Does any other auto tranny Yaris owner regret not getting the MT?

[bentjazz]

Hi guys,

Well, I'm over the 3,000 mile mark now and kind of regret getting the auto tranny. I was in a rush to get a car, knew I wanted a Yaris, had the option to get a MT, but decided on the AT and now regret it. Any other AT Yaris folk regret not getting the MT?
Should I trade mine in for a MT?

[Klink10]

Nope

[.Kevin.]

HA Not a chance.

[Manley81bass]

Yes.

[sickpuppy1]

Sometimes yes, mostly no.

[LtNoogie]

Shift the AT by hand based on the sound of the engine. You'll enjoy the drive.

The AT like to stay in third all the way through a turn and then feels like it's bogging. I shift to 2nd and then can pull away with alot of high rev zip.

I drive a lot with the SC turned off to get better gas milage and manually shifting the AT keeps it fun.

[.Kevin.]

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Shift the AT by hand based on the sound of the engine. You'll enjoy the drive.

The AT like to stay in third all the way through a turn and then feels like it's bogging. I shift to 2nd and then can pull away with alot of high rev zip.

I drive a lot with the SC turned off to get better gas milage and manually shifting the AT keeps it fun.

Isn't that going to force-grind your gears.

I mess with D and 3rd alot, but shifting an automatic or in this case - manumatic. Is only suggestions to the computer not precise shifting you can keep it to high rpms.

[LtNoogie]

I don't really know. Someone who knows more will have to chime in. I think this topic was discussed in an old thread but manually shifting the AT makes for much more spirited driving.

[Chuck G]

Drove both - really disliked the MT.
The Yaris AT is exceptional!!

[R2D2]

I love mine.

The General Lee was an auto-we're just missing the 440 Magnum!

Hey LT-that AT must pull pretty good with the SC on! How much does the SC hurt your FE? Just curious!

[MattS.]

I was looking for a new Yaris with MT. Damn hard to find, so I ended up with an AT. How about the reverse... anyone wish they had bought an AT Yaris. I doubt either side will admit to anything :)

[Klink10]

I will add that putting a Blitz throttle controller in put a whole new perspective on driving the AT. Reason why I like it so much.

[daf62757]

My AT is so smooth in shifting and the ease of using it far outweighs any gas savings you might get from having the MT. The MT gets very old...all that moving your feet and constantly switching gears while in heavy traffic.

I will never have another MT. ATs last so much longer and help your resale value.

[NZ-FE Vios]

I also wish there was a sixth speed. Would not have gone for an AT, MT is always a requirement in vehicle purchases for me.

Originally Posted by daf62757

ATs last so much longer

Hate to chime in and derail but I beg to differ. What evidence do you have to prove that ATs last longer? Sounds like you are making a rash generalization. I've seen a lot of cars that were put by the wayside because the AT failed.

Fact: MTs are easier to work on.

I would not think twice about dropping and rebuilding a MT, but would never consider attempting to rebuild an AT.

here's my generalization:
MTs will almost always outlive it's AT counterpart IF driven properly by a competent driver.

However I do respect and understand why one would prefer an AT over MT. To each their own.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by NZ-FE Vios

I also wish there was a sixth speed. Would not have gone for an AT, MT is always a requirement in vehicle purchases for me.




Hate to chime in and derail but I beg to differ. What evidence do you have to prove that ATs last longer? Sounds like you are making a rash generalization. I've seen a lot of cars that were put by the wayside because the AT failed.

Fact: MTs are easier to work on.

I would not think twice about dropping and rebuilding a MT, but would never consider attempting to rebuild an AT.

here's my generalization:
MTs will almost always outlive it's AT counterpart IF driven properly by a competent driver.

However I do respect and understand why one would prefer an AT over MT. To each their own.

I would say that my comment is based upon almost 40 years of experience as a driver and my experience as a motor pool officer in the Army. AT's rarely need any maintenance until well over the 100K miles. Most manuals need to have a clutch replacement somewhere near the 50 to 60K mile mark. You might be correct that the driver's ability to use the clutch has a significant impact on the length of longevity, but on average, the AT will last longer and cost less in maintenance. Also, the AT raises the value of the vehicle when it comes to resell.

In the end, its all relative to what you think and believe. You obviously have a different opinion as do I. In our own worlds, we can both be correct!

