FRS AT/MT for first car post college

[eifer]

One day out in an mt car isn't representative of what your ability will be after several weeks with one. But dude, buy what you want, and if you're going to have more fun with sport mode and paddle shifters and easier control of the vehicle, then go with the auto. I'd recommend spending some more time in that mt corolla though.

[Re~Mix]

Originally Posted by eifer

I'd recommend spending some more time in that mt corolla though.

I think that's what I need to do. Just because day 1 was tough doesn't mean I should throw in the towel.

As a side note, the corolla doesn't have an RPM tack. Is that something commonplace among many cars or just older models?

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

I think that's what I need to do. Just because day 1 was tough doesn't mean I should throw in the towel.

As a side note, the corolla doesn't have an RPM tack. Is that something commonplace among many cars or just older models?

iirc old civic was that way.

When you're learning MT, it's good to have RPM gauge. Most ppl say "feel the engine"... yeah, when you're learning MT, you don't have time to "feel the engine", too busy figuring out when to release, when clutch gripping and where's the rpm and other stuff.

I have driven both AT & MT (Moto-san was next to me to prove me on this statement). If you feel that you need to feel that having MT will give you full experience of this car, that's a total BS. That's an each and their own opinion. If anyone say "having AT makes a lesser of a men" will get slap across the face.

I will not tell you to buy MT/AT. BUT I'll tell you to try both AT & MT. Figure out your daily driving route and see where is pro & con of both AT & MT. Til FR-S comes, keep practicing MT w old Corolla, so if you decide to go w MT, you have no problem driving that sweet car.

btw, here's my 2 cents. If I go to a local SCION dealer and want to buy MT, but they only have AT, I'll take it without no problem. Both MT & AT on this car is awesome!

[eriktherod]

I bought my 2008 Si brand new and had no idea how to drive stick. A friend tried to teach me on his older Miata but I was pretty bad.. I almost felt sorry for him losing his patience with me.

Needless to say, 4 years later I've gotten pretty damn good at it. You learn how to take off without burning up the clutch (near-idle instead of like with 2K+ rpm), the graceful up-hill launch, rev-matching downshifts, and how fast you are going based on just the feel of the car and what gear you are in.

However, the first 3 months were somewhat frustrating. The stall-outs, the bad launches, the up-hill fails, and the few bad shifts with the transmission not agreeing with you. It happens, even to the best rarely, but you just need experience and practice.

I'm so glad I did it and I would recommend it. Even if you later decide to go AT instead of MT on your next car, it's a great skill to have. You should never feel like you can't get the car you want because you can't drive manual (the Si only comes in stick, the FR-S has either). The guys over at the Standard Shift forum offer a ton of information, lots of good answers and techniques.

[Re~Mix]

I appreciate the votes of confidence (and learning stories). Going to stick it out a while longer and test both models while I decide.

Rented a crappy car in the meantime to avoid rushing the buying process.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

Had my first MT lesson on an old Toyota Corolla tonight...

Almost having buyers remorse before I even get in the MT FRS. Upshifting and street driving don't seem too terrible, but the thought off traffic, parallel parking and everything makes me wonder if AT with paddle shifters isn't a terrible option.

After having read Moto's thread, it still leaves me on the fence. I really only want the MT to learn manual, and have that acceleration and spirited driving on open roads. I will not be on the track or drifting with this car.

Perhaps I'll update my waitlist order to either an MT or AT in Asphalt and let the Scion gods decide.

Don't back out now man! Driving in the city with a manual is not that hard. I did it for 3 years in NYC. And parallel parking much easier in a manual than an automatic. You don't have to wait for the damn transmission to switch from D to R and back again. You shift yourself and it's considerably quicker.

One day with that car and you'll have the manual figured out. And looking down the road the resale of the manual will be higher than that of the automatic.

