What do you drive - MT or AT?

[FR-S Matt]

Sports cars are meant for manuals. Real sports cars aren't automatic and an automatic feels like it's made for an amateur. Just my 2 cents. Flame away!

P.S. Manuals sound much better too!

[hav0c]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

Sports cars are meant for manuals. Real sports cars aren't automatic and an automatic feels like it's made for an amateur. Just my 2 cents. Flame away!

P.S. Manuals sound much better too!

I'm not going to argue over whether there are any 'real sports cars' in automatic (see endless examples in other posts/threads about F1, PDK, DCT) but this is the first time I've heard someone claiming a difference in the sound between the two.

You seem very enthusiastic about your choice, and that is good, but I don't think you know what you're talking about.

If you can hear the transmission over the engine, exhaust, etc.. you may be doing something wrong.

[FR-S Matt]

Originally Posted by hav0c

I'm not going to argue over whether there are any 'real sports cars' in automatic (see endless examples in other posts/threads about F1, PDK, DCT) but this is the first time I've heard someone claiming a difference in the sound between the two.

You seem very enthusiastic about your choice, and that is good, but I don't think you know what you're talking about.

If you can hear the transmission over the engine, exhaust, etc.. you may be doing something wrong.

I'm talking more so about the sound between shifting points versus an auto shifting. A manual always sounds best with a nice exhaust setup versus auto (and no, I'm not talking about paddle shifting)

My opinion is completely biased and heavily in favor of a manual. It sounds much better when you hear someone shifting through the gears in a car than listening to a computer shift for you. It is an opinion after all.

If you want an automatic, get a Toyota Camry.

[CircuitJerk]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

I'm talking more so about the sound between shifting points versus an auto shifting. A manual always sounds best with a nice exhaust setup versus auto (and no, I'm not talking about paddle shifting)

My opinion is completely biased and heavily in favor of a manual. It sounds much better when you hear someone shifting through the gears in a car than listening to a computer shift for you. It is an opinion after all.

If you want an automatic, get a Toyota Camry.

This is a fine example of expressing an opinion and then completely nullifying any credibility or respect with a final ignorant statement like that.

[SmokeyDB]

MT

I just prefer the extra control however I have heard that the paddle shifters are pretty amazing. I've only ever had 1 AT car and it just wasn't as fun to drive for me. Traded in my 08 MT tC for my MT FR-S.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

I'm talking more so about the sound between shifting points versus an auto shifting. A manual always sounds best with a nice exhaust setup versus auto (and no, I'm not talking about paddle shifting)

My opinion is completely biased and heavily in favor of a manual. It sounds much better when you hear someone shifting through the gears in a car than listening to a computer shift for you. It is an opinion after all.

If you want an automatic, get a Toyota Camry.

Lmao.. Nothing sounds better then a LFA, Merci, adventador, F430, and any other automatic SPORTS car shifting at full throttle that crackle.. I've never heard that with the old standard way of shifting.. And also my gixxer has a quick shifter.. And when I shift with it that snarl that comes from the exhaust is music to my ears

[dori.]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

I'm talking more so about the sound between shifting points versus an auto shifting. A manual always sounds best with a nice exhaust setup versus auto (and no, I'm not talking about paddle shifting)

My opinion is completely biased and heavily in favor of a manual. It sounds much better when you hear someone shifting through the gears in a car than listening to a computer shift for you. It is an opinion after all.

If you want an automatic, get a Toyota Camry.

funny enough, I just found out my co-worker has a manual Camry.
a supercharged one at that.

at any rate, I like the manual. I honestly can't imagine driving this car with the auto every day. I drove the automatic FRS and it's real good for a non-DSG auto but I guess I like the involvement and proficiency you gain from driving stick.

