5 speed or AT

[squirrel]

Hey all - am about to purchase a Mazda 3 sport GT package. It's been a while since driving a manual and was considering getting the AT but something deep down inside is saying:

"NO! Go 5 and just get through the learning curve"

So - anyone have any feedback on the 5? Sticky? Smooth? How's the transfer ie. clutch pop? Am pretty sure ill go 5 spd, the car will be going from Vancouver --> Whistler (fun road) a fair bit and won't be in rush-hour much, so less worried about calf wear.

Am used to VW Golf 5 speed which i actually disliked - found the clutch really sensitive and more recently Toyota AT.

Basicallly am looking for feedback on anyone who knows the two transmissions and their impressions...

[PL28]

i have been driving an auto since high school, but recent purchase of the 3s is 5 speed manual tranny, i have to learn from the begining but i think its worth it, it feels like i have more control of the car now, the clutch seems really easy to to handle so far, shifts is a little rough but really short throttle. I would go with the 5 speed, but you will lose the convienice of an auto tranx, so i guess its still a choice for yourself

[geebjen]

I had a 89 Jetta 5-speed and now have the Madza 3 5-speed. The mazda is a very smooth transmission. The thing I keep messing up on is the clutch. On my Jetta you only needed the clutch in about 1/2 way to be fully engaged but on the Mazda you need it about 95% to the floor. Sometimes I get lazy and forget to put the clutch all the way down, but the grinding is a good reminder. The clutch action is very smooth though.

[melovemeM3]

I own the M3s sedan 5spd...the 5spd is decent, not short shifts, but not long either...the clutch is really easy to get used to...i love it

[TedCorp]

I've driven some decent cars, [Corvette Z06, Dinan 540i, ML55...] and the stick in the 3 is NICE. It's easy to heel 'n' toe, easy to match revs when downshifting, and the gates get more and more slippery with every passing klik. My g/f has learned how to drive a stick on my 3 in anticipation of our manual SLK350 this fall and even she had to say how easy it was to drive...go for the stick, you'll absolutely LOVE IT!

[RonH]

If you want the best performance, get the 5 speed. If you drive in heavy traffic all of the time, you might want the ATX.
I've been driving for over 45 years and prefer a 5 speed. But my wife refuses to drive a stick so we always buy automatic's.
The ATX on the 3s is nice because if you want you can upshift and downshift yourself.

[crossbow]

The ATX weighs more, and has a bout 12-15 less WHP then the MTX does. Due to gearing its also over a second slower to 60.

Its also the same transmission thats been used since 1999 in the Protege 3rd gen's...and not exactly new, and not very responsive to power mods. Run more then 4 psi in a turbo and you'll have to pull the tranny to do a buildup, or destroy it.

I bought my M3 GT Sport a few months ago with automatic and am totally satisfied. I've only owned manuals before, but this thing has plenty of power with the auto although maybe it would be different with the smaller engine.

The "manual" shift feature lets you drive it almost like a real manual when you need to. Also, I'm getting up to 32 mpg on some trips so have no complaints about fuel economy.

[seldomseen]

Originally posted by squirrel@Jan 12 2004, 02:12 AM
Hey all - am about to purchase a Mazda 3 sport GT package. It's been a while since driving a manual and was considering getting the AT but something deep down inside is saying:

"NO! Go 5 and just get through the learning curve"

So - anyone have any feedback on the 5? Sticky? Smooth? How's the transfer ie. clutch pop? Am pretty sure ill go 5 spd, the car will be going from Vancouver --> Whistler (fun road) a fair bit and won't be in rush-hour much, so less worried about calf wear.

Am used to VW Golf 5 speed which i actually disliked - found the clutch really sensitive and more recently Toyota AT.

Basicallly am looking for feedback on anyone who knows the two transmissions and their impressions...

just get the 5spd so you can squeeze every ounce of power out of the 4 banger! the engine is piece of **** by itself........so imagine how performance would be mated to an automatic tranny!

[Flablueskys]

We have a M3 with 5 speed & a M6 with AT. The 5 speed is a blast to drive, much more responsive than the AT.