MT or AT

[Donas64]

chickenshit excuse. If you can't pay enough attention to drive stick, you shouldn't be driving at all. As in....if kids are distracting you that much, pull the hell over!

Comments like this really irk me. Driving manual is nothing special. With enough practice anyone can learn it. Driving manual does not make anyone anything special.

For driving experience, manual can't be beat. But I'd much rather have a good DSG tranny for the best of both worlds.

What the heck does driving a stick have to do with keeping an eye on kids.

Driving stick does not make you schumacher. It means you have learned a skill that millions of others (including myself) did when we learned to drive.

My P5 is an autotragic but I don't feel it makes me any less of a driver. It just means that I won't have to deal with the monotony of constant shifting in stop and go traffic.

Granted I sacrifice some fun in the twisties but I can live with that until I purchase my next car (with a DSG tranny).

Bottom line: You can drive a manual? GOOD for YOU! but it's nothing special.

Man those F1 drivers must really SUCK because they use paddle shifters.

If I was getting a 5, I'd get the auto. But since I want an MS3, I'll happily row my own gears.

 

[rodslinger]

prefer a manual...but gotta share....sigh

Hell with that... Get your own.

 

[jeebusm3]

Try driving stick in a 45 minute stop and go traffic, ie. wait a couple minutes then move half car length then wait a couple minutes then move another half car length. My legs and knees were shaking with fatigue after 45minutes of that. (freak)

But on the other hand, I was able to drive through a couple blocks of flood waters that's bumper high just by revving the engine and controlling the clutch and the handbrake to move. Try that on an Auto tranny car.(yippy)

I live in San Diego. I lived in Portland. I regularly drive in LA, Orange County, and San Francisco.

You think I don't understand traffic?

Comments like this really irk me. Driving manual is nothing special. With enough practice anyone can learn it. Driving manual does not make anyone anything special.

For driving experience, manual can't be beat. But I'd much rather have a good DSG tranny for the best of both worlds.

What the heck does driving a stick have to do with keeping an eye on kids.

Driving stick does not make you schumacher. It means you have learned a skill that millions of others (including myself) did when we learned to drive.

My P5 is an autotragic but I don't feel it makes me any less of a driver. It just means that I won't have to deal with the monotony of constant shifting in stop and go traffic.

Granted I sacrifice some fun in the twisties but I can live with that until I purchase my next car (with a DSG tranny).

Bottom line: You can drive a manual? GOOD for YOU! but it's nothing special.

Man those F1 drivers must really SUCK because they use paddle shifters.

If I was getting a 5, I'd get the auto. But since I want an MS3, I'll happily row my own gears.

lol, I irked you.

I didn't say it makes you anything special. Statistially, it does make you more aware while driving. Technically, it does have less driveline loss vs an auto with a torque converter. Historically, it weighs less. Generally, it is more reliable. It's more fun.

As for a good DSG...well, good luck. I have driven DSG's from most makes and they are never as good as regular manual transmissions, and they cost a fortune to repair or replace. The only worthwhile replacement to a conventional manual are the new dual-clutch, sequential manuals. They are smooth, fast, and fun. They still suffer from the same high repair costs though.

I won't even respond to your "what the heck does driving stick have to do with keeping an eye on the kids" comment, because you obviously lack the reading comprehension necessary to grasp what I'm saying.

And for the F1 comment. a) they don't have the room for a conventional manual, b) they don't have the time to shift them, and c) the g-forces put on their bodies would make it damn near impossible anyway.

I will stick with my belief that manuals are reserved for people that actually care about driving experience. Automatics are for those that have sold out. I mean...you drive an automatic protege. You think I'm supposed to take you seriously?

 

[Donas64]

I live in San Diego. I lived in Portland. I regularly drive in LA, Orange County, and San Francisco.

You think I don't understand traffic?



lol, I irked you.

I didn't say it makes you anything special. Statistially, it does make you more aware while driving. Technically, it does have less driveline loss vs an auto with a torque converter. Historically, it weighs less. Generally, it is more reliable. It's more fun.

As for a good DSG...well, good luck. I have driven DSG's from most makes and they are never as good as regular manual transmissions, and they cost a fortune to repair or replace. The only worthwhile replacement to a conventional manual are the new dual-clutch, sequential manuals. They are smooth, fast, and fun. They still suffer from the same high repair costs though.

I won't even respond to your "what the heck does driving stick have to do with keeping an eye on the kids" comment, because you obviously lack the reading comprehension necessary to grasp what I'm saying.

