pro and cons 5 vs 6 sp

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cm - 16 Aug 2004 18:01 GMT

Thinking of buying an 04. Opinions on the better tranny for the Miata.

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Randy Maheux - 17 Aug 2004 14:31 GMT

I've had both and like the 6 speed better. While the ratios may be a little
closer and a little lower overall, essentially, it drives like a 5 speed
with an overdrive gear. 70 MPH on the interstate is about 500 RPM lower.
This makes quite a difference in the noise level and the car seems more
comfortable when cruising. I have not noticed any difference in fuel
economy, but I tend to have a heavy right foot, getting only 22 to 24 MPG in
mixed driving. I do get a kick out of going through the gears around town
and it is easier to maintain the RPMs I want when I go up into the
mountains. Finally, this doesn't make a lot of sense, but the car seems to
need less shifting when stuck in 20 MPH rush hour traffic.

> Thinking of buying an 04. Opinions on the better tranny for the Miata.

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Dave - 20 Aug 2004 02:46 GMT

>I've had both and like the 6 speed better. While the ratios may be a little
>closer and a little lower overall, essentially, it drives like a 5 speed
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>> Thinking of buying an 04. Opinions on the better tranny for the Miata.

I have the 6-speed, and have barely driven a 5-speed. But still I
will counter what the above poster said. It wasn't as much as 500
rpm, more like 250, and now with the shorter final drive on the
6-speed, the top gear cruise rpm for the 5 & 6 should be almost
identical.

The 6 will definitely pull in 1st on the 5 speed. And if you
really like to stir the gears, I suppose the 6 may suit you.

But many more folk have had issues with the 6 (grinding, balky
shifts) including me. I rarely if ever read complaints with the
5. Maybe a quality control issue.

Bottom line, if it wasn't for me wanting the '01 SE, I'd pick a
5-speed. I consider 6-speeds to *usually* be more of a marketing
thing than anything else.

Or do you mean auto? I personally would never buy an auto sports
car.

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cm - 21 Aug 2004 17:04 GMT

Definitely not an auto. Was thinking more toward the 5sp but at this time
not a big choice. May have to get the 6. Just don't like paying extra for
something with no advantages.

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Dave - 21 Aug 2004 19:48 GMT

>Definitely not an auto. Was thinking more toward the 5sp but at this time
>not a big choice. May have to get the 6. Just don't like paying extra for
>something with no advantages.

Partially going back on what I recommended, here is perhaps a
reason to get the 6-spd: Mazda's usual horrible package options.

If you want ABS (have it and like it), it looks like you have to
get an LS with 6-speed.

If you want the sport suspension (wish I had it), you either get a
base model (5-speed) or LS+6-speed.

If you can do without ABS and leather, I'd just find a base with
the suspension pkg which also adds the limited slip diff (std on
LS).

Good luck!

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