Manual vs Auto (apprehension)

[NicKnack]

Just get whichever one you think will tickle your fancy.

Does the MT feel a bit BMW-ish? Yes, but Toyota did what they can given the hardware. Autosolutions also makes a kit for this car now that really tightens things up/helps get rid of that feel, while keeping an OEM looking and OEM height shift knob.

If you like rowing gears, the MT is for you. If you wanna go fast and being able to change your own gears takes a back seat to the ultimate numbers you can put down, and how fast the car is in general, the AT is probably better for you.

You can still use the paddles to shift yourself when you want to. Is it as engaging? No. But does that mean it's a horrible mind numbing experience akin to driving an appliance? Also no. Short of PDK which is an entire different architecture, the ZF8 is probably one of the best, if not the best auto box currently out there imo.

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[Hasan]

I've had a 2020 FBO with E50, it was fun, but what I really wanted was a manual, so I got a G82 M4 manual. After almost 20k miles, I got bored of the M4, got a VB-WRX, MX5, Evora GT and finally went back to the Supra, but this time Manual.

Day and night difference. First, the manual doesn't feel BMW rubbery, after 2 years of that, I can tell, the Supra feels way better. But yeah, not as good as the MX5 though, but it's good enough. Compared to any other manual car, the power delivery, even stock is amazing on the manual, there is always torque, is very fun to drive.

Compared to the M4, it's way more nimble to drive (~350 lbs lighter). Also, the gearing and power delivery is completely different, the M4 is like:

2000 RPM - Nothing.
2500 RPM - Nothing.
3000 RPM - Nothing
4000 RPM - BOOOOOST

The Supra on the other hand, has power all way way. It has to do with the shorter gear ratios (compared to the M4), and the higher compression of the B58. Also, the S58 has turbo lag, a lot of it.

Now running catless DP and 92 octane custom tune, it's what I wanted 4 years ago. We haven't even started with E85 and the tires can't handle second gear

So far no clutch slip, let's see with E50, but my plan is to upgrade clutch and turbo anyway. If you want to keep it stock, the clutch will be more than ok, unless you don't know how to shift.

My daily is a M240i, so, I already have my dose of auto ZF everyday.

Which clutch are you planning to upgrade to?

 

[Camus]

Which clutch are you planning to upgrade to?

Most likely the Clutch Masters shown in this video:



Looks like there is a new assembly to replace the factory slave cylinder. But I'll wait until the OEM clutch start slipping hard, no need to replace it at the current power level.

Funny because I have a brand new Fx400 in the box for the G80/G82... sold the car before getting to install it .

 

[puzzled]

You can still use the paddles to shift yourself when you want to. Is it as engaging? No.

I disagree. The car does not perfectly rev-match on downshifts so I assist it with a mild heel and toe to slightly blip the throttle to get a seamless downshift. It's actually entertaining enough to call it engaging. I drive MT cars all the time so I know it's not the same, but then sometimes it's good to enjoy a car without needing to do all the work.. plus the 2020's sound great in stock form.

 

[kungfujedis]

I disagree. The car does not perfectly rev-match on downshifts so I assist it with a mild heel and toe to slightly blip the throttle to get a seamless downshift. It's actually entertaining enough to call it engaging. I drive MT cars all the time so I know it's not the same, but then sometimes it's good to enjoy a car without needing to do all the work.. plus the 2020's sound great in stock form.

Are you saying you heel toe an automatic?

 

[DGINR8supra]

Most likely the Clutch Masters shown in this video:



Looks like there is a new assembly to replace the factory slave cylinder. But I'll wait until the OEM clutch start slipping hard, no need to replace it at the current power level.

Funny because I have a brand new Fx400 in the box for the G80/G82... sold the car before getting to install it .

I can attest to the manual and auto as I’ve had a 22 auto and now currently the manual. Both are awesome cars. On e50 and meth is plenty fast. Only gripe about the manual is the damn hill assist function can’t be turned off and is annoying with the upgraded clutch. Everything else is crisp and tight as it should be.

 

[splv]

This thread has a lot of opinions, but just go drive both if you don’t know which one to buy, and then make a decision.

