5speed MT VS 5 speed AT sportshift

which would you take? and why?? Manual comes with "Cars with a five-speed manual transmission get a system with viscous-coupling locking center differential" Automatic comes with "Cars with a five-speed, automatic, sport shift transmission have a planetary center differential with an electronically controlled, variable hydraulic transfer clutch" i dont know what hydraulic transfer clutch, planetary center differential with electronically controlled, and viscous-coupling locking center differential someone please explain gosh i love this new legacy i want one and i'm getting one :banana:

[Nick Koan]

I'm getting the 5EAT with sportshift because I think that an automatic w/ manual controls is cool (if the sportshift switches gears fast enough, that is)

The following link has a decent explanation of the Subaru viscous coupling locking center differential
http://www.irvinesubaru.com/enthu/awd.html
and a good diagram of a viscous coupler can be found here
http://www.rallycars.com/Cars/4wd_turbo_cars.html

as for the planetary center differential with an electronically controlled, variable hydraulic transfer clutch, I don't feel like I know enough to explain it, and I can't seem to find any decent links explaining it... if I find something, I'll edit this post later.

EDIT: I guess this link seems to have an explanation of planatery center differentials.
http://www.imprezawrx.org/editorials/981027/awd.html

A lot to read about other sorts of differentials too.

if the sportshift switches gears fast enough, that is

so you are saying that
automatic shifts as fast as manual??



EDIT
thanks for the links

[Nick Koan]

The sportshift is *supposed* to shift gears as fast as a manual.

It is slower then manual shift speed, but significantly faster then automatic shift speed (if playing with the gear selector while driving)

[92legacyej22t]

5MT all the way! If it had the WRC 6 speed with paddles, now that would be a different story. Or even the 5EAT with paddles might make me think a little harder.

The new auto is an improvement over the 4-speed auto....

Those being the extra gear (better able to keep in the powerband) and the alleged better and quicker shifting (not sure if this is true).

But you can't get past one fact...you have a fluid coupling. there is still power lost through an auto tranmission.

If you like auto, the new tranny is a good thing, but for true enthusiasts- there is nothing like rowing your own.

[ivbdn]

I'd get the 5EAT. Reason is I was born w/ a medical condition limiting my mobility and strength. Although I feel that given the chance to learn, I think I can hold my own, the DMV didn't feel the same and put it as a restriction on my license .

[joltdudeuc]

Originally posted by ivbdn
I'd get the 5EAT. Reason is I was born w/ a medical condition limiting my mobility and strength. Although I feel that given the chance to learn, I think I can hold my own, the DMV didn't feel the same and put it as a restriction on my license .

Don't worry though dude, the 5EAT will be plenty quick!


-Gagan

[Nick Koan]

Yeah, if the 5EAT is an improvement over the 4EAT, it will have plent of power

About the only thing my 4EAT is missing is a bit of low end torque (not to mention my engine needs a turbo slapped on it)

I think its best to try both if you can....

[Liigod]

5mt... torque converters are not my friend

Does this quote from http://media.subaru.com/ not indicate that the Auto tranny will have something akin to paddle shifting?

"With the SPORTSHIFT feature, the driver can choose to shift manually using the console shift handle or shift buttons on the steering wheel."

It refers to them as 'buttons' rather than 'paddles', but they are still located on the steering wheel.

[whitelegacy98]

5MT!!!!!!!!!

[esracer]

I would deffinetly pick a 5MT, I grew up with driving a 5MT and I like the idea of total control of the car.