stick vs. auto acceleration

[abcando]

does anyone know how much better is stick acceleration on the yaris compared to automatic?

[riceboy]

My personal opinion is that with a car this small, and with such limited hp.. you absolutely need the stick.

[stuffy]

i don't think it actually makes a big difference, mine is a stick but i routinely drive automatic yarises, both are peppy but obviously not super fast in relation to cars with more hp.
i think it is a lot more fun to drive stick with a small car, or any car for that matter.

[bulldogs2k]

its maybe 1 sec. faster in a quarter mile with a stick, and thats with a good driver. still slow lol !!

[fnkngrv]

I test drove the auto before buying my stick and as far as I am concerned the auto feels a lot more sluggish than the stick....but that is just my opinion.

[Chaad32]

The auto is vey sluggish. When going up hills I press, and press, and press, and press, and press, and press, and press........and I still keep going just as slow as before. But hay...It's an econo-box. What do you expect.

[ctrj]

We test drove an auto before ordering our 5 speed and the auto felt very sluggish. I really think the auto hampers the car and takes any fun out of driving it.

[pennystocks]

The auto is vey sluggish. When going up hills I press, and press, and press, and press, and press, and press, and press........and I still keep going just as slow as before. But hay...It's an econo-box. What do you expect.


Putting the shifter down a couple of gears helps :wink: . The stick will only be better off the line (0-10mph) So instead of running 20 in the 1/4 you run 19.5 :iono: Personally i'd take the auto. Less screwing around. Now if you bought something with 300 hp, take the stick :rolleyes: .

[Chaad32]

Good idea. I guess with the gated shifter all you have to do to get mre power is push left!

[Jola1]

Autos should be reserved for disabled persons only!!!!

They are unheard of in many parts of the planet and the performance and control is definently inferior to manual.

Drive the car......................

[Boo]

Autos should be reserved for disabled persons only!!!!

They are unheard of in many parts of the planet and the performance and control is definently inferior to manual.

Drive the car......................

I don't really care about how slow the auto is.. With this limited hp, 5sp vs. auto just like 9 sec vs 10 sec from 0-60 mph..
But the benefit from the auto is giving me a good time in traffic. :headbang:

BTW, I am not a disable, but I have a 6sp. Mini Cooper S and a AT Yaris. :thumbup: They serve for different purpose.

[Boo]

FYI, the Tiptonic S in the latest 997 Turbo is faster than the 6 sp. manual.

[pennystocks]

Autos should be reserved for disabled persons only!!!!

They are unheard of in many parts of the planet and the performance and control is definently inferior to manual.

Drive the car......................

Bah, automatics are so much easier. Its just like having climate control or heated seats. Its not needed but wanted.

Pros of an auto:

Its impossible to shift as fast as an automatic
No screwing around in traffic
You never destroy your first automatic :biggrin:
There is no $600 maintenance
It's setup to shift at the right rpm to get you the best mileage
You can never get it stuck between 3rd and 5th gear somehow :confused: and have to take both hands to yank it out (oy, that was a bad miss-shift)
Higher resale value

Pros of a manual:

Its fun
You can drop the clutch at 4k rpm
You can chirp the tires with a stock clutch
1 more mile per gallon (us)
You can start the car with a dead battery

Really comes down to what you like. I say normal cars should have automatics.
There is really no need for sticks. And the transmissions that they put into 4 bangers dont have that "feel". Now a T56 6-speed is a transmission and feels like your driving a machine.
The only cars that should really have sticks are trucks and sports cars (cars that are slower than 14.9 in the 1/4 or 400 meter are not sports cars :clap: )

[swng]

In order to rejoin this friendly and interesting discussion, I am afraid I would have to "repost" some of my humble opinions. Today's better designed automatic gear boxes do allow significant control by the drivers. More and more control can be gained as the drivers become more and more experienced and skillful. If my memory serves me right, even Formula One cars have semi-automatic shifts nowadays in the sense that they do not require the drivers to use any clutch.
Back to our lovely Yarii, in a sense, one may consider an auto gear box as a clutchless manual box if one knows how to control/enjoy it.
Having said that, don't get me wrong stick fans, I fully agree that standard shifts are the way to go if driving fun and the last drop of performance are of utmost importance.

[TRD_Yaris]

I'm sorry, but until the F1 guys are playing "penis princess" with automatics..i think i'll be rocking a stick and a clutch....

[07WYarisRS]

I hate to bust your bubble but FI cars use a manual start semi automatic sequential-shift transmission.

yes they have a clutch only for stoping and starting but once moving they are completely automatic just like the transmission in cars like the mini cooper S, Lexus, and no clutch is needed
They do this because as already said it's more reliable and constant then power shifting a standard transmission and automatics shift 5X faster for much faster acceleration. And there is no fear of missing a shift.

[swng]

I hate to bust your bubble but FI cars use a manual start semi automatic sequential-shift transmission.

yes they have a clutch only for stoping and starting but once moving they are completely automatic just like the transmission in cars like the mini cooper S, Lexus, and no clutch is needed
They do this because as already said it's more reliable and constant then power shifting a standard transmission and automatics shift 5X faster for much faster acceleration. And there is no fear of missing a shift.

