funny.

 

Manual thats all I can say, driving auto is too boring, I haven't tried the manumatic, but either way, I'd choose the 5 spd over anything.

The thing about the higher top speed with longer gear ratios, which is true, but there is a speed governor which limits it to I think it was 115mph, even though mine goes closer to 120mph until it kicks in, so it wouldn't matter, the faster acceleration is what would matter, cause you'll get to the limit allot quicker.

also use Search, because there has been a huge discussion on this already

 

In reply to the original question, the 5 speed shifter is not a cable linkage, but rather is rod actuated. Nice crisp shifts.

Get the 5 speed - you'll be able to learn to drive a slow car fast!

 

I purchased the auto as the wife is the primary driver plus the other two cars are also a stick. She felt that if something happened, we needed an auto. Poor argument but the car was for her so I got what she wanted. In reality, we test drove both. I've actually been pretty pleased with the auto. It shifts quickly and smooth. Also, it's only a new torque converter away from leaving you manual shifted guys in the dust at the drag strip.

 

I have the autostick version of the MP5. I have always driven 5spd 4-bangers and I must admit that after some stop-and-go commuter traffic in my '98 Civic LX 5spd, I decided that I would not buy another 5spd until I was purchasing a "real" sportscar. I have been very pleased with the performance of the autostick and the pseudo-manual shift capability is fun to play with when I'm so inclined. I like not having to work the clutch in stop-and-go traffic. Admittedly, I'm getting old though....

 

Like many in the club I was one that bought the manumatic to please my wife who cant drive manual. But I had to I had no choice. When I test drove the car I chose not to test the manual because I am a big manual fan. To this day I really dont know what I am missing but that was the whole point. The manuamatic is ok but it dosent feel at all that you are driving a Stick( no cluth and late shifting response time) if you are driving your car hard you will get into the redline easy.

If I could go back in time I would get a manaul in a heart beat.

Steve
2002.5 ES

 

hmm, seems like many of the guys here use "the wife" as an excuse for getting an automatic/manumatic transmission Proteges....

Do most women really REALLY dislike shifting gears themselves??????

 

most women are too incompatent to learn to drive a stick, some can like my wife and a few others out there, but there are a bunch you just refuse to learn. manualls accel better but the auto doen't have a higher top speed. even though the gears on the 5 speed are shorter, there is still 5 of them so the actually at longer the the 4 speedauto, also you can reach the top speed alot sooner in a manuall b/c of the shorter gear and lach of HP!! If our car had 300 HP, it really wouldn't matter now would it I got a manuall and i love it. I have 50K miles and about 20k of it was stop and go and i wouldn't have it any other way. they only thing i cry about at night is that i didn't take it up the butt on the payments and just get the car i really wanted, a WRX.

 

automatics are for crack addicts, and five speeds are for pure speed......why get these cars if you want a automatic, its really stupid, get a nice ford ranger with a 2.3 liter, I mean if you have to even ask this question auto or five speed, this car isnt really for you.,......have a nice day

 

ok you can't really compare anything to a ford ranger, they just plain out suck

 

My wife as well as I have always owned manual cars. But I don't think it has to do with dislike. For me it had more to do with attitude. My pregnant wife has a much better attitude NOT having to drive a stick in stop-n-go traffic every day.

Go back to school. Autos and manuals both have beneifits. Torque multiplication of the converter usually gives auto tranny cars higher towing capacities. You'll most always see the auto tranny cars winning at the drags. Why? Consistency. Manuals are good too. Would you pick an auto on an auto-x course? Probably not.

 

yes auto usually work at the drag strip b/c of concisty, but also b/c they only have 2 gears to choose from. if you are going to use a protege to tow something....i'll shoot you. all big towing vehicles are manuals neways

 

TOWING????? THE F*UCK is this guy talking about,,,,,,lol towing,,,,I am speechless,,,well not really,,,,,drag racing is more fun when its manual,,,screw consistincy,,,,Go for the thrill,,,,,towing,,,,,,,lol

 

Two gears?

Shoot someone for towing with a Protege?

All big towing vehicles are manuals anyways?


I'm not saying that I didn't want the manual myself. But I bought the car primarily for someone else. And drag racing a stick is fun. Fun once you get the launch perfected and can keep from missing gears and trashing transmissions.

 

5 speed...a lot more fun than automatic