Mazda3 Skyactiv MT: Any word on when they will arrive?

[Woochifer]

Ever since my Integra received a terminal diagnosis from the mechanic, I've been waiting on the Skyactiv Mazda3s to arrive. Checking the inventory at my local dealerships, it looks like the Skyactiv models have arrived in earnest over the last few weeks (in my area, about half of the Mazda3 hatchbacks in stock are now the Skyactiv versions). But, all of the Skyactiv 3s in stock are automatics. As good as the new AT seems, I want to compare it with the manual transmission before making the purchase. Also, the new AT seems like a radical redesign, and all of the new advanced design transmissions I know of have had early problems (e.g., VW and Ford with their dual clutch trannys).

I read on another forum that the MT Skyactiv 3s will start arriving in late-December. Anyone else have any other info about this? Thanks.

 

[SterlingZoom]

A boat left late October that has Manual Skyactiv's on it, they are all base models though, so if you want Moon and Bose the wait will be longer. It is normally a month from Japan to our lovely US soil, so early to mid December is my guess. I drove the automatic, and I would not care about having a pedal on the left anymore, especially in traffic. The ability of the car to rev match shifts is impressive, especially in manual mode on the downshifts.

 

[SkyActiv]

A boat left late October that has Manual Skyactiv's on it, they are all base models though, so if you want Moon and Bose the wait will be longer. It is normally a month from Japan to our lovely US soil, so early to mid December is my guess. I drove the automatic, and I would not care about having a pedal on the left anymore, especially in traffic. The ability of the car to rev match shifts is impressive, especially in manual mode on the downshifts.

This.
I tried to find a manual trans and there was only 1 in so cal and it was too far away to grab it.
But just bought an auto SkyActiv and I am also impressed at the cars rev match/shift abilities. I'm thinking of picking up another in the years to come when they add more features.
Keeping my eyes opened for the SkyActiv D (Diesel). (drinks)

 

[Woochifer]

A boat left late October that has Manual Skyactiv's on it, they are all base models though, so if you want Moon and Bose the wait will be longer. It is normally a month from Japan to our lovely US soil, so early to mid December is my guess. I drove the automatic, and I would not care about having a pedal on the left anymore, especially in traffic. The ability of the car to rev match shifts is impressive, especially in manual mode on the downshifts.

Thanks for the info. Looks like the MT Skyactiv 3 models have begun trickling in -- two of them so far in the Bay Area. Now, I'm just waiting on the ones with the moonroof/audio package. Good info about the ATs. I definitely want to compare the two, since there are now several AT Skyactiv 3 hatchbacks to choose from in my area with the moonroof/audio package. If I opt for the AT, I can just negotiate the price and go home with the car. For now, the MT would still require more waiting and I'm not sure how much longer my Integra will hold up.

 

[Woochifer]

Looking over the dealer inventory, it looks like the MT-equipped Mazda 3i models have arrived in numbers. The question for me is when, or if, the moonroof/Bose packaged models will arrive. I've been trying to get a definitive answer on this question, and no one seems to know. I e-mailed Mazda, and their response was that the MT Mazda 3i would arrive at showrooms in February. My question was specifically about the moonroof/audio package, but their answer was rather confusing, given that the MT-equipped 3i has already arrived at dealers. I don't know if their response was an errant reply about the manual transmission-equipped cars in general, or about the moonroof/audio package in particular. I responded and asked for clarification.

Does anyone know? I'm currently undecided between the AT and MT (I have yet to do my test drives), but regardless of which tranny I prefer, I would want the moonroof. I know for sure that the AT-equipped 3i models are available with the moonroof/audio package, and there are several in my area currently sitting on the dealer lots. I was waiting for the MT models to arrive with the option package before requesting quotes and doing the test drives. But, if Mazda has no plans to make any of the MT models available with the moonroof, then that really limits my options and potentially steers me more towards the Ford Focus or other competing models that are available with a MT/moonroof combo.