Manual vs. Auto Transmission - Toyota Yaris Forums

j996tt · 02-21-2010, 06:39 PM

Always been a manual type of guy. I understand the ins and outs of manual vs. auto from a practical perspective (traffic, etc.). I want to know specifically whether the Yaris (HB) is more 'fun to drive' with what tranny. I assume manual as you can more out of the drivetrain. Does the auto take that much away from the experience? Thanks for the help. JF

yaris prime · 02-21-2010, 06:47 PM

I have driven both, but bought the manual. I don't drive in traffic, however. If I did spend any significant time in traffic, I would have bought the automatic. The manual does make for a more engaging driving experience.

MadMax · 02-21-2010, 06:55 PM

There's been numerous discussions on this, search a bit and you'll find 'em.

I wanted and got an auto, but I didn't buy my Yaris to drive "spiritedly" but for gas efficiency. Still, I enjoy hitting corners and leaving so-called sports cars in my dust. I don't care if they can out-accelerate me in the straights, that's the car and not the driver's skill in action.

The autos can be "shifted" to some degree, I do drop down from 'D' to '3' and even '2' but usually to deceleration. But as I always say, you can always shift an auto but you can't make a manual shift itself! So in my opinion, the auto doesn't take that much away from the car; but I don't know if I would feel the same way if I were 25 years younger.

And if you ever get stuck in slow-moving traffic, the auto is much more desirable.

Cheers! M2

Altitude · 02-21-2010, 07:29 PM

Manual all the way. They make every car more fun to drive. Never owned an automatic, never will.

djct_watt · 02-21-2010, 07:42 PM

My left foot never gets tired in traffic. I suspect people who complain about driving in traffic with a manual transmission are talking about old VW and chevy trucks with heavy clutches. I've owned two automatic cars in my life (my first two). After my first MT car, I've owned two more to make a total of three. I'm never going back to auto! And this is HAVING LIVED in some of the worst traffic cities in the world (Los Angeles and Bangkok).

roxy1 · 02-21-2010, 08:30 PM

manual of course is more fun

manual will yield better mileage (if you know how to drive one)

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...ta&model=Yaris

a good sampling there with the manual averaging 4 mpg's better than the auto. though id say in the hands of any given driver the difference shouldnt be that large.

BUT, the fun part and the stellar mpg's part may not go hand in hand

djct_watt · 02-21-2010, 08:36 PM

The MT is more aggressively geared with a higher final drive. . . so theoretically on the highway it should have worse MPG.

But being that it has 1 extra gear and the gears are shorter, it has a GREAT DEAL more power. Furthermore, MT always put more power to the wheel than autos, with the exception of expensive DSG/SMG/hydraulic auto-manuals. Those are tried and true manual transmissions that are electronically controlled. However an automatic with a selector/paddles and a regular torque converter and planetary gearset auto is NOT the same. Not all auto trannies are equal.

BuildCode · 02-21-2010, 08:55 PM

I've never driven a Yaris auto, but the manual is really fun to drive! And funny what MadMax said, I also seem to have more fun with my car in corners than the sports cars do which are behind me!

*tomato* · 02-21-2010, 09:48 PM

manual FTW.

Except if you live in SF and have to contend with traffics + hills both on a daily basis, then get an auto, it just makes life simpler.

djct_watt · 02-21-2010, 09:59 PM

PS, I lived in S.F. for a few years. . . it's not that bad. If you learn to use the parking brake, it's actually quite easy to start/stop on hills.

Yaris Hilton · 02-21-2010, 10:00 PM

I got high-sided off my Harley ~10 years ago and wrapped my right arm around my back. While recovering from that, I learned to really appreciate automatic transmissions!

djct_watt · 02-21-2010, 10:16 PM

Yes. . . if you own a real a bike, consider an auto in case of the ever-likely wipe out. My bike was totalled by a cop that ran a red light (light no siren). I had to operate the clutch with a broom stick for about two weeks. Not fun.

jambo101 · 02-21-2010, 10:16 PM

Granny trannys are good if you spend a lot of time in rush hours, any kind of spirited open road driving will be more fun with a manual tranny/

wooverstone8 · 02-21-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomato

manual FTW.

+1

SilverBack · 02-21-2010, 11:43 PM

Better acceleration + better MPG (due to slightly taller high gears and a 5th gear) = Can't go wrong with manual.

DevilGirl · 02-22-2010, 07:42 AM

I agree with most that the manual is more fun to drive. This is my first MT car (I've had 4 auto tranny cars before). The only part where it starts to suck is stuck in traffic like I was over the weekend in Philly. I think my left foot went numb a few times...

roxy1 · 02-22-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBack

Better acceleration + better MPG (due to slightly taller high gears and a 5th gear) = Can't go wrong with manual.

actually the auto has a taller 5th gear and revs a bit lower at highway cruising speeds than the manual. with an auto, there are still parasitic losses so its not only about the rpms, so yes, still better mpg with the manual.

MUSKOKA800 · 02-22-2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilGirl

I agree with most that the manual is more fun to drive. This is my first MT car (I've had 4 auto tranny cars before). The only part where it starts to suck is stuck in traffic like I was over the weekend in Philly. I think my left foot went numb a few times...

If your leg went numb holding down a Yaris clutch then heaven help you if you ever drive a hi-po manual V8 in grid-lock. You'd wish for numb.

