5spd vs. At??? need your opinions!

[nealric]

I really cant think of any compelling reason for automatic transmissions to exist (except maybe for handicapped people).

City driving? MTX Gives you something to do.
Drinking coffee? I have no problem with that- just drink when you dont need to shift.

Your car will be faster and more fun to drive. Also, the MTX keeps your friends from asking to borrow it

 

[65racecoupe]

I really cant think of any compelling reason for automatic transmissions to exist (except maybe for handicapped people).

City driving? MTX Gives you something to do.
Drinking coffee? I have no problem with that- just drink when you dont need to shift.

Your car will be faster and more fun to drive. Also, the MTX keeps your friends from asking to borrow it

Thank God for Automatics. Some people just can't drive. There is a time and place for them, but not in a Sport Wagon.

 

[cbc]

" There is a time and place for them, but not in a Sport Wagon."

Then it ain't really a "sport wagon"

 

[bbrich57]

ATX is for housewives.
The MTX is cheaper, gets better fuel economy, is more fun to drive and has less of a chance of breaking down.

Here, Here!!
I'm gonna havta' be 2 old 2 use a clutch a'fore they take mine away!

 

[TheMAN]

Not directly, but you are doing a lot of quick shifting compared to more casual shifting on the streets.

what quick shifting? you only shift ONCE on a typical course... and that's going from 1st to 2nd... and you don't even need to slam it in gear

RARELY do you go into 3rd gear and have to go back to 2nd... but people who DO go to 1st are the ones that waste time from shifting

 

[D-rock240]

but people who DO go to 1st are the ones that waste time from shifting

Yeah, that's what my friend does. That's what I was referring to. I need to slap him upside the head next time I see him.

 

[RallyeRedSi]

Well, if you want to volunteer on those hard days when I get out of work late to drive me home, then go ahead, I'll be more than happy to sleep on the back seat while you do so.

i've worked 12 hour shifts and left work at 2-3am manuel kept more awake ,

 

[compujas]

I test drove a Mazda3 AT one Saturday. I learned to drive stick on Sunday. I bought my Mazda3 MT on Tuesday. Enough said. The AT was a very boring drive, little power, and no fun. The MT however, I've never had more fun driving a car. It's such a small engine (relative to the powerhouse sports cars), and I blow by the high-end BMWs and whatnot coming out of onramps to highways. MT makes a huge difference in getting power to the wheels, not mention in having fun driving.

End result: If you find driving to be fun and more than "a way to get from Point A to Point B," get a manual.

As for the being tired point, I needed to buy my Mazda3 because I wrecked my old car by falling asleep on the highway. Having an MT keeps you awake because you need to pay attention.

 

[bbrich57]

...since i constantly complained about the at in my P5! ...my dads been tryin to convince me id be happier with the at;....

Actually P5, the more I think about your dilemma, and the fact that you even posed this question on an enthusiasts forum, knowing that enthusiasts will almost always vote for the 5-sp, I believe you already know what to do. I think your mind is made up and that you don't NEED our opinions, but the justification of our opinions.
It's going to be your car, get what you want, Man! You wanted the 5-sp, so get the 5-sp... Hell, get a 6-sp if you can!!! OK?

 

[Wicked_3s]

Man, get the MTX, I test drove the mazda3 with the ATX w/ manual mode. Man, that was boring as all get out. And if you're goin to be on back roads, all the more reason to have the mtx. My 3 is in storage as my wife and I moved and only need one car....Sadly she wanted hers and it's an auto Lancer. Meh, I keep wanting to hit the clutch and downshift when I gas it cause it doesn't do s*** shifting wise. Go MTX

 

[bbrich57]

So, here you have it, P5. By my very unscientific count, the Manuals have it. What's it gonna be? I think we, all that have posted here, are waiting for the answer..... (poke) Have you made up your mind? Have you gotten a new "3"?
Either way, Good Luck w/your choice.

 

[cbc]

dear God, haven't slept a wink, just awaiting the final answer(peep)

 

[saskmazdaman11]

the real question should be "manual or auto".... "5spd vs auto" is redundant because the auto IS a 5 speed!

Last time I checked, my ATX only went to 4.

Yes, someone has to be different in the group. Yeah the MTX is fun to drive, but I enjoy the maunual mode of the ATX. The thrill of driving wears off when you put on 40 to 50 thousand km /year. If I were to do it all again though, I would probably bite the bullet and teach my wife to drive the MTX, because now I see how much easier it is to upgrade and give it the ability to handle more power. Aftermarket parts never crossed my mind when I bought my car, but after spending about a year on this site, it will definately factor into my next purchase.

 

[bbrich57]

dear God, haven't slept a wink, just awaiting the final answer(peep)

(rlaugh) (spank) (screwy)

 

[bbrich57]

Last time I checked, my ATX only went to 4...
...The thrill of driving wears off when you put on 40 to 50 thousand km /year.

I didn't go back and check and the ATX holds very little of my interest, but I believe 2006 is when Mazda started using a 5-sp ATX. It would be fairly easy to check, I'm just feeling lazy @ the moment. (Just call me GoldWing! )
Also, if you drive that many km/year you would probably spend most of your time in 5th gear anyway making the argument moot, yes? (enguard)

 

[goldwing2000]

I'm just feeling lazy @ the moment. (Just call me GoldWing!)

Watch it, pal... I resemble that remark!

 

[bbrich57]

Watch it, pal... I resemble that remark!

(rlaugh) (rlaugh) (rlaugh) (rlaugh)

I know!! I have read many of your posts...
you make no bones about it. (rofl)

 

[goldwing2000]

Telling people to "USE THE SEARCH!" gets old real quick.

 

[cbc]

Telling people to "USE THE SEARCH!" gets old real quick.

th' what? <g>

 

[Karma_hunden]

yeah, what the hell you talk about gold? sertch? learch?