auto transmission owners out there?
 

Hey Protege fans...especially auto tranny owners,

Got a question (or 2),
I just purchased my 2nd Protege, a 95 DX auto with only 54K on the odometer. I used to own a '93 DX manual that got me to 130K miles or longer if I didn't sell it last year.

I'm a little wary that I got an auto instead of a manual but the price was really good.....$3200 for the '95 and only a few other Protege's all with much more mileage and all autos anyway. What I want to know is are my chances of this car lasting a long time decreased with having an auto? Has anyone had trouble with their auto transmissions dying....early? That's the last thing I need. I know the 626's had transmission problems.

BTW, only reason I got the auto is b/c my other car is a Z28 6spd.

Any info appreciated!

Thanks,
Howie

Auto Trannies
 

I know alot of people hate on auto trannies, but automatic trannies can be just as durable if not more than manual transmissions. I have a 94DX with 120,000 miles on it and have had absolutely no problems. My car is driven extremely hard. I drag the car at the local track and currently have it set up to autocross this spring and am confident it can take the abuse I will throw at it. I make it a point to change the tranny fluid every year at the most and sometimes more, so how it is maintained will ultimately determine how long it lasts. Granted design helps. A plus is I haven't had to replace any clutches, syncros, throw out bearings that commonly fail on manuals. I don't buy the generalizations that most of the posters on this board make about auto trannies (especiallly those who don't own one). Auto trannies are most consistent on the 1/4 mile strip. Some of the fastest Supras and Vettes are..that's right AUTOMATICS. Now granted when my tranny does fail, and it eventually will, the only drawback I see is that it will cost more to repair. I'll just ship it out to level 10 and have it beefed up to handle the abuse even better than it does.
The 626 problems you mentioned are quite common, especially with the 4 cylinder models because...hold on to your seat...they are a ford transmission. An extremely poor design at that. I have a few mechanic buddies at the local dealership who are always replacing those trannies.

I am not able to speak to Mazda automatic transmissions, but my Chevy one lasted 140k miles before I killed it. I was told the cause of death was some retaining clip in there broke, and then the pieces from it then went to town on the rest of the transmission. In the end it was a $1,500 (US) :( repair on the car. Of course that was the only time that it gave me problems. I was pretty good about changing the fluid in it (once a year or so) and drove the car pretty hard (my gas pedals tend to have binary positions.... full off or full on :)).

With proper care an AT should last a good long while... the problem with getting any used car is that you do not know how it was treated for the first 54k... of course the same goes for an MT as well. Actually, I might make the case that for the average driver out there you are likely to see less damage on the AT than on the MT as most folks that have an MT like to drive their cars and are likely to push them a little harder.

Re: Auto Trannies
 

That's good to know. I'm really a manual person myself but the mileage and price on this '95 was too good to pass up. I was close to getting a '91 323 5spd with 103k and ran GREAT but guy wouldn't budge below $1900 so think in the long run this '95 auto (knock on wood) will be a better deal.

Auto V Manual
 

I happened to have been fortunate that my car was a previously leased car and had all the receipts and paperwork. All the routine maintainance was done at the dealership and it had only 22k miles on it when I bought it (May 95).
I too am a huge manual tranny fan and in fact will get a manual in my next protege (Soon 2 Pros. :D !!!). Just thought I'd give some positive auto-tranny owner feedback since everyone who will trash the auto are those who have most likely never owned one. It doesn't make the car inferior or less durable. In fact, Gro Harlem (Wil) has driven my car and was actually quite surprised.
Price and mileage also influenced my purchase of my 1994. If you take care of your car, it won't disappoint you. MAINTAINENCE MAINTAINENCE MAINTAINENCE. That's just my philsophy. Good Luck with your ride!!