Auto or Auto stick mode....

[Rush24]

Which one do you use more??? And why??(drive2)

[SuperStretch18]

I could count on one hand the number of times I've driven around in "D"...

[Rush24]

same here.....I just get concerned how long it will hold up in manual mode...My 2004 3 had issues after using it so much....

[Alpha Wolf]

I use manual most often. Even when going easy to get it into 6th sooner.

This is the first Auto car I have owned since my 1977 Trans Am could not be purchased with a Muncie in California.....

I wanted a manual tranny.

Oh well..

[erhayes]

I use auto mode except when I am merging into a freeway or just having fun. Auto mode ~ 98% of the time.

[CX7_Scott]

WOW! Really...???

I am the polar opposite. I can count one one-hand the times I've used the Manual-Stick mode... mostly when people have asked me "What's that do...?" and I show 'em.

Other than that, into "D" it goes and I enjoy the ride. :)

I've owned my share of manual trans 4-speed & 5-speed vehicles. I gotta say I don't really miss shifting my vehicle one bit. I am perfectly content letting the on-board computer decide when to shift for me.

[SuperStretch18]

same here.....I just get concerned how long it will hold up in manual mode...My 2004 3 had issues after using it so much....

Do tell; what type of issues? The 3 uses a completely different transmission (4 spd vs. 6 spd), so I doubt the issues are shared. FWIW, the Aisin transmission that's in the CX-7 is designed for high horsepower applications and is used in a ton of cars, including the volvo xc90, S60, Alfa Romeo Spider, etc. (Search for Aisin TF-80SC if you're interested.) Unless there is some issue with the shift mechanism, I think we're OK...

[Rush24]

There was a fuse in my 3 that went out twice causing the car to have a super delayed shift or it wouldn't down shift at slower speeds like it normally did....Mazda replaced the fuses and was stumped.... I just don't want that to happen again....

[StickShiftCamry]

This car actually gets fun in manual mode, to speed up, i down shift 2 gears, wait a sec. then floor it, mimicks rev matching.

[AWmustang]

Auto most of the time. I find I get better MPG if it leave it in D.

But if I'm merging into traffic or having fun with it then I use manual. So it's probably 90 auto - 10 manual.

I came from only ever having stick shift cars, so I thought I'd use it more. But I definitely couldn't go without it.

[wongster]

i mostly drive in auto.. a few times i will drive in autostick mode if i feel like having fun with it.. one thing i do notice in auto mode is if i do a complete stop it sometimes get stuck in 2nd gear. anybody get that problem?

[SuperStretch18]

^^^ It's not a problem; if the tranny only gets as high as second gear, it won't downshift. It's so if you're in traffic, the slushbox isn't constantly trying to up and down shift.

[my3rdimport]

The only time i use the Manual mode is when driving up a rather large hill i frequent.

Speed is 55-60mph, and auto tries to hold 6th gear too long, forcing an awkward downshift half way up the hill.

I force it down to 4th as i start up the hill and am able to maintain throttle and speed.

At the hill crest, i pop back into auto.