I liked the GR Supra but never considered buying one if it didn’t come with a MT. Toyota listened to the demand and came through for the fans so I bought what I always wanted, a GR Supra with a factory MT. You just have to know what you want and what will work for you and your situation. Unlike some of these guys in here, I don’t track or race. Mine is a street car. I have no need to scrub the last tenth off my drive. Additionally, I have a short commute to work in a small city. More importantly, my Supra is not my only car. On the days that I have to quickly get into work, and my drive is simply a commute, I take the daily which a very comfortable 4Runner TRD Pro. Starts up every time, and will get me to my destination rain, snow or shine. On a lighter and nicer day where I can take my time getting into work and take a longer cruise, I choose between the Cayman and the GR Supra. Everyone will fight for their camp, AT vs MT, but at the end of the day, it’s your car and your life.

Also, don’t listen to the clowns that say the MT in the Supra is trash. While it’s not as good as the S2000 (no other mass produced MT is, I owned an AP1 for 4 years btw), I’d say it’s definitely better than my Porsche Cayman 987.2 by a long shot. If you like to row a notchy gearbox, you’ll like this one. It is precise with very little play. The GR Supra manual transmission is a joy to use. Just check out all the YouTube reviews - SavageGeese, Zygrene, Topher, etc.

TLDR: My Supra’s MT works well and has not had any issues.

 

[Evolution]

I don’t care what kind of trans any of you have. As long as you didn’t buy a 2.0, you made the right choice.

 

[splv]

At car meets, nobody says anything like that, but I can tell you that the majority of people who look inside and don't see an automatic get really excited, like they've stumbled upon something special and rare. I honestly couldn't care less - it's a very ordinary manual gearbox compared to my daily - but I have to say that there is an undeniable aura surrounding manual transmissions, particularly in nice cars like the Supra.

And let's face it, once manual transmissions are out of production, nobody is going to give two shits that the ZF8 was the best automatic transmission or magical or a few tenths faster: They're just going to care that a manual variant was produced and where tf can I see/buy an example of it.

For the record, I can happily agree that the ZF8 is a pretty good automatic transmission, but for my money, the very best ever automatic transmission in a sports car is always going to be a distant second to even the most ordinary manual transmission in the same model. ?‍

?

 

[Suprachu]

Manual owner here. I haven't had any issues or clutch slipping on mine. I ha e a bm3 tune, airbox, catless downpipe, and a few other tasteful mods for power and the only problem I have is traction with the oem tires. Amazing car for real!

BM3 + Catless downpipe on an MT?! Are you not having issues on throttle cuts?

 

[Suprachu]

BMW manuals are shit. Always have been. If your heart is set on a manual car, there are better manuals to be found. If your heart is set on a Supra, then the auto is better. Personally I shift the auto manually with the paddles. Best of both worlds. I've driven both the auto and the manual, and the auto Supra is just better. The manual "purists" don't want to hear it, but it's just true. If you want a fantastic manual, look at a used Cayman, a Civic Type R/Integra Type S, hell, even the manual in my GR Corolla is better than the one in the Supra.

As someone who went from an FK8 to a MT Supra, I can assure you the Manual is not better in the fk8, it is different but it's got a ton of slack/play and I have come to love the notchyness of the supra manual more.. especially after driving them back to back

 

[BMWAF]

As someone who went from an FK8 to a MT Supra, I can assure you the Manual is not better in the fk8, it is different but it's got a ton of slack/play and I have come to love the notchyness of the supra manual more.. especially after driving them back to back

As someone who went from an FN2 (which is now my daily) to a MT Supra, I can assure you the manual is at least a whole class better in the FN2. The Supra's transmission really doesn't hold a candle to the 15 year old Honda box.

 

[Suprachu]

As someone who went from an FN2 (which is now my daily) to a MT Supra, I can assure you the manual is at least a whole class better in the FN2. The Supra's transmission really doesn't hold a candle to the 15 year old Honda box.

I did say FK8 specifically, FN2 I have no experience with, but I can assure you the FK8 MT is overhyped, I thoroughly did think the FK8 was better until I drove them back to back. I even had the updated 2020 shifter, still not as nice as the Supras IMO.

 

[Syeeee]

I don’t care what kind of trans any of you have. As long as you didn’t buy a 2.0, you made the right choice.

 

[BMWAF]

I did say FK8 specifically, FN2 I have no experience with, but I can assure you the FK8 MT is overhyped, I thoroughly did think the FK8 was better until I drove them back to back. I even had the updated 2020 shifter, still not as nice as the Supras IMO.

Yeah. That's interesting. I haven't driven an FK8 or FL5 - Honda dealers wouldn't even let us test drive them here - but it's pretty disappointing if their gearboxes have gone backwards. Other than Porsche, Honda were the gold standard for a long time.

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