3s transmission - manual or auto?
 

After going back and forth between the Civic and the Mazda 3, it seems like even the people in the Honda Civic forums think the 3 is a good car.

So, it comes down to manual or auto sport transmission. I love a manual, but the auto sport seems like the best of both worlds except for the price. Is there anything particularly good or bad about either?

I'm looking at a 3s touring with the manual or grandtouring with the auto.

Thanks

It's all going to be a matter of preference. If you get the manual, you can control the shift point for a little more power and get better gas mileage.
If you are the kind of person who gets annoyed shifting in traffic jams, though, you're probably better off with the auto.

5spd manual!

5 spd, I own one and love it. I drove an auto and wanted to kill someone after 20 mins of "where the hell is the acceleration???"

yeah, I bought an auto and it was very weak. the 5spd is quicker and much more "tuner-firendly".

5-speed manual transmission all the way. You'll get better gas mileage, better acceleration, and a sportier feel. With the manual transmission you feel like youre actually a part of the car and feel more in control of what the Axela is doing. With auto-tranny you just become a drone and its easier to space out at the wheel. Plus, youll save some money getting the manual instead of automatic.

I agree with the 5 speed unless you are spending 20 hours a week in bumper to bumper traffic. Although I don't own the "trip tronic" (or any Mazda) auto, I would not recommend it if you are used to driving a manual transmission.

I drove my brother's Mazda 6 in that mode and kept wanting to push the "shifter" down when going into fourth gear. You push it up to up shift and down to down shift. Couldn't get the hang of it, so I went back to full auto.

The manual mode in the automatic doesn't really shift as crisply as I would like.

With the hydraulic slave cylinder to aid clutch application and TBW throttle, city traffic is a breeze.

Go with the manual tranny.

I love my Auto. I don't feel much loss of power with my Auto (has more balls than a V6 Malibu) but at the same time i have never tried the 5-speed in the mazda3.

Always if you like to shift manualy go with the 5 speed. I got the auto because my wife may drive soon and she can't drive a Standard.

My biggest complaint is the gas miledge with the auto and 2.3 is crap. 21-23

Thanks all! It seems like a lot of people who like the 3 instead of the Civic also enjoy manual transmissions. Luckily, both my wife and I can drive one and in this day and age it also seems to prevent others from wanting to drive your car. HAH!

Manual it is!

:bt:

good choice with the 5spd, you wont regret it, i got one the other day and i am in love with the car.

i just don't like autos in 4 cylinder cars. don't really care for autos in any car actually.

Best of both worlds: Direct Shift Gearbox
 

If you want a true 'automatic stick' go with the new Audi A3 with the dual clutch DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission, which shifts faster than a human being. It's the first time this sort of tranny has been available on a relatively inexpensive car. But it is in the next price range up ($26k.) While one clutch is engaged, the other one is anticipating the next gear you want. It's not a normal auto tranny with a vacuum system. http://mydreams.go.ro/art_direct_shift.html

I have a stick protege5 and we just bought an automatic 3, and while the extra horsepower in the 3 does help make up for the power loss in the automatic, I find myself limited with the auto in quick response situations, although it's much better just running errands around town. On the freeway I prefer the stick.

The Automatic on the 3 is very smooth though, and when you put the pedal in the right spot at the right time, the acelleration is great. Like most new cars, the pedal is very touchy, compared with old model cars where you have to jam on it to get it to do anything.

Eventually I will probably replace the 5 with the A3 rather than turbo the 5, due to smog hassles in California.

--Mike