It's also easier to hoon with manual

[Ocala FR-S]

I drove an '85 MR2 manual for 10 years and back in the day the automatic tramsmission alternative was unacceptable. The manual transmission ruled all. My car prior to the FR-S was an '08 335i sport coupe manual. Great fun, but as spirited as my driving is, it was not as if I was heel toe shifting to truly experience top performance going in and out of turns. It's 2012 and, in my opinion, the technology of the FR-S automatic is phenomenal and for all but the most talented and experienced drivers it provides a superior driving experience.

With paddle shift available on the fly even without having to change to manual mode, I am able to downshift to the desired gear for accelerating out of a turn. With electronic rev matching, I am able to brake when approaching a turn and simultaneousy downshift without upsetting the balance of the car due to engine braking (basically it mimics heel toe downshifts). The upshifts are quick and crisp. Certainly not clutch popping quick but still very good. I grow happier each day with my choice as I learn to exploit and enjoy this amazing technology.

I was a MT devotee, but I accept the AT advances in technology as having caught up to my considerable performance needs. You don't have to be stuck in traffic to appreciate the automatic. It performs quite well. Happy driving to all.

[acro]

I bought a MT, the first MT ill own but of course not the first MT car ive driven. No regrets so far its been fun and the feeling of being connected to the car is just much better than an AT.

Having said that the AT in this car is a riot and a lot of fun the mpg is also better and as a bonus no chance of misshift when ure really going hard.

i say get what u want and to hell with anyone who doesnt like your choice

[acro]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

Hi,

Unless one is physically handicapped, one should never use the excuse of "not being able to do something" as a reason to not do it at all by deleting a feature for another, if you are aspiring to become proficient at driving in any way.

I think an AT is a great choice, with convenience of having automatic shifting and a very capable and responsive race track capability in manual mode of the paddle/stick AT that's as good as one on the FRS/BRZ.
For reasons of duty fitting a reason for purchase, as a road car and part time track car, it has been an awesome combination.

However, I am a 26 year veteran of motorsports, and fairly proficient at tracks and competition car use, and though I do not race professionally, I have been in the past. I do utilize a manual to the full extent that I know. The reason for my purchase of the AT was not because I can't heel and toe, but more that I don't need to heel and toe in traffic where I spend 90% of the time in Los Angeles, and to make available to more people, the wonderful FRS experience. And the fact that I have access now, and plan to buy in the future the MT FRS as well.

If you do not practice, no skills will be developed and you will lack it for as long as you postpone the learning process.

So I think you have every right to choose an AT here, and I can attest it is a great machine too. But if your goal is to keep advancing in dynamic driving and proficiency in being a capable driver, I suggest you do choose a manual and keep going, if you are going to not have access to another car that you can drive a stick.

That's my opinion.

That right there is another big reason i got the manual

[White Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ocala FR-S

I drove an '85 MR2 manual for 10 years and back in the day the automatic tramsmission alternative was unacceptable.

Back in the day? Nothing has changed since then!

BTW, I just have to post this since I found it today:

[Ocala FR-S]

You're kiding, right? Let's see..... the 1985 MR2 was available with a four speed automatic, no sport mode, no paddles and no rev matching. Basically like most automatic cars back in the day. It's dreadfully obvious that since then, alot has changed.

[QUOTE=White Shadow;586245]Back in the day? Nothing has changed since then!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ocala FR-S
I drove an '85 MR2 manual for 10 years and back in the day the automatic tramsmission alternative was unacceptable.

[jmaryt]

things HAVE changed but a "slush" box is still a slush box to a lot of people who have only driven a manual all their lives! the simple fact that the slush gets better gas mileage in highway driving is a clue that much HAS changed!

[wdninja]

Originally Posted by MVJ1975

AT. I know how to drive a manual (not well, it's been years), but in general prefer not to, especially in traffic here in the DC area. As this car is my DD, it needs to be something I'm comfortable with driving. MT would be fine for a second car/track toy, but I don't have that luxury right now.

For this car, at this time, I prefer to have the versatility of the AT.

This.