Auto or Manual

[ryan_p17]

Well me and my g/f have decided to buy a second car and are looking at a 2001-2003 Protege Sedan. I am not too familiar with the Mazda scene, but am all over the Civic scene and the whole JDM movement. Anyways, I currently own a 1998 Civic EX 5 speed, and I know that there is a noticeable difference in passing power between the 5 speed and automatic in the Civics. One of my buddy's dad owns a 2.0L Protege and he said that the automatic isn't too great on the highway in terms of acceleration and passing power. I'm looking for all of you out there who have the 2.0L engine or have driven one with automatic or manual and your opinions. I am already decided on the 2.0L, and if it were up to me, 5 speed, so let's hear some convincing for my g/f who wants the automatic (typical). Thanks in advance.

 

[mountjonas]

the manual 5 spd seemed peppy to me because of the gearing. i know the car wasn't fast, but it was still enjoyable. the one thing that struck me as odd at first was how high it revved at freeway speed (70mph+).

 

[Action Jackson]

I've driven the P5 with all 3 trannies (regular auto from '02, "tiptronic" and manual).

Your friend's dad was right. The auto is terrible on the highway for acceleration and attempting to pass another vehicle. The manual isn't exactly greased lightning either but there is a big difference.

Don't take my word for it. See for yourself and give the manual and auto a try.

 

[ryan_p17]

I was also reading about common problems with the manual transmission. I'm getting mixed thoughts on the strength of the 2003 year. Some say the problems were taken care of, some say they weren't. If anyone can help me out, please do. I'm trying to cross over to the Mazda world, I think they are stylish, well built, reliable cars from what I have read, but if I can't get any solid answers on the transmission problems I'm going to have to stick with what I know best, and that's Hondas (first) ... once again, thanks in advance

 

[Action Jackson]

I've read about the manual tranny problems too.

Personally I've never encountered anything serious other than some difficulty engaging into reverse.

My car is my daily driver and this will be my 5th year of circuit track days. I don't do any high rpm launches b/c this isn't the type of car for that.

I might be one of the lucky ones for the tranny.

 

[jeg0024]

My car(auto) passes quite fine to be honest, drive it right and it will put you back in the seat, but of course thats with a bit of money put into it. I mean if your gf wants the auto go for it, she probably could care less how quick it is and just wants something easy to drive, but you know her better than we do. I say if shes gonna drive it let her choose.

 

[RallyeRedSi]

stick shift

 

[DaltonsProtege]

Passing Probs

I agree, the autos are pretty bad on acceleration, but ive learned, as far as passing is concerned, if you hit the overdrive button right when you drop into the left lane it gives you a hell of a jump forward. Dont leave the overdrive off long tho, engine revs high. just a few seconds will do. When you turn overdrive back on your tranny picks up and moves pretty good.

 

[ryan_p17]

I went to the Mazda dealership yesterday and took out a 2.0L auto and another manual. The difference between the two were like night and day. The auto was very sluggish on the highway and in the city I found it to always be either reving too low or too high, it was like there was no "right" gear. Then I took the manual out and was impressed. Completely different from my Civic, I could drive in town in fifth gear, I was surprised. The only thing I found odd was how high the RPM's were on the highway at 110KM/H (3200RPM) compared to my civic at the same speed (2700-2800RPM). Although both have the same MPG rating on the highway. Even my girlfriend was impressed (the car will be hers) at how well the protege shifted compared to my civic (bird) (I have to agree). Anyways thanks for the information, and you'll be seeing another Protege on here soon.

 

[Action Jackson]

Usually I'm at 2900 rpm for 100kph.

The 2.0 engine with a manual has a good amount of torque at low rpm's that is carried over a relatively wide range. Except for stop and go traffic, it's relatively easy to drive without shifting all the time.

Unlike the Civic I used to drive which you had to wind up the motor.

 

[Akaveli]

Get the manual. My 2002 protege was an auto and it served its purpose but I kept craving for a manual. Next I got a Mazda3 manual and BOY I'm in love

 

[Kansei]

yay more protege converts! such a fun car, can't wait to get mine back tomorrow morning

 

[Platonium]

Yeah, I have a 2002 ES Auto and all I want is a 5 speed.

 

[ryan_p17]

Well, me and my girlfriend made the mistake of taking a Protege 5 out for a test drive (bowdown) . We now have to buy one. Can't really describe the difference between the sedan and 5, but its just a completely different feeling driving that car. The P5 is so tight and the steering is responsive and the hatch is a nice feature, and lets face it, stock appearance, the P5 wins hands down. Oh well, great value for the price you can get them for with relatively low km's and worth every extra penny over the sedan. And the standard features like abs and four wheel discs are nice. Although the model I took out had a short shifter which I found was a little counter-productive in the sense that I had to put WAY more pressure on the shifter to shift it and found the gears harder to find because of the extremely tight pattern. Maybe it was installed wrong or maybe I would just have to get use to it, either way I wasn't a fan. Well thanks a lot to everyone who have posted replies, be prepared to see another P5 around here soon (gonna be starting to get mods since i can't leave anything alone), i already bought an alpine MP3 cd player for it with iPod attachment(hand), got in on sale, so what the heck eh....

 

[Kansei]

yay more p5s!! w00t