Is the manual 3 faster?

I did a quick search and didn't see this: is there much of a difference between the manual Mazda3 and automatic ones? I have a '07 i touring with the "sport" automatic, or whatever it's called. I may have to get another car because my girlfriend's moving out, so I'd like to know if it's worth the inconvenience in traffic to have the manual.

Manuals are usually a few tenths of a second faster and also have better gas mileage.      

well i find that a manual is alot faster then an automatic. with the cars that are automatic to the cars that are manual, in which i have driven, the manual definitly has more pep. no questions asked

Manuals, once you're familiar with it, are faster.  They lose less power between the engine and the tranny, so you get more power to the wheels.  They're also lighter.

I meant the 3 specifically. Since it is a "sport" automatic, and it is marketed as a sporty small car, and it is a 4 speed, maybe they tried to minimize the difference. If they wanted to, they could practically eliminate the difference with gearing, so I wanted to hear a report from someone who's driven both the manual and automatic 3 with the 2.0.

my younger sister drives a 2.0 liter mazda3 with automatic transmission...her car is frustratingly slow compared to my manual transmission 2.3 liter.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Carlb328

I meant the 3 specifically. Since it is a "sport" automatic, and it is marketed as a sporty small car, and it is a 4 speed, maybe they tried to minimize the difference. If they wanted to, they could practically eliminate the difference with gearing, so I wanted to hear a report from someone who's driven both the manual and automatic 3 with the 2.0.

when i went for a test drive i drove the 2.0 that was automatic. wasnt bad. but mine which is a 2.0 as well and is standard. is peppier then automatic by far to me. i mean yes its the same car but the standard is quite peppier not to mention alot more fun

Thank you, just what I needed to hear. They're cheaper too.

I just looked on Yahoo autos, the i versions have 3.68 final drive, and the S has 3.86, so unless that's a typo then the S is definitely worth it. BTW does the "base" S model have power locks and windows?

not sure on that one. i own the GS which is like the I luxury package... so i would assume so lol

As an former owner of manual transmissions and with an autobox now.  I have to say, I like the auto.  I miss the downshifting part for braking but c'est la vie.  I don't find the autobox too sluggish.  Long as you don't floor it right off the line or while trying to pass.  I find it best to push half way down to wake up the engine.  Floor it, and it takes a second or two for the car to figure out you want to go.  Slap shifting is neat too.  Timed right you can get the sucker to go.  However, it is only a 2.0. with 148 hp.  So, what do you expect.  Smaller engines have come a long, long way.  (83 Escort, Chevette anyone?)
My vote: Auto with the slap shift as a nice touch. 
 
But, the younger hot rods, like myself many years ago.  Manual is the way to go.
 
2 cents.

hahaha the chevettes. ohhhhh i saw one the other day i was like wow its a chevette. they still around here. and the young hot rods like me XD in my 5spd manual haha.

manual is better no questions asked. Weighs less, dont have to wait for the transmission to downshift while passing, Better gas mileage, less price, much faster than an auto if ur gonna be racing the car. only downside is the resale value may be less becuase all the old folks out there like lord dont like having to use both feet ;)

In a word, YES!!!
Less prone to trouble too.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LordChrisofSith
But, the younger hot rods, like myself many years ago.  Manual is the way to go.

2 cents.

'Xcuse me?   I am not a young hot-rod, but still love a  sportier, more controled feel in my vehicles. I always feel a tad out-of-touch when I drive somebodies automatic.

lol.. my left leg and my right arm don't feel like part of the team when i drive automatic. when i get into an auto my subconsciounce makes me wanna push down the clutch, and i wonder for a bit "where is it?". then i realize the situation and depression hits me hard like a bag of rocks . then i drive my car and i feel so much better .

quote:

ORIGINAL: SPeeDy3

lol.. my left leg and my right arm don't feel like part of the team when i drive automatic. when i get into an auto my subconsciounce makes me wanna push down the clutch, and i wonder for a bit "where is it?". then i realize the situation and depression hits me hard like a bag of rocks . then i drive my car and i feel so much better .

 
haha i do that alllllll the time driving my parents cars... (all are automatic. it drives me nuts to the point i dont want to drive it again. with manual, left foot on the clutch right foot on the gas and brake left hand on the steering wheel right hand on the shifter... nothing better then that. when i get into my mom or dads or grandmas car and drive it im like AGHHH. then get into my car and as you said you feel gooooooooood

I cerntainly agree with what everyone says about manual. 
 
But the city drivin.  1...2...3..4...brake....3...2......3......panic stop......brake..........1....2......3......4.................3..........brake....
 
Automatic = Put it in gear, go into hum drum mode and just drive to the mall.\\
 
Mind you.  The manuals with their hydraulic assisted clutchs are good.  My wife's car is still standard.  And cause I my license is AZ I ocasionaly get behind the wheel of an
18 wheeler.  18 speed anyone?

gahhhhh 18 wheeler. i dont think i could deal with 18 shifts. imagine that. 1...2...3..4..4...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12..13..14..15...16...17..18 OH CRAP STOP LIGHT18..17..16..15..14..13..12..11..10...9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 and goes like that. that would just give me carpeltunnel syndrome haha

i hear its tougher to drive the bigger trucks, due to the synchros or something. u have to manually match every gear with the right rpm and clutch in and match and clutch out.. wow.. if u kno how to drive that then u can drive nething.

Why did God give you a left foot and a right hand... to shift with .  This summer I taught my 15 year old boy to drive a stick we call auto's the X-box cars.

my parents taught me to drive my own car and i will NEVER go back to automatic.

Grew up on Manuals & raced 1/4 mi. in my '66 Chevelle Malibu back in the day, but now after working all day - just want to get in the car, lean back, relax and turn up the tunes and exert as little energy as possible.  Like my ATX!!

jaimie08mazda3
Date 10/27/2007 4:38:02 PM

 
gahhhhh 18 wheeler. i dont think i could deal with 18 shifts. imagine that. 1...2...3..4..4...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12..13..14..15...16...17..18 OH CRAP STOP LIGHT18..17..16..15..14..13..12..11..10...9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 and goes like that. that would just give me carpeltunnel syndrome haha
 
 
Can't drive a motorcycle.  When driving the rig you can't push the clutch all the way in.  That will engage, what we call, the clutch brake.  The clutch brake is designed to slow/stop the flywheel from spinning when switching to reverse.  However, if you are driving light, you can skip some gears.  Drivers try to shift around 1200 to 1500 rpm range.  Remember, these diesals redline at 3500 to 4000 rpm.  But, in traffic it's a bitch.  I don't drive professionaly.  Tried it, but did not like it.  Still, work at a truck dealership.  Trucks come with autoboxes now.  That's a whole different forum.  One last piece of advice. Don't sit too close behind the truck on the hill.  If he rolls back and squashes you, he probably did not feel it.
 

I have the triptronic...not bad, I like the standards, but I think Id get to sick of it...