02-21-2010, 06:39 PM	#1
j996tt Drives: 2009 Yaris S Sport Pacakge 5 d Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MO Posts: 3	Manual vs. Auto Transmission Always been a manual type of guy. I understand the ins and outs of manual vs. auto from a practical perspective (traffic, etc.). I want to know specifically whether the Yaris (HB) is more 'fun to drive' with what tranny. I assume manual as you can more out of the drivetrain. Does the auto take that much away from the experience? Thanks for the help. JF

02-21-2010, 06:47 PM	#2
yaris prime Yes- I fit in it. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris liftback, MT Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 90	I have driven both, but bought the manual. I don't drive in traffic, however. If I did spend any significant time in traffic, I would have bought the automatic. The manual does make for a more engaging driving experience. __________________ I'm surprised it doesn't have a pull-start !

02-21-2010, 06:55 PM	#3
MadMax Drives: 2008 Yaris Liftback (Sprocket) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas! Posts: 2,799	There's been numerous discussions on this, search a bit and you'll find 'em. I wanted and got an auto, but I didn't buy my Yaris to drive "spiritedly" but for gas efficiency. Still, I enjoy hitting corners and leaving so-called sports cars in my dust. I don't care if they can out-accelerate me in the straights, that's the car and not the driver's skill in action. The autos can be "shifted" to some degree, I do drop down from 'D' to '3' and even '2' but usually to deceleration. But as I always say, you can always shift an auto but you can't make a manual shift itself! So in my opinion, the auto doesn't take that much away from the car; but I don't know if I would feel the same way if I were 25 years younger. And if you ever get stuck in slow-moving traffic, the auto is *much* more desirable. Cheers! M2 __________________

02-21-2010, 08:55 PM	#8
BuildCode View User's Garage Drives: Black 5-Spd Sedan S Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 81	I've never driven a Yaris auto, but the manual is really fun to drive! And funny what MadMax said, I also seem to have more fun with my car in corners than the sports cars do which are behind me! __________________

02-21-2010, 09:48 PM	#9
tomato Super Moderator View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 2DR LB 07, MT, Abs. Red Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 5,155	manual FTW. Except if you live in SF and have to contend with traffics + hills both on a daily basis, then get an auto, it just makes life simpler. __________________ Follow Bamboo the YarisWorld Traveler here

02-21-2010, 07:29 PM	#4
Altitude Drives: '08 LB MT Bayou Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,671	Manual all the way. They make every car more fun to drive. Never owned an automatic, never will.

02-21-2010, 07:42 PM	#5
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	My left foot never gets tired in traffic. I suspect people who complain about driving in traffic with a manual transmission are talking about old VW and chevy trucks with heavy clutches. I've owned two automatic cars in my life (my first two). After my first MT car, I've owned two more to make a total of three. I'm never going back to auto! And this is HAVING LIVED in some of the worst traffic cities in the world (Los Angeles and Bangkok).

02-21-2010, 08:30 PM	#6
roxy1 Drives: 2014 yaris 5 speed Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 642	manual of course is more fun manual will yield better mileage (if you know how to drive one) http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...ta&model=Yaris a good sampling there with the manual averaging 4 mpg's better than the auto. though id say in the hands of any given driver the difference shouldnt be that large. BUT, the fun part and the stellar mpg's part may not go hand in hand

02-21-2010, 08:36 PM	#7
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	The MT is more aggressively geared with a higher final drive. . . so theoretically on the highway it should have worse MPG. But being that it has 1 extra gear and the gears are shorter, it has a GREAT DEAL more power. Furthermore, MT always put more power to the wheel than autos, with the exception of expensive DSG/SMG/hydraulic auto-manuals. Those are tried and true manual transmissions that are electronically controlled. However an automatic with a selector/paddles and a regular torque converter and planetary gearset auto is NOT the same. Not all auto trannies are equal.

02-21-2010, 09:59 PM	#10
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	PS, I lived in S.F. for a few years. . . it's not that bad. If you learn to use the parking brake, it's actually quite easy to start/stop on hills.

02-21-2010, 10:00 PM	#11
Yaris Hilton Half a Bubble Off Plumb Drives: 2009 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA Posts: 1,593	I got high-sided off my Harley ~10 years ago and wrapped my right arm around my back. While recovering from that, I learned to really appreciate automatic transmissions!

02-21-2010, 10:16 PM	#12
djct_watt Drives: 2010 NCP91 5spd Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Thailand Posts: 449	Yes. . . if you own a real a bike, consider an auto in case of the ever-likely wipe out. My bike was totalled by a cop that ran a red light (light no siren). I had to operate the clutch with a broom stick for about two weeks. Not fun.

02-21-2010, 10:16 PM	#13
jambo101 Drives: yaris 08 sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 1,286	Granny trannys are good if you spend a lot of time in rush hours, any kind of spirited open road driving will be more fun with a manual tranny/

02-21-2010, 11:43 PM	#15
SilverBack Joey View User's Garage Drives: '14 Scion xD 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: El Monte, Ca Posts: 3,529	Better acceleration + better MPG (due to slightly taller high gears and a 5th gear) = Can't go wrong with manual. __________________ Formerly owned Met-Met. '07 Yaris LB 5-speed. A forum post should be like a skirt: Long enough to cover the subject but short enough to keep things interesting. "I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem." -Hank Hill

02-22-2010, 07:42 AM	#16
DevilGirl Drives: 09 3dr LB MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 681	I agree with most that the manual is more fun to drive. This is my first MT car (I've had 4 auto tranny cars before). The only part where it starts to suck is stuck in traffic like I was over the weekend in Philly. I think my left foot went numb a few times... __________________ 2009 3dr LB MT Meteorite Metalic. Car bought 8/7/09. Now over 89k miles of trouble free driving, other than user error!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Want opinions automatic vs. manual transmission	anik	New YARIS Purchase Forum	84	07-10-2007 04:25 PM