You describe it better than I do. I only have a vague idea/memory of what F1 cars have. Apart from clutchless shifting (whilst racing), they also shift with flap buttons attached to the steering wheel, right?

[07WYarisRS]

Correct although some F1 cars have a back up shifter on the side as well. It's basically a Three way switch. Tap it forward to gear down tap it back to gear up.

Many of the transmissions can shift automatically or be shifted manually with out a clutch. Even some of the newer Honda ATV's have this same basic design of transmission. All drivers shift manually to keep the engine in the powerband at all times.
Some others designs use an electricically controled clutch that is activated while shifting but regardless the style F1 cars do not use a standard transmission, they are all classed as Semi auto.

My sisters mini cooper S has this style transmission with the shifter flaps on the steering wheel.

[stuffy]

but i've driven plenty of cars with tiptronic auto gearboxes and it just isn't the same as driving manual, you don't have the same feel or control without a clutch.
in a small car like the yaris, the manual is a blast to drive, as far as i'm concerned, it isn't about how fast i am going, so a car with more power won't make a difference to me, the stick makes the car feel more like an extension of your body.

i also disagree with the manual being a pain in traffic, if you are sitting in a jam on a highway, all you have to do is give yourself space of 4-5 car lenghts between yourself and the car in front of you. you can coast in first or second gear without having to apply brakes every two seconds.
this is also a good method when driving any car as it reduces the amount of "accordion" stops and starts that cause traffic jams in the first place.

that being said, i don't find the auto yaris to be especially sluggish and it really comes down to personal preference.

[seriousfun]

...
i also disagree with the manual being a pain in traffic, if you are sitting in a jam on a highway, all you have to do is give yourself space of 4-5 car lenghts between yourself and the car in front of you. you can coast in first or second gear without having to apply brakes every two seconds.
this is also a good method when driving any car as it reduces the amount of "accordion" stops and starts that cause traffic jams in the first place.
...

Yes, the accordian is what slows traffic and causes jams.

But...obviously you've never driven in Los Angeles. Leaving 4-5 car lengths at just about any speed is just about impossible. Someone will just fill the gap, trust me, and you'll just be behind.

[stuffy]

the busiest highway in north america is about a 20 minute drive from my house (hwy 401), so we have our own traffic woes here,

if you use this method you won't get left behind unless you decide to stop for some reason, i do it all the time and hardly use my breaks at all.

[stuffy]

that would be 'brakes", not "breaks", although sitting in traffic is sort of like having a break

[Jola1]

There are no traffic lights in my town. There are traffic lights in a town 8km away......never any traffic jams. Moved here from the city, which is still a small city.Adelaide in South Australia, abd feel for those having to tackle traffic jams on a daily basis!! However, we do have animals on the road....kangaroos, cows etc and I feel that driving a manual gives me much greater contraol of the car in unforseen circumstances.........a roo jumping out in front of the car for example!!

[swng]

Hey abcando, I have found out the information you want. The 0-100kmph/0-62mph time for the 5-speed is about 10.9 sec and for the auto is about 12 sec. For details, please read:
www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/06yaris.htm
If you don't have time, just read the sixth para. under Driving impressions:smile:.
NB: This is just one of the many reports about the Yaris. Results may vary from review to review. This particular review does say the times are official Toyota numbers though.
To 07WYarisRS, thanks for the information:thumbsup:. I have this link for you:smile:
:http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/guides_and_advice/article.aspx?cp-documentid=635337

[TRD_Yaris]

I hate to bust your bubble but FI cars use a manual start semi automatic sequential-shift transmission.

yes they have a clutch only for stoping and starting but once moving they are completely automatic just like the transmission in cars like the mini cooper S, Lexus, and no clutch is needed
They do this because as already said it's more reliable and constant then power shifting a standard transmission and automatics shift 5X faster for much faster acceleration. And there is no fear of missing a shift.

i'm not EXTREMELY familiar with Tiptronic besides the old skool commercials showing how it allows you to have "the best of both worlds". When you say "semi auto" I'm assuming you mean like the MR2 Spiders that have an Automatic with clutch. How many cars ACTUALLY have this instead of a standard automatic? how about the Honda Fit, it advertises paddles on the steering wheel but does this mean it's "semi auto"???

[07WYarisRS]

A semi auto still uses a clutch only for stopping and starting after that the gear box can be shifted either completely automatically or manually with out the clutch.

What MOST cars use are an automatic transmission with manual mode.
Cars like the new lincoln, Mini cooper and a several of the Audi's just to name a very few... These are completely automatic, usually 5 or 6 speed and can be used as an automatic, or manual.
In automatic mode you put it into D (drive) and step on the cas and it shifts like any auto trans does.
In Manual mode you must select the gear. In manual mode there is no clutch to stop or start, but you must shift either with the paddles or shifter to select the gears just as you would with a manual. Thes types of transmission are becoming more popular because it gives you the best of both worlds. You or I may opt to shift it the same as a manual for more fun and better performance but the wife can use it as an automatic, And there is no $600-$1000 maintenace/service for clutch repairs/replacement every few years.
Auto transmission with manual mode provide faster acceleration then a standard manual because there is no time delay for letting off, shifting and clutch slip. You can just keep you foot mashed to the floor and slap through the gears with the flip of a finger.
Yes the Honda Fit Sport has a 5speed automatic with manual mode.

