5AT in Mazda5

[Cybspur]

Hello, will the 5AT really make a difference in the 08 5's? As far as mpg and better power output to the butt dyno. I know that we have to wait and see to actually know, but maybe some of you have driven 5AT equipped cars and know a little more than I do. Besides that feature, I could care less about all the other 08 features that will be introduced.
Well, we really need a second car, that's why I'm asking. School starts at the end of the month for me, and my little girl starts kindergarten (sad1). The 5 was/is our third option. After looking at some used P11 G20's, nobody wanted to lower their dealer prices. And don't even get me started on the CRVs. (eekfu) honda prices. So, that's why I'm here. I can get a 07 Touring 4AT for 17K (good or bad?), before tax, because of the year end clearance sales.
Hopefully someone can chime in and help.
Thanks.

 

[traffikboy]

5sp at

i had a 2006 mazda 3... (my wife made me get a 5 after we got married),, anyway.. i do notice a difference in the 5sp at (my 3 had it)... it is quieter (lower rpms at highway speeds) and the mileage was a hair better (i know my 5 is heavier, so cant speak for the pickup, but in highway driving i am now yearning for that 5th gear)... worth getting the 5 sp in my opinion

 

[doctorz]

Our 2004 MPV had a 5AT. I can't say I noticed a difference in the way it drove compared to every other automatic transmission I drove. Then again, it had a six cylinder engine which probably didn't care all that much about the gearing. Having said that, based on the comments on this topic I'd be willing to bet that if driven back to back you'd notice a difference between the 4AT and 5AT. If it means anything, I think the gearing in the 5MT is fine.

The question is whether you think the current 4AT needs a little more pickup on the bottom end and if the highway revs get wearisome on the high end. 17K, by the way, sounds like a darn good price for a new Touring. That's what we paid for a manual Sport last year.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

5 AT will make a differance like it did on the M3 Sport in I think 2005 JMO

 

[jandree22]

If you don't care about the other added features in the 08, get the 07 4AT. 17k is outstanding for a 4AT Touring... if you wait for the 08 5AT Touring, I bet you'll be paying about 21k. Is there a difference? Yeah, of course the 5AT will be better matched to the small engine, but not worth $4k and a longer wait!

I test drove a 4AT and it still felt peppy enough for me

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

If you don't care about the other added features in the 08, get the 07 4AT. 17k is outstanding for a 4AT Touring... if you wait for the 08 5AT Touring, I bet you'll be paying about 21k. Is there a difference? Yeah, of course the 5AT will be better matched to the small engine, but not worth $4k and a longer wait!

I test drove a 4AT and it still felt peppy enough for me

I posted before u na na

 

[Cybspur]

Thanks for the info guys. Well, the thing is, I don't really care for the Touring trim either. In our 03 protege, I've never used the moonroof. I've replaced the stock speakers too. So a moonroof, upgraded sound, doesn't matter to me. Although I think the 5 looks much better with the spoiler.

.. i do notice a difference in the 5sp at (my 3 had it)... it is quieter (lower rpms at highway speeds)...

Ok, so it helps lower engine noise?! That is something that I would love to have right now. I have to drown out the engine noise of the p5 by upping the volume of the radio. While crusing at 65+.
Man, if only the 08 would come out sooner. I wouldn't mind paying 18k for an 08 Sport.
Thanks again guys for the info. This car shopping thing isn't even fun anymore. Maybe I'm just getting too old?

 

[bstad1]

The MZ5/MZ3s don't really suffer from engine noise, it's the road noise that's the problem. And getting a slightly quieter engine won't help that. I have the 4AT in the 5 and the 5AT in the 3. Either way, I have to turn up the stereo. BTW, 17k is an unbelievable deal for a Touring AT. That's like 4k below sticker.

 

[jandree22]

Yeah I agree... I think the 2.3 is really refined and quiet. The road noise is probably mostly due to the low pro tires wrapped around the 17" rims.

 

[antlind]

Our 2004 MPV had a 5AT. I can't say I noticed a difference in the way it drove compared to every other automatic transmission I drove. Then again, it had a six cylinder engine which probably didn't care all that much about the gearing. Having said that, based on the comments on this topic I'd be willing to bet that if driven back to back you'd notice a difference between the 4AT and 5AT. If it means anything, I think the gearing in the 5MT is fine.

The question is whether you think the current 4AT needs a little more pickup on the bottom end and if the highway revs get wearisome on the high end. 17K, by the way, sounds like a darn good price for a new Touring. That's what we paid for a manual Sport last year.

