Any one hate the tranny in MSP???

[Autox MSP]

After driving in the Nova traffic for a week i decided that the tranny in the protege is junk. You learn alot about a transmission when your stuck 2hours a day in bumper to bumper traffic. It hates to go in to first, even when stopped, double clutched/rev matched.
Everything about the car i love but the tranny is just god awful, in this car. My previous car was a 99 civic and the tranny shifted like butter and it was so fun rowing the gears in that car. For some reason the protege doen't like to go in to first gear smoothy and 1st to 2nd shift is not smooth at all, feels like the gears are about to grind. Shifter feel is so bad its really takes the fun out of driving.
I took it in to the dealer to have the 1st gear looked at but the service says that this is normal with proteges. I've driven many manual tranny cars but i have to rank this car as the absolute worst, It actually beat out an early 90's GTi.

I'm going to try changing out the fluid and try some kartboy shifter bushings, hopefully it helps. I'd really hate to get rid of this car so early since i've only had it a week, but with my traffic filled commute this car is more annoying to drive then fun.
I want to know how come the Miatas and the RX7/RX8 have such sweet trannys but they couldn't engineer something great on a mazdaspeed.

[PaulMP3]

mine is the same, the redline seem to help at first, but it became notchy again... i also have the bushing. 1st to 2nd blows.

[girth]

Mine shifts pretty much flawlessly. No complaints here.

[Notorious]

No complaints here either.

[Logan]

I was quite upset with mine at first, also coming from a buttery Honda.
But I've gotten used to it, Once you get to know it, you'll be smooth too.

[EvilMSP]

Lots of people complain, but I love my car. This is my first stick but since then I have driven other cars, I still like it a lot. Smooth and fun, I love running through my gears.

[jaymode]

I am not that pleased with the tranny but even less pleased with the clutch. It is really hard to start on hills and just grabs, I find that more of a pain than the tranny.

[Autox MSP]

I had a dc sport shifter with energy suspension bushings. The shifter was so smooth and felt very direct, it clicked in to the gears.

I guess i have been spoiled. Drove mainly a civic and a prelude.

[EvilMSP]

Originally posted by jaymode
I am not that pleased with the tranny but even less pleased with the clutch. It is really hard to start on hills and just grabs, I find that more of a pain than the tranny.

That annoys me too, but I just assumed it was me being a new stick driver. I just use the parking break to make smooth exits when on a hill.

[Vassago]

Try driving a fiero, I got one sitting in my garage and coming from that, the protege shifts like butter. Take a fiero out for a run and the MSP will no longer be at the top of your list for worst shifters.

[YellowMSP4KP]

No problems here..mine shifts really nice.

[jaymode]

Originally posted by Wilsman00
That annoys me too, but I just assumed it was me being a new stick driver. I just use the parking break to make smooth exits when on a hill.
Yea i am going back to that method because the clutch is a pain in the ass. I have been able to do it before without using the parking brake but lately I have been stalling on hills because before I get to the gas the car stalls because there is so little room to play with the clutch engagement. I even spent 45 minutes in my driveway today, which is on a hill, trying to get it down but it just seems impossible to not roll back five feet or stall. I felt like a major ass today b/c i stalled at a major intersection downtown at lunch time which is pretty busy. Oh well.

[Autox MSP]

Just wish the syncros in protege was better.

[scott42]

Practice makes perfect. I (though I'd never do it due to hurting the clutch) can, if needed, sit on a steep hill and just feather the clutch/gas and keep the car completely still. I've got redline in my tranny oil, and that seems to make it smoother. But regarding engagement, once you know it well enough, it should be second nature. good luck (thumb)

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Compared to a mustang cobra, these cars shift like a dream....

[Dr.Sound]

mine shifts beautifully

[charles]

Originally posted by Dr.Sound
mine shifts beautifully

Very funny.

You have to remember you bought a car with a beefed up clutch.

[oldzoomer]

test drove a black one tonight.
The shifter seems more "notchy" than in my ancient protege.
My old one has always had problems with the 1-2 shift. I grind it if I shift over 5500 RPMs. I'm betting the MazdaSpeed has the same issue.
That being said I've NEVER had a problem with the synchros or the clutch in my Protege. When I thought it was feeling less positive on the takeup I changed the fluid to redline and for the last 2 years it has been great. I figure I have enough muscle power to ensure gears get engaged properly and the car accepts that.

One thing that did concern me on the test drive was a squeak from the tranny when letting out the clutch. It kind of sounds like fluid being squeezed between the clutch plates. Anyone else hear this when shifting?

[Newf]

My MAzdaspeed shifter is much much smoother then the other protege's I've driven. Granted, it's still a bit notchy but nowhere near the worse, and if you call it the worse, then you either have something seriously wrong, or you've never driving many other cars....cough Ford, dodge, chevy etc etc sticks suck.

I too come from Honda's. All new

90 Lude SI
92 Lude SR
97 Lude S
2000 Civic

All sticks. The civic was smooth, but was a bitch to get into reverse, and sometimes 1st. The 97 was the best tranny ever imho, similar to the rsx, or now tsx which have awesome shifters. I used to work with Honda, and I can say my shifter is better then some old accords, but not a prelude. My only real complaint is the 1-2 shift which requires the clutch ALL the way to the floor ( something most people do not do)

The 2003.5 clutch does engage different then the 2003 or MP3, but it's not hard to catch on a hill at all. Ummm, hate to say it, but maybe some people need to learn how to drive a stick a bit better??? :)

[Stormtrooper77]

It is tough to compare a tranny to a Honda tranny. They are renowned to be very well built and function almost flawlessly.

[Autox MSP]

well the master mech went on a drive with me.
He basically said that all the mazdaspeeds drive notch and first gear sticks. He said that because mazdaspeeds have a double syncros that it drives like that.

