5 speed vs 4 speed automatic

[Hephaestos]

I'm looking at a 2008.5 sport Gx or Gs and would like to know of the pros and cons of a 5 speed or 4 speed automatic transmission. I realize that they would be hooked up to a 2.0L or a 2.3L engine, but other than the 2.3L giving more punch how does a 5 speed automatic affect the ride, gas effecienct or anything else? Thanks.

-A

[silvermist99]

here is a discussion
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=25860


also read
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=15603

to me what works best would be: city driving = auto, casual driving/cruising = manual, racing = DSG/auto-manuals (not avaliable in mazda3)

[Hephaestos]

To clarify, I'm wonderting at the differences/benifits/drawbacks of the 5 speed automatic versus the 4 speed automatic transmission.

[cwp_sedan]

EDIT: I didn't read this clearly...

1 - Gearing ratio will be different. You will get better mileage with a 5-speed auto over a 4-speed. The 4-speed auto comes with the 2.0L though so your gas mileage will be better to begin with compared to the 2.3.

2 - 5-speed auto gives you the ability to shift manually. It's nice to have if you want to get past a car, etc.

That's about it. The 5-speed is better period, but will cost you more as it only comes on the 2.3L.

[silvermist99]

To clarify, I'm wonderting at the differences/benifits/drawbacks of the 5 speed automatic versus the 4 speed automatic transmission.

oh the auto trannys! The advantage of 5AT would be lower highway cruising rpm, and better accleration due to closing gearing, most likely better fuel economy due to closer gearing and taller final gear.

drawback for 5AT: more $ I think? (not familiar with their pricing but I would assume it cost more) and probably more money to replace down the road if things go bad and you plan on keeping the car forever.

If you want a faster car with lower highway cruising rpm and want to spend more $$ then the 5AT is for you.


Had to search a bit to find this post I made a while back back. The link listed at the bottom takes you to a calculator where you can determine engine rpm @ road speed for any vehicle if you know the wheel diameter, tire size, transaxle (or axle) ratio and transmission ratio in top gear:

Calculation for Mazda 3s atx sedans with 205/55 tires mounted on 16" wheels:

Engine speed in top gear @ 70 mph s/b:
'04 & '05 3s atx (4-speed) = 3,039 rpm
'06 & later 3s atx (5-speed) = 2,537 rpm
Quite a difference huh!

Also, funandfrugal was right about the final drive ratios for 3i automatics (4-speed) and post '05 3s automatics (5-speed) being almost identical. The difference is only .003 (2.670 for 3s atx vs 2.673 for 3i atx).

Here's a copy of my original post (made before the 5-speed automatics became available on 3s models).

'04 & '05 Mazda 3 engine rpm calculated @ 80 mph:

With 5-speed manual transmission:

3,348 rpm - 3i w/15" wheels & 195-65 tires
3,362 rpm - 3i & 3s 4-door w/16" wheels & 205-55 tires
3,335 rpm - 3s 5-door w/17" wheels & 205-50 tires

With 4-speed automatic transmission:

2,885 rpm - 3i w/15" wheels & 195-65 tires
2,896 rpm - 3i w/16" wheels & 205-55 tires
3,473 rpm - 3s 4-door w/16" wheels & 205-55 tires
3,445 rpm - 3s 5-door w/17" wheels & 205-50 tires

All 5-speed models use the same top gear (.755) and final drive (4.105) ratios
All 4-speed automatic models use the same top gear ratios (.725).
However, automatic-equipped i models have taller final drive ratios (3.683) than automatic-equipped s models (4.416)
(Note: automatic s models lower final drive ratios causes their engines to spin faster, which improves acceleration but lowers fuel economy.)

Click on the following for more speed/rpm calculations: http://tech.oldsgmail.com/axle_RPM.html
Use the tire/wheel size and top gear/final drive data appropriate to your car (listed above)"

« Last Edit: July 21, 2008, 01:45:03 PM by CDTMAZDA3 »

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=63615.4650

[x_o_k_x]

5speed is better in terms of lower RPMs and the car is actually breaking itself once you let go off the pedal while 4speed, feels like you dont have enough gears while it accelarates quicker at 100+. RPMs alot higher on the highway and car doesnt really slowdown much

[mazdas3sporte]

i purchased the 5 speed Stick for 2 reasons, 1) cause its 1000$ cheaper then 4 speed Auto
2) better fuel economy due to the fact that i put it in neutral most of the time and let it cruise on slow sloped streeets, the dash shows i use 2L/100km!!