And for the F1 comment. a) they don't have the room for a conventional manual, b) they don't have the time to shift them, and c) the g-forces put on their bodies would make it damn near impossible anyway.

I will stick with my belief that manuals are reserved for people that actually care about driving experience. Automatics are for those that have sold out. I mean...you drive an automatic protege. You think I'm supposed to take you seriously?

I don't care if you take me seriously or not. I just think your ego suffers from a false sense on inflation because you know how to use a clutch. (braindead

 

[jandree22]

Personally I love MT or else I wouldn't have bought one in my 5, but when I drive my wife's AT, it is a nice break for my left foot. No I don't get 'the whole experience', but sometimes boring A-B transportation is just fine and dandy w/me

 

[jeebusm3]

I don't care if you take me seriously or not. I just think your ego suffers from a false sense on inflation because you know how to use a clutch. (braindead

(stash)

 

[doctorz]

so as of right now the poll is running 3-to-1 MT versus AT. Seriously? All you guys that answered "MT" have 5s with MTs?

More questionable sampling: in my daughter's chorus, which consists of children from maybe 40 different families, there are three Mazda5s in this group, which basically makes it the official car of the chorus. All three Mazda5s have stick shifts, go figure.

 

[dfskinner]

I didn't say I didn't like MT...... I like the pickup of a good strong engine weather it be a MT or AT (1999 V8 Mercedes ML430, 1998 V6 Toyota Tacoma 4X4, 2006 V6 Infiniti FX35, and 2006 4 Cycl Mazda 5). The Mazda 5 ranks right up there with the Infiniti and Mercedes for take-off even with the AT, I'm just not into MT's at this point in my life, and I think that's OK.......

I've had several vehicles with MT's in my lifetime and I enjoyed them all....

 

[Henika]

As for a good DSG...well, good luck. I have driven DSG's from most makes and they are never as good as regular manual transmissions, and they cost a fortune to repair or replace. The only worthwhile replacement to a conventional manual are the new dual-clutch, sequential manuals. They are smooth, fast, and fun. They still suffer from the same high repair costs though.

I have driven my friend's Audi A3 with DSG, and it was awesome. The shifts were very quick, response is instant and suprisingly smooth, not jerky. It is very very good. The DSG on the A3 and GTI are so good that it beats manual 6 speed of the same car with a professional driver behind the wheel.
Check it out: http://www.leftlanenews.com/video-dsg-vs-6-speed-manual.html

 

[07MZ5SA]

I would have bought an MT but can't find a Sport in Houston area. Besides, highway RPM is higher than 4AT.

 

[jandree22]

I live in San Diego. I lived in Portland. I regularly drive in LA, Orange County, and San Francisco.

You think I don't understand traffic?

lol, your point? Drive the Schuylkill Expy in Philly once and you will quickly realize plenty of people don't quite get the concept.

I didn't say it makes you anything special. Statistially, it does make you more aware while driving.

Source? I'd be interested in this read.

Generally, it is more reliable.

Tell that to my bro who needed to replace his 01 Civic tranny when 2nd gear died (not a wear issue). Or RSX-S/Celica GTS owners when they blew their engines due to a sloppy 6MT gate design.

It's more fun.

100% subjective.

I will stick with my belief that manuals are reserved for people that actually care about driving experience.

90% don't give two hoots about zipping around twisties or drag racing through red lights. I guess because they don't want to hassle clutching their urban commutes or in general A-B driving, that makes them typical lazy Americans. Good analysis. (thumb)

Automatics are for those that have sold out.

O RLY?

I mean...you drive an automatic protege. You think I'm supposed to take you seriously?

Okay, I'll concede. You have way more street cred cause you drive a 5MT through LA.

 

[coolmazda5]

Drive the Schuylkill Expy in Philly once and you will quickly realize plenty of people don't quite get the concept.

(puke), Ewww! you hit that nail right on the head... now talk uphill (west direction) (braindead

 

[switz]

I Prefer Shifting Gears Myself

The only automatic equipped vehicle I have ever purchased was a used '88 full sized chev extended cab long box pickup that I still use today. Otherwise, I prefer to have the transmission in the gear I want it in when I want it in that gear. I don't want the transmission deciding for me. The fact that the Mazda5 is the only vehicle of it's type that offers a 5-spd manual was a huge factor in my purchase of this vehicle. No other auto-maker has a manual equipped people hauler of this size available. Period. Good job Mazda!

All those that wouldn't consider a manual transmisson need not be in our club. They don't know what they a missing out on and we probably will never get them to see the light. Too bad for them.

