What do you drive - MT or AT?

[DylanFRS]

Originally Posted by Connoisseur

MT had a BRZ and Focus ST in their Lightning Lap segment, the BRZ was a couple of seconds faster.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...1-class-page-3

You mean this one in which they clearly state:

This car should be quicker. What held back the Focus ST, ultimately, was not any performance or design limitation, but a keyless ignition system that allowed one of us to drive off with the key left on the roof. The fob fell off and ended its life in several small pieces, so the ST missed the second day of lapping when we often log the quickest times.

Besides the point, I am not trying to argue that the ST is a better or worse car, I am sure we can find plenty of FWD cars in the same price range as the FRZ that are faster around a track...

My point is that the reason everyone here bought the FRZ instead of one of those FWD cars that are not only more practical, but also faster, is that the FRZ is "more fun"... so why by it in an automatic if you bought the car because it was fun despite the other cars being "better" in every other way? (And really more than that I was trying to invalidate the arguments about autos being faster than manuals)

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...1-class-page-3

You mean this one in which they clearly state:

This car should be quicker. What held back the Focus ST, ultimately, was not any performance or design limitation, but a keyless ignition system that allowed one of us to drive off with the key left on the roof. The fob fell off and ended its life in several small pieces, so the ST missed the second day of lapping when we often log the quickest times.

Besides the point, I am not trying to argue that the ST is a better or worse car, I am sure we can find plenty of FWD cars in the same price range as the FRZ that are faster around a track...

My point is that the reason everyone here bought the FRZ instead of one of those FWD cars that are not only more practical but also faster is that the FRZ is "more fun"... so why by it in an automatic if you bought the car because it was fun despite the other cars being "better" in every other way? (And really more than that I was trying to invalidate the arguments about autos being faster than manuals)

Yeah I saw that excuse, Ford must have thrown some money MT's way but clearly not enough for them to conjure up a plausible excuse for the ST being slower. As for Autos being faster, mechanically they are faster but we're not robots so who cares about .2 seconds. If I ever need a turbocharged grocery getter I might consider the Focus ST. Although I have gotten groceries in my BRZ without any difficulty.

[DylanFRS]

Originally Posted by Connoisseur

Yeah I saw that excuse, Ford must have thrown some money MT's way but clearly not enough for them to conjure up a plausible excuse for the ST being slower. As for Autos being faster, mechanically they are faster but we're not robots so who cares about .2 seconds. If I ever need a turbocharged grocery getter I might consider the Focus ST. Although I have gotten groceries in my BRZ without any difficulty.

Ugh, that is a ridiculous statement, no one paid off MT. The Focus ST is faster around a track than the FRZ, stock for stock. Once again, I am not arguing which car is better or faster. I am arguing that the people that bought FRZ did not buy them because they were the fastest, they bought it because it was the most fun. Thus, saying that autos are better because they are faster is an invalid argument whether it is true or not....

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

Ugh, that is a ridiculous statement, no one paid off MT. The Focus ST is faster around a track than the FRZ, stock for stock. Once again, I am not arguing which car is better or faster. I am arguing that the people that bought FRZ did not buy them because they were the fastest, they bought it because it was the most fun. Thus, saying that autos are better because they are faster is an invalid argument whether it is true or not....

I know what you mean but yes car companies do bribe magazines. It's not a bribe by name but it's some under the table compensation that's just a secret bribe. VW and Toyota are guilty of it too. Moving on.

[djmodernroq]

Originally Posted by KRAZYK

This could get a little heated .. but which do you drive and why?

Rules:

1. The poll is for your FRS/BRZ/86.. NOT for any other car you drive or which one you like best.

2. Tectronic or paddle shifting does NOT count as MT.. sorry.

MT. I missed driving a MT. Haven't owned one since 2003.

[EK_Golfer]

A/T
I was looking for 2 things:
1. Affordable (under $30k)
2. Fun (Great handling/road feel)
I was deciding between this car in A/T or a used Honda S2k. This A/T transmission won me because I simply decided I need more practicality right now while not sacrificing any of my 2 criteria.

[Carwhisperer]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

Ugh, that is a ridiculous statement, no one paid off MT. The Focus ST is faster around a track than the FRZ, stock for stock. Once again, I am not arguing which car is better or faster. I am arguing that the people that bought FRZ did not buy them because they were the fastest, they bought it because it was the most fun. Thus, saying that autos are better because they are faster is an invalid argument whether it is true or not....

