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Choosing between buying a 5spd or auto?

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Old 07-29-2002, 06:53 PM
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Choosing between buying a 5spd or auto?

I test drove one of each today. The 5spd was awesome, lots of fun. But the auto drove slow unless I stomped on it. I felt like I could only drive the auto easy or fast and with little control. Give me some imput.

Have any of you got an auto and wished you would've got a 5spd?

Also, once I get one, what is the easiest and cheapest entry-level modification I could make for more power. Approximate cost?

Thanks guys.
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Old 07-29-2002, 06:57 PM
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Re: Choosing between buying a 5spd or auto?

Originally posted by preach
I test drove one of each today. The 5spd was awesome, lots of fun. But the auto drove slow unless I stomped on it. I felt like I could only drive the auto easy or fast and with little control. Give me some imput.

Have any of you got an auto and wished you would've got a 5spd?

Also, once I get one, what is the easiest and cheapest entry-level modification I could make for more power. Approximate cost?

Thanks guys.
Get a 5spd. That is the best performance mod you could get
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:00 PM
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Re: Choosing between buying a 5spd or auto?

Originally posted by preach
I test drove one of each today. The 5spd was awesome, lots of fun. But the auto drove slow unless I stomped on it. I felt like I could only drive the auto easy or fast and with little control. Give me some imput.

Have any of you got an auto and wished you would've got a 5spd?

Also, once I get one, what is the easiest and cheapest entry-level modification I could make for more power. Approximate cost?

Thanks guys.

i think everyone on this board that drives an auto wishes they had a 5spd
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:00 PM
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you drove them back to back and STILL haven't decided on the 5-speed?

I have a '95 Maxima with basic bolt-ons that used to be an automatic. I converted it to 5-speed not to long ago and it is a COMPLETELY different car. I will never buy another automatic again unless it's an SUV or a Lightning.

The 5spd 4th Gen Maxima's do 0-60 in about 6 1/2 seconds stock, and the auto in around 7.3-7.7.

The 5spd:

1)Has better gearing (shorter 1st gear being the best feature)
2)Puts more power to the ground then the auto
3)Weighs about 40-60lbs. less then the auto tranny
5)Gives you DIRECT connection with your engine

Please don't get the automatic, or you WILL forever regret it.
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:00 PM
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Get the 5spd.

I have an auto, and I dream of having a manual every damn day...
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:01 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg
Get the 5spd.

I have an auto, and I dream of having a manual every damn day...
Ahhh, you remind me of me 2 weeks ago.
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:03 PM
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Originally posted by Craig Mack


Ahhh, you remind me of me 2 weeks ago.
Perhaps I wont be dreaming for long...

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Old 07-29-2002, 07:07 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


Perhaps I wont be dreaming for long...

Well...you are very close to stock aren't you? Sell that bish and get your self a nice low milage superblack 95 SE 5spd for cheap and enjoy the pleasure.
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:11 PM
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Originally posted by Craig Mack


Well...you are very close to stock aren't you? Sell that bish and get your self a nice low milage superblack 95 SE 5spd for cheap and enjoy the pleasure.
Not cost effective for me.
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:14 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


Not cost effective for me.
<Using the knowledge of mzmtg's liking for the Maxima> So you're going to sell it and buy another car (non-Maxima) in a 5spd? </Using the knowledge of mzmtg's liking for the Maxima>

-Cyrus
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:16 PM
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Originally posted by Vyrus

<Using the knowledge of mzmtg's liking for the Maxima> So you're going to sell it and buy another car (non-Maxima) in a 5spd? </Using the knowledge of mzmtg's liking for the Maxima>

-Cyrus
[knowing mzmtg's new plan]
Nope...
[/knowing mzmtg's new plan]
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:18 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


[knowing mzmtg's new plan]
Nope...
[/knowing mzmtg's new plan]
[wanting to know mzmtg's new plan really bad] So what is your new plan? [/wanting to know mzmtg's new plan really bad]

-Cyrus
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:19 PM
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Originally posted by Vyrus

[wanting to know mzmtg's new plan really bad] So what is your new plan? [/wanting to know mzmtg's new plan really bad]

-Cyrus
nothing worth gettin excited over. it's all been done before. And mine wont be done for at least a year.
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:21 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


nothing worth gettin excited over. it's all been done before. And mine wont be done for at least a year.
So it's just another 5spd swap... I'm dissapointed in you mzmtg, I though you would atleast do something a little original...
-Cyrus
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:25 PM
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Originally posted by Vyrus

So it's just another 5spd swap... I'm dissapointed in you mzmtg, I though you would atleast do something a little original...
-Cyrus
it will be. I'm going to put 4.17 gears in it...
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:26 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


it will be. I'm going to put 4.17 gears in it...
Well atleast something.
-Cyrus
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:33 PM
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Originally posted by mzmtg


it will be. I'm going to put 4.17 gears in it...
Hmmm, I stopped following that thread but a guy was saying how the 4.17 and 4.4 (or whatever it was) would HURT the 5spd's performance, not help it. We definatally don't need any more punch off the line, and have great highway power too, so....why mess with a good thing? The ONLY thing that blows about the 5spd's stock ratio's is that when I am at 70mph I am @3,000 RPMS in 5th gear! I was at about 2.1 with my old auto. SO now I lose more gas and my car sounds ricey when I give it gas
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Old 07-29-2002, 07:43 PM
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Originally posted by Craig Mack


