New Here

[CelicaJoe]

Hey all! I've been reading through as many forums and topics as I could for the past few months, and thought it would be pretty helpful to finally actually discuss the cars with everyone directly. Sorry in advance if this isn't in the right place.
The frs and brz (haven't decided which I'm leaning more towards yet) seem like a pretty reasonable step up from my '01 Celica GT. Handling is the most important thing to me after having this car and as far as I can tell this car is unmatched in that aspect.
I'm leaning more towards buying new just because I'd like to know that the car is entirely mine and I had quite a few problems with my current car due to it having like 4 or 5 owners. But anyways, I'm just trying to see if anyone's got any advice or suggestions for me in looking and if there's anything you wish you knew before you bought your car. I can't wait to be part of the family

[humfrz]

Hello CelicaJoe and WELCOME to .... the forum .......

FR-S or BRZ ?..... it doesn't matter.

Just select a type of transmission and pick a pretty color ......


humfrz

[WhiteFRS69]

welcome!

i always wish i went with a BRZ over the FRS, get a couple extra features, and dont have to pay extra for white with the BRZ


im sure you will be happy with your Choice either way

[CelicaJoe]

Would this be a good car to learn manual in? I've only tried once in an old nissan pick up but even with how terribly it drove I haven't had that much fun driving in a long time.

[daiheadjai]

This car is fantastic for learning to drive manual transmissions.
The only thing that might take more effort is getting used to the clutch and finding the engagement point.

You may also miss the hatchback from the Celica, but other than that, you're in for a good time.

[CelicaJoe]

Originally Posted by daiheadjai

This car is fantastic for learning to drive manual transmissions.
The only thing that might take more effort is getting used to the clutch and finding the engagement point.

You may also miss the hatchback from the Celica, but other than that, you're in for a good time.

When I test drove it the first two things I noticed that I figured I would miss was the hatchback and the fact that people with legs could sit in the back. Is the clutch on these a little more difficult than others or are you just stating that's the tough part about the transition?

[WhiteFRS69]

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe

Would this be a good car to learn manual in? I've only tried once in an old nissan pick up but even with how terribly it drove I haven't had that much fun driving in a long time.

yea i think so, alot of people on here have had this car be there first manual car


there are alot of threads on here with good info about driving manual

[strat61caster]

I think this is one of the more difficult clutch/transmissions I've ever experienced. (No super stiff zero margin for error racecars with light flywheels or high horsepower monsters or 'classic' cable clutches in my past)

But it is not rocket science, just don't expect to be silky smooth anytime soon and apologize to potential passengers that you will not cover their medical bills for whiplash.

I'm exaggerating. Be gentle, take your time, and practice.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe

Would this be a good car to learn manual in? I've only tried once in an old nissan pick up but even with how terribly it drove I haven't had that much fun driving in a long time.

I figure you will get along just fine with the manual transmission. Although it has a relatively light flywheel, a relatively low torque engine and the clutch has a "takes some getten used to" engagement point, it can be mastered within a few spins around a parking lot.

Don't be discouraged if you "kill it" during a test drive ....... it ain't a 1941 Ford, that you could pop the clutch at idle and have it take off ......

(someone just shoot that old bastard ..... )


humfrz

[CelicaJoe]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I figure you will get along just fine with the manual transmission. Although it has a relatively light flywheel, a relatively low torque engine and the clutch has a "takes some getten used to" engagement point, it can be mastered within a few spins around a parking lot.

Don't be discouraged if you "kill it" during a test drive ....... it ain't a 1941 Ford, that you could pop the clutch at idle and have it take off ......

(someone just shoot that old bastard ..... )


humfrz

I was too nervous to test drive it in manual and went with the automatic. Although the paddle shifters make a cool addition to an automatic and I'd be happy to have it in my car, I can't see how that even remotely compares to manuals. Also, off topic question, how do you thank posts in the forums?

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by CelicaJoe

I was too nervous to test drive it in manual and went with the automatic. Although the paddle shifters make a cool addition to an automatic and I'd be happy to have it in my car, I can't see how that even remotely compares to manuals. Also, off topic question, how do you thank posts in the forums?

They're actually pretty close performance wise, but if you can handle the manual, go for it.

You can't thank posts until you have a certain number of posts yourself. Can't remember how many, exactly. It'll show up as a button next to the bottom of posts.

[CelicaJoe]

Originally Posted by LucidMomentum

They're actually pretty close performance wise, but if you can handle the manual, go for it.

You can't thank posts until you have a certain number of posts yourself. Can't remember how many, exactly. It'll show up as a button next to the bottom of posts.

Ah okay, thanks.
And I know it's really just a topic of speculation and what not, but following trends of previous models, the mid cycle changes will probably be in 2017 or 2018, right?

[VTEC]

Only advice you need is to buy manual. Especially since you haven't learned how to drive stick yet. If you are an enthusiast you gotta have a manual sports car at least once in your life. If later you find your commute is too brutal or your wife/gf complains she can't drive the car, you can switch back to an auto later. But at least at that point you already know what it feels like to have a clutch and you can decide if it's worth it for you.

[Fishbed77]

I think this is one of the more difficult clutch/transmissions I've ever experienced. (No super stiff zero margin for error racecars with light flywheels or high horsepower monsters or 'classic' cable clutches in my past)

I have the opposite opinion. I think it's by far one of the easiest manual transmissions I've ever driven.

The light clutch pedal is very easy to adapt to, and becomes a bit of a blessing in stop and go traffic (especially with 36-year-old knees).

You should try learning to drive in a mid-80s Jeep Cherokee with a the famously terrible Peugeot BA10/5 transmission!

That'll teach you the hard way.