5-Speed Auto vx 5-Speed Manual

[m1ndless]

I am getting a mazda 3 soon, and I cannot decide if I should get the 5-Speed Auto or Manual. I dont know how to drive a stick that well right now, but could easily learn, but I guess the 5-Speed Auto can act as a manual, right?

So with that said, is the 5-Speed Auto much different than the manual?

Would it be better for me since I prefer automatic?

 

[Black_Protege_5]

Wow what is up witht the multiple posts?

Manual is always better as the automatic has a lot more electric parts to go through before shifting. But if you don't know how to drive manual I would say learn.

 

[WRCprotege]

performance <<-----manual.!!... its not hard to learn to drive.. its more fun and more control over the power of the engine and tends to be faster
automatic<<-----if you arent driving hard, and just want a nice sporty ride to cruse into work though traffic..

 

[m1ndless]

Sorry about the multiple posts...not sure what happend.

Its mainly a drive to school and work car. I dont race or anything like that. I do like to drive a little fast sometimes though.

Its mainly just a daily driver, 95% of the driving is to school and work, and to get food. But I do like to race my buddies sometimes.

I am thinking a stick might be the way to go, what do you guys thing?

The only problem I ever had driving a stick was going from not moving to moving without squeeling my tires, I just have to learn I guess.

 

[WRCprotege]

a week max, you will be fine... stick is faster and more fun.. after a few mounths driving a stick will become 2nd nature and will require no effort to drive , its not a big deal after a while, you do it without thinking about it.. if you enjoy driving, go stick.. if you just want to cruise alot, dont care that much for racing or a fun drive through the curves.. auto will do

 

[m1ndless]

hmm, I think then manual is the way to go, I just went on the mazda site, I "built" my mazda that I want, looks like the msrp is just about 17.9k, I bet I can talk them down to 16.5.

 

[BKK Jack]

Manual...get 'em while you can!

I would strongly urge manual. Since they seem to be a dying breed, you should get a true manual while you still can. No auto is as much fun when you want driving excitement. As WRCprotege said it will become so easy, you won't even mind the traffic jams.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

my wife owns a 2007 Mazda3 GT with the 5 speed automatic. Its nice as an auto comes, I will grant it that. It shifts smooth and pretty much right where you want it to shift. In slow or city traffic it shifts too often up and down for my tastes.

To me there is not even a debate on this issue. It boils down to this; learning stick is not rock science. Gas mileage is measurably better with a stick. Acceleration is better with a stick, especially on these cars. If you plan on modifying the car for performance, there is no reason to buy anything but a stick.

If this is just a daily driver that you don't plan on doing performance mods to, go with the auto. If you plan on having some fun with the car and doing some performance tricks to it, go with a stick.

 

[m1ndless]

Its going to be mainly a daily driver, but I did plan on doing alot of performence upgrades, such as Intake, Headers, Exhaust, Suspension, Wheels and Tires, ect.

Ill just have to learn manual trans, ill go rent a manual car and drive it around for a few days haha.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Its going to be mainly a daily driver, but I did plan on doing alot of performence upgrades, such as Intake, Headers, Exhaust, Suspension, Wheels and Tires, ect.

Ill just have to learn manual trans, ill go rent a manual car and drive it around for a few days haha.

i bought my car not having driven stick in a year or so. you'll pick it up quick.

 

[m1ndless]

i bought my car not having driven stick in a year or so. you'll pick it up quick.

Yeah, I should. A buddy of mine might just teach me in his 06 scion.

I should have enough money by december so I can finally buy it.

 

[JOS3]

i never had a stick until i bought my current car. i drove it 25 miles home the day i got it in traffic. i had only driven a manual once before that for about 10 minutes. dont let this small issue keep you from having more fun in your 3.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i never had a stick until i bought my current car. i drove it 25 miles home the day i got it in traffic. i had only driven a manual once before that for about 10 minutes. dont let this small issue keep you from having more fun in your 3.

i thought of mentioning this tale as well. (first)

 

[m1ndless]

Yeah, thanks for all the help, I decided to get the manual. Its like 1k cheaper!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Yeah, thanks for all the help, I decided to get the manual. Its like 1k cheaper!

you will not regret it

 

[~JoJo~]

Manual For Life!

 

[compujas]

I'd only ever driven stick for 45 minutes in a late '80s Celica two days before I bought my 3 stick, and after owning the car for a month, I was nearly flawless. It doesn't take long to pick up if you're reasonably mechanically inclined. I won't say that anyone can pick it up that quickly, but if you understand the mechanics behind shifting (ie. if you don't, read about driving stick on the internet for a few days), then you'll be fine. So buy a manual, not to mention that I test drove the automatic and almost ruled out the car.

 

[brucelee]

manual is the only way to go!

edit:
manual is the only way to go!

 

[m1ndless]

I need to learn how to drive one before I even head to the dealer, I dont want to look like an idiot when test driving it.

I might either rent a car or drive my buddies around and learn.

 

[II-Savy]

If you are a chick, get the chick shifter!