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[Peter]

hey comon, do you realize that we're all bashing on the same car? comon, we're all in the same family. as long as you're happy w/ auto or stick, its all good, its up to you. its been said before, and i'll say it again, whatever floats your yacht

[cdssolara]

I don't get the feeling that people are bashing on each other. These are just statements of opinions.

Personally, I wouldn't have an auto in any car that was either built or modified to be sporty. The nature of a sports car is to enable the driver to be a part of the driving experience, not removed from it. To me, an automatic transmission removes one more aspect of driving from the driver's control. I realize that automatics are becoming more sophisticated, and at the upper end of the scale they can shift faster than manuals. I just want to feel that I am the one controlling the engine rpms, rather than a computer. Ony a true manual (with a clutch) delivers that feeling. I want to feel like I'm driving the car, not just aiming it. Yes, it can be a pain in traffic, but the tradeoff is worth it.

By the way, I realize that the Solara is not a sports car. My goal in modifying it has been to make it more sporty and less of a cruiser.

[ICUFG]

Whats a second gear start, give me a scenario?

[NASTY]

Whats a second gear start, give me a scenario?

well, its starting in 2nd gear
and basically what yanks said, it can be useful for better traction when starting on snow (or any slippery conditions)

[Yanks0114]

I don't get the feeling that people are bashing on each other. These are just statements of opinions.

Personally, I wouldn't have an auto in any car that was either built or modified to be sporty. The nature of a sports car is to enable the driver to be a part of the driving experience, not removed from it. To me, an automatic transmission removes one more aspect of driving from the driver's control. I realize that automatics are becoming more sophisticated, and at the upper end of the scale they can shift faster than manuals. I just want to feel that I am the one controlling the engine rpms, rather than a computer. Ony a true manual (with a clutch) delivers that feeling. I want to feel like I'm driving the car, not just aiming it. Yes, it can be a pain in traffic, but the tradeoff is worth it.

By the way, I realize that the Solara is not a sports car. My goal in modifying it has been to make it more sporty and less of a cruiser.

I completely agree that stick is meant for sports car. It also does add another element of control. On the 4cyls if you drive stick right you can get decent performance from them. While i'm a kid and i have modified my car heavily, I still don't consider it a sports car. I love to relax and just cruise around, not worrying about stick. Yes Yes I know it becomes second nature, but my parents used to drive my car in the beginning. My mom can't drive stick Either way its still the same car

[Flipside909]

Not because I have a auto but I dont see a reason to have a stick in a FWD. I can do everything that a stick can do spin tires, down shift, manually shift, I can power brake better for more effective launchs, and guess what I never miss a gear (o yeah I can drive better drunk and rub on the girls leg thats sitting beside me) . As for the eight second auto's I know for a fact that when everything was stock on my car, my buddies G-Tech said 7.6 while spinning the tires, but maybe my car is an alien SOLARA, Woooo Hoooo. I need to go visit my buddy again to retest my car with the S/C!

As soon as you mentioned G-Tech...haha nice try...that $150 pos isn't a credible measuring tool. That is the most innaccurate device to measure how fast your car goes. If you want real numbers, take it to the track. Most all the magazine tests showed 8.0-8.2 since 1998 when they first introduced the Solara, that's the plain fact.

You can't do everything a stick does. You can't rev match, you can't hold gears as long as you want no matter how far you have your foot mashed to the floor, you can't beat a manual n/a or s/c solara and you can't get more than 480 miles to one tank.

It's funny how one would come to the extreme of making all these excuses. Are you in denial that you spent all that money for your upgrades only to be as fast as a stock 5speed Solara? Your car is an automatic...it's gonna be slower than a manual...PERIOD.

[ICUFG]

You know Ryan it seems like everytime I express my opinion or anyone else on this forum expresses their opinion against you, you get a little insecure of your man hood I guess. I just voice facts and most important my opinion. If you dont like it kick me OFF!

[Flipside909]

You know Ryan it seems like everytime I express my opinion or anyone else on this forum expresses their opinion against you, you get a little insecure of your man hood I guess. I just voice facts and most important my opinion. If you dont like it kick me OFF!

Felipe,

It's the beauty of forum arguments that make things interesting. If you didn't like the response you got, just be more cautious the next time around. I wasn't offended with what you said, I felt I had to put my 2 cents in. If you didn't like my response, I apologize in my behalf if it really bothered you that much. I know the facts, you can't fool me...especially when it comes to this platform. This is my forte.

[ICUFG]

You know Ryan it seems like everytime I express my opinion or anyone else on this forum expresses their opinion against you, you get a little insecure of your man hood I guess. I just voice facts and most important my opinion. If you dont like it kick me OFF!

Felipe,

It's the beauty of forum arguments that make things interesting. If you didn't like the response you got, just be more cautious the next time around. I wasn't offended with what you said, I felt I had to put my 2 cents in. If you didn't like my response, I apologize in my behalf if it really bothered you that much. I know the facts, you can't fool me...especially when it comes to this platform. This is my forte.

Thats cool man some times the internet can be misleading. Sorry about the Drama .

[Guest]

Aw! Come on Flippy, What about JIM@FA's Solara? Its an Auto, Im pretty sure almost none of the 5 speed Solaras here stand a chance against it.
Agreed, Autos trade some efficiency for convenience, but they're not as inferior as most people here make them out to be.

Aviv

[impactX]

Aw! Come on Flippy, What about JIM@FA's Solara? Its an Auto, Im pretty sure almost none of the 5 speed Solaras here stand a chance against it.
Agreed, Autos trade some efficiency for convenience, but they're not as inferior as most people here make them out to be.

Aviv

The technology is not necessary inferior. But the long gear ratio blows, period. 4-SPD Auto Camry/Solara is slow, it's a fact. I drive one and I know how slow it is. But hey, I still like it regardless. No point to get all defensive when others are pointing out the facts.

[SKYravefever]

Aw! Come on Flippy, What about JIM@FA's Solara? Its an Auto, Im pretty sure almost none of the 5 speed Solaras here stand a chance against it.
Agreed, Autos trade some efficiency for convenience, but they're not as inferior as most people here make them out to be.

Aviv

My sentiments exactly...

[Missay]

hahah..you guys are making me laugh b/c all i can think is "how often does the typical person actually run into an racing incident where they kick themselves in the a$$ and thing...damn! 1 second! i shoulda got a manual!"

lol...really, unless you're going to the track or you're an idiot, hardcore red light racer...you just drive to drive

so auto or stick...it gets ya from point A to B...and it's really fun either way of course!

and like yank mentioned..it's the same car

hey, ryan. you do get a little "auto" mean sometimes. lol..do like making my auto "luv" feel inferior to you're macho stick hahah..that sounded bad, but you know what i mean
i like things simple as possible...ooo! and ryan, when you tried to explain to me how to parallel park w/ a stick.....

[Guy]

U might get a lil cherp but thats it, u cant pop the clutch and realy spin the tires, the skid mark u prolly see is from ur back tires sliding on the e-brake.!

[ICUFG]

U might get a lil cherp but thats it, u cant pop the clutch and realy spin the tires, the skid mark u prolly see is from ur back tires sliding on the e-brake.!

Dont need the e-brake to smoke my 235's with an auto!