Greetings All,

Have owned my 1998 Mazda 626 w/4cyl, 5 speed MTX since new and pretty much have had 280k trouble free miles thus far. Will be looking to purchase new Mazda 6 next year and the wife wants auto tranny this time around so she can drive. I know the 626 had MAJOR problems with ATX and I'm very hesitant about the tranny if it's a FORD product. Anyone have any words of advice that may be helpful in this area?

Thanks

 

They have had some problems with the atx in the 6. From what I have heard, though, it is usually from those that really are using the sport shift option hard. I like to drive the hell out of mine sometimes and that is why I chose the mtx (of course I had OE clutch issues anyway! another story...). If you aren't planning to go canyon carving on any great occassions, slapping the sportshift around, the new atx will likely do quite well - better than your '98's generation did. Just keep the fluid flushed (every 30k miles under normal driving, every 15K miles under hard driving). Good luck on your decision.

 

For what it's worth, the ATX in the Mazda 6 is NOT a Ford transmission. The Mazda box is likely what Mazda considers an F4E if it's the 4 cylinder or a G4E if a 6 cylinder - both manufactured in Hiroshima. Both of those boxes are Mazda boxes. There is another box called the FN that Mazda might use with the 4 cylinderbut the torque capacity of the FN is on the low sidesothat's probably not going to happen. Ford does manufacture this box, but it's a Mazda design that Mazda also manufactures in Hiroshima.

As far as Ford boxes I understand your worries, the old CD4E and AX4N FWD transmissions are (were) awful, but for the vehicle that Ford will platform share with Mazda, the likely tranmissions (another transmission that mazda will also use and represents a third alt) is the Aisin transmission. Aisin generally manufactures for Toyota (and is principlally owned by Toyota) and the quality of these bozes is very good. Bottom line is that no "Ford" transmissions are likely to be used in any Mazda.

 

that is good to know. lol. If I knew my Mazda had a tranny designed by Ford I would sell my 6 the next day.

 

if u want a long-lasting tranny. go for the MTX. im a junior in high school n my parents expect me to keep it til i graduate COLLEGe. (thats 6 years). both my parents hondas (accord and odyssey) have ATX issues.

and plus. my friend with a 2005 Boxter S said he liked the feel of my manual better.

 

The ATX on the 6 takes an insane amount of tranny fluid as compared to the manual and has documented a lot more problems. The MTX on the other hand isn't free of issues either as there have been reports of the pressure plate bending and causing a shudder when shifting cold. Those are mild and often don't effect a lot of units but they can occur, then again you could get hit by a bus crossing the street today, so are you just never going to cross a street again? Why not teach your wify to drive stick, that'd solve all the problems (until she gets to liking it too much and burns it out).

D to the B