Here's Why I Bought an Automatic FRS/BRZ/86 (and Why It's Better Than You Think)

The automatic transmission in the Subaru BRZ, Scion FRS, and Toyota 86 is commonly hated for the wrong reasons. In short, the manual is always going to be the more fun, more engaging car. The automatic has both its draw backs and its benefits. In this video, we go over why I bought an automatic and why it's better than you think!

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Music licensed by Artlist
Intro - Freedom by Rex Banner

[ARobFpv]

Great to see a review not complaining about an automatic, they have advanced incredibly in performance 👍

[BRZguy]

I can definitely see the benefits and the appeal of getting the auto version. Everyone will be able to drive it, and if you want a little bit more control, you can do so with the paddle shifters. And in sport mode it actually doesn't sound half bad! A lot of automatics sound really distinctive and not as cool as manual, but the BRZ seems to get the sound close. Personally I went with manual just because it's what I found, and I didn't want to let it stop me from getting a good car and learning a new skill. So I learned on my car and I don't regret it one bit!

[KingVuongasaphellajuicy]

Before even watching, you don’t even have to explain your choice on transmission to me! Drive what you enjoy and that is what matters 🤞

[tl]

It's the smoothest auto I have had. No jumpy lurches. I just use the paddles when I have an open road which is rare in the UK

[shanazseemungal]

I totally agree with you mate. First reviewer who knows how to use the 86 Auto transmission. I love my auto GT86 and will have a blast all day long!

[ifotagooseonce]

I love manual cars, but honestly, for a daily driver it’s so much nicer to have an automatic

[DevoutSkeptic]

I got an automatic 2020 86 GT. Went with auto because I don't have experience with manuals and I live in an area with some of the worst traffic in the county and I needed it to be my daily driver because I can't afford to have two cars. Honestly as much as I think I would enjoy driving manual, the fact that an auto lets me choose between letting it shift for me and manually shifting it myself is what makes it so much more daily drivable. It might be slower to 60, but honestly unless you're doing illegal street racing or taking it to the track all the time, who TF cares?

[pseudonym]

Just bought a silver 2016 Subaru BRZ Limited with automatic transmission. It had two owners previously but it must have sat in a garage for a while as it only had 13, 800 miles. It has some hail damage on the hood but they are going to replace it at no cost to me. I've had it about two days and I'm enjoying the hell out of it...

[JesusIsLord]

Never care what others think. You like you buy !! 👌🏼 simple as that

[Ayy_SeaJ]

I daily my 2019 Toyota 86 Trd Edition and it’s manual. I love it so much traffic or not, I can’t stop driving it. That’s just my opinion though. I would encourage any of you if you are true car enthusiast that has not tried manual, to try it before talking bad about one or the other.

[kakashi]

People hate on the auto but IMO its still 100x better than a ford focus or chevy cruz or a SUV. The fact people care enough to hate on it shows its a real player.

[nexus]

I have a supercharged auto frs and I love it feels like a baby supercar with the paddles and the supercharger power love the thing

[vulcanjoe]

I just purchased a 86 GR GTS 2023 (Australian version) in automatic. The wait times for any car here is literally insane and mine was a canceled order so I was asked if I wanted the auto. As your everyday driving car in a very congested city I wouldn’t even second guess buying an auto, but you’re correct manual would be way more fun.

[frziez]

I daily a Nismo z, used to have an auto z but sold that junk and got myself a manual Nismo, couldn’t be happier

[izzyiz]

Thanks for giving the auto a real review. It's cool everyone wants to save the manuals but it also creates bias and leaves auto reviews empty and lacking substance. All they know how to say is... the manual is better. And it's boring.
Again thanks for a real review. You did good.

[tizmon]

Toyota is actually very interested in pushing automatic transmissions for this car. All the publications and critics agree that auto 86 is stiffer than manual 86 in Japan. Stiffness order of the car goes like, 86 auto, 86 manual, BRZ manual, BRZ auto in Japan. Toyota really wants the auto to do well even in trucks.
I think I’ll go for BRZ auto as a do all except track car. A feel good car wherever you are.

[ordonezelvin]

Got an automatic frs, I never learn to drive manual cause I had an altima for 12 years so I wanted a cheap sports car and I got lucky with mine 😁 still fun 👹

[Notfast]

Get yourself an exhaust system, even just a catback exhaust..and use the manual mode function and it is still a blast to drive

[jeffruebens]

In the old days, manuals got better gas mileage and were much more reliable, and usually only needed a new clutch if they did fail. Most do not change automatic transmission fluid often enough now for the best reliability.

[kevingajraj]

Been loving that intro man. At the end of the day who cares wtf you drive. If you like it who gives a f. 85% of brz that are sold are manual, you are apart of that 15%