I smoke my buddies tuned ST and im stock. Anywhere..track, straight line. Doesn't matter.

[DylanFRS]

Originally Posted by Carwhisperer

I smoke my buddies tuned ST and im stock. Anywhere..track, straight line. Doesn't matter.

So despite the fact that Motortrend tested the Focus ST at .2 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile and .3 seconds faster to 60mph (despite the ST being handicapped at launch due to it being FWD), you are saying that you can still beat your friend in a straight line in hsi "tuned" Focus ST? Maybe your friend needs a new tuner because obviously he messed up his car in the process of said tuning.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

My point is that the reason everyone here bought the FRZ instead of one of those FWD cars that are not only more practical, but also faster, is that the FRZ is "more fun"... so why by it in an automatic if you bought the car because it was fun despite the other cars being "better" in every other way? (And really more than that I was trying to invalidate the arguments about autos being faster than manuals)

Soooooooooo your saying an auto is not fun... I'm not sure what pressing the third pedal all of sudden equals fun, I had fun driving both cars, auto and stick...

Ohhhhh you mean burn outs and tire spinning.. Yeah I enjoyed that when I was a younger man to.. As far as drifting, I've proven to my club, every where they drift I can do the same.. Might not be as smooth as theirs but the back still sliding and I'm still grinning

[ndc]

This is my first MT, i only drove MT on some of my friends cars before, so i was a little afraid to get MT, but then i feel like it is the right thing to d.

I decided to buy this car because i wanna enjoy driving it, and MT helps me enjoy the car and feel engage more.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

Soooooooooo your saying an auto is not fun... I'm not sure what pressing the third pedal all of sudden equals fun, I had fun driving both cars, auto and stick...

Ohhhhh you mean burn outs and tire spinning.. Yeah I enjoyed that when I was a younger man to.. As far as drifting, I've proven to my club, every where they drift I can do the same.. Might not be as smooth as theirs but the back still sliding and I'm still grinning

Ever ridden a fixed gear bike? It's not necessarily better or worse (despite what zealots on either side will say) just different. Same thing goes for transmission preference, it has nothing to do with childishness (I'm sure there are many who do burnouts and drive irresponsibly regardless of transmission) it has everything to do with the owner satisfaction.

It's a choice, plain and simple, leveling accusations isn't going to convince anyone.

This goes for the Manual pedants just as much as the Auto crowd.

[bcmakesiteasy]

AT - why? because I didn't know i was buying an FR-S that day. I went into my local toyota dealership to see how much trade in value id get for my lifted 2007 Tacoma pre runner that had 92k miles on it (abused the sh*t out of my truck in college). They offered me 15,500k which was more than anyone else was offering me for it. They had a ultramarine fr-s that was pre ordered by some guy who cancelled it last minute..literally right before I came to the dealership...test drove it...fell in love and 1 hour later i was driving out in my new FR-S. Kind of wish it was MT sometimes, but like i said, i didnt choose the AT..the guy who F'd up and cancelled his order did. But overall pretty satisfied! I live in socal, and commute on the damn 55 freeway everyday..AT has its perks.

[EK_Golfer]

Originally Posted by bcmakesiteasy

AT - why? because I didn't know i was buying an FR-S that day. I went into my local toyota dealership to see how much trade in value id get for my lifted 2007 Tacoma pre runner that had 92k miles on it (abused the sh*t out of my truck in college). They offered me 15,500k which was more than anyone else was offering me for it. They had a ultramarine fr-s that was pre ordered by some guy who cancelled it last minute..literally right before I came to the dealership...test drove it...fell in love and 1 hour later i was driving out in my new FR-S. Kind of wish it was MT sometimes, but like i said, i didnt choose the AT..the guy who F'd up and cancelled his order did. But overall pretty satisfied! I live in socal, and commute on the damn 55 freeway everyday..AT has its perks.

Everyday 55 north just past the 405 during afternoon rush hour- LOVING my A/T

[HotLeopardMama]

Originally Posted by EK_Golfer

Everyday 55 north just past the 405 during afternoon rush hour- LOVING my A/T

Yep--the 55 sucks. On the rare occasion I don't have a carpool (which still sucks at rush hour on 55, wth), I take surface streets home. >_<