I'm with you on this comment. Our 2000MPV had the 4spd tranny and our 2003 MPV has the 5spd and I don't notice any difference in fuel enconomy. Having said that, the 2000 MPV had the 2.6L V-6 while the 2003 has the 3.0L V-6 so this be one of the reasons.
The nice thing about the 5spd is that the engine is really quite at hwy speeds...I typically turn over at 2300rpm doing 120km./hr with the 5spd (as opposed to 3000rpm with the 4spd).
The onle problem with the 5spd is that it tends to down shift a lot more with the cruise on for any little change in gradient.
Anthony

 

[bulwnkl]

Personally, I don't think you'll see a significant difference on a daily basis. Now, since the 5AT will have to shift all the time for even little hills because of the low output of the 2.3 at lower rpms, you'll have to rebuild the transmission sooner (and it'll be more expensive) than with the 4AT if you're the kind of person who keeps cars until they quit. OTOH, you'll feel really cool because you have a 5AT (or not).

 

[Rocket]

Here is the cold financial analysis:

If you drive it 100,000 miles and get 25 mpg in a 4 speed you will buy 4,000 gallons of gas. Around here gas is $2.50 per gallon. So, you will spend $10,000 to drive 100,000 miles.

If, and this is a big if, the 5 speed gets 27 mpg, you will buy 3,704 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon, you will spend $9,260 to drive 100,000 miles, a savings of $740.

Since you can buy a 4 speed for $4,000 less than the price of a 5 speed, you would be far better off with the 4 speed.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[antlind]

That's a good way to look at it....However I'm thinking that most vehicles today will come std with the 5SPD AT....I think 4SPD ATs are going the way of the dinos.

 

[jandree22]

8AT

 

[coolmazda5]

8AT

Holly smokes, Wait a minute, I'm sure the computer gets confused after the 6th gear shift, LOL.

But seriously, I wonder what is the down shifting feeling (if any) with 8 gears . ..

 

[monsta]

I think some of you are making the assumption that the 4-speed and the 5-speed will have different OD ratios. Do they currently? If they are the same the highway mileage won't change.

Comparing different models with different final drive ratios and different sized tires isn't an accurate comparison.

Where they NEED to make the change is putting a gear in "between" the current 4-speed's 1st and 2nd gear.

 

[antlind]

I think some of you are making the assumption that the 4-speed and the 5-speed will have different OD ratios. Do they currently? If they are the same the highway mileage won't change.

Comparing different models with different final drive ratios and different sized tires isn't an accurate comparison.

Where they NEED to make the change is putting a gear in "between" the current 4-speed's 1st and 2nd gear.

I'm thinking that the ratios are different based on the RPM reading I've experienced with my 03 vs my 00....But I must admit that I'm a bit (braindead when it comes to these technical matters.
Anthony

 

[Cybspur]

Well, I guess waiting for the 5AT is a moot point for me anyways, because I need a car within 2 weeks anyways. Yeppers, my wife and I have settled on the 5, now which one? Oh yeah, and that touring for 17K? Ummm, where do they find these salesman? It's actually for a sport, so no touring for 17k.
And it wasn't even like it was 17K, he just decided to round off the, ohhh, 999.(argh)
Hell, I've been dealing with USED car sales man and HONDA salesman this past month, I've really changed. I easily get irritated now, and I'm not hesitant to give them low ball offers(at least to me) now. Examples:
99G20t, looks very nice, clean, 80K miles. They wanted 10900. WTF!! I said 5K. They wouldn't go any lower than 9500. (eekfu)
About 3 different Honda dealers for a FWD CRV EX. They all quoted me OTD 25300 or something like that. I said the most I'll pay is 22500 OTD. They chuckled. (321fu)
Ahhh, yes. Now back to Mazda. I have no hard feelings towards Mazda. Our 2003 P5 has been very reliable. Nothing has broken....yet. So thats a good sign. So after dealing with these USED and HONDA salesman, I just don't give a f*ck anymore. So I emailed the place where I had bought my p5 from and asked them to give me quote, and they're offering me a 2007 Sport with Popular Equipment Package for 18K. So I emailed them back saying I'll take it for 17500 otd, and reminded them that I had BOUGHT my p5 there, and that I would LIKE to continue doing business with them.
If none of this seems coherent, its because I just got off the phone....about a quote....for a RAV4.(bang)
There, thats my story and I'm stickin to it.

 

[bulwnkl]

Good luck, Cybspur. I think you'll really like the 5; we really like ours. I hope you can get ahold of a decent place that'll be straight with you.

 

[jandree22]

Mazda, Honda and Toyota have all pissed you off... clearly, you should buy a Nissan