5-speed versus automatic

[x10dude]

After 12 years of MT, I've come to enjoy the Freedom of the AT.

But nothing beats the MZ5 with a teenager in the family who just got a license. I don't have to do the driving anymore. Mazda5 now comes with
a willing driver. I hope the enthusiasm lasts longer.

I was a lifelong MT driver for the first 18 years of my driving life. I switched to AT a few years ago. I must say that I now prefer the AT about 90% of the time. Yes, there are times a MT is great (esp in inclement weather) but I would have to say that much of my enthusiasm for MT was sort of a man-pride thing. It was simply "cooler" to tell people I drove a MT.
Of course if you are into racing a MT will be handy but no one in their right mind will mistake a Mazda5 for a race car. It's probably their slowest vehicle they sell (minus the Tribuite). Probably that is why they only sell it in the Sport version.

... maybe the biggest thing I miss about a MT is not having to press the brake at a stop light.

 

[coolmazda5]

It's probably their slowest vehicle they sell (minus the Tribuite). Probably that is why they only sell it in the Sport version.

Interesting but, What would be the logic of that? In Canada you can still get a fully equipped GT with 5MT and in Europe you can get a top trim with 6MT. The 5MT hits 0-60 in 8.9s and the 5AT in 10.1s, so I'm not sure why that conclusion (scratch)

 

[Fiyawerx]

We test drove the AT at the lot as there were no MT's within a state or two range, I'm glad we got the MT though as the AT makes it feel more like a "minivan" to me, traded in an 01 Celica for it to make room for a baby coming soon and found the M5 to be a great compromise between fun and utility. (And gas mileage - I need to commute in it)

 

[x10dude]

Interesting but, What would be the logic of that? In Canada you can still get a fully equipped GT with 5MT and in Europe you can get a top trim with 6MT. The 5MT hits 0-60 in 8.9s and the 5AT in 10.1s, so I'm not sure why that conclusion (scratch)

8.9s and 10.1 are pretty slow numbers.. that's probably why Mazda doesn't advertise it... I believe the full minivan Honda Odyssey beats both those numbers pretty handily.

And that is sort of embarassing that we can't out accelerate a Full minivan even with a manual tranny.

I sort of laugh when people say the Mazda5 is peppy. Yes it does handle corners nicely, but it definite is not peppy.

 

[coolmazda5]

I agree, it is a slow car for any ratings, especially acceleration is (yawn), but it is a people mover after all, I don't see wife trying to beat the next soccer mom on a Dodge Caravan out of a Target with 2 kids, LOL

But I put the accel numbers in the earlier post to make a point about AT vs MT not to brag about it : I still don't see the point of saying that MT is possibly only offered in the US Sport model because is slow, What is the relationship if the AT is even slower?

I could imagine saying that MT is no longer offered on the Touring and Grand Touring because it is less attractive to American buyers, but due to slowness? (scratch) That was my comment/question

And with regards to peppy, I do believe it is. To me peppy means I don't have to constantly downshift or floor it to make it responsive on slower/accelerating traffic or hills, mostly because the MT RPM-gear ratio is very good. All this compared to other I4/V6/V8 MT cars I've owned/driven in the past

 

[x10dude]

I agree, it is a slow car for any ratings, especially acceleration is (yawn), but it is a people mover after all, I don't see wife trying to beat the next soccer mom on a Dodge Caravan out of a Target with 2 kids, LOL

But I put the accel numbers in the earlier post to make a point about AT vs MT not to brag about it : I still don't see the point of saying that MT is possibly only offered in the US Sport model because is slow, What is the relationship if the AT is even slower?

I could imagine saying that MT is no longer offered on the Touring and Grand Touring because it is less attractive to American buyers, but due to slowness? (scratch) That was my comment/question

And with regards to peppy, I do believe it is. To me peppy means I don't have to constantly downshift or floor it to make it responsive on slower/accelerating traffic or hills, mostly because the MT RPM-gear ratio is very good. All this compared to other I4/V6/V8 MT cars I've owned/driven in the past

It is just an opinion...
MT seem to be most associated with cars that have decent handling and acceleration. (OK trucks do benefit with MT but that's a different being).
While the Mazda5 does have decent handling, it has dog-slow acceleration. Most family cars tend to be slower and often are not offered in MT. (actually I didn't know it WAS THAT SLOW until you quoted the numbers...)

While I DO NOT know exactly why Mazda USA only offers MT in the Sport but perhaps they view it as a pseudo family vehicle... or it could be just to save money. MT are cheaper. That's all I'm saying in terms of acceleration numbers.

I guess peppy can mean what you say... but peppy to me, means quick and fast. While the Mazda5 can decently handle a corner but a vehicle that cannot overtake a full minivan is not "peppy" in my mind.... To put it another way, a car that is slower than the a 2010 hybrid Prius ain't exactly peppy.

But again, no one really buys the Mazda5 for it's acceleration.

P.S. Another thought is that perhaps Canada's weather has something to do with it too. MTs are definitely better in snow.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

my first car was a manual, and now i have driven autos for 9 years. i miss the manual. it is like riding a bike. you dont forget how, but man does you left foot get tired quickly without practice!

anyways, ive driving a couple of the same cars, one with the manual and one an auto, and the manual is just so much better feeling. no lag, and more power. it just gets more out of the engine. the torque converter in the auto's just kills it too much in these small cars.

my next car will be a manual, but i must say, the 5 speed auto in the 5 is probably the best i have driven.

 

[AIMWO4]

On a slight uphill...

Try 11.47.

 

[jaxmazda5]

my wifes 5AT is so slow I don't feel safe merging on a highway and I don't dare try to pass someone on a 2 lane road. It takes forever. I never dorve the manual but I'm sure it has a little more pep to it.

 

[sanblaster]

my wifes 5AT is so slow I don't feel safe merging on a highway and I don't dare try to pass someone on a 2 lane road. It takes forever. I never dorve the manual but I'm sure it has a little more pep to it.

wow. try driving around an automatic 1.5L (92 hp at the crank) for 12 years. I had no problems passing people up.

 

[x10dude]

my wifes 5AT is so slow I don't feel safe merging on a highway and I don't dare try to pass someone on a 2 lane road. It takes forever. I never dorve the manual but I'm sure it has a little more pep to it.

Yeah that HAS to be addressed in the next major remodel of the Mazda5. It is the one glaring deficiency in what is an otherwise excellent vehicle. The MT probably helps a bit in passing but it is not going to work wonders.

Don't get me wrong, the engine does get the job done for the majority of driving conditions but it definitely can use a "boost/upgrade" in the next revision.