[abcando]

Thanks! swng,:thumbsup: just the information I want. I'm having fun and learning at the same time with the discussions though. I guess it's not too much of a difference indeed but I think I'd still go with the stick just for the saving and the fun of it.

[swng]

Thanks! swng,:thumbsup: just the information I want. I'm having fun and learning at the same time with the discussions though. I guess it's not too much of a difference indeed but I think I'd still go with the stick just for the saving and the fun of it.
You are welcome! Just go for what suits you best.
I enjoy the conversation:smile:.

[Kiyoshi Manabe]

My 2004 Yaris(Vitz in Japan) 1300U-L with CVT automatic transmisson posts 0-100km/h(62mph) in 11.3sec.
And her 0-400m(SS1/4) time is in 17.8-18.2sec.bracket.
It is more than average for a 1300cc subcompact.
In my opinion, manual version is faster than automatic version by about a second, though automatic version is much easier to drive.

[supmet]

We test drove an auto before ordering our 5 speed and the auto felt very sluggish. I really think the auto hampers the car and takes any fun out of driving it.

As others have said, where is the fun in an manual in stop and go traffic, which is what some people do 90% of the time in their car? It pretty much comes down to personal preference.

And hi from rancho ;)

[eTiMaGo]

heheh yeah i was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour, going into town this evening, times like these I do wish I had an automatic... but overall I rarely get stuck like that so I don't mind... muscular legs are a bonus! :biggrin:

[tomato]

I'm a big stick-shift fan, have driven them all my life and own one myself. I prefer the feel of the MT in general, just a question of habit and preference, I guess.

But if a young person just starting out asked me whether to go auto or manual, and especially if they lived in a city environment, I think I'd recommend the auto because the Yaris's MT definitely takes some getting used to. Also, San Francisco is a bit unusual, too, with all these real steep hills, so around here, most definitely get an auto because people have no patience and stop and go up-hill traffic is definitely a PITA.

On the other hand, fixing a clutch doesn't break the bank, whereas replacing an automatic transmission can be quite costly.

PS> as far as acceleration is concerned, hmmm.. I don't think the acceleration is a real strong point on the stock Yaris, either manual or auto :(

[cfiimei]

When I want to shift, I'll hop on my Ninja.

[SilverBack]

^Then you must really like driving your Y in 1st gear the whole time :biggrin:

Like Thomas said, stick only sucks in traffic. Of course if you know your way around town then you already how to avoid it

Stick FTW. Better acceleration, better gas mileage, more control over the car :thumbsup:

[YarisSedan]

At first i was going to purchase a manual yaris. But me like many many other yaris members purchased a yaris mainly for commute and economy. I had to think logicaly on this one. My commute is mostly stop and go. On my way to work i like to sip my coffe or eat a breakfast burrito while driving. If i were to purchase a stick by the time i got to work i would have spilled my coffe on myself trying to shift with one hand hold my coffe with my other and try to steer with my knees. Some of you know what im talking about =).

For me it was not practical. Not to mention a sore left leg by the time i made it to work. So i went with the automatic. There are times i regeret it. But im sure if i did get the stick there would be many more times i would regret purchasing the automatic than vise versa. The way i figure is within 10 years. My transmission will shot. Within that time i will probally be in th emarket for a new car. And at that time i can swap in a manual transmission and make my yaris more my fun car. But since it is my daily driver i am content with the automatic.

Either way there are ways to work around it. You can pretend its like a tiptronic and just shift left and down if you want to take a right turn in second gear instead of 3rd or 4th. So when you exit the turn you can accelerate out of it. I so hate when i take a sharp right turn at a stop light at 75. And then when i go to accelerate out of the turn im going now about 40 but the transmisssion is still in 4th i press the gas the car does not go.

[Yaris Hilton]

I learned to appreciate automatics after I got off my Harley improperly and wrapped my right arm around my back.

[MUSKOKA800]

Bare in mind these where brand-spanking new, on the lot Yarii I test drove.
Coming from a 200+ hp Talon I was sceptical I could stand moving to a 105ish hp buggy.
I always prefer a manual but as my wife has a bad knee and does drive my car occasionally so I choose to try both AT and MT. Also, if over time I couldn't adapt to the lack of HP it would become her's.
First I test drove an automatic sedan and immediately knew I couldn't live with it's lethargic accelleration so back to the lot. Next I jumped in a 5 speed sedan and although it still dragged it's feet (compared to my Talon) I figured I could adapt eventually. Which I have.
Now, I'm not sure whether my sedan has gained power after it's break-in or whether I'm just forgotten the torque of the turbo-Talon. But sometimes my Yaris actually feels peppy. Amazing how the mind works.