Any one hate the tranny in MSP???

[Autox MSP]

After driving in the Nova traffic for a week i decided that the tranny in the protege is junk. You learn alot about a transmission when your stuck 2hours a day in bumper to bumper traffic. It hates to go in to first, even when stopped, double clutched/rev matched.
Everything about the car i love but the tranny is just god awful, in this car. My previous car was a 99 civic and the tranny shifted like butter and it was so fun rowing the gears in that car. For some reason the protege doen't like to go in to first gear smoothy and 1st to 2nd shift is not smooth at all, feels like the gears are about to grind. Shifter feel is so bad its really takes the fun out of driving.
I took it in to the dealer to have the 1st gear looked at but the service says that this is normal with proteges. I've driven many manual tranny cars but i have to rank this car as the absolute worst, It actually beat out an early 90's GTi.

I'm going to try changing out the fluid and try some kartboy shifter bushings, hopefully it helps. I'd really hate to get rid of this car so early since i've only had it a week, but with my traffic filled commute this car is more annoying to drive then fun.
I want to know how come the Miatas and the RX7/RX8 have such sweet trannys but they couldn't engineer something great on a mazdaspeed.

 

[PaulMP3]

mine is the same, the redline seem to help at first, but it became notchy again... i also have the bushing. 1st to 2nd blows.

 

[girth]

Mine shifts pretty much flawlessly. No complaints here.

 

[Notorious]

No complaints here either.

 

[Logan]

I was quite upset with mine at first, also coming from a buttery Honda.
But I've gotten used to it, Once you get to know it, you'll be smooth too.

 

[EvilMSP]

Lots of people complain, but I love my car. This is my first stick but since then I have driven other cars, I still like it a lot. Smooth and fun, I love running through my gears.

 

[jaymode]

I am not that pleased with the tranny but even less pleased with the clutch. It is really hard to start on hills and just grabs, I find that more of a pain than the tranny.

 

[Autox MSP]

I had a dc sport shifter with energy suspension bushings. The shifter was so smooth and felt very direct, it clicked in to the gears.

I guess i have been spoiled. Drove mainly a civic and a prelude.

 

[EvilMSP]

I am not that pleased with the tranny but even less pleased with the clutch. It is really hard to start on hills and just grabs, I find that more of a pain than the tranny.

That annoys me too, but I just assumed it was me being a new stick driver. I just use the parking break to make smooth exits when on a hill.

 

[Vassago]

Try driving a fiero, I got one sitting in my garage and coming from that, the protege shifts like butter. Take a fiero out for a run and the MSP will no longer be at the top of your list for worst shifters.

 

[YellowMSP4KP]

No problems here..mine shifts really nice.

 

[jaymode]

That annoys me too, but I just assumed it was me being a new stick driver. I just use the parking break to make smooth exits when on a hill.

Yea i am going back to that method because the clutch is a pain in the ass. I have been able to do it before without using the parking brake but lately I have been stalling on hills because before I get to the gas the car stalls because there is so little room to play with the clutch engagement. I even spent 45 minutes in my driveway today, which is on a hill, trying to get it down but it just seems impossible to not roll back five feet or stall. I felt like a major ass today b/c i stalled at a major intersection downtown at lunch time which is pretty busy. Oh well.

 

[Autox MSP]

Just wish the syncros in protege was better.

 

[scott42]

Practice makes perfect. I (though I'd never do it due to hurting the clutch) can, if needed, sit on a steep hill and just feather the clutch/gas and keep the car completely still. I've got redline in my tranny oil, and that seems to make it smoother. But regarding engagement, once you know it well enough, it should be second nature. good luck (thumb)

 

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Compared to a mustang cobra, these cars shift like a dream....

 

[Dr.Sound]

mine shifts beautifully

 

[charles]

mine shifts beautifully

Very funny.

You have to remember you bought a car with a beefed up clutch.

 

[oldzoomer]

test drove a black one tonight.
The shifter seems more "notchy" than in my ancient protege.
My old one has always had problems with the 1-2 shift. I grind it if I shift over 5500 RPMs. I'm betting the MazdaSpeed has the same issue.
That being said I've NEVER had a problem with the synchros or the clutch in my Protege. When I thought it was feeling less positive on the takeup I changed the fluid to redline and for the last 2 years it has been great. I figure I have enough muscle power to ensure gears get engaged properly and the car accepts that.

One thing that did concern me on the test drive was a squeak from the tranny when letting out the clutch. It kind of sounds like fluid being squeezed between the clutch plates. Anyone else hear this when shifting?

 

[Newf]

My MAzdaspeed shifter is much much smoother then the other protege's I've driven. Granted, it's still a bit notchy but nowhere near the worse, and if you call it the worse, then you either have something seriously wrong, or you've never driving many other cars....cough Ford, dodge, chevy etc etc sticks suck.

I too come from Honda's. All new

90 Lude SI
92 Lude SR
97 Lude S
2000 Civic

All sticks. The civic was smooth, but was a b**** to get into reverse, and sometimes 1st. The 97 was the best tranny ever imho, similar to the rsx, or now tsx which have awesome shifters. I used to work with Honda, and I can say my shifter is better then some old accords, but not a prelude. My only real complaint is the 1-2 shift which requires the clutch ALL the way to the floor ( something most people do not do)

The 2003.5 clutch does engage different then the 2003 or MP3, but it's not hard to catch on a hill at all. Ummm, hate to say it, but maybe some people need to learn how to drive a stick a bit better???

 

[Stormtrooper77]

It is tough to compare a tranny to a Honda tranny. They are renowned to be very well built and function almost flawlessly.