Test driving an AT in 2 hours, any tips? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

niharG · 06-12-2012, 02:29 PM

I'm going to test drive an AT FR-S in a couple hours, and I was wondering if anyone has tips/suggestions on things to try out or features to play with. I am actually leaning towards a manual but I have minimal experience (couple hours on an old silvia about 4 years ago) and don't want to stall the car repeatedly. I've also heard some pretty raving reviews about the auto, so I figured I would give it a shot. Unfortunately, this test drive is in the flat and straight Chicago burbs so there's really no fun terrain to drive around in.

Boosted2.0 · 06-12-2012, 02:31 PM

Put it in manual mode and turn sport mode on. (Not NSC sport - thats a different function)

but try all 4 modes:

Drive
Manual mode
Drive with sport mode on
Manual mode with sport mode on

its 4 different personalities.

MmmHamSandwich · 06-12-2012, 02:32 PM

The pedal on the right is the gas.

_hollywood · 06-12-2012, 02:33 PM

test drive the auto....but buy a manual....it really completes the whole driving experience.....

Boosted2.0 · 06-12-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

The pedal on the right is the gas.

This is true - I've heard the same thing.

Mr.Jay · 06-12-2012, 02:36 PM

drive it like you stole it or at least exactly how you plan to drive it after break in

Double4Free · 06-12-2012, 02:37 PM

Drive it like you stole it.

EDIT: Beat me to it :[

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Jay

drive it like you stole it or at least exactly how you plan to drive it after break in

Dadhawk · 06-12-2012, 02:39 PM

Couple of suggestions:

Drive it in Full Auto in both normal and sport mode. You'll notice a big difference if you have a good stretch to accelarate in. Not going to notice a signficant difference if in traffic, and Sport mode can actually be a little rough.

In full auto/nonsport (normal driving mode) keep your foot in it, and downshift with the paddles after it upshifts into 2nd or 3rd. That will give you a feel for how well the transmission responds to your inputs and show you the revmatching. It takes a little getting used to remembering which paddle is which though, particularly if you are new to it.

Do a full manual launch (lever in pulled left into manual) in either regular or sport mode. Pick a higher RPM to switch (say 4000RPM unless it's over 1K miles) and try to match the tach with your shifts. Don't forget you have to shift in this mode, its not going to do it for you.

I wouldn't do anything too drastic in terms of RPMs because remember if you don't buy this car someone else will. I doubt its over 1K miles yet.

rcm47 · 06-12-2012, 02:45 PM

Rip the e-brake

Kimsey47 · 06-12-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boosted2.0

This is true - I've heard the same thing.

There is another pedal on the left but I'm not sure what it is for...

Boosted2.0 · 06-12-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

There is another pedal on the left but I'm not sure what it is for...

The hell you say! 2 pedals? What will they think of next?

Kimsey47 · 06-12-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boosted2.0

The hell you say! 2 pedals? What will they think of next?

Shoo! I bet those crazy engineering fools will make a pedal we gotta press just to change a gear!

Dadhawk · 06-12-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

There is another pedal on the left but I'm not sure what it is for...

That's the seat belt tightener. Hit it hard, seat belt tightens around your neck.

GMU-BRZ · 06-12-2012, 03:42 PM

If you are in manual mode using the paddle shifters, be careful when you are turning. You can lose the paddle when the wheel turns and rev the car way too high (over 5k for me, 17 miles on the car).

06-12-2012, 02:29 PM	#1
niharG Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: Ultramarine FR-S MT Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 31 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Test driving an AT in 2 hours, any tips? I'm going to test drive an AT FR-S in a couple hours, and I was wondering if anyone has tips/suggestions on things to try out or features to play with. I am actually leaning towards a manual but I have minimal experience (couple hours on an old silvia about 4 years ago) and don't want to stall the car repeatedly. I've also heard some pretty raving reviews about the auto, so I figured I would give it a shot. Unfortunately, this test drive is in the flat and straight Chicago burbs so there's really no fun terrain to drive around in.

06-12-2012, 02:33 PM	#4
_hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: 97 itr sold Location: WI Posts: 565 Thanks: 183 Thanked 165 Times in 98 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	test drive the auto....but buy a manual....it really completes the whole driving experience..... __________________ FR-S #56 of 86 Raven MT *FOR SALE*

06-12-2012, 02:36 PM	#6
Mr.Jay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Drives: FRS :D Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 545 Thanked 699 Times in 438 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	drive it like you stole it or at least exactly how you plan to drive it after break in __________________ Out of the FRS game

06-12-2012, 02:39 PM	#8
Dadhawk 1st86 Driver! Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S (#3 of 1st 86) Location: Powder Springs, GA Posts: 19,814 Thanks: 38,822 Thanked 24,939 Times in 11,376 Posts Mentioned: 182 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Couple of suggestions: Drive it in Full Auto in both normal and sport mode. You'll notice a big difference if you have a good stretch to accelarate in. Not going to notice a signficant difference if in traffic, and Sport mode can actually be a little rough. In full auto/nonsport (normal driving mode) keep your foot in it, and downshift with the paddles after it upshifts into 2nd or 3rd. That will give you a feel for how well the transmission responds to your inputs and show you the revmatching. It takes a little getting used to remembering which paddle is which though, particularly if you are new to it. Do a full manual launch (lever in pulled left into manual) in either regular or sport mode. Pick a higher RPM to switch (say 4000RPM unless it's over 1K miles) and try to match the tach with your shifts. Don't forget you have to shift in this mode, its not going to do it for you. I wouldn't do anything too drastic in terms of RPMs because remember if you don't buy this car someone else will. I doubt its over 1K miles yet. Last edited by Dadhawk; 06-12-2012 at 03:37 PM.

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06-12-2012, 02:31 PM	#2
Boosted2.0 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 13 FR-S, 00 Spyder&Celica, 08 Tundr Location: Sealy, Texas Posts: 362 Thanks: 2 Thanked 176 Times in 78 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Put it in manual mode and turn sport mode on. (Not NSC sport - thats a different function) but try all 4 modes: Drive Manual mode Drive with sport mode on Manual mode with sport mode on its 4 different personalities.

06-12-2012, 02:32 PM	#3
MmmHamSandwich You know you want it. Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 705 Thanks: 160 Thanked 327 Times in 154 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	The pedal on the right is the gas.

06-12-2012, 02:45 PM	#9
rcm47 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Drives: 13’ FRS (traded), 18’ CWP BRZ tS Location: California Posts: 605 Thanks: 589 Thanked 300 Times in 147 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Rip the e-brake

06-12-2012, 03:42 PM	#14
GMU-BRZ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru Impreza Sport Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 279 Thanks: 103 Thanked 122 Times in 32 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you are in manual mode using the paddle shifters, be careful when you are turning. You can lose the paddle when the wheel turns and rev the car way too high (over 5k for me, 17 miles on the car).

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