When did auto become 5 speed

[Raymo853]

When did the auto offered in the 3 become a five speed? Was it for the 08 year or did the 07's have it?

Also, does the 2.3l 5 speed auto end up with a higher final drive ratio in fifth than the 2.3l 5 speed manual? Would like to know if the auto 3 ands up turning fewer RPMs at highway speeds than the manual.

[major error]

a quick once-over showed no changes between this year and last.

Current (08) specs: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/specs_features/veh_specs_M3H.pdf
07 specs: http://www.major-error.net/temp/veh_specs_M3H.pdf

I'm not sure how to interpret gear ratios, but just going by final drive numbers, it looks like the AT has to work a little harder.

[Raymo853]

Based on those ratios it looks like the auto will turn allot less revs at highway speed than the manual. Enough reason for me to get the auto.

[crystalmeth3]

5spd auto became standard on 2.3L for 2005 or 2006.

[ElBartoRex]

my GF drives a 2.3 07 and it is definitely a 5 speed auto.

[khaydin]

It was 06. I had an 05 3 before getting the MS3 and it was a 4 speed auto.

[racerboy777]

I know that only the 2.3's come in 5 AT, the 2.0's come in 4 AT :( I wish I had the 5 AT in mine!

[Raymo853]

Actually I have decided to stay with the 5 speed manual. I inherited my father's and grandfathers' disdain for people that drive automatics. Cannot fathom paying $950.00 to make the car slower, less fuel efficient and less safe. And now-a-days, it also lowers the theft risk a good bit.

[nate0123]

Actually I have decided to stay with the 5 speed manual. I inherited my father's and grandfathers' disdain for people that drive automatics. Cannot fathom paying $950.00 to make the car slower, less fuel efficient and less safe. And now-a-days, it also lowers the theft risk a good bit.
never thought about the theft aspect but MT for life!

[theurgy]

My former 07 Mazda3GS (2.0) had a 4 speed auto.

[Raymo853]

To summarize, and end this thread I hope, for the NA market:

The 2.3 auto became a 5 speed for the 2006 model year.
The 2.0 auto has always been just a 4 speed.

IMHO, everybody should get the manual regardless of engine.

[major error]

never thought about the theft aspect but MT for life!

Indeed. (rockon)

I like to drive my car....not direct it.
Nothing quite like the feeling of being able to 'drop a gear and go' at-will, rather than mashing the gas and waiting for someone else's idea of a good shift-point kicking in.

[Raymo853]

Does anyone know the % of 3's sold with manual vs autos for the US market? The overall US car market was less than 5% around 2000 while at the time the EU market was around 85%. Since 2000 the EU market has been working hard to catch up to our stupidity, something like 40% of cars are now autos. :(

[Rivman]

Indeed. (rockon)

I like to drive my car....not direct it.
Nothing quite like the feeling of being able to 'drop a gear and go' at-will, rather than mashing the gas and waiting for someone else's idea of a good shift-point kicking in.
Automatic transmissions have improved considerably, and are not like the old 'slush box' torqueless,
shiftless versions they have replaced.
The Mazda 5 speed Sportmode automatic gives you the best of both worlds, and will allow you to drop a gear and go anytime your up for it ! Response is instant, and only the engine rpm via the tach. determines the shift point - there is no clutch to pump 'n dump, which is especially nice in stop 'n go commuter traffic !
The auto will also add to the resale value, of a used unit, as most people prefer them
over a standard, clutch controlled manual transmission. (drive2)

[Raymo853]

Even I will admit that autos have gotten so much better in the last few years. They shift better and more logically plus get close to the fuel efficiency of sticks. The 3 is a good example, the EPA mileage rates for the 2.3 hatchback are the same auto and stick. Some cars, like the Honda Element, now list the auto as getting better mileage than the stick. Both may be caused by the trend to have sticks in the US geared pretty low in the top gear to allow acceleration at highway speeds without shifting. A dumb thing IMHO.

Oh and on the resale value, you are very correct. Not a big problem for me considering I keep cars for 8+ years.