Transmission... Automatic? or Manual? Thinking of buying.

[bucketfoot]

I just bought my 86 earlier this week. While I would have loved to have gotten a manual, I really have no problem with the fact that I ended up with an automatic.

In my case there were only a few 86/BRZs available within any reasonable distance (all automatics) and on top of that, every other car that made it onto my final list was only available in an automatic.

Throw in the fact that I was very happy with how the shift paddles worked on the car and that the auto makes it a significantly better commuter, I'm am completely at peace with my personal decision.

That is ultimately the key, do what personally works best for you!

[Magyarman]

When I bought my 2016 FRS 2.0 I had a choice between a stick or an auto. I went with the auto figuring in an emergency my wife could drive it. In 4 years of ownership she has never driven it. However ,no real downside for me ,I still love it.

[MuseChaser]

I love manuals. I love my wife. Erego, I taught my wife decades ago to drive manuals.

If you like to drive manuals, then driving manuals is not a chore, it's a pleasure. Why would the fact that you're commuting make an auto transmission better for that purpose, unless you need both hands available to slurp coffee, munch a fast food breakfast, text important work memos, shave/put on makeup, and a bunch of other stuff that may not be a good idea anyway?

If you're talking about a daily commute with long amounts of time in stop-and-go traffic, then I do understand the dilemma. The solution is to buy the manual and move to a different location/job/career. If I had to sit in traffic everyday...ugghhh...I don't know if I could take it. Hats off to you folks that can.

[MuseChaser]

I love manuals. I love my wife. Erego, I taught my wife decades ago to drive manuals.

If you like to drive manuals, then driving manuals is not a chore, it's a pleasure. Why would the fact that you're commuting make an auto transmission better for that purpose, unless you need both hands available to slurp coffee, munch a fast food breakfast, text important work memos, shave/put on makeup, and a bunch of other stuff that may not be a good idea anyway?

If you're talking about a daily commute with long amounts of time in stop-and-go traffic, then I do understand the dilemma. The solution is to buy the manual and move to a different location/job/career. If I had to sit in traffic everyday...ugghhh...I don't know if I could take it. Hats off to you folks that can.

[Ernest72]

I picked AT on my 04 WRX and my 16 BRZ because they are commuting cars for me and honestly I am probably only an enthusiast in them 30% of the time. The other 70% I am just doing shit and trying to get from A to B. So I get the lazy benefit during my commute and when I want to drive spirited they are still a blast. Pretty simple really. If I could have a car that was AT for commute and MT for the weekend it would be ideal. Well the paddles basically do that pretty well on the BRZ. The WRX not so much but if you are not engaged enough just press that foot down some more.

The crazy thing is I may add a 981 cayman to my stable in a year or two and I thought it would be MT for sure, Then I drove a PDK and said wait a minute, so I could have three AT enthusiast cars, no decision yet.

[blackhawkdown]

Don’t buy a CVT. That is all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by blackhawkdown

Don’t buy a CVT. That is all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Modern CVT's are....fine. Older ones (when they first came out) and Nissan Jatco units are trash

They're just boring as shit compared to conventional automatic.

[FR-S2GT86]

I would probably quit driving sports and/or enthusiast cars if all the manufacturers had to offer were automatics to choose from. That includes CVTs.

If car manufacturers start making electric cars and completely do away with transmissions altogether, I would probably quit driving altogether.

If it ever gets to the point where internal combustion engines are no longer produced for the purposes of propelling vehicles, I would consider replacing my engine and gas tank for an electric motor and batteries BUT keep the manual transmission just for the pure driving experience. However, I don't expect to see this within the remainder of my lifetime.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

I would probably quit driving sports and/or enthusiast cars if all the manufacturers had to offer were automatics to choose from. That includes CVTs.

If car manufacturers start making electric cars and completely do away with transmissions altogether, I would probably quit driving altogether.

If it ever gets to the point where internal combustion engines are no longer produced for the purposes of propelling vehicles, I would consider replacing my engine and gas tank for an electric motor and batteries BUT keep the manual transmission just for the pure driving experience. However, I don't expect to see this within the remainder of my lifetime.

There are plenty of cars only available in auto that give an awesome driving experience, EVs as well. My guess is, you would be missing out on some fun for sure. But it’s your life.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

If you like to drive manuals, then driving manuals is not a chore, it's a pleasure. Why would the fact that you're commuting make an auto transmission better for that purpose?

This is me too. Driving to work in a manual car is one of the highlights of my day. Driving to work in an auto is just waiting to get there.

[ZDan]

Driving a manual in stop/go traffic is b.s.
Shifting a transmission is a means to an end, that end being *driving*. Of course the better/tighter the mechanism the better! Love the feel of a good manual. If the manual performs better, it's manual for me for sure. If auto/dual-clutch performs as well or better and doesn't weigh or cost much more, and is as reliable, I'd go that route.
I really don't get the fetishistic obsession over shifting a manual transmission. For me, performance driving at the track is all about managing grip at the absolute limits under braking, turn-in, apex, track out. If a PDK or the like allows me to better manage grip while cornering at the limit but still having to upshift, I'm all for it. Having the car lurch as I de-clutch for a needed upshift at a critical point on the track is a major buzzkill. Do I enjoy getting it close to "right"? Yeah, but I'd rather just bang off a near-seamless upshift and be further along on my way with more VELOCITY!

I'm sure when cars lost manual ignition advance there were "enthusiasts" who bemoaned the loss!

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ZDan

I'm sure when cars lost manual ignition advance there were "enthusiasts" who bemoaned the loss!

I still yearn for manual windows and the hi-beam switch on the floor.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

I still yearn for manual windows and the hi-beam switch on the floor.

Oh how I miss vacuum powered windshield wipers. They were so much more engaging as you played with the throttle to get that perfect compromise between acceleration and being able to see in the rain.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Oh how I miss vacuum powered windshield wipers. They were so much more engaging as you played with the throttle to get that perfect compromise between acceleration and being able to see in the rain.

I liked trying to get them to play to the beat of the AM music.