458 Italias) it is so not the same as a manual, very boring IMHO

[slaxx]

I have to agree that flappy paddles do not bring the control of a manual. There's shifting slowly or quickly, precision rev matching fun, a million tricks to do with the clutch, etc.

I haven't driven an auto BRZ yet and am curious what that's like. The DSG in a Golf TDI is pretty good now but I won't confuse manual gear selection with all the control of a human managed clutch & shifter.

[Karl07]

I ordered a mt gts but due to a 12-24 month wait, I ended up grabbing an at because I get it next week.
I have always driven manual and this car was designed for it.
My argument to myself (as I don't really care what other people think of my decision) was:
- better fuel economy in the auto
- in sports mode you can still bounce off the redline...it will not change
- better for traffic
- auto rev matching...I love this and to me, doesn't affect the fun
- very fast shifts (well for a cheapish car - 42000 on road here)...I think it is 0.2sec
- and an incidental, insurance was actually cheaper because they put most risk on a mt

I'm sure I'll have times wishing I was back in the mt but the rest I'm just going to enjoy the s#!t out of this.
That said, if I was getting it for track use...manual 100% of the time.

[GNS]

If you truly love the manual, you'll get manual unless you had no choice in the matter. If you are undecided, then get the automatic and you won't even notice the difference.

[fistpoint]

Don't get the womanual...get the manual.

[sal]

Don't be a sissy. Get a manual!

[jstn]

Manual for sure. The lag in the paddle shifters is frustrating, particularly if you track or autocross at all. And just as a matter of personal preference I hate the fact that the paddles are on the wheel itself rather than being statically mounted behind it.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by jpjamiso

Get the manual. All my daily drivers for the last 10 years have been manual, I live in a small city with plenty of lights, and the only times I have really been tired of the manual is when there is a problem on an interstate highway so traffic is constantly changing from 0 to 10 mph and back. The annoyance of that 0.1% of the time isn't so great that you want to miss out on all the fun of the manual.

i agree! driving this car in "stick" is "ALMOST" as much fun as having sex!

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

i agree! driving this car in "stick" is "ALMOST" as much fun as having sex!

You're not comparing it to "alone sex" are you?

[jmaryt]

of course not! ehe! he! he! someone else
"masturbates" me! (lol!)

[fistpoint]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

of course not! ehe! he! he! someone else
"masturbates" me! (lol!)

Hmm, odd. I figured you'd vote for the automatic then.

[jmaryt]

never! sticks are for "***gotts" (lol!)