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

[HKz]

Originally Posted by ermax

I’ve never understood the argument of buying an AT because the wife can’t drive MT. Teach them! My mom prefers manuals, both of my sisters prefer manuals. I taught my ex-wife to drive manual and it’s now her preference. My current wife already knew how to drive manual but she isn’t really into cars so she doesn’t have a real preference. I’ve taught both of my daughters to drive manuals and both have fun with it. Don’t let the wife stop you from buying a manual. She can learn and may end up loving it. Take her to an autox. She may end up loving that too!

Lol don't think you can speak for all women. I bought my g27/oculus/asseto corsa & city car driving during my marriage, the woman just straight up refused no matter how patient I was but she still wanted to drive the FRS too so hence the compromise..considering the divorce and the aftermath i should've just gotten the stick eheh.. The couple GFs I've had since then have been a toss up..my current one doesn't wanna learn entirely but she loves being my passenger and moving the shifter on her own.

[Dake]

I've dailied my MT for the last 8 years. If I had to drive in stop and go rush-hour traffic five days a week, I could see maybe putting up with the AT - but otherwise? Naaaa.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by HKz

Lol don't think you can speak for all women.

I don't think he claimed to speak for all women. Just the the keepers.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by Cephas

I think he was confused about the reason, not the preference.

And I agree. I taught my wife to drive a manual a bunch of years ago and she's quite good at it now. Although she does like to keep the revs up around 4k in the 86 "just in case," even when cruising. "It's a race car, isn't it?"

There are a handful of people around here that pretend they have reading comprehension problems.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

My wife has absolutely zero interest in driving MT and I respect that. I'm not putting two MT cars in the driveway that she won't drive and the FR-S is AT. It's a very capable AT and I quite enjoy it. It's different, the paddles are fun and also very precise. She also likes driving the FR-S in full auto mode. I'm not taking that away from her.

If she loves you and knew how passionate about driving (notice I didn’t say cars) your were she would tell you not to compromise. My wife will point out cars all the time that she thinks I may like and say, “do you think it comes in a manual”. The truth is you didn’t really care about a manual and that is totally fine.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by HKz

Lol don't think you can speak for all women. I bought my g27/oculus/asseto corsa & city car driving during my marriage, the woman just straight up refused no matter how patient I was but she still wanted to drive the FRS too so hence the compromise..considering the divorce and the aftermath i should've just gotten the stick eheh.. The couple GFs I've had since then have been a toss up..my current one doesn't wanna learn entirely but she loves being my passenger and moving the shifter on her own.

My wife refuses to try out my sim but sims are terrible at replicating manuals anyways. All of them suck at it, rF2, iRacing, AC, etc.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ermax

If she loves you and knew how passionate about driving (notice I didn’t say cars) your were she would tell you not to compromise. My wife will point out cars all the time that she thinks I may like and say, “do you think it comes in a manual”. The truth is you didn’t really care about a manual and that is totally fine.

So anybody's wife that won't drive manual doesn't love them?
My wife can't physically drive manual should I kick her to the curb?

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by ermax

If she loves you and knew how passionate about driving (notice I didn’t say cars) your were she would tell you not to compromise. My wife will point out cars all the time that she thinks I may like and say, “do you think it comes in a manual”. The truth is you didn’t really care about a manual and that is totally fine.

Don't be a dork. WE share the FR-S. I drive a manual if you read my post. Been driving them all my life including 18 speeds. I said I'm not putting TWO manuals in the drive.


People talk about how the MT is the gift of the Gods. They're more involving, yes but even they can get boring after a few decades. It's old tech and will be gone soon. Hang on to them!

[x808drifter]

As long as auto racing with any sort of gearbox exists, manuals will never truly go away.
The stick shift?
Maybe.
But not manual gearboxes entirely.

[Cephas]

It should be said that the MT in the twins is particularly nice to use, as well. I've driven lots of manuals that weren't as good (looking at you, Volkswagen), and the argument for MT over AT in those cars wasn't as strong.

I guess I should also say that while my wife is perfectly competent with MTs, she still prefers an AT for her DD. Doesn't mind driving my 86, but she'll take her BMW any day of the week, given the choice (e.g. when that nightmare on wheels isn't in the shop for a month).

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Cephas

when that nightmare on wheels isn't in the shop for a month.

The wife or the car?

[RToyo86]

I would probably base it mostly on where you drive most.
If you sat in traffic 90% of your driving then AT makes most sense to me. There are different diff ratios you can swap if you want shorter gearing like the manual.
It's a good automatic for the price.

Otherwise go manual. This is an engaging cars to drive, rowing gears fits with the experience.

[soundman98]

I never understood the traffic argument. Drove stick in chicago traffic every other day for 3 years.

YOU DON'T NEED TO MOVE IF THE CAR IN FRONT MOVES UP 3INCHES.

[Sirsimon]

^ Before I sold my FR-S I drove her for a year in a 25 mile rush hour commute. The manual never bothered me much, but my loud AF exhaust set up did grate on my nerves a bit. As stated above, you don’t need to constantly pull up a foot in traffic. I also got really good at looking way ahead and modulating my speed to avoid backups as much as possible. I’m sure the AT is still a fun car, but given the modest amount of power on tap and overall nature of the car, it does beg to be MT.