I think that double syncros would make it drive smoother wouldn't it??? STi is triple syncros and they drive flawlessly.

[KYMP5]

shifting into third under hard accelleration is horrible. ive heard other complaint about shifting into third but it just isnt right and my dealer says nothing is wrong.

[Mazdaspd035]

I have no complaints, except that at times it's hard to get into reverse but I've already posted a reply to that thread. :D

[MazdaDryvr]

I have not noticed any significant problems with shifting. I agree with what newf said about the 1>2 shift, you gotta make sure that clutch is down! My old sunfire was far rougher than the MSP. I also owned a few Hondas, never noticed them to be that much better.

[Newf]

drive a 2002 ser if you want to feel notchy

[yashooa]

Originally posted by 03BlkMicaSPD
Compared to a mustang cobra, these cars shift like a dream....

Heehee my buddy has broken 2 Tremec Cobra trannies.
Usually 2cnd gear goes.

[Newf]

the mustang shifter is horrible. come to think of, most fords are.

[funnylittlman]

Auto,

It just takes some getting use to. I understand the traffic in our area sucks the taint of a sweaty sumo, but don't get rid of the car b/c you can't throw it into 1st from a roll. What I've found is I use 2nd gear alot. Even from a roll she does ok w/ that gear.

-fnny

[Speedplease]

All i have to say is the tranny is the least of my problems, shifting feels ratchety as hell in my car... Oh yeah ive already had the tranny replaced due to bad bearings or some shit they told me. well all in all im trading my car in this friday for a 2000 ss camaro with 30000 miles. its an auto but hey who cares its fast as hell!

[Ryno]

Its really not hard to drive and not worthy of hatred. 1-2 is a bit slow until you get good at it, and the rest of the shifts are smooth and fast as shit. Quit bitching and learn to drive it.

[AZDriftR]

mine is fine, as long as u mach rev's it goes into first easy from 2nd, although it does feel notchy, but its woth it cause i love my car

[t3ase]

Keep in mind that the Kartboy bushings will make the shifter stiffer and thus increase this "problem", which is why I haven't ordered them yet. That and no money, but that's not the point.

If you're already having difficulties with it, try getting new tranny fluid. I've loved my GM Syncromesh but havent used anything else so I can't compare it too well.

[Turbo Matty P]

I've got about 9 manual tranny cars and this is my favorite. My next favorite is my taurus SHO with mazda tranny! My only problem is the clutch. For a HD clutch unit that MSP lacks some grab when you throw down the power. I'm also spoiled with heavy duty aftermarket clutches in my other cars. I've never used the E-brake to start on a hill. Just rev it up and go with it! I think the rears on the MSP are strong enough to handle it, BUT....I don't ever like trying to accelerate through my brakes. Just my $.02

p.s. Mazda F*cking blows

[irr5302]

Not problem with my transmission is perfect shift is a dream

all gears without problem


check your shift link bushings

att irr

[jaymode]

Originally posted by Turbo Matty P
I've got about 9 manual tranny cars and this is my favorite. My next favorite is my taurus SHO with mazda tranny! My only problem is the clutch. For a HD clutch unit that MSP lacks some grab when you throw down the power. I'm also spoiled with heavy duty aftermarket clutches in my other cars. I've never used the E-brake to start on a hill. Just rev it up and go with it! I think the rears on the MSP are strong enough to handle it, BUT....I don't ever like trying to accelerate through my brakes. Just my $.02

p.s. Mazda F*cking blows
I do not accelerate through my brakes when I use the ebrake. This is what I do, pull the ebrake and hold my foot on the brake till the light turns then I take my foot off the brake and push the clutch in, put in gear, push button on ebrake down, and then give it gas and then let down the ebrake and after that I let out the clutch. So i roll back some but its safer for me.

[Turbo Matty P]

I still like the roll-action you get on the hills. It lets everyone who may not be so informed that you are in a mazdaspeed protege and there is no slushbox tranny on this car!

[jaymode]

yea I guess, but since i still roll back soem they will know. I am glad that there is no slushbox in this car otherwise I would have most likely been forced to get it.

[Larone]

I guess I am one of the lucky ones here. No tranny problems (except I will admit that the 1-2 shift requires u to sink the clutch all the way), no hill start problems, no wheel hop problems. The wheel hop is what baffles me the most. I can accelerate pretty hard even in wet conditions without wheel hop. Not so in my Eclipse GST or my brothers Integra at all.

[YellowMSP4KP]

That's weird that some people have to depress the clutch all the way to shift first to second. Mine shifts like butter with onlyabout 2 inches of pedal movement...just enought to disengage the clutch and it slides into the next gear.

[Turbo Matty P]

when you use heavy duty performance aftermarket parts you get some quirks. However, I think the mazda tranny is amazing for what it does!

[oldzoomer]

my turn to chime in now that I have a MSP!
1st to 2nd is smoother than my 1991 Protege (I'm guessing my old synchros make it tougher to shift)
definitely have to have clutch all the way to the floor - just like my 1991
overall all shifts feel smooth
trying to shift to 1st while crawling is difficult but better than my 1991 protege

i'm pretty thrilled with the tranny so far - will hold final judgement until post-break-in WOT shifts - especially the 1st-2nd redline shift

[Larone]

Originally posted by YellowMSP4KP
That's weird that some people have to depress the clutch all the way to shift first to second. Mine shifts like butter with onlyabout 2 inches of pedal movement...just enought to disengage the clutch and it slides into the next gear.

Strangely enough, it's not all the time that this happens to me. On hard acceleration sometimes the 1-2 shift wont go unless the clutch is fully engaged - othertimes it works with just slight depression. Either way though I don't find my tranny problematic at all. Loving my MSP!