 

[Donas64]

The only automatic equipped vehicle I have ever purchased was a used '88 full sized chev extended cab long box pickup that I still use today. Otherwise, I prefer to have the transmission in the gear I want it in when I want it in that gear. I don't want the transmission deciding for me. The fact that the Mazda5 is the only vehicle of it's type that offers a 5-spd manual was a huge factor in my purchase of this vehicle. No other auto-maker has a manual equipped people hauler of this size available. Period. Good job Mazda!

All those that wouldn't consider a manual transmisson need not be in our club. They don't know what they a missing out on and we probably will never get them to see the light. Too bad for them.

what club is that?

btw: I prefer manuals to automatics but not by a huge margin. Especially if you throw DSG into the equation.

 

[jandree22]

All those that wouldn't consider a manual transmisson need not be in our club. They don't know what they a missing out on and we probably will never get them to see the light. Too bad for them.

I prefer MT, but I strongly disagree with your viewpoint. This is Mazdas247.com, not StandardShift.com... perhaps you're lost.

 

[bidi]

I like manual trans, even did an auto to manual conversion on one of my cars.
I have nothing agains auto trans though, either. They are convenient.

I think manual trans is more fun on a project car, and the only reason I preffer manual on a DD is because the upkeep is easier and cheaper.

 

[BinoMP5]

coming from an Auto Driver..... manual is my preference.... especially now since im doing autocross..... hmmm if u guys spot a mazdaspeed tranny give me a pm

/end threadjack

 

[Donas64]

I prefer MT, but I strongly disagree with your viewpoint. This is Mazdas247.com, not StandardShift.com... perhaps you're lost.

I concur.

 

[Donas64]

I like manual trans, even did an auto to manual conversion on one of my cars.
I have nothing agains auto trans though, either. They are convenient.

I think manual trans is more fun on a project car, and the only reason I preffer manual on a DD is because the upkeep is easier and cheaper.

I like your sig. Thats a lot of proteges.

 

[jeebusm3]

I have driven my friend's Audi A3 with DSG, and it was awesome. The shifts were very quick, response is instant and suprisingly smooth, not jerky. It is very very good. The DSG on the A3 and GTI are so good that it beats manual 6 speed of the same car with a professional driver behind the wheel.
Check it out: http://www.leftlanenews.com/video-dsg-vs-6-speed-manual.html

the a3/gti DSG is one of the better DSGs I have driven. It's still more expensive to fix and replace than a standard manual....by a lot.

lol, your point? Drive the Schuylkill Expy in Philly once and you will quickly realize plenty of people don't quite get the concept.

my point was I drive and have driven in some of the worst traffic on the planet and it doesn't make me want an automatic because I'm not a pansy.

Source? I'd be interested in this read.

oh, there's no concrete evidence that I know of. It's been a debate since the beginning of time. But the fact is, you are more involved with the driving experience when you shift and use a clutch. You pay more attention to RPMs, engine load, you plan further ahead when turning because you downshift, you can use engine braking to better control speeds downhill...the list goes on and on.

Studies have shown that automatic transmissions lower stress levels of drivers. Which, may sound like a good thing, but low stress = relaxation = less attention to detail.

Tell that to my bro who needed to replace his 01 Civic tranny when 2nd gear died (not a wear issue). Or RSX-S/Celica GTS owners when they blew their engines due to a sloppy 6MT gate design.

oh god. of course there are manual trannies that fail. Of course there are idiots that mis-shift their cars and blow their motors. People did it on BMW m3s too. You know how I avoided it? I installed poly tranny mounts and the tranny didn't shift under load so I couldn't accidentally put it in the wrong gear.

I won't even get into automatic transmission problems/failures because it's an astronomically higher number than manuals. Talk to ANY transmission specialist.

100% subjective.

no REAL driver is gonna tell you that automatic is more fun. They would have to be the lamest driver ever to walk the planet to come out and say that.

Do torque converters with high stall speeds have a place in the performance enthusiast world? Of course they do. Drag racers love em. But not any other group of automotive enthusiasts.

90% don't give two hoots about zipping around twisties or drag racing through red lights. I guess because they don't want to hassle clutching their urban commutes or in general A-B driving, that makes them typical lazy Americans. Good analysis. (thumb)

yes it does. Americans are fat, lazy, and stupid. And they all drive fat, lazy, and stupid cars with automatics.

Okay, I'll concede. You have way more street cred cause you drive a 5MT through LA.

well as long as you can admit it.