Does anybody drive a 6-speed manual?

[Buck]

I just bought one and I don't really understand when I'm supposed to use the 6th speed. It seems like if it was just for fuel conservation, I would switch right to 6th from 4th...In other words, I switch into 5th at around 60 MPH and I've been switching to 6th at 65.

I don't want to ruin my tranny. Anyone have advice?

[Buck]

Originally Posted by BroncoDork

You bought a Tacoma 6 spd manual. You have versatility, use the gears as little as you can. Seat of your pants driving, go by the engine sound, the tach. The sixth gear is for cruising, don't go into it if you think you'll jst have to downshift in a mile or two. I have the Tacoma 6 spd also. I use maybe 3 or 4 gears for around town. The more you shift, the sooner that clutch will wear out.

Okay this was the post I was looking for, thanks.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I am looking to get the exact car at the start of next year or within the next 2 years. Looks like a great but versatile ride that is also practical.

Sorry for the thread hijack, Buck.

Yes, I can't say enough good things about it. It's a blast to drive and a hell of a bargain.

[MahiMike]

Switch to 6th gear as soon as you can w/o it bogging down. My VW tells me when to switch.

[ReynardMuldrake]

I generally just shift from 4th into 6th. Unless I need the extra power for some reason.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by KC native

Yes, I can't say enough good things about it. It's a blast to drive and a hell of a bargain.

Yea I would like to get as much bang for the buck as I can for a sporty but practical car (girlfriend says no more coupes!), while taking out less than 10k for a loan. The MazdaSpeed 3 so far stands far and above the rest for me in my research.

Were you able to find all the options you wanted or did you custom build it? I was looking at custom building it from the website because it still is a helluva deal and making sure I get it like I want it.

[QuikSsurfer]

Originally Posted by KC native

I ****ing love it. It's quick and handles great. The fit and finish and options for what I paid for is unbelievable. I got it for $22,859.

I love my mazda6. I'll definitely buy another mazda - and those mazda3's look very nice.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Yea I would like to get as much bang for the buck as I can for a sporty but practical car (girlfriend says no more coupes!), while taking out less than 10k for a loan. The MazdaSpeed 3 so far stands far and above the rest for me in my research.

Were you able to find all the options you wanted or did you custom build it? I was looking at custom building it from the website because it still is a helluva deal and making sure I get it like I want it.

There are really only two builds for it. With the tech package or without the tech package. I felt the tech package was over priced for what it had, so I got it without the tech package option.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

I love my mazda6. I'll definitely buy another mazda - and those mazda3's look very nice.

Rumor is they are bringing back the Speed6 next year and giving it a diesel. As soon as I heard that, I wished I could have held off a year to get a car.

[houstonwhodat]

I live in Houston worst traffic in the world except maybe LA.

The last thing I want is a manual.

Unless I could afford a weekend car.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by houstonwhodat

I live in Houston worst traffic in the world except maybe LA.

The last thing I want is a manual.

Unless I could afford a weekend car.

DFW traffic isn't much better. It's really not that bad to drive a manual in traffic. It's not the most fun thing to do, but the tradefoff is worth it IMO.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Yea I would like to get as much bang for the buck as I can for a sporty but practical car (girlfriend says no more coupes!), while taking out less than 10k for a loan. The MazdaSpeed 3 so far stands far and above the rest for me in my research.

Were you able to find all the options you wanted or did you custom build it? I was looking at custom building it from the website because it still is a helluva deal and making sure I get it like I want it.

The MS3's are nice, but I wouldn't buy one if that is your criteria, unless it has to be a relatively new car.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

The MS3's are nice, but I wouldn't buy one if that is your criteria, unless it has to be a relatively new car.

Well relatively new is part of the criteria, yes! Or low mileage used...under 20-30k miles.

So while I hijack Bucks' thread, care to expand on what you would suggest with that criteria?

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by BroncoDork

. I have the Tacoma 6 spd also. I use maybe 3 or 4 gears for around town. The more you shift, the sooner that clutch will wear out.

That's not exactly right, there's quite a bit that goes into that scenario. Engine RPM, Engine Load, Vehicle Speed, etc. The clutch will actually wear out more from the 1st to 2nd shift than it will from the 5th to 6th shift or 4th to 5th shift.

In all actuality, you'll wear your clutch out more from 5 minutes of starting and stopping at a mcdonalds drive through than you will in 3 months of highway driving and shifting to 6th gear.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Well relatively new is part of the criteria, yes! Or low mileage used...under 20-30k miles.

So while I hijack Bucks' thread, care to expand on what you would suggest with that criteria?

I was more concerned about the criteria than the car. I read "under 10k loan, sporty and practical" and started thinking all of the 444 cars out there, I'll explain what that means in a second. Mazda has a really bad habit of building 442 cars and did terrible on their 444 experiment, which is why the Speed6 went bye bye and half of the ones that hit the road were plagued with repair builds.

A 444 car is what my friends and I like to classify 4 door, 4 cylinder, 4 wheel drive vehicles. 442 is a 4 door, 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive. The 444 in most peoples eyes is going to be superior to the 442.

Example, Subaru STI > Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution > Neon SRT-4, why? 444>444>442. More importantly, they end to be better cars, more reliable, and certainly more practical. And more mod friendly.

In the case of the MS3, you're talking about a 442 hatch. For the same price of say, a 20-30k mile MS3, I'd rather go pickup a 50-70k mile Subaru STI, Evo, etc.

As a car guy and a driver, I'd say go for the subaru. Hell, you could even find a WRX for sale if you can't find an STI at the right price. Having had a ton of seat time in both the STI's and the EVO's, I can tell you the STI is the one to drive. It is far more practical in its design for every day use in Kansas 6 speed close ratio vs. 5 speed not-so-close ratio (older Evo's in price range), better suspension, economy is about the same, faster than the evo, and so much more fun to drive.

Lets take a 2006 STI vs. a 2nd gen MS3 as an example and compare them in some categories, since the prices are damned near the same.

1/4 times= STI
Gas Mileage= Push with a fractional advantage to the MS3 18/25 vs. 18/24
Response to modification= STI
Practicality= STI, AWD> FWD all day in the rain, snow, etc.
Braking= STI, and this is important for any real driver, because braking is everything at the Auto-X, Road Course, and adds a near priceless value to the safety of the person driving the car. Crash impact ratings are one thing, but braking is a whole new ball game.
New Car Feel= MS3

Choice is yours, but if you're talking Sporty, practical, non coupe vehicles, the Subaru STI and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have to be in your argument if you're looking at an MS3 since they are all in the same pricing range. The difference, of course, is that you are going to sacrifice Age and Mileage for an all around better car.

If newer and less mileage truly is a deciding factor, go with the MS3, but if driving the car, practicality, and even performance have anything to do with it, go find an older STI or even an EVO. And if you want you want to compromise and toss affordability into it, go find a basic WRX that is at least turbo charged, and you'll have about the same performance as an MS3, but have the practicality of AWD and having saved a few bucks all together.

[Bowser]

Clark Hunt does. He drives it up our collective asses at every chance that presents itself.