[Subie]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Don't back out now man! Driving in the city with a manual is not that hard. I did it for 3 years in NYC. And parallel parking much easier in a manual than an automatic. You don't have to wait for the damn transmission to switch from D to R and back again. You shift yourself and it's considerably quicker.

One day with that car and you'll have the manual figured out. And looking down the road the resale of the manual will be higher than that of the automatic.

Well you still have to wait for the car to stop completely before engaging reverse, unless you like grinding gears that is. A lot of people shift D-R, R-D at low speeds, not necessarily when stationary. (I always stop completely when driving a slush box, but I've observed others not doing so.) It's not necessarily much quicker parallel parking with a manual.

[Tbxgz]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

I appreciate the votes of confidence (and learning stories). Going to stick it out a while longer and test both models while I decide.

Rented a crappy car in the meantime to avoid rushing the buying process.

I commute in Washington DC which probably has the worst traffic in the US and just the thought of driving an auto puts me to sleep. I would practice for at least a week before you benchmark your self. I 100% guarantee once you learn there will be no regrets. Nothing is more fun then double clutching down 2 gears and going VROOM!

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Subie

Well you still have to wait for the car to stop completely before engaging reverse, unless you like grinding gears that is. A lot of people shift D-R, R-D at low speeds, not necessarily when stationary. (I always stop completely when driving a slush box, but I've observed others not doing so.) It's not necessarily much quicker parallel parking with a manual.

If you're on a hill you can usually just parallel using 1st or reverse (depending on the direction of the hill) And shifting back and forth yourself is faster than doing it with an auto, since 75% of my friends with autos don't seen to be patient enough to wait and hit the gas before the transmission is back in R (or D) and they get that "clunk!". And then later wonder why their transmission crapped out on them at 120k.

I'll agree that it's not necessarily much quicker, but it "can" be.

[MiguelAE86]

Is it wrong, or a bad idea to obtain my FR-S as my first car, when i turn 18?

No, i'm not some spoiled rich kid. I've been waiting to drive since i came to this country (9 years old) and my father knows this, which is why he wishes to get it for me (it'll be a shared car for some time until i leave to college). As of now, i'm not able to receive a licence until i'm 18. Thoughts?

[Saibot]

Originally Posted by MiguelAE86

Is it wrong, or a bad idea to obtain my FR-S as my first car, when i turn 18?

No, i'm not some spoiled rich kid. I've been waiting to drive since i came to this country (9 years old) and my father knows this, which is why he wishes to get it for me (it'll be a shared car for some time until i leave to college). As of now, i'm not able to receive a licence until i'm 18. Thoughts?

i jst turned 20 6 months ago.
i saved up a crapload of money and im buying this as my first car in full cash.

if you got the money, go for it.

[eriktherod]

Originally Posted by MiguelAE86

Is it wrong, or a bad idea to obtain my FR-S as my first car, when i turn 18?

No, i'm not some spoiled rich kid. I've been waiting to drive since i came to this country (9 years old) and my father knows this, which is why he wishes to get it for me (it'll be a shared car for some time until i leave to college). As of now, i'm not able to receive a licence until i'm 18. Thoughts?

Nothing wrong with that, though I'm sure many of your peers will be jealous! Just remember to drive it properly (especially if you get the MT) and take care of it the same.

Also, know your limits so you don't end up wadding the car up around a tree. I don't mean that condescendingly, I've had my fair share of 'oh, I probably shouldn't have done that' moments when it comes to spirited driving and whatnot. Just a word of warning for your own safety and not to destroy that poor car.

[Max Schnell]

So what is the verdict after test drives OP?

There are certain bad habits when driving manual that could be formed when you are not familiar with driving MT and no one to tell you otherwise. Leaving your foot on the clutch pedal too long, using the shifter as a hand rest, etc. Try to avoid developing those as they can be hard to shake afterwards.

[eriktherod]

Very true! I still use the shifter as a hand rest but I make sure to never apply any directional pressure on it. It's more or less a place to put my hand but not any weight on it.