The dreaded Automatic Transmission Feel

[chiefshayan]

Much like the title says, I purchased an auto FRS. Before I get bashed on this forum I just want to say he car has been a blast, it's my 2nd car coming from an 2001 audi a6 4.2 v8. That too was an auto, but the frs seems much more perkier and diligent. Since buying the frs, I've begun to ride/race motorcycles and instantly fell in love with the clutch/shifting aspect of motorsports. On top of that, when it comes time to tune the car, I can throw on a heavier clutch to support the added torque. My car is still new, 4k miles and most of aftermarket parts I've put I can just throw the stock ones on in less than a day.

My question to you is: Have you ever had any experience (with any car) trading in the same kind of car/year into a dealer for a different option. I know the auto was around a grand more, but I'm still preparing to lose money going in, hopefully under a thousand I still owe money on the car as well

[Tylub]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

Much like the title says, I purchased an auto FRS. Before I get bashed on this forum I just want to say he car has been a blast, it's my 2nd car coming from an 2001 audi a6 4.2 v8. That too was an auto, but the frs seems much more perkier and diligent. Since buying the frs, I've begun to ride/race motorcycles and instantly fell in love with the clutch/shifting aspect of motorsports. On top of that, when it comes time to tune the car, I can throw on a heavier clutch to support the added torque. My car is still new, 4k miles and most of aftermarket parts I've put I can just throw the stock ones on in less than a day.

My question to you is: Have you ever had any experience (with any car) trading in the same kind of car/year into a dealer for a different option. I know the auto was around a grand more, but I'm still preparing to lose money going in, hopefully under a thousand I still owe money on the car as well

same boat as you... past 2 cars were both stick. Rx8 R3, Fiat 500 cabrio (don't ask why...) and now..

auto FRS

to be honest. Yes i wish i got the manual and had not impulsively jumped for the first FRS on the lot (only had auto) but at the time I needed a car and I was like.. hmmm, FRS, not bad, reminds me of my Rex. Alright I'll take it.

ever since then, damn I wish i had a manual. But you come to accept it, you'll never get over it, but you do come to love your car in the end. Happiness level probably a 90%. like me.

However if you can never get over it, just take the loss and be happy at 100% because that's all it comes down to. you being happy with what you have.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

I know the auto was around a grand more, but I'm still preparing to lose money going in, hopefully under a thousand I still owe money on the car as well

The AT is supposed to be a wonderful car. I've only seen a few buyers express regret, and like you, they wanted to trade for a manual transmission model.

Go ahead and do it, if you can justify the expense. It was a useful learning experience, that's all.

However, I think it exceedingly unlikely that you will be able to "escape" with a mere $1000 additional cost. My guess is that it will run $3000 and up. But hey, you never know. Give it a try at whatever dealership has what you want.

It might be worth contacting Clint at his Colorado store to see if that might be worth your while. You could enjoy a nice drive home to break in your new car.

[chiefshayan]

I locally found a manual for $23,500 around 5k miles on it.. I'm going walk into the dealership and demand for an even trade, begging on my hands and knees The auto is a great system I must say, I'm just fortunate enough to even have a car like this at 19 years old.. but after riding bikes I feel all of a sudden disconnected with the car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scion-FR-S-2...US_Cars_Trucks

[Tylub]

best of luck to you

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

I locally found a manual for $23,500 around 5k miles on it.

Oh, okay, a trade for a used car. Now, that would bring the cost of trading down a good bit, I'd think. I thought you were looking to replace yours with a new car.

I'm going walk into the dealership and demand for an even trade, begging on my hands and knees

Well now, "demanding" and "begging" are mutually exclusive, but I wouldn't recommend either as a good strategy.

I'd suggest that you look interested, but look as though you need some convincing. Get them to talk you into it. That might work better as a negotiating tactic, don't you think?

You haven't said how much your loan is for your FR-S, or how many payments you've made, but you'll discover that your loan balance is not much diminished by those first few payments. So, there's that to consider, too. Your new car has depreciated, but your loan principal will still be high this early in the repayment schedule.

The auto is a great system I must say, I'm just fortunate enough to even have a car like this at 19 years old.

Indeed you are! (I'm older than your dad.)

but after riding bikes I feel all of a sudden disconnected with the car.

Oh my, heavens yes!

You'll need a Caterham or an Ariel Atom to even come close to the experience on a hot motorcycle.

You be careful on that bike (and the car, too, of course); your limbs are the fenders on that thing. Don't let your youthful fearlessness get you bent!

"There are old riders, and there are brave riders. There are no old, brave riders."

You follow?

Let us know how your trade experience worked out, won't you?

Good luck.

[Seattle944t]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

<snip>

My question to you is: Have you ever had any experience (with any car) trading in the same kind of car/year into a dealer for a different option. I know the auto was around a grand more, but I'm still preparing to lose money going in, hopefully under a thousand I still owe money on the car as well

Yes, I do have experience doing something like this after 8 months of ownership of a car, but it doesn't matter because it's just like any other transaction to the dealer. Your car lost about $2000-3000 in value as soon as you signed the paperwork and drove it off the lot, and continues to lose value with each passing month and mile.

Look up what KBB says your trade in value is for your car and that is about what you are going to get when you trade it in for something else, anything else. Chances are you are going to be $3k or greater in equity difference from new, then factor what the payoff value of your current loan. If you owe more that will get added to the purchase price of the car you want to buy, if it's less then it will be subtracted and act as a down payment.

[chiefshayan]

Appreciate the response. It's definitely something I have to seriously think about. I'm worried if I go forced induction and the torque becomes too much for my auto tranny to handle, I'll lose more money overall if I break my transmission and have to repair it. I'm happy I found a pre-owned with a bit more miles than my current car, I still think I'll take a hit, just not $3k. Going this weekend to talk prices.

Currently my car on KBB is worth around 19.5-20k trade in value. This manual car I want is around 23k but hopefully I can talk the price down. Most hit I'll take is 2k, more than that I'll just walk

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

Most hit I'll take is 2k...

May the force be with you.

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by Anthony

May the force be with you.

Lol. Do you think 2k is unreasonable?

[Anthony]

No, but it's pushing it. Definitely worth a try though. You can always buy used too.

[chiefshayan]

Originally Posted by Anthony

No, but it's pushing it. Definitely worth a try though. You can always buy used too.

Well it isn't new, it's pre-certified with 1 previous owner so I'm hanging on that to decrease the gap to under 2 grand. But I know the dealer has to make money off me too. I've never been the religious kind, but keep me in your prayers.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by chiefshayan

I've never been the religious kind, but keep me in your prayers.

Me neither, but I'm drinking a bottle of water right now. When I'm done, I will crush it before throwing it in the recycling bin, as an offering to the Flying Spaghetti Monster, that he make look favorably on you through these hard times.

[whaap]

You might also convince yourself to keep it since you have a neat car that is still a hoot to drive and, I don't care what anyone says, does its job better and more efficiently than a manual can.