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

[PetrolioBenzina]

The AT is as fun as the MT. It's all what you make it.

[etherdude]

I have put about 80k miles on two 86s, my 2015 FR-S and my 2020 Hakone Edition 86. All daily driver year round in the greater New England area. Both are MT which is my natural preference. However, I will say that if I was commuting in to Boston daily, it would have to be an automatic.I can't see being willing to put up with severe stop and go on a daily basis.

In stock configuration, the MT is quicker (particularly 2017+ due to slightly more power and 4.3:1 axle). As regards TRD updates, I purchased my 2015 with TRD exhaust and intake day 1. I found the drone to be bothersome on the highway. I went back to OEM at 30,000 miles with a K&N filter insert since I did a lot of highway miles. Much more comfortable. No discernible difference in performance. I also upgraded to Michelin Pilot PSS (now 4S) tires for my summer driving (from the stock Bridgestone Turanzas used here in NE). Big difference in handling and control.

If you want a track car or a 10/10s experience, highway comfort isn't going to be as much of an issue, but remember, these are NOT GT cars. They are more akin to a refined "British sports car" of the 50s/60s than a Supra or RC-F. Thus expect the kind of experience that minimal sound isolation and a firm suspension give you.

I will say that my 2020 Hakone is definitely more refined than the 2015 FR-S. They did some stiffening of rear body structure that has gotten rid of chronic squeaks and rattles the earlier ones had. Also, I find the OEM exhaust note on the 2020 Hakone to be much more pleasing than the 2015. The 2015 (with OEM exhaust) was pretty non-descript (still fairly noisy). The 2020 (due to different exhaust and intake on the MTs) has a nice but not intrusive sound above 3000 rpm when you put your foot in the throttle. Reminds me a bit of an old Alfa Romeo Duetto. When highway cruising, the car is a bit quieter and smoother than my 2015, even with the higher 4.3:1 ratio (compared with 4.1:1).

Doug

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Can't do clutch kicks in an auto. Gotta flick it like a booger.

.

[TommyW]

If it’s a Commuter and you won’t be seeing the track then the auto is fine. I haven’t driven one but heard the paddle shifting is decent. Stuck in stop and go traffic with a manual sucks.

[NWFRS]

I think it’s a good auto. It all boils down to personal preference now. In years past, manual gearboxes were better, no question. I don’t think the paddle shifters on these cars are very practical in normal daily driving-they’re mounted on the steering wheel so you can’t really use them coming out of corners. On a sweeping track they’d probably be fine. Bumping the shifter seems more intuitive to me, but it’s really just not the same. I’m lazy now. I just use the paddles to downshift on on-ramps or when passing on the freeway-straight line stuff.

[fitcious]

damn another AT vs MT debate. it's been 7 effing years

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by fitcious

damn another AT vs MT debate. it's been 7 effing years

Actually it has been pretty civil for a tranny thread.

[Ernest72]

I went AT because of a commute and the need for family members to drive the cars. I have both a WRX (old daily) in AT and BRZ (new daily) in AT, both have been a blast and many situations where others needed to drive. That’s life. Totally, get the MT preference, but life has too many obstacles. If it was a dedicated track/autox car than MT for sure. I am thinking of adding a third car to the mix, 14 Caymsn S, was planning on MT, but my wife likes it and wants to drive so might have to get a PDK. Sure you driver purists will go nuts if I have three cars in AT. But truthfully, I never care what people think. In 17 years of owning that WRX I have heard all the fanboys and boy racers tell me every reason why I should have bought a manual. No regrets, I am still on my original engine, doubt I would be with an MT. It’s tough to bounce off that rev limiter in an AT.

OP as others have said. Drive both and see which you like.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Actually it has been pretty civil for a tranny thread.

[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!

[mrg666]

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!

Why are you concerned about other people's preferences? They are not abusing children after all, it is just a clutch.

[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?"

[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.

[WannabeBRZ]

I test drove a manual 2014 FR-S Monogram Series about a week ago, that had TRD parts (springs, sway bars, intake, and exhaust). This was the first FT86 I've ever driven. It was almost exactly what I expected it to be, with the caveat being that I didn't feel a torque dip. Now, I can't conclude as to why that was, and I'm not going to assume that the intake and the exhaust were the reason.

My daily driver is equipped with a manual transmission, and I also own a 2004 STi. That being said, and having test driven the manual FR-S, I'm leaning towards an automatic transmission. I still need to test drive one, though. However, from everything I've read over the past couple of weeks regarding the automatic transmission, in theory, sounds like it would be better suited for ME.

Perhaps the circumstance will change once I actually sit behind the wheel of an automatic FT86. When that moment arrives, I will refer back to this post and I will either reiterate that the automatic is truly stupendous, or that real life experience is drastically different from the information that is alluded online.