[IrishmanM3]

OP if your a high-speed highway cruiser like me and over 6-1" tall like me (no hight adjustable seat on the 2008.5 gx 2.0 4AT) than the gs-gt is the way to go for automatic.

[jaimie08mazda3]

its alot more fun, cheaper on gas (not to mention 1100 for an automatic like wtf) and your always doing something unlike an automatic where its just drive go.

[Xerox]

I'm looking at a 2008.5 sport Gx or Gs and would like to know of the pros and cons of a 5 speed or 4 speed automatic transmission. I realize that they would be hooked up to a 2.0L or a 2.3L engine, but other than the 2.3L giving more punch how does a 5 speed automatic affect the ride, gas effecienct or anything else? Thanks.

-A

OP is referring to 5spd auto - not manual as some of the recent responses have been on about.

[Hephaestos]

Went and test drove a 2.3L with 5speed auto and a 2.0L with 4speed auto the other day. As expected the 2.3L 5speed is a much more pleasant car, even if it does cost more and will be a bit pricier on gas. If I were actually the one purchasing this car, it's for the lil'lady, I would pick the GT sedan and get the 2.3L 5speed auto. Likely she will too, as she seems enamoured by the heated seats which will be nice in these cold Alberta winters. I guess we will see. Thanks for the info, even the mis-directed stuff.

-A

[x_o_k_x]

its alot more fun, cheaper on gas (not to mention 1100 for an automatic like wtf) and your always doing something unlike an automatic where its just drive go.

I have never drove manual since i learned how to drive, and sometimes Tiptronic is alot of fun and pretty damn quick then auto.

[agm_ultimatex]

If you are in a lot of bumper to bumper, I recommend an auto. However manual is a bit better on fuel. However if you say would like to turbo your car, the auto really cannot tolerate that kind of power, so then you may want a manual. I do a mix of country, and city driving (a little bit of bumper to bumper), I wish I had gotten a manual.

[jliu]

Manual all the way... Better Gas mileage (saves you $$$), better accelaration off the line, it's more fun, you save money on brakes and tranny services. ie. Transmission fluid flush, transmission pan & gasket. If you are a lazy driver then go Auto, but if you want to see what your 3 can really do, then you have to go standard. i don't know what the auto feels like, but the 5 speed manual transmission is sooooo smoooooth, it's sexy. Why don't you try both and get a feel for them before you buy one.

I've never owned a auto car, but have drove many, and nothing feels better then a manual ride. Just my 2 cents!!

:bana2:bana:lock

[cwp_sedan]

If you are in a lot of bumper to bumper, I recommend an auto. However manual is a bit better on fuel. However if you say would like to turbo your car, the auto really cannot tolerate that kind of power, so then you may want a manual. I do a mix of country, and city driving (a little bit of bumper to bumper), I wish I had gotten a manual.


Manual all the way... Better Gas mileage (saves you $$$), better accelaration off the line, it's more fun, you save money on brakes and tranny services. ie. Transmission fluid flush, transmission pan & gasket. If you are a lazy driver then go Auto, but if you want to see what your 3 can really do, then you have to go standard. i don't know what the auto feels like, but the 5 speed manual transmission is sooooo smoooooth, it's sexy. Why don't you try both and get a feel for them before you buy one.

I've never owned a auto car, but have drove many, and nothing feels better then a manual ride. Just my 2 cents!!

:bana2:bana:lock

You guys do know he's trying to compare the 4-speed auto vs the 5-speed auto right?

[x_o_k_x]

Also the cool thing about 5 speed is when you are on tiptronic and accidently downshift, on you dashboard the gear will flash and you wont be able to downshift to avoid blown engine or redlining you car untill slow down a bit to allow to switch over.

[MazdaTres]

Also the cool thing about 5 speed is when you are on tiptronic and accidently downshift, on you dashboard the gear will flash and you wont be able to downshift to avoid blown engine or redlining you car untill slow down a bit to allow to switch over.

I have a 4-speed auto GS and it does that too

[silvermist99]

Also the cool thing about 5 speed is when you are on tiptronic and accidently downshift, on you dashboard the gear will flash and you wont be able to downshift to avoid blown engine or redlining you car untill slow down a bit to allow to switch over.

the 6MT doesn't allow me to go back into first after like 20km/h even if i try to unless I double clutch & totally bang it in... MT has built in safety downshift features too:chuckle

[jliu]

the 6MT doesn't allow me to go back into first after like 20km/h even if i try to unless I double clutch & totally bang it in... MT has built in safety downshift features too:chuckle

Really? I didn't know that? that's crazy info... good looking out!!