Manual transmission options

13 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2008 at 7:30 AM

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#12 of 13 Re: Manual transmission options [abarry90] by whobodym Nov 08, 2008 (2:25 pm)
Replying to: abarry90 (Sep 11, 2008 1:51 pm) perhaps we can take heart from the recent Consumer Reports brief article on Manual Transmission performance and economy advantages - I think it was the Nov 08 issue. CR has tended to ignore this subject over the past 5 years but I think it deserves more publicity. They found, and my experience meshes, that EPA mileage estimates do not seem to show the real world MPG benefits that stick shifts really do give us. I am a spreadsheet-geek so I have kept track of my mileage, every tank. Our '06 MZ5 Touring 5M has burned 1608.8 gallons over 38,000 miles. That's 23.4 mpg overall for what has mostly been city driving. We live in Seattle proper, not the suburbs. We've only taken it outside King County a few times, the Redwoods being the farthest. Then there is the acceleration benefit. CR listed a half-dozen models like Accord and Civic, and the 0-60 times were all 1-2 seconds better for the manual versions of the same cars. Now, what might be nice would be a Mazda 5 Grand Touring with the 6 speed manual and 2.0L engine. This is a configuration already sold in Europe I think, and I bet it could be set up to give quite a bit better MPG and be almost as fast. I bet we have barely begun to see what all the car company marketing departments can do to get back in the High Mileage mood they emphasized in the 70s and 80s. Replies to this message: vg33e power (Nov 10, 2008 7:30 am)
#13 of 13 Re: Manual transmission options [whobodym] by vg33e power Nov 10, 2008 (7:30 am)
Replying to: whobodym (Nov 08, 2008 2:25 pm) ...or how about a Mazda5 Grand Touring 6-MT with the CX-7's 2.3L Turbo and AWD. Now that would make it the ultimate MZ5 in my books.

#12 of 13: Re: Manual transmission options [abarry90] by whobodym; Nov 08, 2008 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: abarry90 (Sep 11, 2008 1:51 pm)

perhaps we can take heart from the recent Consumer Reports brief article on Manual Transmission performance and economy advantages - I think it was the Nov 08 issue. CR has tended to ignore this subject over the past 5 years but I think it deserves more publicity. They found, and my experience meshes, that EPA mileage estimates do not seem to show the real world MPG benefits that stick shifts really do give us. I am a spreadsheet-geek so I have kept track of my mileage, every tank. Our '06 MZ5 Touring 5M has burned 1608.8 gallons over 38,000 miles. That's 23.4 mpg overall for what has mostly been city driving. We live in Seattle proper, not the suburbs. We've only taken it outside King County a few times, the Redwoods being the farthest. Then there is the acceleration benefit. CR listed a half-dozen models like Accord and Civic, and the 0-60 times were all 1-2 seconds better for the manual versions of the same cars.

Now, what might be nice would be a Mazda 5 Grand Touring with the 6 speed manual and 2.0L engine. This is a configuration already sold in Europe I think, and I bet it could be set up to give quite a bit better MPG and be almost as fast. I bet we have barely begun to see what all the car company marketing departments can do to get back in the High Mileage mood they emphasized in the 70s and 80s.