Whats more fun, the Mazda3 with the stick, or the auto?

[acelesson]

Also, does the auto have that feature like the VW's have that can turn it into a stick? Is it called Tiptronic? or Shifttronic??

[ZoomZoomH]

the 3 has one of the best 5 speed manual in its class, so yes it is more fun to get the 3 in manual transmission

the automatic 3 does have the 'manual shift mode' that is popular in many cars today, but in the end it is still just an automatic :p

[acelesson]

Does it have performance differences? Kinda like the RX8 has more HP in the manual than in the automatic?

[ZoomZoomH]

the engine's the same, but in general the automatic lose more power through drivetrain loss than manuals (by almost 10% IIRC)

[ChopstickHero]

after driving an auto for many years, a manual is alot more fun.

[fam]

the 5 speed has slightly more zoom zoom at take off and low rpm. You will never be miserable with the auto, but if youre really asking his question, get the 5 speed. Have you SEEN gas prices lately? The 3S auto only can get 29 mpg because of horrible gearing while the 5 speed has better gears!

[warrier04]

to me, manuals were always more fun.

[stuckclboy]

manual is more fun

[FemGearHead]

It all boils down to personal preference, but for me there never was any questions - stick.

[mobomelter]

automatics are for people who can't drive clutch. and if you can't drive clutch you need to learn.

[MidnightSpeeder]

As a driver of an auto - I yearn for the day when I do a tranny swap on the car. Get a manual - have fun.

[rodslinger]

automatics are for people who can't drive clutch. and if you can't drive clutch you need to learn.

Not necessarily. Autos can be for people that always have a woman in the car with them and want to keep that hand free for other activities. (boobs)

[fam]

I had to get an auto for the sole purpose of letting my wife drive the car when she needed it. Little did I know she would end up getting a 05 3i rendering my logic useless and yearning for another 5 speed like my mustangs and focus zx3s) and now i have to get a mazda5 that she will also need to drive from time to time=automatic. Sometime its life that we have to have automatics :-(

[Brad]

i'm just going to teach my girlfriend how to drive a stick...

[hworth18]

5 speed is sooooo much more fun to drive... (burnout)

[bradicus18]

Go 5 speed. I'm teaching the wife to drive it. Chicks who drive sticks are sexy!!!! (2thumbs)

[DallasMz3]

Nothing is more engaging and entertaining than a Mazda3 with a stick. I drove the Volvo S40 T5 w/auto and then immediately drove the Mz3 with a 5 speed. I immediately bought the Mazda3. The Volvo is refined and a nice car, but the Mazda puts FUN in my daily commute.

[peepsalot]

Stick you fool!

[J dragon]

A stick is Murder in traffic...don't forget to warn him of that, and if you get a manual you better know how to drive it...Burn your clutch and you'll be spending money to get it fixed....Manuals are a hassle, but fun.

[peepsalot]

A stick is Murder in traffic...don't forget to warn him of that, and if you get a manual you better know how to drive it...Burn your clutch and you'll be spending money to get it fixed....Manuals are a hassle, but fun.
It never really bothers me.
Then again my driving style is basically that I try to never stop completely if I can help it. It's more efficient to cruise at a very low speed, then to stop and go constantly. Even stop lights, i'll just slow down before the light and slowly approach it until it's green again.

[Mace Windu]

Well, I tend to socialize with quite a few upwardly mobile professionals. Personally, I love when people frown as they get in my 05 3. "You got a stick?" they ask. With a tone that says "Why the hell would you do a thing like that?" Most of them can't drive a stick. Makes me feel good inside.

Plus, you can't practice double-clutching in an auto.

(wrc)

[mobomelter]

you don't double clutch new transmissions. thats only on old transmissions that didn't have synchronizers.

[peepsalot]

i double clutch sometimes. my second gear synchro is crap.

[DE31]

take it from an auto owner. it might be better and easier uphill/traffic but i yern for a manual every day. im even thinking about trading my beloved P5 for a manual model.

[Micamazda3]

the past 3 cars ive owned were stick id never get an automatic again

[Shiney_McShine]

Is this a trick question?

[cutiepie_1980]

Stick is more fun for sure. You actually feel like you're driving the car, not just hanging out pressing the gas. (drive) However they're definitely right about traffic, it's a pain in the @$$ with a stick. Not just the clutching, but also switching gears. No hands left for a phone or a hair brush.

[Mazda3Zoomer]

Is this a trick question?

word. :confused:

[JimmyT]

Automatic? What's that? (yupnope)

And why are manuals hard to drive in traffic for some of you? I've always found it quite easy, actually. When shifting becomes second nature as you drive, the amount of starting and stopping is irrelevant.

[JOS3]

manual

[MazdaAxela]

Chicks who drive sticks are sexy!!!! (2thumbs)

(werd)

[BoostThat3]

Not necessarily. Autos can be for people that always have a woman in the car with them and want to keep that hand free for other activities. (boobs)


(mswerd) lmao niiice. yet very true (butthump)

[BC3I]

well i got an auto cause i have a premature baby...so i need the hand free just in case....oh well...im gonna be doing the 5speed performance auto tranny from Lentech anyways so its all good

[LIAxela]

Manual for sure but new york traffic can be annoying.

[ZumZumsGirl]

The 3 is the first stick I've owned and now I'm hooked..

Soo much more fun.