A friend of mine asked me last night: "Did you really get the year you wanted or did you buy what you could afford?" and I said a bit of both because I wanted the 06+ because of the nicer interior and more symmetrical dash cluster but couldn't afford a 08 so I said I'll get the last year of the first gen. and he says alot of people buy older ones and kinda just try to justify it by saying "Yea I wanted the 9K redline when really the transmissions crap and its an overall inferior car."

I'm not knocking the AP1, this is what he said and I only drove a AP2 once at carmax for like 5 minutes. Is he right? All car pride aside? I mean I'm used to my car and I still feel a bit of jerkiness in shifting where my friends Mazda 3 shifts like an automatic, you can barely tell.

and does the higher power band really have its own pros over the F22C? Besides it slightly louder for a second or two? because I mean at that point if it's all bark I mean why not at that point just stick one of those things in your muffler that makes it sound supercharged if that's the only point of the F20C? (Rhetorically speaking)

Once again, I'm not bashing but I'd like to hear a honest unbiased response from you guys. I'm not very knowledgeable with cars and don't claim to know anything (as you can see from my posts I ask alot of questions and I appropriate all your responses when your being helpful and not mean). I'm just telling you what I was told, how I feel and want to know if he's right or if I'm getting false info.

Thanks!

 

tough to read the post. i'll say fourteen is the answer but only on the third thursday of the month.

 

You wanted an 06 but you couldn't afford an 08 so you bought an 03?

 

the ap1 and ap2 has one of the best transmissions in the world..the ap2 one is slightly different. if car jerks that doesnt mean the trans is messed up, it just means you can shift right. learn how to drive a manual properly. and mazda 3 just plain suxxx!!!

 

i purchased the exact car i wanted. ap1v2

i dont like the ap2 bumpers/lights, i like the ap1v2 interior better than all others, especially the red dash. the 9k redline is great too btw

The only thing i want, is an ap2 transmission, for the synchros and different gearing, not because the ap1 trans is garbage, but the trans has been updated through the years.

 

Sorry the 06 was a typo.

 

From what I've read, some AP1s have grinding issues with the transmission going into certain gears and may be a bit more notchy, but it is basically the same transmission. With a fluid change it should perform well unless it has been damaged by use.

As for the jerkiness of shifts, you probably just aren't shifting fast enough to properly match the revs of the next gear. If you want to granny shift, give the throttle a little blip in between each gear to better match your revs to the next.

 

an 02 wiht 55k miles and mine still shfits like brand new, engine doesn't burn more than 1/2 quart between oil changes, and good compression numbers. Take care of the car and it won't let you down. Abuse an Ap2 and it will break down just like any other model.

 

Sorry but your friend does not know what hes talking about. Ap1 and Ap2 both have great transmissions, but the ap2 has a slightly better transmission. The AP1 isnt a TOTALLY inferior car either, I have an ap2 and I would be happy with either ap1 or ap2.

 

Most Honda manual tranny's I've driven have been good.

AP1 tranny did not feel like crap. I dont know if you have an issue with your tranny. Get it checked out.