Excuse my copy and paste, but I have this ready cause several have asked on here haha.
"So as a former 2022 Supra owner, these are my impressions with the manual. Itâs a really enjoyable package, more than my 2022.
Steering. The steering for 2023 received updated logic and this somehow translated into being able to feel more feedback from the road to the wheel. The wheel feels a bit more tactile and feels more precise with turning. The 2022 (although also received an update to steering like 2021) still felt a bit wobbly and unsure of what position it wanted to take. The 2023 steering so far feels more confident.
Shifting. Itâs beautiful, but not perfect. Itâs beautiful because knowing it is essentially a BMW product, the shifter doesnât say so, but it also doesnât say itâs Japanese. Shifting truly feels like a blend between a modern BMW and an older Japanese car. It has a satisfying notch to each shift, the gates are very clear, the linkage feels mechanical and not typical of the BMW rubbery feel. Itâs not S2000 or Type R good, but itâs not BMW bad lol. The throws are also satisfying. It doesnât feel like youâre rowing a boat and doesnât feel too short. It requires a pull and push effort that feels really nice. At the end of the day, it is satisfying.
Clutch. If youâve driven a BMW, this is going to feel familiar. The clutch pedal travel is LONG, BUT - the engagement is predictable, itâs smooth and consistent. Itâs very surprising that Toyota was able to take a BMW setup and not make it feel like a BMW aside from pedal travel. It does not have the weird clutch delay valve feel to it (Not sure if it doesnât have a CDV or not) - engagement happens as soon as the pedal passes the point where it grabs. It feels really good, predictable, consistent and manageable.
Ergonomics. Mostly everything is identical to other Supras. The center console changes, buttons were moved, but ultimately still feels natural. The shifter is in a great spot if you donât keep cups in your cupholder. I cannot see an instance of using the shifter and hitting climate control buttons as a few early press reviews mentioned - there is plenty of room between the top gears and the climate control shroud/buttons. Seating position has changed with the manual for me. Iâm 6â1 and I have to sit a bit closer to comfortably clutch in and out without overextending my leg. I donât consider this to be a bad thing - I feel more engaged with the car sitting a bit closer.
Drive/Gearing. I absolutely do not notice any detriment. With the final drive gearing change from 3.15 in the automatic to the 3.46 in the manual, first gear engagements are not jerky and is not slow to accelerate from a stop. When accelerating from 0mph in first gear, it doesnât feel like there is any slouch. With the higher final drive, there is a bit more shifting, but I feel itâs a good thing as itâs keeping the Supra in a good spot for power."
Overall, Iâd choose the manual again over the automatic. This statement isnât to incite an argument over which is better, itâs just what is more enjoyable for me and what aligns more with the reason why I considered a Supra to begin with. I donât have a desire to make this car faster, itâs plenty fast for me. My Tesla is my go fast car, so this is my have a bit more fun in car and enjoy the stick.