[NZ-FE Vios]

Originally Posted by daf62757

I would say that my comment is based upon almost 40 years of experience as a driver and my experience as a motor pool officer in the Army. AT's rarely need any maintenance until well over the 100K miles. Most manuals need to have a clutch replacement somewhere near the 50 to 60K mile mark. You might be correct that the driver's ability to use the clutch has a significant impact on the length of longevity, but on average, the AT will last longer and cost less in maintenance. Also, the AT raises the value of the vehicle when it comes to resell.

In the end, its all relative to what you think and believe. You obviously have a different opinion as do I. In our own worlds, we can both be correct!

Very interesting. As Americans AT definitely does help resale value (automatic is an optional extra, creating greater initial cost and value). I know some 50somethings that have never driven MT, I'm glad you have.

As a Motor Pool Officer, what did you do specifically and what do U.S. Army motor pool consist of? What do they buy in MT? Do you think that the MTs would be especially dogged due to having many drivers (and ones that don't regularly drive MT) or are most vehicles assigned to one driver for most of its use? Do you think a Motor Pool Officer in a European Countries' Army would say the opposite (conjecture, but due to Europeans buying mainly MT)?

As for maintenance, yea I'd rather pull a dipstick and check ATF in comparison to the unbolting check bolt and fingering gearbox, anyday.

What do you think about higher end cars (mercedes-benz, etc) that have the MT as an optional extra?

I appreciate your position and insights as I've never had correspondence with someone who worked with pools of motors. Cheers

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by NZ-FE Vios

Very interesting. As Americans AT definitely does help resale value (automatic is an optional extra, creating greater initial cost and value). I know some 50somethings that have never driven MT, I'm glad you have.

As a Motor Pool Officer, what did you do specifically and what do U.S. Army motor pool consist of? What do they buy in MT? Do you think that the MTs would be especially dogged due to having many drivers (and ones that don't regularly drive MT) or are most vehicles assigned to one driver for most of its use? Do you think a Motor Pool Officer in a European Countries' Army would say the opposite (conjecture, but due to Europeans buying mainly MT)?

You supervise the motor pool mechanics and get your ass chewed out for everything that goes wrong! My MP Company had tactical vehicles (M151-A2s) that were MT. We also had Ford Topaz and Chevy Blazer/pickups for patrol cars. Later on, before I got out, we got some Ford Crown Vics. The MTs had to constantly be rebuilt. I don't know if its fair to compare the M151-A2's tranny to a commercial tranny. They were constantly being rebuilt by kids who were hardly 18. The commercial vehicles usually had no problems but back when GM went over to the first 4 speed auto tranny, the 4th gear would burn out. The other 3 would still work. The tactical vehicles usually had the same 3 people driving. The Commercial vehicles never had the same driver.

Can't say what another country's military experience with transmissions would be. People are usually the same no matter where you go. Kids usually are drivers in the military do the experienced MT operators would not come into play.

As for maintenance, yea I'd rather pull a dipstick and check ATF in comparison to the unbolting check bolt and fingering gearbox, anyday.

What do you think about higher end cars (mercedes-benz, etc) that have the MT as an optional extra?

Never have drive one so can't say. My only experience is with American cars....oh yea, and POS VW Rabbit back in the early 80s.

I appreciate your position and insights as I've never had correspondence with someone who worked with pools of motors. Cheers

As a Motor Pool Officer, what did you do specifically and what do U.S. Army motor pool consist of? What do they buy in MT? Do you think that the MTs would be especially dogged due to having many drivers (and ones that don't regularly drive MT) or are most vehicles assigned to one driver for most of its use? Do you think a Motor Pool Officer in a European Countries' Army would say the opposite (conjecture, but due to Europeans buying mainly MT)?

As for maintenance, yea I'd rather pull a dipstick and check ATF in comparison to the unbolting check bolt and fingering gearbox, anyday.

What do you think about higher end cars (mercedes-benz, etc) that have the MT as an optional extra?

I appreciate your position and insights as I've never had correspondence with someone who worked with pools of motors. Cheers

[yaris0128]

Originally Posted by daf62757

My AT is so smooth in shifting and the ease of using it far outweighs any gas savings you might get from having the MT. The MT gets very old...all that moving your feet and constantly switching gears while in heavy traffic.

I will never have another MT. ATs last so much longer and help your resale value.

Untrue! They might upcharge them a few years after it was new but later down the road people dont want used automatics with over a 100k on them. How many people are hunting down old 90's Honda's with an auto right now? None. Cuz they suck and people know they suck. Autos suck.