New member without a car.... SMT v Manual

[Anonymous]

Firstly, I apologise if this has been covered before, I have used the search function but couldn't find anything that helped.

I am looking to buy an MR2 for my wife. She currently drives a fully automatic so she has tried the SMT and likes it. She has had her ACL done on her left knee after a skiing accident.

Are there any owners of SMT's who wish they had bought a manual after owning the car for a while?

Are there any forum users that have owned both and can give an unbiased view?

Will we be happy whichever we go for....

Thanks in advance for your help.

Steve

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the club.

SteveJ is your man - IIRC, he has owned both. Ive driven his SMT and personally i quite like it. If i were to get another roadster after my manual one, i would seriously think about getting the SMT.

I would prefer a slightly quicker gear change, but if you treat it like a manual and lift your foot while changing gear like you would in a manual, its actually pretty good... downshifts on the other hand are sweet as hell!   s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:  Also with the SMT you get traction control & stability control (if you buy the 03 model) so its a bit safer if your not used to a RWD car. But i must say, its just sooo much fun blipping the gears on the steering wheel   s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Hope you find one you like.

[Anonymous]

I have a manual, but Filcee let me have a go in his and its ace... I would deffinately get a SMT next time. Lots of fun and practical if you do lots of miles!

[Anonymous]

If I bought another MR2 it would be an SMT.  So much more fun.  Especially changing down for a bend when it rev-matches.

[filcee]

I wouldn't be without an SMT now (currently on my second one) - although most people who haven't tried it (mostly not MR2 owners) think I am daft for not having a full manual.

It's excellent if you are in traffic, and excellent on the open road as it allows more time to think about where you put the car - plus you can keep both hands on the wheel at all times, which is a nice change from having to co-ordinate all those pedals and levers.

If selling one to a dealer, there is an amount of BS to overcome about lack of popularity and so on - I suggest you use this to your advantage when buying one  s;-) ;-) s;-)

The next club meet is Warwick Carnival (see thread here).  There will be at least one -probably two- maybe more SMTs, plus the usual crop of old-fashioned manuals there.  Might be worth a trip over as you're not that far away?

Oh - nearly forgot - welcome to the club and I hope you find the right car for your needs.

[Anonymous]

SMTs not appear in Glass's and book above manuals

[DAZ400]

I have an SMT and when it is working it is great. But if you have problems then they can be very expensive and time consuming to get put wright, mainly to the lack of experience the techs have in the SMT version.

If you don't intend to mod the car and change it before the 3 year warrenty runs out then you can't go wrong touch wood.

I have a lot of experience now of the problems of the SMT and it does seem that maybee it is too complex for its own good.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies guys, looks like it might be an SMT. Just got to find one now.

Probably can't make the Warwick carnival but will look to attend any local meets.

[mph]

Don't necessarily expect to like the SMT immediately. It takes a little getting used. I recall the first time I drove one, I really didn't like it. Only after taking a full day's test drive - I did over 100 miles all on unclassified roads - did I really start to understand how to get the best out of it.

[Anonymous]

I currentley own a full automatic but drive most of the time using the j gate as a manual in sports mode so I've no doubt I will be OK with the SMT.

The thing that is worrying is that the 0-60 time is a second slower than the manual (acording to the brochures, that is). That makes it slower than my old Scorpio (1993 with 120k)

[Anonymous]

it's just as fast as the manual when it's going.
it's the same engine and gearbox.
it's just you don't have launch control

[juansolo]

For the road I'd have an SMT.  Seems a giggle.

[filcee]

Affirmative  s;-) ;-) s;-)  especially now you have TC & VSC to 'lean on'.

Mind you, I have only had the disco lights on the dashboard on twice in just under 12 months  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:   Maybe SteveJ will be along soon to explain just how much fun that is ...

[Anonymous]

I have an '03 SMT and it is fantastic.  Wouldn't change it for the world.  My only comment is that, since I use my car for everyday commuting, a fully automatic option would be quite nice.

[Tem]

Are there any forum users that have owned both and can give an unbiased view?

Here's an unbiased view of SMT vs manual  s;) s;)

 m http://www.midsouthspyders.com/videos/J ... Willem.mpg m


Of course the difference isn't that big once you're moving  s8) s8)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your help, guys.

In the end we decided to go for a manual and have just got home after picking it up.

Now, what mod to do first....

[Anonymous]

Aaaah, a manual.  You know it makes sense   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Sundance   s8) s8)

[Anonymous]

Now, what mod to do first....

easy;

1) club windscreen sticker
2) corky antiflex plate (do a search)
3) visor plugs
4) remove the dealer sticker from the rear window

the list can go on and on and on!   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Anonymous]

Easy...

1) Clear side repeaters
2) '03 vents
3) MR2 mats
4) MR2 mud guards
5) Bama deflector

Hang on a minute......   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

On a more serious note

6) TTE springs
7) TTE twin exhaust OR H&S twin exhaust
'8)' TRD stage 1 bodykit
9) Apex'i intake

Sundance   s8) s8)

[Tem]

TRD stage 1 bodykit

If only those were priced like they used to be in US...  s:cry: :cry: s:cry: