Auto or Manual

[mjcxp]

Hello,

I am going to buy a Mazda 3s within the next few weeks. I am debating on whether to buy the auto or manual transmission. I have never drove a manual transmission car before, how hard is it to learn. I know someone that can teach me, but they don't have a manual transmission car anymore. So should I just get the manual transmission and just figure it out or would I be better off getting the automatic transmission?

Thanks!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the manual transmission on the mazda3 is buttery smooth, easily one of the best shifting ones i have ever driven. the clutch is, for a factory piece anyhow, very easy to engage. i like them. the transmission is lighter than an automatic, the vehicle should accelerate quicker and your fuel economy is better with a manual. plus its just plain more fun to drive

 

[JCell]

manual, i HATE drivin my moms car since it's auto, no fun whatsoever!!!

 

[Pretzellogic]

Manual, for the love of all that is holy a MANUAL!

 

[solid_snake]

go for the manual, you'll enjoy it ever more than auto with manual mode

 

[Sylent_Snyper]

It's not hard at all to learn... I can honestly say I taught myself how to drive stick when i was 16 and it took me all of 10 minutes. Granted, I wasnt the best at it but I had it down well enough to drive anywhere but big hills. By the end of the week I had no problems at all. I would highly suggest a manual trans as it is definately more fun and you have so much more control in snow... if you see any of that stuff.

 

[65racecoupe]

A real MAN drives a MANual.

 

[BeNegative]

depends on what kind of driving and where. if there's a crap load of peek hour traffic u have 2 drive in everyday w/ a lot of hills...that's up to you. manual u get the power when u want it and need it. it's lighter, cheaper, and runs better; easier to change oil, etc, but u honestly want to learn in a new car?!?! u many want 2 find someone w/ an older car? anyways...that's your call but manual is much better! good luck.

 

[anarchistchiken]

All real sports cars are manuals.

 

[mjcxp]

Thanks everyone. What is the Automatic Transmission with Manual? Can you either do manual or automatic? I am still debating. If there is alot of stopping and going is automatic better?

 

[65racecoupe]

Thanks everyone. What is the Automatic Transmission with Manual? Can you either do manual or automatic? I am still debating. If there is alot of stopping and going is automatic better?

If you are not really into cars and performance driving, by all means get an automatic.

BTW - The auto transmission allows you to "shift" manually. It is not bad, I have driven one, but it is by no means a manual. I believe they are referred to as a manumatic or something along those lines.

 

[RockBlockergirl]

Manual... I wish mine was stick, but of course my mom had to make a big deal and so my dad bought me an auto. (cryhard)


-Roxy

 

[Protege52003]

get the manual.....you will regret it if you don't....

-R

 

[MortMan]

BTW - The auto transmission allows you to "shift" manually. It is not bad, I have driven one, but it is by no means a manual. I believe they are referred to as a manumatic or something along those lines.

I've always heard people call it Tiptronic, but manumatic sounds about right, too.

What is the Automatic Transmission with Manual? Can you either do manual or automatic?

It's basically manual without having to work the clutch (push the shifter forward to downshift and backward to upshift). (drive) It won't shift until you tell it to; or you can just pop it into auto and let it take over shifting completely (like a normal automatic transmission). Supposedly not as good, but I don't know as I've never driven the manual. I do however use the tiptronic constantly and now regret not just going with manual.

 

[mjcxp]

So like if you are in bumper to bumper traffic do you have to put it into neutral then into first and into second then when you stop back into neutral and back into first and into second to get going again?? That sounds like a ton of work!!!

 

[Alpinejwl]

you will get used to the stick in a week max. Both my p5 and my 3 are sticks (yeah my wife drives a stick too =p) You will love it and regret if you get an auto. (except if you are in traffic everyday for more than 1hr)

 

[BeNegative]

i highly do not suggest shifting the tiptronic device in manual mode...it is by definition still an automatic car and what you are doing is wearing out the car much faster than you should, leading to a slipping trasmission and i assume expensive repairs in the future. if u insist on something like that get a porche (as if we could afford that) because that is a true manual car that u can shift w/o the clutch (the car does the clutch job for you)

again, if u r driving in heavy, long, and hilly traffic everyday, i suggest auto...otherwise...manual is the way to go...then again...i'm only 1 opinion among a ton of people. again, good luck on your choice and i hope u r satisfied w/ what u choose.

 

[cars]

I've always heard people call it Tiptronic, but manumatic sounds about right, too.

Tiptronic is the trademark name from Porsche's automatic system with the ability to select which gear is used. Audi used/got that system from Porsche, and legally complied with using the Porsche trademark name. You probably heard the name enough that it is becoming symbolic with all other gear-selectable-auto trannies. Generically, it seems that manumatic may be the best way to refer to this feature without infringing on Porsche's trademark name.

 

[cars]

Real sports cars come in systems other than traditional manuals

All real sports cars are manuals.

...manuals and true paddle shifting systems like Audi's DSG, what was SMG (for BMW since they're discontinuing it) and whatever other TLA for Ferrari's system and Porsche's future clutchless system. You should see the shifts in the Enzo clutchless... highly impressive with what goes on within 150ms. See top Gear episode. Basically, with the traditional manual, things are getting to the point where you just can't shift fast enough. Shifts are much faster with the new clutchless stuff. Check the A3 for an "affordable" DSG system on a 'starter' car from Audi.

 

[mjcxp]

How do you put the car in "manumatic mode?" Like is Parking first gear or somethign like that?