Car Dilemma

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by 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.

Care to elaborate on why you regret it? It might help the OP make a decision. Is there something about the AT itself (other than "not manual") or is it just a personal preference?

[KevinDuMa]

Not trying to sound like an ass, but is anyone else tired of these AT vs MT threads? Regardless, there are up and down sides to either but one thing everyone on here can tell you is you can't really go wrong with either one. Just test drive both, whatever you feel more comfortable with go for it.

[kanundrum]

I live in Washington DC. I use to commute from Laurel, MD to Tysons Corner VA for 2 Years with a stage 3 clutch on my scion tC. The commute sometimes was about 3 or 4 hours 1 way (35 miles)

Yes its painful, Yes one calf is still currently thinner than the other.

With me saying all of this I am 28 years old and I will do it until I physically am able to do so.

Go Manual

Learn and Enjoy You won't regret it no matter what type of traffic you are in if you are truely passionate.

[WolfpackS2k]

Sports cars are all about having fun. To me that means being connected to the transmission as well, being 100% in control of gear shifting. I could never pick an automatic transmission in such a pure sports car like this.

Honda might not have any real sports cars right now but at least they have the integrity (not selling out) to only give their sportiest cars true manuals. Civic Si, S2000, Integra GS-R, any Type R model...all manual only.

Get the manual. If anything it'll be easier to sell when that day comes - second hand sports cars with slush boxes aren't as appealing.

[sho220]

Originally Posted by 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.

This ^^^ Don't let a few stalls freak you out and sway your decision. The best way to learn to drive a stick is to buy one! Did that back in the day with a Taurus SHO. And red is the fastest color, so try to find a red with a manual...

[smbrm]

I test drove both, more than once, and for way more than 10 minutes! City, highway, hills, ramps, traffic, no traffic. The manual was a manual and pretty much the same as the manual I have driven for 22 years(1990 Celica GTS), or any other manual I have driven. The main difference was 6 gears covering pretty much the same speed/rpm range. So more rowing! I must say it is a pretty slick manual, no question about that!

I never assumed that I would buy anything other than a manual as it was always the appropriate choice(Never even tried one in any Celica before!) Manual usually has better FE, better feel, all the usual reasons.

But this AT has better FE, but costs a little more like most AT's. AT is more flexible in terms of transmission operation choices. The TC locks up in all but first gear and appears to stay locked in manual mode.
The paddle shift was not like any automatic I have ever driven.

My wife liked the AT. She could have AT and I could paddle shift. Sounds like a win/win. A friend got an AT as well, but had an AT Celica before but liked this one even better.

A relative said get something modern, you won't miss the clutch after a while!

I think I read that Veloster turbo is going to be torque converter paddle shift and not the same as the non turbo. So is there magic in a double clutch AT? Maybe, but also complexity.

I have driven my current manual around a lot the last few weeks trying to decide if I would miss the manual. Sometimes I think yes and then often no! Rowing and rowing. When I drive my other vehicle which is AT I just appreciate it and drive it for what it is.

After much deliberation(and I mean a lot/lot/lot) I chose the AT. There was no item that tipped the balance one way or the other, couldn't find one, except that it was different!

I suspect that there will be learning curve to extract the optimum from this AT driving experience, just like it was when I learned to drive a manual. There in lies the challenge and also the opportunity.

And if I ever decide I want to go back to a manual. I can always trade it for the next generation FRS or something else altogether. Besides I suspect that post 2016 we will be in a whole new era as FE rquirements that will drive technology to even different solutions.

There is no right answer to this question, just two different answers! Look for what makes your glass half full instead of half empty!

Just waiting for trains & trucks to deliver some hot lava!

:happy0180:

[My1FastFRS]

Manual, just give it time and you'll be glad you went that route. Also, the Ultramarine you should have jumped on :P but I'm partial.

[rikdrt1]

Originally Posted by 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!!

dont wait too long or it may be sold ... but i guess i got lazier as i got older... + i drive some traffic and i like to be able to drink my coffee/drinks at ease sometimes when doing the commute..

cant go wrong

[DSoundman]

Thanks for the input guys. I do realize there are a lot of vs. threads, but none of them catered to the questions I had. I really appreciate your input. I ended up purchasing the Firestorm AT. I have to say...no regrets at all....it's fantastic. The red has a spot in my heart...so yeah, an intro thread with pics is coming soon! (Hopefully tomorrow) Unless I have too much fun driving it...then it will take longer... Once again, thanks for the help!

[driftartist]

Well at least its red lol

[jflogerzi]

Manual all the way! This car begs to be driven with a manual! I would not want it any other way. Just saw your post, congrats on the Firestorm AT. Either way an FR-S is an FR-S. Win Win.

[DSoundman]

As a side note, having driven both, I would say if you haven't driven the AT, you owe it to yourself to try one before passing judgment....I'll have to do a search cause I'd like to hear from people who have driven both on what their opinions are.

[alluringreality]

Originally Posted by DSoundman

I ended up purchasing the Firestorm AT.

I think this makes sense, and I liked the red. I've driven a couple cars where I wasn't in tune with the clutch, and personally I wouldn't buy a manual if it might be a hassle. For driving on public roads the 6 speed in this car is somewhat silly, since it basically covers the same range as a 5 speed. I drive a manual, but when I read people on the internet saying how "fun" it is, I figure they must break more traffic laws than me. Personally I think the manual in this car is better than my Subaru, yet I'd buy the automatic for the gearing because I do a lot of interstate driving.

[ichitaka05]

Didn't I call this one? Lol

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Go w Red AT...

Problem solved

What do I win lmao

Make sure to take some pics & do some member journal