Hmmm, I stopped following that thread but a guy was saying how the 4.17 and 4.4 (or whatever it was) would HURT the 5spd's performance, not help it. We definatally don't need any more punch off the line, and have great highway power too, so....why mess with a good thing? The ONLY thing that blows about the 5spd's stock ratio's is that when I am at 70mph I am @3,000 RPMS in 5th gear! I was at about 2.1 with my old auto. SO now I lose more gas and my car sounds ricey when I give it gas
I agree, I really see no point in that 5th gear. Its almost the same as 4th. I mean if 5th is gonna slow, at least make a small ratio so we can cruise at 2k at 70mph.....
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Old 07-29-2002, 09:27 PM
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Originally posted by skeelo34


I agree, I really see no point in that 5th gear. Its almost the same as 4th. I mean if 5th is gonna slow, at least make a small ratio so we can cruise at 2k at 70mph.....
Yeah, but as everyone on the board knows, each engine has its own deal. Here are two recent experiences for me:

My Max (5 speed, 1999) - Cruising at 75mph = rpms at 3k, mpg were 32.
Parent's Accord v6 (auto, 2000) - Cruising at 75mps = rpms at 2.5k, mpg were 28.
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Old 07-29-2002, 09:32 PM
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If you do not live in a big city or an area with lots of traffic, get a 5 speed. The auto is more practical for traffic and stuff but it is not nearly as fun to drive as the 5 speed. I live in NYC and have an automatic, I've been regretting it a lot and I'm shopping for a 5 speed right now.
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Old 07-29-2002, 09:36 PM
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Originally posted by Craig Mack
you drove them back to back and STILL haven't decided on the 5-speed?

I have a '95 Maxima with basic bolt-ons that used to be an automatic. I converted it to 5-speed not to long ago and it is a COMPLETELY different car. I will never buy another automatic again unless it's an SUV or a Lightning.

The 5spd 4th Gen Maxima's do 0-60 in about 6 1/2 seconds stock, and the auto in around 7.3-7.7.

The 5spd:

1)Has better gearing (shorter 1st gear being the best feature)
2)Puts more power to the ground then the auto
3)Weighs about 40-60lbs. less then the auto tranny
5)Gives you DIRECT connection with your engine

Please don't get the automatic, or you WILL forever regret it.


sorry "dude" granted you now own a 5 speed, but no way is it .8 faster than an auto... rock on man...
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Old 07-29-2002, 09:47 PM
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5 spd all duh way

I think a 5 spd Max would be alot more fun than an AUTO. However I got a heluva deal on mine a Auto (95 GXE)paid $1600 I dont really regret it though because I bought it for practically nothing. It has 114,000 miles and a broken tachometer and the power antenna is broken to..other than that it runs great and best of all hauls A$$. I dont know how much money you have to drop on a max but i think generally 5 spds are cheaper.
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Old 07-29-2002, 09:52 PM
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If you want to save money buy the 5spd.
-Cyrus
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Old 07-30-2002, 05:23 AM
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Originally posted by triax37


Yeah, but as everyone on the board knows, each engine has its own deal. Here are two recent experiences for me:

My Max (5 speed, 1999) - Cruising at 75mph = rpms at 3k, mpg were 32.
Parent's Accord v6 (auto, 2000) - Cruising at 75mps = rpms at 2.5k, mpg were 28.
You do realize that your comparison example is completely useless, don't you?
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Old 07-30-2002, 03:48 PM
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Originally posted by JeepRage



sorry "dude" granted you now own a 5 speed, but no way is it .8 faster than an auto... rock on man...
You are SO wrong I wasn't even going to respond. Your obviously a newbie or you would have read the 10,000 posts that include the answer to this question.

I know as good/better then anyone else how much faster manuals are then auto's...after all, I converted. My new 5-speed BLOWS my autotragic away, there is NO comparison. You obviously have an auto aka slow car and just have pen!s envy.

Search and you will answer your own question.
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Old 07-30-2002, 03:56 PM
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5 speed all the way!!
man....i wish i had a 5 speed
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Old 07-30-2002, 04:27 PM
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5spd all the way

everyone has told you this i guess, but get the 5spd, you will quickly become natural to it and get better.
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Old 07-30-2002, 04:32 PM
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I drove my 5 speed in tons of very slow traffic for 2 years until I moved to where I am now. Never had a regret. If you stay back a bit and try not to use the clutch much, there's not THAT much shifting - unless it's totally stop and go for a long time.
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Old 07-30-2002, 04:40 PM
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5spd or you'll most likely regret it, especially if you frequent these boards often.
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