WRX wagon: auto vs manual
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WRX wagon: auto vs manual
What are the advantages/disadvantages of driving a WRX wagon with an automatic as opposed to a manual?
How about what's the advantage of driving a manual in general?
Pardon the newbie question. The only car I've ever owned is an automatic and I'm looking for reasons to purchase a car with a manual.
How about what's the advantage of driving a manual in general?
Pardon the newbie question. The only car I've ever owned is an automatic and I'm looking for reasons to purchase a car with a manual.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 179
From: somewhere in the U.S.
lots of reasons...
to go with either, really.
-The manual will give you better instant acceleration, unless you are accustomed to the auto...and sometimes, the auto will give you a better 1/4 ET. But, that takes some serious work and tuning.
-the manual will give you more control of the car, versus the auto, which may give you more of the same, but again, depends on where you drive.
-the auto will provide some "extra" turbo lag versus the manual.
-the auto seems to be a "stronger" transmission, in that it will last longer than the "glass" manual trannies, which are common from MY98 GC8's to MY02 WRX's.
Learning, in your case, on a WRX is prolly not the best idea, cause it's just that much more likely that you will develop that bad a$$ clutch shudder problem, which most of us face. As for getting a MY03 or 04 WRX, things may be different. Not sure I have enough info. on those cars yet. Other's may want to comment if they have 03's and above.
Other than that, it's great to drive a manual...just remember, once you start, you won't go back.
Later,
i.
-The manual will give you better instant acceleration, unless you are accustomed to the auto...and sometimes, the auto will give you a better 1/4 ET. But, that takes some serious work and tuning.
-the manual will give you more control of the car, versus the auto, which may give you more of the same, but again, depends on where you drive.
-the auto will provide some "extra" turbo lag versus the manual.
-the auto seems to be a "stronger" transmission, in that it will last longer than the "glass" manual trannies, which are common from MY98 GC8's to MY02 WRX's.
Learning, in your case, on a WRX is prolly not the best idea, cause it's just that much more likely that you will develop that bad a$$ clutch shudder problem, which most of us face. As for getting a MY03 or 04 WRX, things may be different. Not sure I have enough info. on those cars yet. Other's may want to comment if they have 03's and above.
Other than that, it's great to drive a manual...just remember, once you start, you won't go back.
Later,
i.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8
I have driven both. I took a test drive on an auto since I have a long commute, and then I bought the stick. The auto is a bit disappointing since the turbo only starts to kick around 3000. It's still a good kick in the seat in the auto but the control you have with the stick is just too much to pass up. Unless you really want the auto...buy the stick!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 179
From: somewhere in the U.S.
it might be cheaper...
to have the manual tranny repaired, but I don't know how much either costs...when it breaks down. Of course, replacing the clutch and flywheel (+ labor) will probably be cheaper than repairing the differentials that take most of the burden, in the auto.
Another difference in the two tranny's is the distribution of torque. I think that the auto has about 50/50 and the manual has 55/45 (front to rear) torque distribution through the diff's.
As far as turbo spool goes, the manual will start kicking in at about 2700RPM (not sure about the auto...but it might be at around 3K). It's the lag from 1000RPM to 3000RPM that really sucks...especially in the auto. some may say that that's not true...ask WagonRX (he owns a pretty QUICK auto wagon). I am sure that he can attest that auto's are just as quick, or quicker, than manuals, once you get the "launch" perfected, in the auto.
Other than that try to find someone that you know that has a manual car, and drive it. Or a rental car (don't know of many/any companies that will rent out manuals though, sorry). Or buy a beater car with a manual, and try that out...it will save you in the long run. Of course, people have had some good success going from auto. to manual. Maybe your experience will be good...but remember, the WRX manual/clutch/flywheel is not going to put up with it too long.
later and good luck,
i.
Another difference in the two tranny's is the distribution of torque. I think that the auto has about 50/50 and the manual has 55/45 (front to rear) torque distribution through the diff's.
As far as turbo spool goes, the manual will start kicking in at about 2700RPM (not sure about the auto...but it might be at around 3K). It's the lag from 1000RPM to 3000RPM that really sucks...especially in the auto. some may say that that's not true...ask WagonRX (he owns a pretty QUICK auto wagon). I am sure that he can attest that auto's are just as quick, or quicker, than manuals, once you get the "launch" perfected, in the auto.
Other than that try to find someone that you know that has a manual car, and drive it. Or a rental car (don't know of many/any companies that will rent out manuals though, sorry). Or buy a beater car with a manual, and try that out...it will save you in the long run. Of course, people have had some good success going from auto. to manual. Maybe your experience will be good...but remember, the WRX manual/clutch/flywheel is not going to put up with it too long.
later and good luck,
i.
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