5-speed versus automatic

[tsunami racer]

i wanted to know from people who have driven both the manual and automatic 5's.

aside from the few oddball touring models out there, i realize all manual 5's can only be had in the sport models. i currently have a 08 touring with an automatic and debated whether to get a sport with manual. in the end, the goodies in the touring won out over the hassle of special ordering a manual sport and loading it up with all the touring-level options (sans LED's of course).

now my lease on the 5 is nearing the end and i'm looking at getting another 5. this time, i'm considering a grand touring, or a sport with manual. all my other cars are manual and i don't mind rowing my own boat.

is the manual transmission worth it? does it make the car feel more spirited and is it more fun to drive? or does it not make a big difference and should i just get the convenience (read boring) of an automatic and play with the HID's and NAVI on the grand touring?

any thoughts from people who've experienced both would be appreciated.

 

[jandree22]

I'm an oddball with a 5MT Touring (2007), and it's a hoot to drive. The engine loves to rev and the shift action is slick and smooth. So nice to be able to hold it in a low gear to have all that power instantly when you hit the gas exiting a turn. I've only test driven a 4AT 2006, and played with the manual mode but it wasn't my cup of tea. Not a match for clutching and 'rowing' the gears.

Don't get me wrong, not hating on automatics because my wife's 4AT Camry is very nice as well... there are times when I'm feeling more chill and don't need to play racer boy.

 

[doctorz]

I test drove both and thought there was a fairly big difference. The manual never feels underpowered. That said, I have not tried a 5AT.

 

[Redlinez]

Pretty much all of the owners here who have the 5AT's get better gas mileage than we do with our 09 Sport 5 speed manual. I think they sound wierd when revving about 4300 or so, never noticed the sound in the Mazda3S 5 speed I drove. It could be the intake setup. We average 24-25 mpg.

 

[king57721]

Once you go stick you won't go back.

 

[coolmazda5]

Once you go stick you won't go back.

What are you talking about?

I've rented an 07 Mazda5 (auto) once and it was very decent and similar in "power" compared to my 5MTs.

The 5MT shifter is on a nice position, is easy to shift, fun and spirited, especially as the manual has a very singular gear-RPM ratio, making it very responsive,

Anyway, just test drive both as of course you'll get biased responses here

 

[tsunami racer]

thanks for the quick feedback. yeah i guess i'd be best served to actually go drive a manual.

before i bought my auto 5, i rented one for a week to make sure i liked it (hertz). because no one rents a 5-speed, i'll have to try and get the most out of the 5 minute dealer test drive.

the reason i started thinking about a manual 5 is because i was recently in germany and rented a manual transmission Ford S-Max and thought it was a kick in the arse to drive.

 

[skyhawk]

I drove manual for 11 years before I came to northamerica. I had a 1.3l mazda 323 '83) (remember those).. great Fun to drive.

But with the MAZDA5 auto there is still some element of 'driver control' over the gearing. There is a 'sweet spot' like in tennis racket. After a while you learn the exact time to 'floor' the gas and the MZ5 Auto will give you the zoom-zoom or 'sling shot' effect.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

my only qualms with the 5 spd auto, is it hates going 30-35 m/h. it cannot decide which gear to go into.

so, i just put it in manual when i am in town.

otherwise, it is so much better than my p5 trans, by far!

 

[Jetmech]

I've had the mazda 6i with 5 speed and now have the 4 speed auto slush box and notice a big difference.

 

[Heat]

I rented a Mazda5 with automatic transmission a couple of weeks ago, put about 700 miles on it (including time in downtown Chicago and the St. Louis area). Since then Ive bought a Mazda5 with manual transmission and have put a couple hundred miles on it so far.

The Mazda5 with manual is definitely a peppy car. Since you already drive manual transmission cars, you already know that any vehicle with manual transmission will be more peppy than the same vehicle with automatic transmission, but the Mazda5 with manual has a different gearing ratio than the Mazda5 with automatic to make it even *more* peppy. Just remember that its a Mazda5 Sport.

Both the automatic transmission and the manual transmissions are fine. My wife and I both prefer manual transmissions, so thats what we got, plus we saved $950 by going with manual (automatic adds $950 to the cost of the vehicle). If you are buying new, test drive the manual and be sure to get it onto an interstate at highway speeds (70 mph or so).

What is the buyout on your current Mazda5? It may be the better deal, though there are some great deals on new Mazda5s right now. Just to toss out some numbers, I basically bought my Mazda5 Sport with manual transmission at invoice before incentives, so I paid $1,000 under invoice, plus three months no payment, plus 36 months zero percent interest, plus no money down. $16,500 plus $1,500 for tax, title, license, doc fee. My payments will be $500 a month for three years, starting in May.

 

[5zoom]

Happy 5AT owner

I have driven manuals for most of my driving career and usually prefer them. With that being said, I'm glad I went with the 5AT in my 08. The lower cruising RPM makes a difference out on the highway, particularly at higher speeds. I would have been a bigger fan of the manual if they offered it with a cruising 6th gear. When I drove one I was constantly looking for a higher gear to put it into on the highway.

Yes, its nice to be able to accelerate in 5th, but to me that kinda defeats the purpose/fun of getting a manual to begin with. I'd rather have to shift to 4th on a grade than spin the manual 5's engine at high RPM's on flat and downhill sections of road.

There is a big difference between the 4AT and the 5AT in everyday driving. The 5AT makes better use of the engines power and spends less time zinging at high RPM. I drove both before buying my 08.

 

[DoubleT]

Incorrect!

Once you go stick you won't go back.

Sorry you miss one important factor here! After four MT cars, wife (bicker) made me get the AT this time. Boy do I miss it and from what I heard MT is great on the Mazda 5.

 

[figo]

5 speed rocks

Love my 09 5 speed. I won't have it any other way. Test drove the auto. and it just wasn't the same.

 

[MEATSPIN]

I also love my 5 speed. But i hate autos, and i'm pretty sure the 5 would feel too much like a minivan if it was auto..

 

[Jay Gloab]

I had a Touring with the 5sp auto as a loaner for about a week before I took delivery on my manual transmission Sport last Friday, so I got pretty acquainted with the automatic. It didn't feel slow, but it also didn't really feel peppy.

The manual is surprisingly quick. It feels faster than my wife's Protege5 (auto). I don't care much for the shifter or clutch though. Neither is very smooth.

 

[Kojack]

I love my auto. its still a hoot to drive...and its cool just to drop in d and drink my timmies

 

[AIMWO4]

I've driven both... I enjoy driving a lot... The MT works for me.

 

[Pyroboy]

AT vs. MT

Drove both and didn't mind the AT, which is a compliment. I usually find they are "mushy" but the Mazda's was pretty sharp.

I prefer manuals and the price difference paid for the "Luxury Package". Luckily my wife prefers the MT as well. Our A4 and 4Runner are both 5-speed MTs. Now if we had the 6MT from Europe...

 

[skyhawk]

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.