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 :D

[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]

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?

[RockBlockergirl]

I do however use the tiptronic constantly and now regret not just going with manual.

Same here! I only use the tiptronic setting.


-Roxy

[cbcbd]

How do you put the car in "manumatic mode?" Like is Parking first gear or somethign like that?
There is a slot you put the shifter into where you can move it up or down.

Get the manual. Manumatic is not the same as manual AT ALL, except for the fact that you get to choose the gear you are in. The transmission is still a "slush box" and the shifting response is not instant - I personally find that frustrating.

What is your commute like? Driving my manual in a 1hr commute with stop and go traffic I do fine and learned to drive in a way that doesn't need too much shifting.

[MortMan]

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

It's just like regular automatic, but with an extra place you can shift to. (P)ark is at the top. Move the shifter down and to the left and you're in (R)everse, down and left again and you're in (N)eutral, down and left again to get in (D)rive. After that you can move the shifter straight to the left to get in (M)anual mode. There you can move the shifter straight up and down to downshift and upshift. (drive)

You could always just check it out at the dealership. My saleswhore was very generous in showing me the system. If you don't like it, you can just buy the manual instead (which I would recommend).

[d0hboy]

This is a very interesting argument here which I haven't heard enough of so far. Up until now, all the opinions I had heard was that the manumatic was just as harmless/ful as the automatic in terms of wear and tear. I presume if you're picking the wrong times to shift in the manumatic mode, then you're just as likely to make the wrong decisions in a manual, only the drivetrain is more closely linked to to the actual engine speed in the manual. As well, that argument would extend to all automatic; simply driving an auto would wear more (not just in mileage) and have higher maintenance costs than a pure manual, by your line of thought. I'm interested to hear more; Does anybody else have any opinions one way or another?
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)

[GimmeA3S]

This, like most other choices you make when buying a car comes down to what your priorities are. If you want the ability to extract maximum performance from your engine, a manual transmission is the only way to go. Automatic or manumatic work on the same principle...sending engine torque through a fluid-filled torque converter that acts as your clutch..and the gears change themselves. It's a 'less direct' connection between engine and transmission, and there's greater horsepower loss due to fluid resistance and rotating mass. A manual transmission gives you a direct connection to your power, and you decide precisely what engine revs you launch at, and at what point you shift. (Yes, you can select your own gear shifs with the manumatic, but it's just not the same.)

Back to priorities: Are you a performance-oriented driver who occasionally wants to have some fun with your car, or are you just looking to get from point A to point B in comfort and relaxation? Your needs and your environment will dictate what you buy. If you do nothing but sit in traffic jams, I would say an auto is what you need. It is possible to negotiate slow traffic without shifting yourself to death, but it's an art you learn after you've got the basics down. Personally, I would never couple an automatic transmission with such a small engine. Off-the-line performance SUCKS, in my opinion. If I was driving a Mustang GT, I would probalby consider an automatic. I'm not an "all out" performance driver, and with 300HP I'm sure an auto could meet my needs in a Mustang. But with 2 liters and 148HP, an auto was out of the question.

Get what YOU think meets you needs. Don't go with what's 'cool' or 'accepted' in this forum...but one piece of forum-related info I'll throw in: There seem to be a considerable number of guys here regretting the purchase of an auto, while I've personally never read a thread where someone bitched about his manual.

One last thing....your sticker price will be around $900 cheaper with a manual, and down-the road maintenance is less. If you keep the car long enough to run it out of warranty, I promise you that you'll want a manual transmission. If something is going bad, a manual tranmission usually lets you know pretty blatantly. An automatic tranmission (in my experience, anyway) has tricky ways of concealing problems, and then BAM..you're stranded aside the road. No limping home...you're stuck - and the repair bill is HIGH. If you lose a gear or two in a manual (which is ususual unless you're very abusive), you can still limp the car home using the other gears. But again, unless you're in the habit of 6000 rpm clutch drops, a manual will let you know about problems before you end up stranded.

Happy shopping.

[BeNegative]

manual sedan tiptronic p5

[D-rock240]

I insisted on two things when I bought my car....manual and A/C. I drove an Altima w/ auto for a few weeks before getting my car, and after a few days I was just bored with driving. I can't imagine driving any auto (unless its a big block from the late 60's) and every car I've owned so far has been manual.

But then again, I am a control freak....

[65racecoupe]

I insisted on two things when I bought my car....manual and A/C. I drove an Altima w/ auto for a few weeks before getting my car, and after a few days I was just bored with driving. I can't imagine driving any auto (unless its a big block from the late 60's) and every car I've owned so far has been manual.

But then again, I am a control freak....

No way. My Big Block muscle car would have a 4 speed baby. (or 5 speed if modded) (drinks)

[techman]

just wanted to give my 2 cents...

I bought my mazda3 a few days ago (manual), and I didn't know how to drive it. Now I love it, of course I'm still not perfect at shifting, but I can get from A to B no problem (while having fun of course :P haha). Give me a couple more days and my shifting will be even better! mwahahaha :)

[D-rock240]

No way. My Big Block muscle car would have a 4 speed baby. (or 5 speed if modded) (drinks)

Well yeah, of course manual would be preferred, but I was saying that a 400+HP muscle car would have enough power that I would be comfortable settling for an auto. (2thumbs)

[mjcxp]

Well, I test drove a Winning Blue Mazda 3 S Automatic. The Activematic mode is cool. I didn't know how to drive a manual and since he was in the car when I test drove it I didn't wanna ask.

[P5w3kids]

You feel much more connected to the car with a manual. It's not just the stick--the clutch plays at least as large a role.

On a slightly different topic, cars.com lists the automatic in the 2006 as a five-speed. Anyone know if this is correct? If correct, and you've decided to go with an automatic, I'd wait for an '06. Especially with a smaller engine a fifth ratio helps a lot.

[ZumZumsGirl]

A real MAN drives a MANual.

So does a real woman LOL.

The 3 is my first stick, but I'm already hooked and I don't see myself being able to drive an automatic again. I bought it and didn't even know how to drive it off the lot so Tim (fiance) had to do it, but a few minutes in an empty parking lot was all it took.. And it's SO much more fun than an automatic..

[PeteyBoy3K]

I am for Manual

Big plusses for manual: Efficiency, sportiness, lower cost overall (I would add engine braking and control, but the manumatic can do that too in this car)

Big annoyances about manual: Atlanta Traffic. The fact that occasionally (1/month) my foot is faster than my hand when I am going into fourth (*click* *_GRIND_* "OH JEEZYS, I'm sorry Lina..."). Traffic in Atlanta.

I swear on holiday weekends it feels like my left leg is getting more toned...